London calls me a stranger

Chapter 11

Sam's POV

The cold night air wafted into the taxi as the door slid open. First me, then Conor, then April, Ruby and Andy all filed out if the vehicle. The cold frosty air attacked our skin leaving goose-pimples on our limbs. I was dressed in a short skater-style white dress with cut outs it the waist and no sleeves, perfect for a frosty night. The white stiletto Mary-Janes made my feet sore . April was rocking a red bodcon number. Ruby in a navy blue top and trousers. And Conor and andy in blazers and jeans. After Andy paid we all piled into The Glass Slipper.

As soon as we stepped over the threshold, a warm smell of alcohol filled my senses. The room was dimly lit with odd lamps and chandlers lighting the room ever so slightly. The walls were a dark plum colour and the floor was a varnished wood oak. I could see the stage to the very right of the room. Some boys, about my age were setting up. The base drum displayed the logo of "Elisa Smiles" in an urban edgy font. Many people had already arrived. They were chatting away, laughing and socialising, some even already drunk! I'm not much of a drinker myself, but I will have an odd drink on a special occasion such as this.

"He's fit!" Shouted April over the noise over the bars company. She was indicating to the drummer, sitting down to start to practice. She said it a bit too loudly because he looked straight at her. Her face turned the colour of beetroot, but he didn't do anything just twiddled his drumstick and give her a wink. She laughed and turned to me. "Find out his name!" She said pushing me further towards the stage.

An announcement came over the bars twitters. "And now give it up for Elisa Smiles!!" A roar of applause erupted through the open air. 3 other males entered the stage and took to there positions. Matt took centre stage standing in front of a black microphone. His voice filled my ears, "Good evening Camden! We are Elisa Smiles and this first song is called 'You need to remember'"

Song after song they had the crowd captivated. The style was a mix of Arctic Monkeys and Coldplay. They were great!

At about 11:30 they took a 15 minute break. During the hours of dancing I had lost Conor, Ruby and Andy. April and I squeezed through the crowd and made it to the bar. Conor was sitting on a tall stool, "hiya, do you want a drink?" He shouted over the noise.

"Yeah okay!" I shouted in reply.

I turned to ask April if she wanted one, but she was off over by the stage talking to the drummer. Bless her heart.

I turned back to let her be. Conor smiled at me and I smiled back. Just then, I felt a warm touch on the bare skin through the cutouts in my dress. Who else could it be? I recognised the musky, masculine cologne from anywhere. "Hey, babe, how are you?" Said Matt, trying to kiss me but I turned my face so his lips landed in my cheekbone. I heard a sound of annoyance come from the back of his throat. Almost a grunt. I knew exactly what he was doing! He was trying to make Conor jealous! I tried to wriggle out of his clutches, but he was too strong! "So what happened to your eye mate?! Did you bump into lamppost?" He took a swig of his Stella Artois, keeping an intimidating eye on Conor. I could see Conor's jaw tightening with rage. "Better watch where your going next time!" He said, in an arrogant way. "I've got to get back" he turned to me, "I think you'll like this song" he whispered and with a kiss on my neck, he was gone.

I turned to Conor, who's hand was firmly (nearly to breaking point) around a glass of Smirnoff ice. "Don't react Conor, that's what he wants!" I said, placing my hand on his forearm. No reply from Conor. I asked the redhead bar maid. "Two shots please."

"What are these for?!" He asked confused.

"Because we're gonna need them" I said cheekily.

Matt's voice boomed again into the bar. "You alright?! Having a good time?!" He held an acoustic guitar in his strong hands. The crowd roared. "we'll were going to take it down a bit. Here's a new song I wrote called 'The Devil in Me', and it's written about someone special" Again that same eye contact that I felt like he was staring into my soul.

I turned to Conor, downed the shot. He copied and I led him to the dance floor. I stood right in the middle so Matt had full view of us. Conor faced me and I placed my arms around his neck. "W-what are you doing?" He said a bit stunned.

I whispered into his ear. "Here's to make him really jealous." He laughed and pulled me close by the waist. We slow danced as the song was sung by Matt. My head rested on Conor's shoulder as we stumbled in constant circles. I inhaled his warm scent, letting it take over me. His arms were strong and protecting. I felt as though I was doing the right thing for Conor's sake. He shouldn't be pushed round by Matt any longer. Anyone else in the room would think nothing of me and him dancing, everyone knows were just friends after the fiasco at Ruby's party. But Matt saw this as a direct insult, especially when he's playing my song.

I gazed up for a split second to see Matt's eyes trained on me and Conor. I turned away from his gaze. I couldn't take those black eyes any longer! Conor's touch fell from my waist down to my backside. I pushed away in protest, Conor pulled me back, "trust me!" He whispered and I do. The look on Matt's face was priceless.

"I know you're not that girl" Matt sung the last line and the crowd erupted. Conor and I parted and applauded him and the rest of the band. Conor doesn't clap. He stands behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing me once on the collarbone, keeping his eye contact locked with Matt's.

"That'll teach him," I think.

At about 12:30, the band finished with a last rocky song and me, April and Ruby dance together. We applaud for the final time and Elisa Smiles filed off the stage. April was in a world of her own. She went to go and wait for Luke, the drummer who she was chatting up. And Ruby went to go and find Andy. Leaving me vulnerable and alone. "Well Miss Forbes, you are quite the player" a husky voice said behind me. How come he never makes a sound when he approaches you from behind?! I turned to see Matt, sweating from his performance. His curls stuck to this forehead, glistening in the dim light.

"That'll teach you! I said feeling confident. A smile crept up his cheeks. "You were great tonight!" I blurted out.

"Thanks," he said, looking to his shoes, nervously. "Listen about Monday... I..."

"YOU FUCKING BASTARD" I heard from the other end of the bar. I ran to see what all the commotion was about. It was Ruby! What had happened?!

"Babe, I'm sorry!"Andy pleaded.

"No...just..."she began to cry. I ran to her, flung my arms around her. Her wet tears ran down my bare skin of my shoulder. A girl was sitting down on an arm chair, her hair mangled. She re- adjusts her skirt and looked at Andy.

I took Ruby away from the commotion and April followed behind. "I can't believe it! I just can't!" She cried.

We arrived back on campus and Ruby slept top and tail with me that night. Letting her mind rest from a horrendous night.