Hearts Across Halls

Chapter 18

Elara stood outside the bar, a slight chill in the evening air making her pull her jacket a little tighter around herself. She glanced at her phone to check the time again, feeling a tiny flutter of nervous excitement. Ben was supposed to be here any minute, and even though they had only been chatting for a few days, she felt a connection with him—something different, maybe even grounding.

She tucked her phone into her bag just as Ben appeared from around the corner. He waved, a charming grin on his face, and Elara's nerves settled a bit. He looked just like his pictures—tall, scruffy hair, with an easygoing presence.

"Hey," Ben greeted her warmly as he approached. "Hope you haven't been waiting too long."

"Not at all," Elara smiled, feeling a little lighter already. "Ready for some bar hopping?"

They had originally planned for something more relaxed—a coffee date and an art gallery tour. But with Ben's schedule being packed during the day, they'd decided to hit a few bars that night instead. It wasn't Elara's usual scene, but with Ben, it felt like it would be fun. Besides, he had a way of making her feel comfortable, even though he was a little older. That slight difference in age didn't seem to matter; they meshed well.

As they moved from one bar to the next, Elara found herself laughing more, completely wrapped up in their conversation. Ben had a wisdom about him, sharing stories from his travels and his work. It was like talking to someone who had lived through a thousand lives already. Yet, despite his experience, he didn't make her feel small or inexperienced. The conversation flowed naturally, and Elara felt elated by the time they reached the third bar of the night.

The place was stunning—dark, moody, with a steampunk aesthetic. Velvet drapes framed dimly lit chandeliers, casting a warm, inviting glow over the tables. Elara's eyes widened in appreciation as they entered.

After finding a cozy spot in the corner of the bar, Elara leaned back in her chair, feeling the warm buzz of the drinks they'd already had.

"This place is amazing," Elara remarked, glancing around, "It feels like I've stepped into another time."

Ben smiled, swirling his drink. "Yeah, it's one of those hidden gems. A place where you can just... disappear for a while, you know?"

Elara nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "You sound like you've done a lot of that—disappearing, I mean. Plus, you you travel a lot."

Ben chuckled, leaning forward slightly. "I guess you could say that. I've always felt a little restless, like I'm never fully content staying in one place. My work helps with that. I can be anywhere and still do what I love."

"That's so cool," Elara said, genuinely intrigued. "I love the idea of just picking up and going wherever. What's the best place you've been to?"

"Hm," Ben tilted his head, thinking. "Canada will always be home, of course. But I think... Tokyo was pretty life-changing. The culture, the energy of the city. It's like nothing else."

"I've always wanted to go to Japan!" Elara's eyes lit up. "That must have been incredible. Did you do a lot of drawing while you were there?"

"Yeah, but mostly I just soaked it all in," Ben replied. "It's one of those places where you feel like you're constantly inspired by everything around you. The people, the architecture, even the tiny details. You'd love it."

"I'd love to see more of your work sometime," Elara said, her voice softening a bit. "I mean, if that's not too forward."

Ben grinned. "I'd be happy to show you. You have a good eye for art?"

"I try," Elara laughed lightly, feeling a little blush rise to her cheeks. "I'm not an artist or anything, but I love going to galleries and seeing how people interpret the world around them. It's fascinating how something on canvas can evoke so much emotion."