Elowen

The 21st birthday bash

- hey , what are you doing tonight ?
- not a lot - I heard there's re runs of gossip girl on though
- oh damn, well not that I can compete with such an exhilarating activity - but my friend is having his 21st birthday at some club , it's supposed to be pretty cool , do you wanna come with me ?
- I mean , I guess I could cancel my oh so important plans for you . What time is it at ?
- I can pick you up at 9?
- now that's well past my bedtime mate
- Pretty please X
- alright . See you later . X

I smile at my phone closing my texts and trying to appear like I'm actually studying as I sit in the huge university library . My mind keeps wandering to him however . We had been out numerous times over the last 3 weeks since our coffee date - just silly things like the awful new James Bond movie and and art museums that we had no real interest in - and of course every burger or pizza place in Manchester! I was having a lot of fun and I definitely felt we were growing closer , the more I learned about him the more intrigued by him I became - he was absolutely addicting to me . Every time he text me I grew excited , so when he's invited me to this party I felt overjoyed . It was nice that he wanted to take me to his friends birthday bash , it meant that he wanted to introduce me to people he knew which I didn't really know whether to feel apprehensive or excited about - never the less I was happy . I sit there wondering what to wear later , what kind of birthday is it - would it be sophisticated or casual - would there be food ? Do I eat before or wait until I'm drunk and order a 2AM pizza ? Should I even get drunk around Dan I mean who knows what I might say !? . I shut my book considering it was hopeless I was going to get any work done - besides it was Friday nearly 5pm anyway - I should really let my hair down .
I decide to take hurry to the nearest bus stop considering it was starting to rain - which of course meant I was going to have to shower to defeat the frizzy mess atop my head as I reach the blue bus shelter . A few other students loiter around waiting for the bus to show which relieved my worries that I may of missed it .
One girl is reading , another is talking on the phone . There's a guy scrolling through on a tablet device while another taps his foot to the heavy music we can all hear him playing through his low quality headphones . I begin to wonder what their stories are - what they study ? Are they in first or third year ? What do they want to be ? . I must of let my mind wonder so far , I practically had to reel it back in when I hear a deep voice say 'hi there' next to me .
I spin around feeling slightly alarmed - the last time I was approached by a stranger I was held at knife point - however I realise this is hardly the same situation .
' errr hello ?' I say more of a question that a response .
' sorry to bother you - but do you have the time ?' He enquirers .
' oh - sure ' I say reading my watch .
'5:20' I answer politely .
' oh okay thanks - my phones dead ' he explains shrugging ' no bother ' I say with a smile . Now feeling awkward , I wish I had some obnoxiously loud earphones to put on right about now .
The bus pulls up and I feel grateful for the warmth as I scan my bus card and take a seat , trying to warm my icy fingers .
By the time I get home it's almost 6:20 so I decide to shower sooner rather than later . I go about my getting ready business very orderly - shower , hair , dress , makeup , and finally lipstick right before I leave . I get to work on my tired student look and by the time I'm done I almost look like an adult with their shit together . I've chosen a smart casual purple dress with black heels and neutralish makeup . I sigh at the clock realising it's only 7:30 and I'm already starting to feel tired . Gotta hang in there ! I insist to myself turning on the loudest TV show I can find and heading to make myself a large cup of coffee . Tonight would be fun , and no amount of tiredness was going to ruin it .
Despite my valiant efforts - I wake up from snoozing on the sofa to a rhythmic knocking at my door .
'Fuck' I mutter to myself dragging myself up from the couch and rushing to answer the door .
' hi ,' he beams looking me up and down 'you look great ' he compliments .
'Thanks' I breathe with a laugh , running a hand through my presumably disheveled hair .
' ready to go ?' He asks adjusting his glasses. Funny how ever since I complimented him on them , he's not stopped wearing them - despite informing me that he usually wears contacts .
'Yes - just need my phone '
'And ID ' he reminds me
' I don't look 21 ?' I ask shocked
' I thought you were 17 when I met you ' he shrugs trying to fight off a laugh .
' you're a dick ' I say chuckling grabbing my iPhone from its charging stand .
' wow I'm hurt ' he says in monotone 'now let's go slow coach ' he insists clapping his hands .
' alright alright ' I giggle letting him pull me out of the apartment and shutting the door behind me .
He drives us to the party using his satnav as always
'If you live in Manchester how come you have to use a satnav everywhere you go ?' I tease applying my lipstick in his passenger mirror
' because I have the sense of direction of a senile pigeon ' he says 'plus this satnav has never let me down ' he informs me patting the top of his trusty technology .
' great - lets just hope you never get lost on your own then ' I say rolling my eyes .
He pulls into the very busy parking lot and hops out , trying to open my door for me and not quite making it in time as I open it for myself whacking him in the leg .
