Magnolia in May [H.S]

Part fifteen

Magnolia
                                       
— -

The music fills my ears with excitement, swinging my hips carelessly to the beat of the song. With the addition of alcohol, my nerves were masked, hiding beneath the surface.

Indie eventually left me to dance by myself, trailing off through the dense crowd of individuals. I keep on, encouraged by the lack of company to keep dancing on my lonesome. I get tapped on the shoulder, turning around and seeing a face I recognized. But one I wish I didn't, he gestures for me to follow him. If it were any other day I'd say no, but with the influence of vodka, I agreed. Trailing him out of the raving crowd.

"Hey haven't seen you lot in a while? How's it been?" He gleams, but by the dazed look in his eyes I know he's high as a kite. I start to feel intensely uncomfortable, racking my brain for a way to escape this situation.

"Urm.... good... I guess," I stumble over my words, straining my heart with the newfound worry.

"Hmm, yeah that's good. So you want-" I cut him off, "Yeah, sorry I gotta go...." I mumble nervously pushing my blonde-brown hair back.

"Wait!" He hollers, pulling something out of his pocket and shaking it at me, a bag with a dozen or so white pills. My eyes go wide as I shoo him off, tripping over myself to leave.

My rising adrenaline doesn't help the beat of my heart, increasing slowly yet so fast I can barely keep up. I scurry off, pushing my way through clusters of dressed-up drunken teens. Finding the first exit I can and slamming myself against the door. I bolt, letting my feet take me further on to the balcony, taking a pack of unopened cigs and tearing the plastic off. I lean against the railing with all my weight, gawking over the million-dollar view of the mountains. Placing the cig right in between my cherry red lips, I fumble for my lighter. Trying it once, flicking it open but the fluid was all gone. Fuck I forgot to refill it.

"Needa light?" The accent flusters me from behind, I flinch darting my eyes back. An unfamiliar face leans against the wall near the door, quietly sucking in the smoke from his cigarette. I must've run past him...

"Uh, yeah... sorry, you scared me.." I gripe, watching his laid-back movements. "Don't worry darling, I don't bite unless I'm asked to... C'mere I'll give that a light for you." His accent is thick, almost too thick to understand. I flush, scurrying over, he lights the cig between my lips. Igniting the flame and shielding it from the wind.

"Thanks," I mutter, sucking in the fresh smoke. He nods, "Sure thing."

We walk over to the railing, smoking quietly in each other's company. Basking in the glory of comfortable silence.

"It's nice to meet you," I say, wanting to break up the atmosphere, he gestures to shake my hand, holding out his. Instantly I see the tattoo on his knuckles taking his hand.

"Louis, Tomlinson." He greets, keeping a hold of my hand.

"Meg... Finnely." I respond, shoving my hand back into my slim almost nonexistent skirt pocket.

"It's a pleasure Meg Finnely......" I smile as his face goes puzzled "Finnely? That's a familiar name, where do I know that from?" His voice is sultry, grainy, and even more so with the smoke wafting from between his lips.

"Yep, my parents own the resort down in Goldfinch, the Finn Morello resort..." I mumble, hoping he catches on to my tone. He just hums, retorting back over to gazing at the view.

I take this as a sign to leave, knowing Indie's probably looking for me.

"Mr. Tomlinson," I nod, leading my way off the balcony. He greets in unison, wiggling his fingers in a sloppy goodbye wave. "Cheers,"