Violent Flaws and Gentle Imperfections

ONE

Xander

Vodka dribbled slightly down my chin as a drunken chuckle escaped my lips. Flashing neon lights darted in and out of my peripheral vision. Music boomed from the speakers, the bass turned up. The room swam before my bloodshot irises.

"Oy, Xander! 'Nother round?" Felix slurred at me, holding a bottle of clear liquid over his head. His blonde hair was sticking up in some places and plastered to his head with sweat in others.

The rest of the guys around me jeered and clapped me on the back. Everyone knew I could hold my liquor the best. Of course I'd have another round. I looked up at Felix and grinned, punching a fist in the air. "Hell yeah!" I accepted. The boys around me cheered and held up their glasses. I stood up from my stool, wobbling slightly on my left foot. My head pounded. My skull felt like it was about to split down the middle.

Carefully placing one foot in front of the other, I walked steadily over to Felix as he poured me another shot, ignoring the throbbing in my head. Is this my fourth or fifth one? My thoughts were cloudy. I didn't care though. Didn't matter how much I drank tonight. Tonight was about a good time.

"'Ere ya go, Zane," Felix chuckled. "Drink up, ya bastard."

"Don't need to tell me twice." I mumbled.

Bottoms up. I put the shot up to my lips, throwing my head back and tipping it down my throat. I swallowed immediately. The tiny splash of vodka exploded, rushing and burning down my throat. I shook my head, letting my thick hair whip around my face. The sensation of liquid fire was like a punch in the gut. But hell, did it feel good. I opened my mouth, letting out a satisfied sigh and flashing a cocky grin. Cheers erupted around me as the boys punched the air and slapped me on the back.

"God damn, Zane. That was ya fifth shot. How d'ya feel?" Miles shouted in my ear over the heavy music.

"Fan-fucking-tastic." I replied.

"Aye, atta boy." He hit me on the back of the head, making me dizzy. I saw stars winking in and out of my vision. But I just laughed and punched him in the shoulder.

I grabbed another shot from Felix and tossed it down. I didn't have anything to lose. I scrunched my eyes closed as the vodka made its way to my stomach. Tonight was my night. Nothing was going to ruin it.

I leaned against the bar, propping my arm up and crossing my right leg over my left. I let my eyes wander over to the dance floor. I didn't see anything particularly new; nothing particularly special. A few girls wearing shirts two sizes too small and skirts that left nothing to imagination and makeup that glowed orange even in the dim club lights. I saw a few guys hanging around the outskirts like I was, though they were eyeing the girls with a hunger in their eyes that disgusted me. A few other brave guys were sauntering to the middle of the dance floor, hoping to get lucky.

I shook my head and scoffed indirectly at them and their arrogance. Of course, maybe I was a hypocrite. I messed around with girls all the time. The only difference between me and the other guys was that I actually respected the girls I messed around with and that I actually told them not to expect anything out of me. I wasn't looking to commit. I wasn't looking for a relationship. Committing meant love. Love meant pain. Love is an illusion.

Felix handed me another shot and I tossed it back, savoring the flames that licked my throat. I looked out over the dance floor once again. I saw flashes of neon clothing and the slight movement of dark fabric sashaying across the dance floor; nothing in between. That's what you get at a club, I guess.

Her.

I eyed her with subtle fascination. She had brown shoulder length hair with light highlights that glowed underneath the flashing lights. She moved to the music like she owned it, swaying to the rhythm and nodding her head to the beat. She wasn't wearing any neon and her makeup didn't glow quite as orange as all the other girls'. Her appearance was quiet. She wasn't looking to attract any attention; too bad for her. She was the kind of girl I looked for at clubs like these. She wasn't caked with makeup and didn't have her breasts pushed up to her chin. She wasn't looking for anything and neither was I. How convenient.