One Shots

Chasing Ghosts

Chasing Ghosts by Against the Current

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I shot up in a cold sweat, that night still haunting my dreams. A glance at the clock and it's currently two in the morning on a Friday. I sigh when I see the other side of the bed empty as it has been every day since the time she left, but I can't do anything about that. "Well, maybe a couple drinks will take away the pain.." I mumbled, walking to the kitchen and sitting at the bar, pouring a couple shots, smiling when I thought about the first night I met her..

"Bloody hell." I mumble under my breath as soon as I walked into the door of the bar downtown. It was absolutely packed and well, I hate people. I had to bump into a crowd of people just to get a seat at the bar. I noticed someone take a glance at my outfit shouting, "Nice shirt!" over the voices booming. I wasn't really dressed up. My black knee high combat boots, black skinny jeans, and my Stones shirt, normal friday night wear. I nodded and took my seat at the bar. "Three shots of Jack Daniels. Thanks." I mumbled to the bartender. He set them up and I took one back, noticing someone sit beside me. I swallowed another before she spoke, "Hi... I'm um, I'm Taylor." She was stuttering nervously and I turned to see her piercing blue eyes, glaring at her slightly. I took the third shot, letting it glide down my throat gently. She stared at me, biting her lip with nervousness and playing with her fingers. She was a mess. Honestly, it was kind of sweet. "I'm (Y/N). Why the fuck do you care?" She blushed and looked away, "I thought you were stunning.. And honestly.. The fact you're so cold to everyone you meet is kind of attractive.. But I see something different in your eyes. Would you like to come home with me tonight?" She looked into my eyes for a moment and my glare softened, "A few more drinks and we'll see what happens." I smirked.

I took the shots in a quick line, hoping the alcohol would take it's effect soon enough. I didn't want to remember her face, her name, anything. I wanted Taylor Momsen to get out of my head, but the trip down memory lane just kept winding and turning and I remembered everything. Including our first date...

"I uh.. Hi.." She smiled at me and held her apartment door open as I walked in, taking in my surroundings. "Hey.. Nice place." She walked up next to me, "Really? Thank you." I nodded and followed her to the couch where she sat, motioning for me to sit beside her. This was our first official date, but I could feel my guard slipping down around her. Especially when I moved closer and laid my head down on her shoulder, feeling her arm wrap around my waist and pull me into her. She turned on a movie and we lay there together, our bodies intertwined. Towards the middle of the movie I tilted her head towards me, leaning up to kiss her ever so gently.

That wouldn't be the last time our bodies lay next to each other like that. Hell, I'm pretty sure later that night our bodies were touching with no clothes in between, but it wasn't just sex to either of us and we both knew that. I could see it in her eyes when she'd look at me and I felt it in myself when I let my fingers glide against her skin slowly, not wanting to rush and get out like I usually did. Months after this first date we.. well we broke up for the first time I suppose. This started the downward spiral she gave for her reasoning of leaving the second time, but that's a memory that won't come until later.

"Hey, babe. I just thought to call you and see if you wanted to go on a date sometime this week because my band leaves soon."

"Leaves for where?"

"We're going on a tour in Europe. I'll probably be gone for a few months." I felt the anger rip through me. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner?"

"It's not that big of a deal, (Y/N)." She mumbled, but I could hear her getting angry as well. "Oh it's not big deal. I'm just gonna miss our anniversary, (Y/N). Doesn't matter at all, (Y/N.)"

"If it's that big of a deal then I'm done. This band is my life and I thought you would support me, but I guess not. We're over." She growled, hanging up the phone. Fine then, Taylor. Leave.

Well, that lasted about three or four days before we bumped into each other at a coffee shop down town and made up. Maybe we never should have made up because then I wouldn't be as wrecked as I am now. The spark we had could light up Times Square on New Years Eve and now it's to dark to light a candle. We tempted fate though, getting back together when there was always so much space in between us and that led to our downfall. After our first break up I became more distant and cold towards her. I hid my feelings when I was upset and I would hardly talk to her. And she noticed.. And she left..

I watched my girlfriend pace the floor, running her fingers through her long blonde hair, makeup smudged due to the tears running down her face. I sat on the couch practically emotionless wearing the same thing I did on the night I first met her. Taylor Momsen, usually confident seductress that sat next to me and turned into a nervous mess. "I don't understand why you won't just talk to me! Am I nothing to you?" She was yelling, crying. I understood why. It's not exactly easy dealing with me, but maybe she was better off without me. "I'm with the ghost of the woman I fell in love with. I can't keep chasing ghosts when all I want is someone to hold, someone to love, someone who's real to me." She looked me in the eyes and I watched the girl I fell for break before me, "Maybe.. Maybe we should've stayed broken up.. Maybe.. Maybe we aren't right for each other.." She whispered and I felt my heart crack, "I gave you my heart and soul.." I whispered as she walked towards the door. She opened and walked out, turning towards me, "I thought I was chasing love, I was only chasing a ghost." She shut the door behind her and i looked down at my boots, not sure of what to do. "I let you fool me twice. Well, shame on me.." I whispered to myself, turning and sitting on the couch.

That was the night that constantly haunted my dreams. I was brought out of my thoughts by my phone ringing. I looked down at the simple text:

Taylor: Can we talk?

Me: ......

Me: What's left to talk about?

Taylor: I need to see you.. That night.. I'm sorry.

I didn't respond, just silently stood and picked up my keys. I walked out the door and shut it, walking out into the night.