Hard Feelings

Four

// Knight in Shining Armour //

A couple of weeks went by while Alex began to feel frustrated by her progress with Nate. They had been friendly, but it was clear he had been purposely keeping his distance. She knew he did not want to get involved with a student, but she would not stop. Alex had a clear weekend that gave her the perfect chance to figure out a bit more about Nate and how to make herself undeniable to him. Alex figured he had some morals about the whole student and teacher thing. Alex found it honourable but was not going to let that stop her. She always got what she wanted.

Alex discovered that Nate liked going to this one pub that was connected to a hotel, the 97 Street Pub. Not on 97th street, but they had amazing food and drinks. There was also a pool table, ski-ball, and other arcade games inside. Alex decided that she would just happen to go there for some food and a drink to relax for her Saturday.

She got ready quickly as it was already six and she wanted to be there early enough that she would definitely see him if he was going out. If he didn't go, she would just keep going until she did. Persistence and motivation was not something Alex lacked.

Alex sat down at the bar when arriving. She was alone and she thought it might be suspicious, but this was her chance. Bringing any friends or new people she had met would only ruin her chances. Not that she had made any new friends to bring anyway.

She ordered some food and a rum and coke.

"Pretty big drink for a small girl." The bartender joked.

Alex faked a laugh, "yeah, guess my tastes are more than I look. While you're at it, make it a double please." She rolled her eyes at his statement. No need to play damsel in distress here. She was strong and independent and he should be able to tell.

The bartender looked a bit surprised but mostly amused. He nodded and went to making her drink and sending the order off to the kitchen staff.

Someone else sat down beside Alex, but she did not look up from her phone. All Alex was interested in was Nate, so whoever this mystery man may be was not on her radar of people to talk with tonight. Any other guy would distract her from her goals and any other guy would also push Nate further away.

"Didn't expect to see you here, Alex."

Alex whipped her head up upon recognition of the certain voice only to find that the mystery person was Nate. "Oh. Yeah, I guess someone just said they had good food here."

The bartender then placed her drink down in front of her and Nate raised his brow. His brow raise was not quizzical, but playful judgement.

"Okay, so I heard they have good drinks too."

The pair laughed, but Alex felt surprised after what Nate had told her. She thought he would wanted to have kept as much distance as possible. His relaxed muscles and loose posture told her that he had a few drinks down already.

Nate grabbed two drinks, a cider and a craft beer. Alex frowned at the cider. Normally, that was more feminine to drink, and Alex could not help but think that he was there with a girl. Her eyes hardened a bit and she took a large drink out of her own. A girl would just get in her way. Would it stop her? No, but she didn't need more obstacles with Nate. He was hard enough to get through to on his own.

"I should probably get back. Have a good night though."

"Uh, yeah, you too." She stammered a bit and gave him a wonderful dazzled smile. As soon as he turned, her mouth dropped into one of distaste.

Alex watched him saunter away and give the peach cider to a huge muscular guy in a flannel coat watching hockey on the big screen. Her mood brightened once again, and she relaxed seeing that there was no girl here with him. She could breathe happily and continue with her plans.

Alex's drink had not lasted long, and she told the bartender to keep them coming. Alcohol did not usually affect her very quickly and she had built up a tolerance in her short time of legal drinking. Nonetheless, she was a little tipsy as the drinks kept coming.

Alex had let herself go a bit, pretending to be a little further gone than she was. Although not feeling incredibly intoxicated. Soon enough, she had a guy by her side. She knew he was trying to get her to go back to his place, but she was not interested in him.

"No, I-I'm not inter-interested." She faked a slurring manner.

"Awe sure you are sweetheart, you'd love to come home wi–"

"I believe she said she no, and a nice guy knows when to take no for an answer."

"How are you so sure what she wants? Huh?"

"I'm sure I know what she wants more than you."

"Guys, please stop."

"Yeah, just let me take the lady home, that's what she wants."

"I'm sure she does want to go home, but I'm sure as hell she doesn't want to go with you."

"Oh yeah?"

The conversation had become aggressive as they both kept moving closer to each other. Both men had their hands balled into fists. The bartender showed up to their little group. He walked up cautiously a small white cloth over his shoulder as he wiped his hands on a black apron.

"What's going on over here."

"This guy is acting like her father."

"You want to see me act like her father because I would've hit you by now."

"Okay, gentlemen, I'm sure we can be civil about this," the bartender looked to Alex, "do you trust either of them to get you home safely?"

"Na-Nate." She faked a stutter. The alcohol had not really affected her enough. This encounter continued to help her sober up.

Alex seemed to fade after that, but she had let herself fall into Nate's side. They had walked out of the bar and she started to stumble and trip on nothing. To the outside it would look like her eyes were spinning, but she had never ever been this clumsy before. 

"Alex, I'm going to pick you up."

Alex only nodded her head in response. She felt arms sweep her feet from the ground. Things turned and she was against Nate's chest. Her head was laid lazily on his shoulder and one of her hands holding his shirt in a loose fist.

"Nate, thank you."

"Of course, Alex, I would never have let that guy hurt you."

Alex had passed out in pure comfort of being against Nate before she could hear how he had responded. 

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Aweee how cute hey?

Hope ya'll had a good day!

~Lyss