PULSE [H.S]

006

"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." — Walter Winchell

Clove stands down the block, waving at me like crazy.

I internally groan, not really in the mood to socialize, but also tipsy enough to not be overcome with social anxiety. I've never really been big on spontaneous things, and I was already looking forward to climbing in bed. It would be rude of me not to say hello to her, though, so I turn in her direction.

I smile as I walk over to where she is standing. It surprises me when she greets me with a hug. I didn't really think we were that close, but I don't complain. I have enough wine in me that I don't mind.

"Where are you coming from? Or headed to?" Clove asks.

She looks really nice. It's weird seeing her in anything but her gym clothes. Tonight she has some black pants on and a light blue long sleeve shirt that conforms nicely to her body. Her black hair is down and straight, revealing  how long it really is. She's really pretty.

"I just got dinner, and I'm heading home," I answer her, the Uber app still open on my screen. I say, "I'm a little wine drunk, so I have to get an Uber."

I look down at it, seeing that the closest ride is only a few minutes away, and it's not as expensive as I would have thought. Before I can confirm the ride, Clove puts her hand on my arm, lowering my phone from my face.

She says, "You should come inside! My brother and some friends are grabbing drinks, you should join us."

I look up to see that we are standing outside of a bar called Molly's, which I've never been to before. Bars stress me out a little because they're always so crowded. Aaron and I never go to bars because of his drinking problem, and he also doesn't like when I drink.

"Oh, that's okay. I should probably get home—" I object, but I stop talking when the door to the place opens.

Zayn steps out of the bar, lighting up a cigarette as his eyes fall on Clove and myself. A smile forms on his face as he walks over to us, taking a hit of his cigarette as he approaches. He looks nice tonight, too.

"Kiz, right?" Zayn says, and I nod. He smiles, "I didn't expect to see you here. Are you joining us?"

I'm surprised he even recognized me from the sweaty mess I was at the gym the other day. Our interaction was so brief, too. I know I could never forget him, but I figured I was pretty forgettable to him.

I say, "No, I'm—"

Clove cuts me off, saying, "Yes, she is, and I'm buying her a drink, so don't even think about it, Z."

She looks at me with a hopeful expression on her face. I look back down at my phone, and now the closest ride is fifteen minutes away. I give in and nod at her, which makes her squeal in excitement.

I'm tugged inside the building by her arm looped around mine. Zayn tells us he'll be in after he finishes his cigarette. Clove brings me right to the bar and asks what I want. She ends up ordering two vodka sodas for us. I offer to pay, but she shakes her head and gives the bartender her card.

As we wait for the drinks, I take a look around the place. It's dark, cozy, and not super crowded. There are booths on the left wall, then some open tables and pool tables in the middle. I spot some dart boards, too. The bar runs along the right wall, and the overall atmosphere is pretty relaxed.

"I didn't know you knew my brother," Clove says, pulling my attention back to her.

"Oh, Zayn is your brother?" I ask, and Clove nods. It makes sense—the dark hair and nice skin. I say, "I don't really know him. I exchanged like three words with him at the gym the other day."