Catfish and the Bottlemen Imagines

Under My Skin - 6 - Bondy

"He...what?"

My voice was a hoarse whisper, barely audible over the din of the patrons seated on barstools. Benji nodded slowly, sympathetically. 

"Yeah, um, Martha. Been together about a year, met in Shields..."

My mouth went dry, my throat squeezed in on itself. I blinked furiously, suppressing the pricks that moistened my eyes.

I should have known, I thought. I should have fucking known. I swallowed and looked at my toes. 

"Y/N, baby girl, what's wrong?"

Artemis's voice cut in as she appeared next to Benji, and he whispered quickly to her. She sputtered incredulously and shoved his shoulder. I heard them arguing -- he thought I'd known, she said no, in fact, we hadn't known -- but their voices faded into the background. 

I pulled out my phone, pretended to look at it nonchalantly, but I was biting back rage. 

The one time I catch feelings. The one time I let myself go, even just a little. Allow myself to see more in someone than just physical attraction. But no. This is what happens, what always happens. 

I should have fucking known. 

"Y/N, love, let's get out of here, I'll call us a cab." Artemis was talking to me now, soothing, all sympathy, her arm around me, rubbing my shoulder. Benji nodded and pulled out his phone, ready to call for one.

"No," I said firmly, shaking her off, sniffing. "No, I'd rather walk." 

"But baby girl, you can't--" 

"It's fine, alright? I'm fine. Johnny will walk me back." 

Artemis's lips pursed. "Y/N, come on, I don't think that's --"

"Why not?" I feigned ignorance. "He offered. No big deal." I squared my shoulders, planted a quick kiss on her cheek, before she could protest. "I'll see you back at the room. Bye, Benj."

I gave him a quick hug, threw my bag over my shoulder, and marched, haughty and indignant, out the door.

--

I was stubbing out my cigarette when she emerged from the bar. Her eyes flicked over sidewalk, looking for me. 

In that moment before we locked eyes, I marveled at her. 

She was so bloody gorgeous. That shimmery gold top, the simple black skirt with those boots, showing off her legs...she was incredible.

And she was so much more than her beauty. I was fascinated by her, her outwardly gregarious but inwardly humble ways. Her talent, her humor. Even the way she carried herself, calm and confident. I wanted to crawl into her head, learn what made her tick. Breathe her in, know her, understand her. 

I knew then that she had a grip on my heart. A tight grip. One I wasn't sure I could shake.

"Y/N!" I called out to her, grinning and waving. Her eyes fell on me. A big smile split her face, and she waved back. 

Her eyes, though, were different. Unsmiling. Something had changed.

As she approached, I offered my arm, and she hooked her hand in it obligingly. 

But her fingers were stiff, cold, her arm crooked just so to allow plenty of room between us. A far cry from the glowing creature who'd favored me with her soft touches and warm proximity just a few minutes ago.

"Alright, lass?" I looked down at her, concerned. 

"Yeah, alright, Johnny. Just...ready to go home," she said evenly.