The day faded into darkness as the sun set, leaving no promise of returning the next day. I quickly walked through the crowded streets, the cold night air making my hairs stand on end. I should've brought a jacket. I wore a medium length, black, spaghetti strapped dress, with a pair of matching black heels.
My curly hair remained pulled back into a tight yet neat puff. I looked good. A little basic, sure. But it gets the job done. I wanted to feel pretty. I had gotten dressed up to surprise Michael, hoping to receive a few words of praise...or perhaps reassurance from him. But things didn't go as planned. And it didn't help that my makeup was now smudged from the combination of my tears and excessive wiping.
At this point I was just walking aimlessly unsure of my next destination. All I know is that right now anything's better than going back home and being with...him.
I went to reach for my phone, only to realize I failed to bring it with me. Shit. My dumpster fire of a day seems to be getting progressively worse. Irritated, I begin to scan my surroundings. The words 'The red wagon: Bar & grill' in big letters on a sign in the front of a building. Below, lies a much smaller neon sign spelling out 'open'. It's a bar. Just what I need. Alcohol to solve all of life's problems, or at least temporarily.
I jog over to the building, pulling open one of the two doors and making my way inside. I rub my hands against my arms, my body immediately grateful for the change in temperature. The song 'Change' by Deftones plays faintly in the background. The dim lights were of a yellowish color, while the inside of the bar was filled with shades of brown, dark red, and black. A nice setting. Though it smelled slightly of rum. But I mean, that's sort of a given considering it is a bar after all.
The inside was relatively empty, not many people around besides me, a few employees, and a couple of others scattered throughout the room either eating, or situated at the bar.
I sat down on a small stool.
"What can I get ya?" said a man from behind the counter. I scan the menu temporarily, trying to decide on a drink.
"A 'Dirty Shirley' please." I cringe slightly at the name, watching as the man nods and turns around to begin my drink in response. Although compared to names like 'The Bahama Mama Cocktail' and 'Pussy foot', I guess dirty Shirley isn't so bad. I sweatdrop internally as I think of various drink names. Only to suddenly be snapped out of my daze when the bartender returns, my drink in tow.
"That'll be $11.69" he says standing behind the counter awaiting his payment. Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse my crappy day just got crappier- I don't have my purse. Therefore no wallet, therefore no money. In short, I'm an idiot. "Ah...I'm so sorry I just realized, I forgot my wa-"
"I'll take a dirty shirley and a bourbon on the rocks with a twist. Put it on my tab." An unfamiliar voice rings through my ears. The bartender, seemingly taken aback by the interruption, simply nods and slides the drink that had originally been for me in the man's direction. He then begins to make the second drink. Talk about crappy customer service-
The sound of a chair scraping against the ground is audible. The man moved his stool and is now sitting beside me.
"Here." he states, sliding the cocktail in my direction. I stare at him, mouth agape, due to both shock and bewilderment by said man's appearance. He was a tall man, with a sturdy build. It was visibly obvious that he worked out by the way his button up stuck to him as if it were hanging on for dear life. Hell, it almost looked as if a button would pop if he moved the wrong way.
His forearms were littered in various tattoos. He had hooded, gray-ish colored eyes, and a head of jet-black, shoulder length hair. Which he wore in a half up, half down, type of style. Honestly it's giving Eren Jaegar but like...not. The bottom half of his hair is dyed platinum white. How did he even get it that light-? He looked tired and scruffy, but at the same time very put together. He was the epitome of attractive.
"Take a picture. It'll last longer." He says, cutting me out of my thoughts.
"Overconfident much" I roll my eyes, feigning annoyance, still not fully comprehending the rollercoaster of events that have taken place today. I play with my straw, unsure of what to do next. "Thanks. You know...for the drink."
"No problem. Besides, you looked like you needed it." He shrugs slightly. At this moment I'm reminded of the way I undoubtedly look like I've been hit by a bus. I sip my drink, masking the slight embarrassment I'm currently facing before responding.
