Caught Between

Chapter 1

Ali was miserable. She was angry, annoyed and most of all, she was uncomfortable. She was the complete opposite of how everyone around her looked. Alcohol induced, red in the face and loud as a car horn, they all seemed to be having fun. She had began to wish that she never let Lucy drag her to that party in the first place. Her best friend had proposed the idea after they finished the last of their exams at university, with the promise it would be fun. Yeah, turned out that was a lie. As she leaned against the corner near a bookshelf she scanned her emerald green eyes over the crowd, a loose curl fell from her ginger ponytail and she brushed it back. A new wave of anxiety bubbled inside her as she was unable to locate her friend in this seething mass. Damn you, Lucy. Ali cursed. As per usual the last time she saw the bouncy abundance of confidence, Lucy had her arms wrapped around some guy neither girl had ever met. Although it annoyed Ali, she did find herself envying her friend. Lucy was friends with everyone and was always invited out, Ali was sure her friend would never be sat at home for days on end, curled up with a good book. Ali on the other hand, always had her nose in a book, be it reading or writing. Once more Ali steadied her breathing and continued to search the room.

"Ali!" A familiar voice broke through over the loud music, a small smile of relief spread across Ali's face as she caught sight of her old friend.

"Luce!" A small laugh escaped Ali as her drunk friend stumbled through the crowd toward her.

"Tristan and I are leavin', you wanna come?" Lucy slurred her words as Tristan, her new found man, slid in to prop her up.

"It's okay Luce. I think I'm going to take a stroll home, get some fresh air. Thanks for inviting me," Ali threw her arms around her best friend since secondary school, "It's hard to believe it's over." Her friend hugged back and mumbled something Ali couldn't make out, before turning and leaving. Ali couldn't hold in her laugh as her friend tripped over nothing, dragging Tristan down with her.

Ali straightened her sleek blue dress as she finished her drink. A sense of dread mixed with relief flooded through her as she looked around at all the people crowded into this small room. She had finally finished. That chapter of her life was finally over and all she could think about was leaving it, leaving them, behind. Only the future to look forward to, Ali reminded herself. There is no reward in looking back. Ali grabbed her denim jacket off the back of the chair next to her, she no longer had reason to put up with these animals. In one swift motion, Ali pulled her jacket over her, leaving without a word to anyone else.

She had promised herself she was going to go straight home, yet she found herself walking aimlessly through the night. Turning up and down the dark streets, the roads were silent and empty as Ali let her feet lead her. She walked and walked, seeing no end to her wandering. That is, until she approached The Chariot.

The Chariot was her local pub, not being a big drinker Ali rarely found a reason to enter, but on that night something was calling her. Without a second thought she entered, finding a stool at the abandoned bar and summoned the bartender. A young man standing a little under 6 foot smiled gently as he approached her. Ali couldn't help but check him out as he approached. He wasn't as broad as most of the guys she went for, but he was toned without a doubt. His attire consisted of tight navy blue trousers, a white shirt, loose black tie and a navy waistcoat. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled to just under his elbow revealing a glimpse of a tattoo on his left tricep, all that was visible was the blade of a scythe. His skin was pale, but it suited him. His hair, a dark chestnut, was combed back neatly. Everything about him screamed collected, and at that moment in time, Ali envied him.

"Getcha a drink ma'am?" He smiled softly as he pointed at the clock. "Last orders in 30 minutes." Ali smiles softly.

"Thanks, I'll have a vodka cranberry please." The bartend offers a courteous nod before he turns away to make her drink. Ali studied the array of bottles along the back wall, all filled with colourful liquids. In a moment he was back, a blood red drink in his hand.