Sanctuary (A Dan Smith/ Bastille fanfic)

41. Chloe

"And I wanted you to meet him too!" Chris excitedly rambles on about this Dan guy that he met the other night. We've both been so busy that we haven't been able to sit down and talk about what happened when he went out. "So we're going out tonight with him and then you can suss him out? You're such a good judge of character and I trust your instincts. So if you like him and don't think he's dodgy or anything I might actually go for it with this band thing."

"Yeah why not." I shrug. I want to check this guy out myself; I don't want Chris to go wasting his time with someone who isn't as serious as him about this. Music is something Chris is particularly passionate about and he's been talking for years about how he actually wants to make something from it. Ever since I met him he's always said he either wants to be a drummer or a footballer, and since he's not as skilled at footballing as he is at drumming, I've always tried to enforce the drumming on him. Alongside our full time jobs that is, obviously. Not that I bloody have a job.

"Sweet, we're leaving in 5." He stands up from the sofa. "So you better get ready. Oh no, I forgot you leave the house looking like a tramp most of the time." He jokes and I kick my legs out as he dodges past me.

"Arsehole!" I call as he laughs down the hallway. He's right. I literally make so little effort with my appearance; I need to prove him wrong.

I go into the bathroom and open the cupboard to find my make-up bag. I cover my skin with a layer of powder on top of the foundation that I already have on, and then put on some liquid eyeliner and a dark red lipstick. I let my hair out of its bun and ruffle it up with my fingertips, scrunching it with some water to add some extra curls in. When I'm satisfied with my face, I go and get dressed in some black skinny jeans, a blue camisole and some black heeled boots. It's not that much effort, but I do look better than I did ten minutes ago.

"Woah, Chloe! You actually look hot!" Chris jokes again as I enter the living room where he's waiting.

"Again, you're an arsehole!" I turn on my heel and lead us out of the house, feeling myself strut slightly as I walk. Not to blow my own trumpet or anything, but I feel good too.

"An adorable arsehole though, right?!" He grins his charming grin and I can't help but mirror his expression.

"Sure, whatever." I smile and link my arm into Chris's arm as we walk down the street. "Where are we going then?"

"He said he would come this way seeing as I went to Putney the other day. So just up here." Chris uses his elbow to point towards the row of bars, pubs and restaurants that we live conveniently close to.

We walk for a couple of minutes before Chris stops and directs us into one of the pubs which we must have been in about a hundred times before. We both look around, even though I shouldn't as I have no idea what this Dan guy looks like, and Chris sees who he was looking for and leads us through the crowded pub to greet the guy. Chris slows and stops at a table and I manage to finally push past someone in my way and stand next to him to see his new friend.

"Holy fuck." I mutter as I recognise the person immediately. How the hell did I not put it together?

"So Dan this is Chloe, Chloe this is Dan!" Chris smiles unknowingly as he introduces the two of us. "Shall I get the drinks then?" Before I can answer, Chris has walked off and left me with him. I look around for an escape but there is none.

"I wasn't expecting to see you here, I must admit." Dan finally breaks the silence as he rubs his forehead. "Sit down." He points to the chair opposite him as if this was a usual friendly exchange, but rather than kick up a fuss I oblige, unsure of what else to do. "So...." He tries to start conversation but neither of us know what to say.