This is Euphoria

-22-

surprise update ;)

athena

While the moderately elegant bar continues to fill up with middle aged men, Kai and I seclude ourselves at the bar-table, doing shots. Vera is somewhere in the room, probably chatting up her boss hoping to get a promotion.

"Oh Jesus," Kai curses as he takes a straight shot of vodka. A little tipsy myself, I giggle like a schoolgirl. He squeezes his eyes shut, and I can practically feel the burning liquid coursing down his throat. "That fucking burns."

He orders two more rounds, and I shake my head incredulously. Quiet jazz music plays throughout the bar and I find myself tapping my foot alongside it.

The bartender returns with four more shots. Kai scoots two over to me, but I shake my head "Someone has to drive."

He shrugs but downs three of the four in a record amount of time. They seem to take effect immediately, because when he stands up he stumbles forward.

"Oh shit. Did you eat anything today?" I ask but he doesn't appear to hear me, or he chooses to ignore me. Before I can question him further, he plops on a stool three seats down, next to a tough looking man with a balding head. He leans forward a bit and reaches for the remaining shot, and his long arm allows him to capture it between his two longest fingers.

"Would you like this last shot sir?"

The guy turns to Kai, a harsh look plastered across his face.

"Fuck off," the guy spits in a deep, distinct voice. Kai's face reads no expression, he's a blank canvas. Every second he blinks dramatically.

Finally, after a few awkward seconds, his face holds a confused look. He leans forward, almost like he's talking to the guy's shoulder, and blurts "was it something I said?"

I swear if I didn't step in at the moment Kai would probably have had a bruise forming across his jaw.

"Sorry about him. He's intoxicated," I laugh nervously. I place my hands on Kai's shoulders and he wrenches his head to look at me.

The man suspiciously glances at me, his eyebrows furrowed. I give him my best convincing smile.

"Yeah, fine. Get him outta here," he demands.

Part of me wants to tell him that it's not that serious, but I know it'll only anger him and I don't want Kai to get punched and either way we're supposed to be on our best behavior for Vera.

"Of course," I agree.

I help Kai up, guiding him to table on the opposite side of the room. He turns back speaking very loudly, "what a wank-" I stomp on his foot, and wave sweetly back at the man.

"Ouch," he says in a small voice.

"Sit," I demand. He holds up his hand in mock innocence and obliges. I push back an agitating curl.

All of a sudden, the lights burn out. Most people are confused, but for the most part I'm relieved. The rain has been unusually heavy since yesterday night. Better it happen here than at my house. I'd have to call Reggie, my building manager.

"Athena?" Kai whispers.

"Yep," I answer. His hand locates my wrist, and he pulls me closer to him. He grabs me by my waist and pushes me down onto his lap.

"Is this okay?" he gently whispers into my ear.

"Yeah, this is okay," I reply.

an: sorry to leave off at such an awkward spot, but im updating in a few :) in a couple weeks im going to be editing my previous chapters.