A Ceaseless Infinity

Chapter 2

When he walked through the front door of that filthy pig pen they call a bar, and my eyes were lucky enough to land on him, my stomach dropped down to my feet and the palms of my hands got clammy. I hadn't realized I stopped dancing and was just staring until the empty, clear plastic cup was thrown at my head and I was told in a vile manner that I had in fact stopped dancing. I forced my eyes off of the beautiful stranger and onto the cup thrower. I glared into his beady black eyes that were embedded into a doughy red face, framing that mountainous lump of a nose and stood for a moment longer before beginning the routine that I had been taught earlier that day. 

The whole night I found myself looking over at that tall dark man who, for some reason, seemed perhaps uncomfortable in the bar. Something about this man was captivating, alluring. He seemed almost unearthly with his beauty. I knew I wasn't the only one who noticed though. Half of my co-workers were ogling him like a dog would a piece of meat. I'd hoped that I had not taken that look but I was pretty sure I had.  Anyone who looked like him, with his broad shoulders, and perfectly carved body, was probably used to the looks. They probably didn't even bother him. My turn on the table with the drunken Pillsbury Dough Boy had thankfully ended. I went back to my turn behind the bar, serving the poison that paid my bills every month when he walked up. He sat at the counter waiting for his turn to order something. I noticed the other worker, the only man who worked here besides the manager, was making someone else's drink so I made my way over and looked at him. He was even more astonishing up close. He had the greenest eyes I had ever seen and his muscular arms were perfect. His strong jawline could make any woman melt. His lips were beautiful and for the first time in a very long time, something I wanted to touch. He had dark brown hair that was short, but not too short, fell across his forehead flawlessly. He had the messy, bedhead look that people desperately attempt yet never seem to be able to pull off. I noticed the hint of a tattoo peeking out from his t-shirt sleeve. It made me curious. 

I once again realized I was staring at him open mouthed and I got my composure. I asked him his name and if I could get him anything. He looked up at me with those beautiful emerald eyes and didn't say anything. He was looking at me in the oddest of ways and he looked for so long that I became very uncomfortable. He coughed and then looked down. Was he blushing?

"My name is Jason, and uhh..." he paused "I guess I will just have some water for now." I suppose I gave him a strange look because I wasn't even sure if we had water, it had been so long since I'd served any. I think he understood my confusion because he muttered "Designated driver." I simply nodded and went to get his water and all the beers and vodka shots and mixed drinks that I had allowed to be backed up in the moment I couldn't resist the temptation to look upon this man. I asked my co-worker at the bar, Steven, if he would give the Jason man his water. Steven picked it up and got a napkin and walked over. I didn't see him again after that because it was a Friday night, thus very busy and crowded

4 hours later I was walking out to the bus station and wiping the sweaty makeup off my forehead, for it had become stifling in the bar. I realized as I watched the bus drive away, the last bus for the night that I was stuck walking home. All 8 miles. If Casey had owned a car I would have just called her. But we are poor therefore we don't own a car or a bicycle. I stood on the street corner and looked up at the dark sky and put my face into my hands. I stayed like that for a while until I finally sighed and began the trudge home. I was not in a very nice corner of town and it was late, and dark, and cold. I walked as fast as I could in my ridiculous shoes and was very aware of the dangerous situation I had wound up in. After about an hour and 4 miles I was in a less terrifying neighborhood so I slowed down a bit. Which was not a good idea because it made me noticeable to the passing cars. One of them pulled over to the side of the road and the driver’s door opened. My heart was racing in my chest, it was the only thing I could hear and feel. I stopped walking and looked at the opening door for a moment. Then my conscious was nice enough to remind me. Run. So I ran away from the car as fast as my legs could carry me. One of my shoes fell off and then I kicked the other one off. I could hear running footsteps behind me, gaining on me. It was over, I knew it yet for some reason I kept running. A hand grabbed my arm and swung me around. I couldn't stop the tears from spilling over my eyes and my arm that wasn't being held onto by my captor came up in a very desperate attempt to free myself. I punched the man in the nose as hard as I could, ignoring the pain in my fist. 

"God Damn it! What the hell was that for?" He screamed at me. What an idiot. I do not have tolerance for stupidity and this comment blew my mind so much I finally looked at the guy. It was him. The guy from the bar who wanted water. 

"You are chasing me down a dark alley in the shady part of town and are grabbing me and you want to know why I punched you in the nose" I stated. It wasn't a question.

"Oh, right. I can see how that would not be taken very well." He mumbled

"Really? You didn't even stop for one second to think about that? You are as stupid as you look then I guess." I snapped back at him. However, he did not look stupid. He looked extremely attractive. His cheeks were a bit red and his hair was disheveled in a cute way. Then he just looked down at his hand wrapped around my arm and turned as red as a radish, letting go of my arm. 

"So, if you aren't here to rape and murder me what do you want?" I questioned. 

"Well I saw that you were walking and figured you have probably been walking for a long time and it is an ungodly hour so I was going to ask if I could give you a ride anywhere." He said. When he spoke to me I realized he was always looking me in the eyes. I honestly had no idea what to say to him. I did want a ride but too many things had happened to me in my life to trust someone so easily, no matter how desperately I wanted to. 

"Well no I am almost home. But uh thanks for traumatizing me I guess." I walked around him then and walked to my shoes. I put them on and tried to walk fast so that the weaker part of me didn't give in and accept his offer. I heard the car door slam and his engine start, it took all of my effort not to turn and watch him drive away. Once he was gone I sat on the sidewalk, right there in the slums at 3:52 in the morning and did something I haven't done in a long, long time. I cried.