Medicine is all it takes

Prequel

late 2020

«Bee, c'mon it will be fun! It's just for one night, I promise.»

«Hel, you say that every time. And you know me, I'm the last person you would want in a club. That's not my kinda fun...»

Helena is like my older sister but we have so much that doesn't match between us, like being social and an extrovert which I'm not, in this case. I'm more of an old mind trapped in an eighteen-year-old body. I don't get all the night out vibes or the need for drinking and then throwing up everything. I can't find a drop of joy in it and Hel knows that, but she is determined on changing that since we got in college together and, now, we're housemates.

She is sitting on my bed, focused on a tiny mirror while applying her lipstick carefully not to stain with bright red the rest of the makeup she previously put on. I could never pull of a dress like that: strapless, extra tight, short, pink and with a huge cleavage. Hel turns to me, preparing myself to put on a comfy pajama, and rolls her eyes to my answer.

«You're going with me, sis. I'm the oldest sister, I make the rules.»

«Yeah, but we're not actual sisters, so you can't tell me what to do.»

«You excuse me?! Now it's a matter of honor taking you to that club. Put on a cute outfit and let's go.»

I was preparing to open my mouth and argue with everything she just said, but she talked first grabbing my favorite book from the shelf and putting it above my bathroom opened toilet.

«If you ever wanna see this book alive again, you've gotta come with me to this party. Take it or leave it?»

«Ok, ok! Hel, you win. I'm going with you but get that book right here without harming it. Do you understand my terms?»

Her face lit up like she had just discovered the elixir of life. She accepted the deal and brought the book back to me. I'm not a people person, but I take really good care of my books, I guard them with my life.

I drag myself off of my bed and I pick a pair of black jeans and a see-through green shirt from my closet, as they are the first things that I saw there. I tie my hair up in a ponytail and we leave before I regret even thinking about going to a club.

The place was full of drunk people and smoke covered the scenario when we got there. Hel saw someone familiar in the middle of the crowd and I followed her towards that group she knew. Everybody was excited and talking about stuff I really didn't give a damn about, so I made up an excuse to go sit close to the bar by myself. I ordered a bottle of water and the tattooed guy serving at the bar started mocking my drinking choices but went to a small fridge to get my water. I thanked him and took a sip.

«Interesting...»

I feel like that comment is directed to me so I turn myself to see who was analyzing me. A guy was staring at me as if I was a piece of abstract art. He had stamped on his lips the most beautiful smile I've ever seen. His light skin complimented the blue of his eyes; his movements were slow contrasting with my accelerated heartbeat.

«What's so interesting?»

I ask, feeling my guts turn as he comes closer to me. His confidence makes him look even more attractive and I can't stop looking at his captivating smile. God, why is he smiling at me like that? He grabs my bottle and takes a small sip. He looks at me again, surprised this time.

«It really is water! What? Who comes to a club and drinks water?»

«I do. I didn't wanna come to the club in the first place. And why is this such a big deal? Drinking water should be a regular thing!»

The stranger laughs at my annoyed face and comes even closer to me. He leans down reaching my ear, what delivers chills through my whole body, and says with a whispery voice:

«We can go for a walk if you wanna get out of here so bad.»

He locks eyes with me and I lose my breath for a second. My brain and my heart struggle to get to an understanding of what I should answer to that suggestion but something comes to my mind that I immediately say.

«I don't even know your name.»

«Luke.»

«Skywalker?»

He releases a loud laugh this time and strokes his soft blond curls with his long fingers.

«I wish! But no. Hemmings, Luke Hemmings. You?»

«Bee... Costa.»

«I like it! So, are we going for a walk or not?»

«No. I'm here with someone.»

«Shit! I knew you had a boyfriend. You can't just walk around looking like that and not be taken.»

«Sorry to inform you, but I'm as single as it comes. I was dragged here by a friend.»

«Wow, really? So, I can kiss you without breaking someone else's heart...»

«What makes you think I wanna kiss you?»

He reaches my ear again and says, breathing heavily:

«The way you're biting and wetting your lips tells me you wanna try me as much as I want you. Am I wrong?«

The sound of music filled the space our voices left empty. I swallow the words ready to come out of my mouth and he smirks at my lack of speech. He grabs my waist firmly and caresses my features until his fingers reach the back of my jaw. I look up finding his eyes completely focused on my lips. I wet them one more time before closing the space between us. Our bodies fit together so perfectly I can feel his lungs growing inside his chest. Damn, he is such a great kisser! He knows exactly...

My thoughts are interrupted by a phone vibrating in his front pocket. Luke parts his lips from mine slowly, seeming it was against his own will and picks his phone rolling his eyes when he saw the number calling him. He looks at me and to the ringing device in his hand in a loop.

«Why don't you pick up?»

«I'm still trying to figure you out and I feel like you're going to vanish as soon as I get this call. It's my friend probably asking where I am.»

«You should pick up, could be important.»

Someone approaches us clearly drunk. In one hand a cup full of what I believe being vodka, the other hand grabbing Luke by his arm. He looks at me and says, extremely expressive:

«Hello, beautiful! Did it hurt when you fell from heaven? Cause you look like an angel, a really hot one, let me tell you. Luky, is this the reason you didn't pick up your phone? I guess you were distracted with all this and I see why.»

The guy looks me up and down several times with the nastiest look on his face. I could tell Luke got really uncomfortable with what was said and so did I, so I just started picking my stuff up from the table and preparing to leave that awkward situation.

«Oh my God! John back off. She is not into you. I'm sorry, Bee. Wait! Don't leave just yet, we were having a moment.»

«Well, the moment was completely ruined as you can see and I think John needs you more than I do. My friend must be looking for me anyway, so I gotta go.»

«And how am I supposed to find you again? I don't go around kissing everybody I see; I really am into getting to know you.»

«We might bump into each other again... or maybe not. We never know! We'd be cheating the destiny if I just gave you my number. Let's see what happens...»

Saying that felt really empowering for some reason and something inside me is telling that I'll see Luke again, so I just stand up and leave, sensing him still staring at me until I disappeared in the crowd.