U N E X P E C T E D

T W E L V E

Over three years ago

All Catalina ever wanted was to go home. She wasn't sure why she even agreed to come here in the first place. Her friend dragged her out here, but left her stranded, as she always does. She'd been looking for her friend, Astrid, for over an hour now. This was nothing new to her, though; all Astrid ever did was go to parties, drink her body weight in alcohol, curse a lot, and repeat. Most days, she dragged Catalina to these events only to leave her alone for the rest of the night and by the time Catalina finds her, she's completely drunk. It had only been over two years since Catalina moved to the UK and Astrid was the first friend she ever made, but, after tonight, the term "friend" would be no more, she was tired of being a pushover and letting Astrid bring her to these events.

Entering the bathroom, she saw three figures by the sink, one of them being her drunk friend. "Astrid! I've been looking all over for you," she exclaimed.

"Cata!" Her friend slurred, giggling. "You have to try this, it'll take the edge off."

When Catalina leaned over toward the sink, all she saw was white powder, money and alcohol. "You're—" she paused. "Cocaine? Really, Astrid? That's so immature."

"Hey, I thought you said she was cool," one of the girls told Astrid before taking a hit.

"She is," Astrid quickly nodded before turning to Lina. "C'mon, Cata, just one line."

"No," she firmly said. "I'm leaving, and this is the last time you'll ever hear from me."

"Ugh, you're such a prude, but you'll come back. You always do!"

Catalina huffed in annoyance as she pulled open the door to exit the bathroom and strutting toward the doors of the entrance, pushing them open. The air outside was just a bit chilly. She mentally cursed herself for not putting on warm clothes as she shivered, crossing her arms to try to keep warm. In the back of her throat, she felt a lump, she wanted to cry so bad, but she held off.

"You okay?"

She jumped, feeling startled and turned to her right towards the voice to rudely tell them off but when she saw the person who interrupted her pity party, she was instantly stunned. In a good way. Before her stood a man, taller than her, he was dressed in all black, his hair looked freshly cut and he had a cigarette between his fingers. Looking at him, she thought that this was probably the most handsome man she's seen in her life.

"Sorry," he chuckled. "Didn't mean to startle you."

"Oh," she breathes. "It's alright. And, yeah, I'm okay, thanks," she gave him a tight lipped smile.

He searched her face before claiming, "You don't look okay. You look fucking miserable."

Catalina snorted looking down at her feet before turning to face him again, "I suppose I am, then."

"Wanna talk about it?"

"Not really," she shook her head.

"Okay." After finishing his cigarette, he dropped the remains to the floor and stepped on them.

"What're you doing out here?" It was her turn to ask.

"Eh, just needed a break," he vaguely replied.

Catalina raises an eyebrow at him, "A break? From what?"

"All of it," he answers giving her a small smile. "Attend too much of these and you'll go crazy with all the fake people in there."

"Ah," she nods, arms still crossed. "That, I can definitely understand."

"I'm Harry, by the way," he offers his hand for her to shake.