' oh god I'm sorry !' I say feeling awful
' damn your not a crazy feminist are you ?' He asks grabbing his leg in pain
' no no ! Fuck I'm really sorry ' I say covering my mouth in shock 'what can I do ?' I ask panicking .
' don't worry - it's only my leg - don't need it' he jokes shaking it off
' you sure your alright ?' I ask
' yep - fine ' he nods but I can see his eyes are watering
' Dan -'
' come on - lets go !' He says grabbing my arm . I sigh ' I'm sorry ' I mumble again. He just smiles and throws his arm around my shoulders
'Forget about it - now let's go have fun ' he says enthusiastically . I nod and grin back at him allowing him to lead me into the club .
The place is swarming with people , probably due to the lack of security at the door . And it's frigging boiling in here - like 20 times hotter than outside , not to mention dark and deafeningly loud.
'Bar !?' Dan yells in my ear gesturing to the only glowing corner of this place .
I nod and let him cut though the crowd so we could get through .
It's a little less crowded than the swarm of bodies moving erratically on the dance floor
' some party hey' i comment 'your friend must be really popular '
' yeah - I guess so ' he chuckles ' I don't remember half these people being in the Facebook group - but I guess word gets around - anyway , drink my dear ?' He says jokingly , trying to get the bar tenders attention
' yeah I'll have a vodka and coke - my dear ' I say laughing . He eventually manages to order and we grab a seat at the bar , rushing to sit as soon as the other drunken people descend back into the dance floor , engulfed by the sweaty bodies and blinding laser lights . We chat for a while but it's really just more of a laughing and nodding because we have no idea what the other just said - for all I know he's talking about homocide and I just laughed . It's getting a little tedious , so I decide to stand up - motioning to the dance floor 'you wanna dance ?' I yell
He grins 'thought you'd never ask !' He hollers grabbing my hand and walking towards the rather intimidating crowds . I start to dance feeling the effects of the alcohol fog my thought process .
I can see Dan is feeling tipsy simply by his clumsy dance moves , but he still looks adorable with his hair completely tousled out of its sleek gelled position he'd so carefully styled earlier . His glasses are gone from his face , he must of dropped them and not noticed . We're singing and laughing together for at least a good 9 or 10 songs (mostly remixes ) before we stumble back to the bar both exhausted and elated by the clubs crazed atmosphere .
' have you seen the birthday boy yet ?' I ask ordering myself another drink .
' no - I don't think I will either at this point ' he shrugs . I laugh and down half my drink , not caring how drunk I get .
' Daniel !' I hear a male voice yell behind me and I spin around to be met with a blonde pale faced boy who undoubtedly took a large amount of steroids
' Tyler !' He yells immediately recognising the giant approaching from behind me .
He gets up , giving him an attempted fist bump and bro hug which I attempt not to laugh at , biting my lip very hard .
' the boys are over there - do you want to come and say hello ?' He says to Dan , who nods prefusley .
' oh ty , this is Elowen ' he says loudly gesturing to me
' ah - Danny boy got himself a girlfriend at last '
' no not exactly ' he chuckles rubbing the back of his neck nervously , his cheeks heating up .
' yeah yeah - whatever - it's nice to meet you Elowen ' he waves . Despite his large size he appeared to be considerably friendly .
' you coming to meet people ?' Dan says holding his hand out to me .
' yeah I'll be right there- just let me order another drink ' I say feeling reluctant to meet his mates while I'm hot , sweaty and considerably tipsy . He nods and says 'we'll be over there ' pointing to a booth across the bar before following Tyler through the crowd. I sigh , holding up my glass to the bar tender to ask for another vodka .
' hey ' a voice slurs next to my ear ' you alone sweetheart ?'
I turn around to see a plastered dark haired twat staring me up and down lustfully . I roll my eyes and try to move away picking up my drink . Then his hands are on my wrists restricting me .
' fucking let go ' I warn trying to push him away
' I don't think so ' he laughs bitterly pushing my into the edge of the bar and forcing himself up against me . I try to yell but nobody can hear me over the music in here .
' please let go ' I whine as he pushes me further Into the hard wooden surface hurting my back . I grimace and close my eyes preying that he'll go away .Suddenly , the guys hands are off me , and I open my eyes to see he's face down on the floor . Dan is stood over him , his fists clenched and his face full of rage . Did he just punch him ?
The perv gets back on his feet and takes a clumsy swing at Dan hitting him right in the eye . By this point people are starting to stare and I can see the security guards making their way over to us . By this point Dan is writhing with anger , I don't think I've ever seen his like this . He punches the guy straight in the mouth , and blood gushes from between his teeth . The guards are approaching quickly through the crowd and I have to practically drag Dan away as he yells harsh insults at the guy with the bloody mouth who now lies half conscious on the floor .
