Second Shot (Bastille)

1: Girls night out

*February 2013*

*Freddie's POV*

"Freddie! I'm going now!" Sam strolled into the lounge and picked up her handbag. I nodded silently and kept my head buried in the book I was reading. I heard Sam sigh. She dropped onto the sofa and intensely stared me down.

"Problem Sam?" I closed the book and copied my friend's look; my dark brown eyes watching her muted green ones.

"You're not just gonna sit here, read sad romance novels and mope all night are you?" Sam questioned, a tone of concern wavering on her voice. I shrugged. "Freddie. You did nothing wrong-"

"He was just being protective-"

"No Fred. Protective is getting worried when something doesn't answer the phone for an hour. He was scarily controlling and in some countries that's legally considered as abusive. You did the right thing breaking up with him." We fell silent. It had been a couple of months since I had broken up with Rowan but we hadn't really talked about it and a guilty stab still radiated in my chest every time I thought about him. "Okay. Stand up... Stand up! Come on we don't have all night!" Sam broke the silence and jumped off the sofa, grabbing my hands and yanking me to feet, causing my book to fall from my lap and onto the floor. She assessed me thoughtfully for a moment before diving into her handbag and retrieving a handful of makeup. "Make yourself look presentable. We're having a girls night out!" She cheered throwing her hands above her head, grinning excitedly.

"What about your date?" I laughed, moving over to the mirror and putting on some makeup. Sam gestured effortlessly, brushing the thought away, before darting up the stairs and returning with a bundle of clothes in her arms.

Once I had changed out of my leggings and into something (half) decent, Sam and I caught the tube and headed into central London. It was a Saturday night so inevitably, it was busy but eventually, we got into one of the clubs. The music pounded in my chest and disco lights flashed blindingly in my eyes. Sam was still grinning enthusiastically as she dragged me over to a pair of bar stools and ordered two drinks. We sat on the uncomfortably tiny seats with the ice cold glass in our hands, watching the people fill the room and dance along to the rhythm of the night.

"Sooo, anyone you see that you like?" Sam quizzed, nudging my shoulders.

"Sam, I'm not looking for a boyfriend or a hookup, anything or anyone. Let's just enjoy our girls night yeah?" We finished our drinks and rushed to the middle of the dance-floor where we spun crazily on our stilt-like heels and mindlessly waved our arms in the air. I completely lost track of time until my feet ached and my throat was dry from singing too loudly, I dragged a bubbling Sam back to the bar and called over the bartender. Before I could order any drinks, the bartender had filled two glasses and put them in front of us. I gave a questioning look. The bartender pointed to a guy at the other end of the bar. In the dark lighting, I couldn't make out his facial features but I could see him looking over his shoulder, talking to someone sat behind him. Then, within a blink of an eye, the guy had crossed the room and was stood in front of us with a hopeful look on his face. Now I could him more clearly; his face was long and thin, his mouth was framed by a well-kept beard and a meticulously styled moustache and his eyes were dark but they glistened optimistically under the harsh blue lighting.

"Hi!" He shouted over the music. Both Sam and I waved politely, glancing at each other from the corners of our eyes. "Would one- or both, no that's greedy- of you like to dance?" I smiled amusedly as the guy swayed unstably. I turned to Sam. She turned to me. I could tell she wanted to join him so I gently pushed her off her stool and encouraged to go and dance. She smirked flirtatiously, taking his hand and then they disappeared into the crowd.

I stayed at the bar, carefully watching over Sam's drink. I pulled out my phone and turned the screen on: 1 new message. Curiously, I opened the message.

Rowan: Hey Fred, been a while. Want to meet up one day next week?

Of course I did.
But I knew I shouldn't.

I debated on what to type back for what felt like hours until Sam returned, entangled in the guys arms. Discreetly, I tucked my phone back in my pocket, waiting until tomorrow to talk to Sam about Rowan.

"Freddie! Great news! Kyle has a friend with him- Dan- and apparently he's single!"

"I've told you Sam-"

"Come on Fred, just say hi to him maybe get his number" She smirked mischievously, poking me in the chest. One conversation wouldn't hurt. You need to forget about Rowan. Throwing my hands up in surrender, I followed them to the other side of the bar until I came face to face with a man who had his head down, looking at his phone.

"Danny!" Kyle dived onto the sofa next to 'Dan' and whispered something in his ear, facing away from Sam and I. I watched as Dan protested adamantly at whatever Kyle was saying. "Be nice okay?" Kyle warned clambering off the sofa and joining Sam's side again.

"Have fun Freddie!" And once again, they vanished. I shook my head, laughing quietly to myself before looking over at Dan who already had his eyes on me, analysing me. His dark hair was styled in a messy quiff and glasses framed his face, but shadowed his eyes. The dark blue shirt he was wearing was paired with a grey hoodie and black jeans that tightly hugged his longs legs (he was definitely tall; at least a head above than me, maybe even head and shoulders taller). The whole outfit was completed with a pair of dirty white converse; well-used and well-loved, he was clearly someone who didn't like chucking things out until he desperately had to.

"Sorry about Kyle," I snapped out of my thoughts. How long had I been staring at him? "he's uh, just a bit excited... and drunk, he'll look after for your mate though don't worry" Given Kyle's state, I wasn't completely persuaded but I nodded. "You, uh want somethin' to drink?" I shook my head, I'd had enough for tonight "Well, we may as well get some conversation in, who knows how long they'll be gone. Take a seat, please" I sat across from Dan. He put his phone away and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table "First things first: I'm Dan."