(based on the song Say You Won't Let Go by James Arthur. honestly, the sweetest song and the story tells itself)
-lucas-
It was a normal night in the same club; the same seat I've been in for months after moving away from home, from my parents, from my whole life; the same drink I downed for the third time that night in hopes it'll help take away some pain again. But it never has, not since the first night. I felt like I was stuck with this forever; with the feeling of disappointment and loneliness and it's never going to change. But I can't go back home anymore. That was the only thing my parents and I agreed on.
While I asked for what I think was my fifth shot of tequila, I felt someone slide beside me requesting for three shots of corn starch. Okay, obviously that was one of the parts of the night I couldn't really remember as well, but I'm pretty sure that was close to what it was really called. What I did remember was the girl's brown hair flipping as she turned towards me; and the fact that no matter how dark the club was, her smile made it seem like all the lights were on and it was almost blinding but I couldn't look away. I tried to blame that on the alcohol, too, but I knew that wasn't it.
"Hey!" She grinned.
"Hi." I nodded.
"You wanna dance?" She yelled above the music. It felt like a hallucination so I had to ask to make sure.
"What?"
"You want to dance?" She emphasized then held out her hand in front of me and all I could do was stare at her. She rolled her eyes and pulled me up to stand but downs the blue drink in front of her in one gulp before pulling me to the middle of the dance floor.
I see her looking around and grin to who I assumed were her friends as we both swayed in front of each other. I was afraid to cross the boundaries, having only just met her. I didn't even know her name.
"What's your name?" She asked loudly again with the bass and music still hiding her voice.
"Lucas, and yours?" I got a little bit closer to her this time, wanting to hear her clearly.
"Riley! What are you here for?" I didn't understand her question so all I could do was raise one eyebrow at her. "Wait, are you here alone?" She looked at me incredulously.
"Is that surprising?" I chuckled.
"Yes, have you seen yourself?" She gestured towards my face. "No girls? No boys' night?" All I could do was shrug.
"I'm not really from here. Don't have many friends." I muttered into the loud club and I thought she wouldn't hear me. But her face softened and her hand went to my arm.
"I'll be your friend!" She brightened like a literal light bulb appeared at the top of her head and I couldn't help but smile back. She raised her hand at me, telling me to wait, and I watched her down the other two shots of corn starch that I assumed were meant for her friends and run back towards me.
"Need to be drunk to be my friend?" I questioned and she immediately shook her head and pouted.
"Need to be drunk to be brave."
She slowly comes forward and puts her arms around my neck. My whole world seemed to shake and I wish I was a little sober to appreciate the moment. My arms slid to her waist anyway and I pulled her closer towards me. The night felt like a blur as we danced it away.
I remember us coming back to the bar to take more shots and I had a taste of the sweet, blue shots she took. They seemed to have a faster effect on me than the tequila, but I still couldn't put a finger on what they were called.