' what the fuck Dan ' I yell as we get outside and he is actually able to hear me .
' he was putting his fucking filthy hands all Over you Lo what was I supposed to do ?' He shouts still looking furious .
I try to breathe and calm down . He's never yelled at me before and I really don't appreciate it . In all honesty I just didn't want to be here anymore - I don't fit in at this stupid fucking party and there's drunk pricks everywhere - and to top it off Dan has gone and knocked someone's teeth out and we've basically had an argument . Great .fucking.times
'I want to go home ' i say in a moderately level voice , trying to stop myself from yelling or crying - I can't decide how to feel .
His expression quickly changes when he sees my distress - the anger fading from his eyes and his shoulders relaxing a little as he tries to reach his arm out to comfort me , but I back away from his touch.
' Lo , ' he says his voice lowering 'I'm sorry for yelling at you - you know I'm not angry at you I just -'
' just take me home ' I interrupt him crossing my arms across my chest and staring at my shoes . There's a long silence before he finally mutters 'alright - I'll get a taxi'
A few minutes later a taxi pulls up and I get in quietly buckling my seat belt. All I wanted was to be in bed , I shouldn't have gone out in the first place .
' you could have been Arrested Dan ' I whisper finally after a prolonged silence
' he was hurting you Lo ' he says quietly 'I couldn't let him do that ' . The cab halts as we pull up to my apartment and Dan pays the guy no questions asked.
I look up at him for the first time . His right eye looks swollen and bruised and his hair is crazy mess .
' your eye ' I gasp reaching to touch the reddened purple area . He flinches in pain as I gently examine his bruises .
' come up with me - you'll need to ice them ' I say opening the door.
He doesn't argue as he quickly gets out of the cab , thanking the driver politely before and following me up to my apartment .
I gesture for him to take a seat when we enter my apartment but he follows me into the kitchen instead .
' I'm really sorry , Elowen - tonight was supposed to be fun ' he sighs pulling himself up onto my kitchen counter , watching me carefully for a response . I sigh 'well- the thing that messes us up most in life is our first ideas of how things are supposed to be' I say shrugging taking out an ice pack from the freezer . It's so hard to be annoyed at him when he talks to me so nicely , and looks at me with his cute little furrowed brow. I turn around and stand in between his legs , brushing his crazy hair from his forehead before gently applying pressure with the cold ice pack to his bruise . He looks shocked at our closeness , and to be honest I've surprised myself too with my boldness , but he was injured and I was a nurse to be - I kind of saw it as my job .
He smiles at me 'talk to me Lo ' he says taking the ice pack from my hands and pressing it against his own cheek .
' about what ?' I ask confused
' anything - i hate it when you go quiet on me , you're very hard to read '
' If you want to know what I'm thinking ' I sigh 'I'm thinking that you're an idiot for what you did in there - you could of gone to jail -' I say ' but I'm also very grateful that you saved me from that creep' I sigh taking a seat beside him on my kitchen counter . 'So thank you Dan '
'What he did was wrong - it isn't just nothing Lo , you deserve more respect than that ' he says shaking his head .
' thanks , but it's not your responsibility to beat people up for me ' I sigh
' you always say that ' he groans suddenly appearing frustrated .
'What ?' I ask confused
' like you don't need me , like we'll never -' he stops himself mid sentence, looking to his shoes . ' well never what ?' I whisper
' be together ' he breathes finally lifting his gaze up to meet mine . My breathing halts and I have to lean onto the side for support .
He wants us to be together ? Where is this coming from ?
' I'm sorry , I shouldn't have said that ' he says getting down from the side and placing the frozen peas down .
'I'll just leave , goodnight Lo ' he murmurs before turning to walk out .
' wait !' I yell as he gets to my door ' what you're just going to drop that on me then leave ?' I say exasperated .
' there's nothing else I can say ' he sighs running his hand through his hair .
' how about - I don't know , do you like me Lo ?, do you want to be my girlfriend Lo ? How do you feel about us ?, I don't fucking know but don't just say that to me and then leave !' I shout exasperated , I'm tired of this - I'm tired of him .
' your so devastated that I don't want you to act like my boyfriend - yet you've never even asked to be or told me that you like me ' I sigh as he reaches for the door .
' I was afraid you'd freak - ' he says frowning
' can't imagine what I was worrying for ' he teases his whole demeanour softening
' do you like me Lo ?' he asks after a quiet moment
' yes ' I whisper without hesitation .
' do you want to be my girlfriend Lo ?' He asks mimicking me
I laugh lightly and look up at me to see his pale blue eyes watching me , serious intent is masked by humour in his expression .
' yes '