Ethereal ✾ ||C.S||

XIII. Ciggies and puggies

✾Ruby's pov

It had been one month since Dylan's and Margot's official breakup. He was in better shape now and things were very slowly starting to make sense.

I had dragged Sasha with me to this vintage pool club slash art gallery. It was like a small urban coffee shop. Yellow firefly light bulbs hung from the wooden celling. The decor was all dark brown leather. There were a few people there, some admiring the beautiful art, some playing pool and some smoking at the indoor bar. Sasha was complaining about the shitty WiFi connection there and I was simply amazed by the art. I turned around to talk to her when I saw her look at me with that "oh my good Lord" face. There he stood over the pool table, a cigarette pressed between his teeth. He pushed his fingers through his hair as he laughed at something one of his friends said. It was like he knew he was being watched. His eyes glanced our way. He raised his eyebrow as he blew out a small smoke halo from his lips. His dark hair was now pushed to the side, his white button up shirt pressed up against his body and roughly tucked into his black jeans. He crossed his ankles as he leaned against the wall. His black suspenders standing out against the white shirt that was rolled up his elbows.

"We should go dance.", Sasha said with enthusiasm.

I agreed, my pinky linked with hers, following her out onto the dance floor. I could feel eyes on me as I slid my arms over my head, moving to the beat with Sasha. We were both giggling and having fun. I glanced over her shoulder to look at him in the corner. Through the smoke I could tell he was looking at me with a drink in his hand and a smile on his lips. He looked away from me before saying something to his friend that was standing beside him. His lips moved slowly and his face was very expressive, his hands moving with his words. Like he was explaining something. I turned my back to him as I started swaying to the music again. A few moments later a firm hand slid down my wrist to my hand, I turned around to see a bright smile on his attractive lips, causing his eyes to crinkle up at the corners in slight satisfaction of my reaction. He pulled me away from the dancing crowd toward the back lounge, picking up two new drinks from the bar.

"Little Ruby.", He said laughingly.

I smiled, crossing my arms as I leaned against the wooden railing, surrounded by hanging light bulbs. He leaned against the rail next to me. I took the drink from him when he handed it to me. I held it up in the palm of my hands as I looked up at the lights.

"I thought I saw a familiar someone out on the dance floor.", He said before taking a sip from his drink.

I smiled as I took a sip from my tiny glass. It was sweet but it had a bitter sting to it as it trickled down. It was pretty strong too. I definitely knew I'd be under in a few minutes. He combed his hair with fingers while he watched me, leaning with his elbows against the railing.

"The art here is beautiful, isn't it?", He hummed before taking another sip. 

"I come here to steam off sometimes."

"Yeah, it's wonderful. I found out about this place through the guy down at the gas station.", I said, looking up from my drink.

"You mean Connor?"

"Yeah, him."

"You do know that guy called dibs on you.", He said with a slight sneer.

"Wow, no way. I don't believe you."

He gave me a "I'm not kidding" look and pulled out a pack of cigarettes.

"Well he's not the guy I drew in class when I was bored. I drew you.", I explained as he lit his cigarette.

He looked at me with a furrowed brow, exhaling smoke.

"Wait, you were drawing me?", He asked a bit enthused with a cocky grin.