Always, Arlo [Published]

Chapter 2

Advice

"My name," He points at his tattoo "My name is Arlo." He looks down at his knuckles and then back up at me with amusement in his hooded eyes.

I stare at the four letters spelt out perfectly on each of his knuckles. It almost makes him seem egotistical for having his own name on display like that.

"There, now we're not strangers." Arlo says, blowing another puff of smoke out of his mouth into the air. His dark brown eyes are glued onto my face, sending weird shivers down my spine.

His stare is unique, the way he gazes at you gives you a mixture of nervousness and thrill. The type of eyes that make you flutter and fuck up your steps when walking when you know they're on you.

A reluctant smile tugs at the corner of my lips slowly. Its weird how keen he is to know me when we've just met. The way he's glancing at me indicates he also wants an introduction.

I pause for a minute and the rising smile falls back down just as quickly as it happened. I already feel like some boundaries are being crossed in this moment. Marlin wouldn't exactly be the happiest to know that I'm getting nervous, over an unknown man in a tight space.

We're both soaking wet from the rain and we're the only ones in here at all. The situation has a high tension for no reason.

Or maybe i'm thinking too much into it, I mean.. my boyfriend hardly even has any moments at all with me that I really gush over, situations like these are almost new to me now.

But it feels nice to have someone to talk to, someone who, even if they don't really care—wants to know about me. It's a nice feeling after being pushed off onto the side for so long.

"I'm Valentina." I say after a heartbeat, meeting contact with his warm hazy eyes. He nods slowly in approval as a response, as if he's taking in the moment.

"Valentine, I like it." He says along with a emerging smirk on his lips. I narrow my eyes towards his smug face.

"Valen-tina, like the name not the holiday." I confirm in confusion. Maybe the buzz is already hitting him, causing his brain to flutter away from reality.

"Yeah I heard you, but my nickname fits you better." He shrugs proudly, his lip piercing shines in the flash of lightening that bursts through the room.

"Why are you sad, Valentine?" He asks again, this time lowering his blunt to his side, the fumes still traveling into the air and spreading its tainting scent. He lifts his head up a bit, giving me his undivided attention.