Bloom

Chapter-24

Stella

The club was even worse than any parties I'd been to with Maya. The music was deafening to the point, you couldn't even hear a gunshot over it. The club was dark and sweaty, bodies dancing together in a haze, the air was smokey and smelled of body odour. Towards the left was a huge bar with countless bottles of alcohol on the shelf, and crazy lights lit the room dimly. I get why some people would enjoy this but it's not my scene.

Maya pulls me deeper into the crowd, "Come on, let's find your date." She absently texts someone while jutting her hips to the beat and a minute later a guy turns up from the bar and walks towards us.

I don't think it is subtle but I am checking this guy out fully. He is wearing white pants and a black collared polo, he looks fine with hazel eyes and blonde hair, not a typical nerd but someone who looks like he could work at a bank. He had an average build, not as tall as Zayn but- Zayn. Shit. I'd totally forgotten about him in the process of getting ready and coming here. He creeps in my mind at the oddest of times. Zayn giovanni.

Even though it went against my morals but everything I see in the guy I am comparing to Zayn and nothing absolutely nothing compares to him. I internally slap myself for metaphoring this guy to Zayn, he looks decent and someone who would not play with my body or feelings, unlike Zayn.

The guy launches his hand between us as Maya introduces him, "Stella, this is Malcolm. Malcolm, Stella. He helps me around with gigs and she is my best-friend from uni." I take his hand in mine as he gives me a sweet smile. His hand is rough not gentle like Zayn, it doesn't feel nice holding it for too long so I break the contact and return his smile.

"It's nice to meet you Stella." He shoots me another grin and all I do is look at him blankly with only one guy on my mind which was not him.

Maya giggles a little, then winks at me before saying over the loud noises, "I'm going to set up, see you after. Have fun." She then looks at Malcolm, "Take good care of her." and leaves.

I turn my head from Maya to Malcolm, who now kind of looks handsome with the way the lights are flickering and shadowing over his structure.

I hear my name from Maya's direction and shoot a glare at her. She points at the little cubicle above the dance floor, letting me know she would be there, then points her finger between me and Malcolm and gives me a flying kiss. This girl. Ugh.

"So... would you like a drink?" Malcolm slurs in a polite way before taking my back in his palm and leading me to bar.

"Oh, uh. I don't really drink." I awkwardly state as we inch closer to the bar.

Malcolm gives me a short nod before ordering a beer for himself, then he turns to me again as the bartender goes to fetch his order. "Are you sure? Would like a soft drink?"

Not wanting to sound rude to his offer, I nod a little. He gives me another smile before passing me the bar menu. "You can order whatever you like." Oh. This guy had manners and was sweet. But why did he smile so much?

"I'll just have a coke." I politely shove the menu back in his hands. He nods and gives my order to bartender when he takes his beer from him.

We wait in awkward silence for the guy to get my drink when Malcom tries to ease us into a conversation. "So, you go to UCLA?"

"Uh uh" I curl my lips together in a smile. Like he already didn't know when Maya mentioned I was her friend from uni.

"Great! What's your major?" He asks over the music.

"I'm doing Arts with English." Getting bored of the small talk I start eyeing the dance floor and then catch Maya taking over the console, flashing her a smile.