DEVIANT [H.S.]

3 - Happy Birthday

"What makes you think I can't handle vodka?" I ask the stranger who has just ordered my drink for me. An... older stranger.

He raises an eyebrow. "Believe me, you don't want to start out with vodka. Something like a margarita or slushie-type drink would be better for a beginner."

"A beginner?" I raise my eyebrow as well. I watch the bartender as he hurries to create my drink.

"I'm Malachi, by the way," He smiles, holding his tattooed hand for me to shake.

My hand meets his and I shake it firmly, pushing my assumptions aside for a brief second. "Serena. Can you guess why I'm here tonight?"

"I'm guessing that it is your seventeenth birthday today and your Protector was shipped right to your door?" Malachi claims.

"Correct," I roll my eyes, my drink set right in front of me. "Thank you," I tell the bartender over the loud thumping music. He nods and turns back to drying shotglasses.

"Seems to me you aren't that protected," Malachi claims.

"Well, maybe I don't want to be protected... or hit on by random middle-aged guys," I reply, taking a swig of my drink. Once the cool substance slides down my throat, I feel slightly invincible.

"No need to get snappy, just making conversation," He assures me with a laugh, leaning against the bar. "I'm a bit older than your type. A fake I.D. usually doesn't appeal to me."

I let out a relieved sigh. Thank god.

I'm so caught up in my own thoughts that I don't end up hearing the loud thump against the bar behind me. I spin my stool around to see a disheveled mess of brown curly hair and tattoo sleeves clutching onto the bar for dear life, small moans emitting from his lips. I can't see his face.

"Oh, I see Harry has come to join us. Harry, introduce yourself," Malachi shouts over to the guy who looks like he could throw up on me any minute.

It's like I could feel Harry's eyes roll against my skin before he looks up and meets my gaze with dilated irises and a parted mouth; he's drunk off his ass.

He gives me one sloppy nod and slumps back onto the bar, getting angry looks from the bartender.

"Harry, you have to stop coming back here like this.." The bartender trails off.

So, this isn't the first time Harry has drooled on the bar?

"Don't give me that shit, Liam.. you know what I go through..." The guy Harry mumbles, wiping something off of his mouth.

"Yeah, and I also know you can go through that somewhere else. Malachi, please take Harry out of here," Liam announces, a look of disappointment shown on Malachi's face as a result.

But something tells me he expected this to happen.

"Sorry for this," Malachi tells me, setting a hand on my shoulder and reaching over to Harry who looks like he's almost ready to pass out.

"It's fine," I say, the sound of my voice making Harry's head shoot up.

"W-Who are you?" He slurs, his eyes more alert than before.

"A face you won't remember tomorrow morning," I answer. "Thanks for the drink suggestion, Malachi."

I turn to the bartender who gives me a small smile. Harry notices the gesture between me and Liam and tries to fight Malachi's hands off his shoulders.

"You shouldn't talk to Liam, love..." Harry mutters under his breath.

Where is this coming from?