FATAL ATTRACTION | n. jones

ONE.

11:47 P.M.
———

The sound of cars driving by on the damp streets and people chattering filled the late-night atmosphere. Normally, there wouldn't be so many people out around this time, but seeing as it was Friday night, the door was opened for late nights that would often make a person wake up with a hangover and regret their actions. They walked around in their best club fits. Some of the ladies walked around in mini dresses and skirts, while some of the guys walked around in tracksuits that would make the average person question if they felt the weather that the summer had to offer. Most of them headed to one of the most popular places in the city: Mystic

Arguably the best club in New York, Mystic opened its doors a little over a year ago, yet it still maintained its popular status. It proved to be a fierce competitor in NYC's club scene. While threatening the structure of older clubs and an array of visitors that weren't from Manhattan, and probably not from New York either, Mystic showed that it would be here for a while.

It was almost midnight, yet people were still rolling in. Montell waved the cigar smoke out of his face, not caring about the people who slightly bumped him as they tried to get a clear spot at the packed bar. No, his focus was only on one person: the woman on the other side of the club. He knew that the club was packed. Besides the sea of people that could be seen, the fact that the air felt stuffy and it seemed to get hotter by the second made it crystal clear. Yet, for some reason, he seemed to find her.

The woman continued dancing with her best friend, not bothering to catch Montell's concentrated gaze. His eyes never left her no matter the circumstance. A drink being spilled on him probably wouldn't make him take his eyes off of her. He reached a point where people would think he had some kind of obsession or was too shy to walk over to her and strike up a conversation.

"Just go walk up to her, man." Some random dude sitting beside Montell slurred. He picked up his glass and took another sip of his drink before placing it back down with a slight slam.

"Damn, even the drunk people paying attention to my staring."

"I can't." Montell mumbled as he leaned against the bar. The woman, well known as Katana, and Montell's relationship had turned sour almost five months ago leading to their inevitable breakup shortly after. They both lived in Queens, shopped at the same stores, and had a few mutual friends, yet they rarely saw each other. Katana purposely avoided the places she knew Montell would be at while Montell would do the complete opposite. He actually wanted to see Katana.

"Nigga, if you don't get yo' ass up and go try. You been staring at her for more than an hour. I'm damn near drunk. I shouldn't have to tell you this." The man ranted as he signaled the bartender over to make him another drink that would probably be his last before he got cut off.

Montell slowly nodded his head as he processed the drunk man's rant.

"Can I get a Mai Tai?" Montell asked the bartender as he kept his eyes on Katana. He remembered her saying the drink was her favorite so he decided to order one before he walked over to her.

The bartender quickly made the drink and Montell paid prior to walking off. He carefully made his way through the crowd of dancers as he headed in Katana's direction.

"Alright now, ima slow it down for y'all for a second." The DJ announced as "Slow Wine" by Tony! Toni! Toné! started playing throughout the club.

Montell smoothly walked across the club, being careful not to spill even a drop of the drink.

He had already started to map out his plan while he was waiting for the drink.
First, he would go over and give Katana the drink. Then, he would ask her to dance with him. Lastly, he would ask for Katana to take him back. Something was telling him that she missed him as much as he missed her. Or at least he hoped she did.

Montell made it halfway to his destination before seeing some tall guy walk up to Katana and hug her. They pulled away and Montell saw the smile on her face. The same smile she used to give him all the time. The body language was more than enough to help Montell understand that Katana moved on. Her pulling the guy down to her level and kissing him just made it even clearer for him to see.

Montell stopped dead in his tracks as his jaw dropped. He watched as Katana and the guy danced to the song. A wave of emotions washed over him. He wasn't sure if he was angry or dejected. His hand slightly shook causing some of the drink to spill on his hand. He looked down at his hand then looked back up at Katana to see her kissing the guy again.

Montell shook his head as he watched the two of them dance and engage in PDA. He knew his chances of getting Katana back were slim to none. He couldn't do anything but head out the door, tossing the drink in the trash as he headed towards the exit.