Selfish Appetite [5 Seconds of Summer]

[3]

"Look at everything always, as though you were seeing it either for the first or the last time: Thus is your time on Earth filled with glory."

- -

Sloan

It's 3:03 in the morning.

I'd like to tell myself that my head isn't spinning, that I'm not utterly bored out of my mind—but that would be a lie.

I've been downing shot after shot, sometimes without even noticing what's in the glass. I blame mob mentality. Everyone else was shouting, doing shots, so of course, I followed along.

I glance across the room at Mina, who's talking to Edward. They've been at it for hours, and I can't help but wonder what they're saying. I try to locate Ally, my gaze sweeping through the crowd of well-dressed men, but she's nowhere in sight.

She'd gone to the dance floor a while ago, and I'm not sure whether she came back or if she's even still here.

The alcohol burned my throat as well as clouded my mind.

After a few moments, I spot her in the VIP area, chatting with the waitress who's been circulating with trays of shots all night. My gaze drifts back to Mina and Edward. I can tell they're catching up, but I haven't had a chance to talk to Edward at all since we were introduced.

A few moments later, the waitress heads back to the bar, and Ally saunters over to me. I push a glass of water toward her, along with a small crystal shot glass filled with peanuts—standard for each drink ordered here.

"Thanks babe." she downs the water in a gulp. "Sorry we abandoned you." she says, sounding a bit guilty.

"Nonsense, I kept myself entertained." I gesture to the small stack of shot glasses, which I've arranged in what I thought was an intricate pattern. Honestly, I can't remember if I was going for a house or a square, but either way, it's something to pass the time.

"Yeah, I'm gay." Ally says nonchalantly to one of Edward's friends, who had just asked her to dance.

I choke on my drink and try to stifle my laugh. Ally just smirks and shrugs, clearly enjoying the reaction she's caused.

The guy awkwardly slinks off to the corner and starts talking to a blond man I hadn't noticed before. If it weren't for Ally's blunt rejection, I might have missed him entirely.

If I'm a little distrustful of men, Ally can't stand being around them.

She jokes it's in favor of keeping the lesbian stereotypes, but we all know it's rooted in something deeper—her dad, to be specific.

We know, but we don't ask.

It's the unspoken rule.

I steal another glance at the blond guy, wondering how he fits in with Edward's lawyer posse. He's dressed casually—dress pants, a tee, and Chuck Taylors. No suit, no jacket. I catch several rings adorn his fingers, as I notice him absentmindedly running a hand through his hair.

He must've felt my stare, because his eyes meet mine. I quickly look away, pretending I wasn't caught doing something I shouldn't.

From the corner of my eye, I see him smile to himself.

Damn it.

"That's Luke. Edward's cousin." Mina says, as she sits down next to me on the plush red leather couch.

I nod absently, giving him one last glance.

"Nice of you to join us." I offer, trying to keep it light, but Mina doesn't seem to hear me. She's staring at Luke, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Isn't he rather attractive?" she asks, her voice lowering.

I roll my eyes, taking a sip of my beer. "No, Min."