"Today's been... a lot."
"Hm...How so?" He says, taking a sip of his bourbon that had arrived prior. His eyes directed straight. I can't help but recall the fight I had gotten into with Michael, and my previously compressed feelings start to rise once more. So much for a distraction.
"For a stranger you're awfully 'friendly'" I raise an eyebrow, defensively, suspicious of the man before me. "Why should I talk to you?"
"Point taken" he let out a short and breathy chuckle. "I'm Jin" He looked at me expectantly. "And you are...?" I'm a little hesitant but considering he did buy me a drink I guess the least I could do is tell him my name.
" Carmen." I say, taking another sip."Now that we aren't strangers, what's got you down in the dumps Carmen?" He asked me, leaning on his elbow, chin against his palm. His voice was sultry, deep, and soft all at once.He seemed bored but invested at the same time. I honestly don't know what to think.
I let out a loud sigh, contemplating my next words. I could feel his eyes piercing holes into the side of my head. I kept my gaze downwards, the countertop suddenly looking real interesting.
I shrug lazily before removing my eyes from the bar counter and turning my attention to him. He remained silent.
"How bout you? What brings you to a bar all alone at this time of night?" I say questioning his hypocrisy. "The only people going out to bars this late, not to mention by themselves, are trying to get away. To find a temporary relief from the fucked up reality that is their life. It's pathetic really. But then again, who am I to speak? We've all got things that we'd rather keep to ourselves. Wouldn't you say?. " He stays quiet, taking in my words. Was that too much?
"Hm." He nods slightly showing his agreement. It seems as though I hit a nerve. He picks up his glass, chugging down the rest of his liquor and signaling the bartender for another drink. "You're not wrong. I didn't mean to overstep. It must be the alcohol. I assure you, I'm not usually as invading-" He says before clearing his throat and straightening up a bit.
I feel my cheeks warm up in embarrassment. Those were the 6 most emo sentences to ever leave my mouth. I truly am a dumbass, going all "mysterious mc with a tragic backstory" on some random guy that looks like the male lead of some romance manwha in a nutshell. But like...spicer??? At this point I am truly questioning my thought process...Nevertheless, neither of us speak. I should change the subject.
"Let's just cut to the chase..." I say, breaking the silence. "You're bored, or at least I'm assuming that you are. And I know I'm bored. So let's have some fun." I say smiling lightly in his direction. What is wrong me? My god that was so cringey- I'm quite literally decomposing right now. An amused smirk plays on his face as his brows raise slightly in interest.
"Yeah? How do you feel about table hockey?" He nods his head towards the opposite side of the room. There, a table hockey set-up stands in place. I'm a little less embarrassed now.
"As a matter of fact I just so happen to be undefeated in table hockey." I boast, flashing a cheeky grin.
"That is until today." He challenges. His eyes laced with a playful intensity as he leans in slightly to add to the "intimidating" effect.
Any normal person would back up, get upset, leave, or at least show SOME signs of discomfort if a strange man in which they had just met was invading their personal space. But I didn't budge. I couldn't. He was a magnet, and I was but a bobby pin lying around far too close, slowly getting sucked in by the gravitational pull.
He smelled of expensive cologne mixed with something I couldn't quite pinpoint. Like, he had his own unique scent that the gods had decided to bless him with to add to his appeal. I could feel my insecurities come to surface as he laid his eyes on me. A couple of games never hurt anybody, right?
Well, as it turns out that mindset would complicate things more than I could've imagined.
Time passed by quickly, almost as if no time were passing by at all. We talked, laughed, and played games for hours on end. All the while ordering drink after drink, and slowly but surely slipping further away from sobriety.
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HELLO!! THANKS FOR READING! YOU CAN REFER TO ME AS MIA IDK. I'm shocked anyone actually read this far since it's kinda trash 😭
