Broken Souls

Mattheo Ⅲ

The music was pounding and reverberating through my skull as I sat at the bar in the small, out of the way nightclub I'd found and lied my way into. I'd once again given my bodyguards the slip. They were used to it by now and would just wait for me to show up again.

I was officially in New York. No more parents, no more irritating brother, no more gossip columns and no more goddamn reporters. 

The difference was already stark. At home if I so much as stepped out of the house I would be mobbed. Here though, nobody knew who I was, and if they did they wouldn't give damn. Now I was kicking back and watching people that entered the nightclub. I probably looked like a loser, drinking on my own, but once again, No. Body. Cared. A drop-dead gorgeous redhead with sky high heels walked in and immediately joined the throng of dancers. 

Not long after a cute but not stunning brunette in a short silver dress walked through the doors. Immediately she flinched and took two steps back, clearly not expecting the noise. Obviously she'd never been to a club before. I watched as she skirted the edges of the crowed to make her way to the bar and sat down not far away from me. 

Now that she was closer I saw she was prettier than I thought at first glance with eyes of dark chocolate and a heart shaped face. After some deliberation I made up my mind and shifted to the seat next to her. If nothing else I wouldn't drink alone. 

She was browsing the bar's list of drinks and frowning. "If it's your first time drinking I'd go for a martini." I couldn't tell for sure but she seemed to flush red. Still her voice was steady as she responded, "It isn't but I'm not really in the mood to drink." I pasted my signature smirk on my face and began to flirt in earnest.

Some back and forth later I found out she was an Illvermony student named Val. Clearly the bar was lax with its age rules but who was I to complain. It got me inside. 

After an, admittedly fascinating, mock debate over whether the rules of the International Dueling Tournament  were outdated she changed her mind and ordered a martini. "Most people don't need alcohol to put up with me, y'know." I joked lightly. 

Val shrugged elegantly, "Somehow, I don't believe that." I gasped in mock horror. "I'll let that pass since your outdated dueling knowledge clearly indicates some issues up there." I pointed to her head. In actuality I was thoroughly impressed by the depth and accuracy of her knowledge. 

She scoffed and knocked bac the rest of her martini before ordering another. I requested a vodka and coke before continuing the half-flirting half-debate. Two glasses of alcohol later we made our way onto the dance floor, both slightly tipsy. I watched her sway to the beat with her eyes closed and matched her rhythm. There was something about her that was pulling at some primal part of me as she danced in my arms. 

Maybe it was the anonymity, maybe it was our similar interests or maybe it was just loneliness that I couldn't ignore when my barriers were weakened by the drinks but I never wanted the moment to end.

A/N: Are you guys feeling any chemistry or is it falling flat?