The bar was bustling with drunken individuals. Smoke blurred my vision, my buzz certainly not helping me see any clearer.
It was a Saturday night in Los Angeles. The atmosphere oozed with exhilaration. It also happened to be New Year's Eve. I had wanted to have a small get-together at my house but my girlfriends weren't having any of that. They wanted to party. In a bar full of weirdos.
I tossed back another shot, forgetting how many I had consumed this evening. Music, shouting, and the blood swooshing in my ears all made my head ache. I contemplated leaving, and almost did, but one of the girl's begged me to stay and have a dance. So we danced. I didn't want to get into it, but eventually, I swayed my hips along to the beat, closing my eyes, forgetting every worry in the world.
A tall, college-looking kid grabbed me by the arms, pulling me into his embrace. He was so drunk and it was very unappealing. I looked at my friend, yearning for help, but all she could do was giggle and point at us.
He swayed me around the dancefloor, almost falling on his ass a few times. Not to mention, he would have pulled me right along with him. When a slow song began, he relaxed his grip on me, his hands sliding down greedily to my waist. I wanted to dart off while I could, but I would have felt guilty. I humored him, seemingly pleased that I was dancing with this guy. Though I would have rather been anywhere else.
I watched the people around me. Some were dancing, some were kissing, some were at the point of needing to get a room. I began to pick out people that seemed a bit bored with this place. A few plain-looking girls sat near the back, chatting amongst themselves. There was a couple in the far corner, making out, seemingly unaware that they were in public. My eyes flicked to a set of big brown eyes. They stared back at me as if they knew everything about me. I pulled my attention to admire the face that went with the dazzling eyes, almost choking on what little saliva was in my mouth.
His brows were etched up, his long fingers playing with the ring on his pinky finger. He looked almost like a different person, though I would recognize that face in a sea of people. I couldn't believe it. I blinked my eyes several times, knowing he had to be a mirage. He couldn't be here. In the same bar as me. Right at this very moment.
From the way he was angled, I could see him push his legs out, moving his chair slightly back. The hand with the ring was now perched on his thigh, the other, on top of the table he was sat at.
I peeled myself off of my unwanted visitor, never leaving his eyes. I pushed past gyrating hips, making my way over to this illusion. His eyes were full of questions. He attached both hands to his knees, arching himself upright. I must be really drunk. He only looked more real as I got closer. He inched his way towards me, his right hand swiping down his face as if he couldn't believe I was real either.
His eyes opened wide, his gaze trailing down my body and back up again to meet my eyes. I stopped, just a few inches in between the two of us. I could feel my head shaking from side to side in disbelief. He elevated his arm, a finger pointing at me for half a second. He reached up to stroke the hair on the back of his head. I almost collapsed when words flowed out of his perfect mouth.
"It can't be." He ran both of his hands over his eyes and down his face.
Before I could attempt to form a reply, the crowd began counting down: 30, 29, 28...
I pinched below my collarbone, his eyes following my movements. I didn't wake up like I thought I would.
He grabbed my hand, holding it in his, swinging it side to side. All I could do was stare at this ghost of a former love, my mouth most likely hanging open. "Say something!" I shouted in my head.
"Alex," I managed to squeak out. I closed a few more inches between us. He followed suit, closing all of the air space, along with my oxygen. "You're real." He pushed a loose curl out of my face, tucking it behind my ear. I shuddered, closing my eyes.
3, 2, 1...HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I gasped when I felt his mouth on mine. He tasted just like how I remembered. Cigarettes, alcohol and wonderful memories. The blood that was left in my head drained out, leaving me weak and at his mercy. My eyes widened when his tongue slipped into my mouth. All of these years, and he still had this effect on me.
When he broke the kiss, his face still near mine, he panted heavily. Now I really wouldn't be able to form a sentence. "Happy New Year, indeed."
