Finding My Muse - Nicholas Galitzine

Chapter Two: Double Date

Vote. Comment. Enjoy!

-

-

-

--Esmerelda's POV--

My phone rings on the edge of the piano I've been staring at. The chords are mocking me. They can't even play without me so really they should be thanking me for being here. I grab my phone off the floor and answer it without looking, "Where are you?" Kylie yells making my ear drum almost explode. I pull the phone away and see it's six forty-seven. I quickly start apologizing as I gather my things. I promise her I will be home in five as I shove my things in my bag. She throws a string of curses my way as she hangs up the phone. I rush out of the room and run into a man making me gasp. My guitar case goes flying to the ground as an arm wraps around my waist. Okay, Kylie and I seriously have to start watching where we are going.

When I stand up straight the man lets go of me and stands with his hands in his jean pockets, "Sorry. I'm kind of in a rush. Thanks for not letting me eat shit," I ramble as I pick up my guitar case. I don't wait for a response as I run out of the front doors. I race down the street and by the time I make it home, Kylie is standing at the door with a mad look on her face.

"Where the hell have you been? I have been texting and calling for like thirty minutes," She says as I apologize. I set my stuff down by the door and walk in seeing an outfit sitting on my bed, "I had to do something while I waited," she says as I thank her. I look in the mirror and straighten out the dress she has me in. My legs are covered in fishnets making me question if I'll be shivering all night. The red coloring of the dress is covered slightly by a leather jacket I've never seen before. When I walk out in combat boots she yells at how good I look.

"Where did this come from?" I ask motioning to the jacket. I throw on some earrings as she shrugs her shoulders behind me, "Is it bad I'm nervous?" I ask as she holds a bottle of tequila. I guess that's one way to kill the nerves. She pours me a drink and I quickly chug it when she says the Uber is here. She smiles and tells me tonight should be fun.

Tonight will not be fun. I'm sitting at a table with Kylie and Harry. That's it. Just the two of them as I sip on my drink staring at a plate full of mozzarella stick crumbs. Who picks a karaoke bar for a first date? I get that we are in a district full of talent but clearly, this place is the exception. But they seem to be hitting it off so I will continue to sit here silently. Harry keeps on insisting his friend is on the way. Halfway through their talking about what their majors are a man walks over in a beanie and a gray jacket. His brown hair sticks out underneath as Harry smiles. He stands up and introduces his friend, my date.

"This is Nicholas, Nick this is Kylie and Esmerelda," He says as I give him a small smile. He looks at me and then I recognize him as the guy that I body-slammed earlier. He seems to also remember me as he turns to Harry to ask if we have ordered drinks. I look over at him to apologize for earlier as Harry and him excuse themselves to grab us a round.

"Isn't he hot?" she asks leaning across the table. I look at her with an unimpressed face making her frown, "Come on. He may be late but you were late earlier so don't hold it against him," She says before telling me to hush cause they are walking over. Harry gives her a Long Island iced tea and Nick stands there with one drink.

"I guess I'll get my own drink," I mumble as I stand up. I walk over to the bar and lean across trying to get the bartender's attention. When I see who it is I smile as he walks over.

"Hey babe," he says as I give him our signature handshake from sophomore year, "Who's beanie?" he asks motioning towards the table. I groan making him laugh.

"A double date. He's really romantic, letting me get my own drink," I tell him with a sarcastic smile.

"Girl, you never come out anymore. Ever since you got into that special music program, you forgot about us mortal people," he says referring to the group Kylie and I used to go out with. Back when I had more time and less anxiety about failing.

"I know. I promise soon," I tell him as he slides a drink in my direction, "The usual?" I ask. He looks at me offended as I take a sip smiling at the fruity flavor, "Thank you," I whisper before slowly walking back to the table.

"Are you planning on singing tonight?" Kylie asks making me shake my head with a snort. The straw in my mouth kept me from saying something unladylike.

"You sing?" Nick asks as I nod my head, "I thought your major was ineptitude," he says making me stare straight ahead. Did he just say that? Kylie and Harry are already lost in their own conversation as I turn to him.

"And what do you major in the art of being a douchbag?" I ask as he lifts his eyebrows in amusement. He takes a hefty drink from his glass as another woman goes on stage. I sink into my chair as her screeching comes through the speakers.

"You should show us what you've got. Really knock out socks off," he whispers as I stare at the stage. I give him a short smile as I down the rest of my drink. The rest of the night couldn't come faster. Thankfully Nick being an asshole didn't ruin Kylie and Harry's time. I can't lie they are pretty cute together. All I did was stare at the stage and listen to their conversations. When we stand outside and start walking to our apartment, we realize we live in the same building. Harry gives Kylie his jacket as Nick walks three feet ahead of me. I take my phone out and take my headphones out of my bra. I plug them in and turn on my playlist of the week. An arm juts out in front of me almost knocking the air out of my stomach. I look up and see Nick stopping me from walking out into oncoming traffic. My eyes widen as I mumble a thank you, his only response is him moving his arm and staring straight ahead. He's still an asshole even if he stopped me from being flattened on the road. We get to the elevator of the building and Nick and I are standing in the back as Harry talks with Kylie. He tells her he had a really good time as I watch the floors going up. When it hits the fifth floor I step out without looking at Nick. Kylie is still talking in the elevator as I open the apartment door. I'm never trusting her with a double date ever again.