Drowning

Four;

The first few dances of the night were over, but there was no break between them. So, after another quick shot, Bella, my coworker, and I, climbed back onto the stage as the next song began to play. It was 'Habits (Stay High)' by Tove Lo. We'd done this one plenty of times before, and it was probably my most favourite to do.

We began with our backs turned, just to begin teasing the crowd. And then, as the song picked up, we turned around and began to play around on the pole.

Then, as the song progressed further, we'd slide around to the front of the stage, to begin teasing the audience further.

But, as I moved towards the front, laying on my back with one leg over my head, I saw someone.

Oh my god.

Trying to remain professional despite my racing heart, I slid back up and continued the routine as people cheered.

The people he was with were cheering as we neared them, but I felt like I was about to choke. What were the fucking chances?

I continued with the song, until it was over. We'd end up back on the pole to finish, and then we'd get a few minutes break whilst everyone went to grab some drinks.

"What's up? You lost your step a few times up there," Bella asks me.

Bella had long black hair, like my own, but she was a little taller than I was. She was drop dead beautiful.

"I-I know. Sorry. I think I just saw somebody I know," I mumble, turning my head briefly to the crowd again. He was still there with his friends, and a girl.

"Oh?" Bella says. "Who?"

"Nobody," I mutter.

I walked away, anger and confusion fuelling me as I went to ask what the hell he was doing here.

Approaching his group, his friends turned around, but he was still talking to the girl. I cleared my throat.

Slowly, he turned around. And so did the girl.

"Harry," I say breathlessly. "What are you doing here?" I say.

I couldn't help but notice he had fresh bruises on his face again, and his eyes were tired but somehow alive. He looked good, if I was being honest with myself.

"Shit, I swear I didn't know you worked here," he says, his eyes glued to my own. "I, uh, just won a fight. My friend arranged this," he says, eyes never leaving mine.

"Care to tell us what's going on?" the girl says.

"Uh..." Harry trails off, furrowing his eyebrows together. He looked away, clearing his throat.

"We met, once." I say quietly.

"Why is there so much tension?" the blonde friend asks.

"Fuck off, Luke." Harry sighs.

"Where did you meet?" his other friend smirks.

"Let me guess, Tinder?" another boy asks. The girl looked uncomfortable.

"No," I say.

"We were both at the same place, at the same time." Harry says slowly.

"Introduce us, then." the blonde, who Harry had called Luke, says with a smirk.

"Uh, Zahara, this is Luke," he says, pointing to the blonde one. "Ben," he says, pointing at a dark haired boy. He waved. "Tom," he says, nodding towards a brown haired boy. "And, uh, this is Gina, my friend." he says. The girl beside him gave him a look.