Once Upon A Bet

/20/ Breaking down

Dedicated to blessed_messss, thanks for all the amazing support <333

It was one of those locals that held a stage for live music I guess, but now it was being used by a DJ as people dance to his beat. The lights were purplish and reddish, blinking along with the blasting of the music as I struggled my way through the sea of people that was practically blocking the entrance. There even was a large cue on the door, but the guard had let us through easily.

"This way." Jake took my hand and change my direction so we were heading to the bar at the side instead of my clueless advance. Once there I took a stool, leaning over the counter and glancing around the place. I'd never been here before, I wasn't even sure if it existed before I left... but then again it wasn't like I would now. I didn't get out that much. And this was on the verge of the West Side, aka forbidden place for me.

"Do you come here often?" I wondered loudly to be heard over the music as Jake rested an elbow on the bar by my side, looking stiff and guarded, as if to jump at any moment.

"Sometimes."

"Mhm, they seem to know you, tho." I pointed out and he brushed his hair, that stiff emotion still lingering in his attitude. Why? I believe for the first time since I came back from London I wasn't mad or tense around him. I accepted his presence and was willing to have a loose night, despites our horrible past. He had no reason to be this on the edge.

"I know someone here."

"Someone?" I glanced around. If he knew someone why wouldn't we go salute them? I shook my head, pointing the DJ. "You know him?"

He followed my finger and shook his head. "That's Newt, you know him too."

"Do I?"

"He was in my class, um, back then." he explained hushedly, as if afraid to bring out our past, but the previous wine I took lingered in my veins refusing to let me take nothing too seriously. I narrowed my eyes at him, adjusting my glasses and then I did recognize that crooked nose and dark hair.

"Newt! I do know him."

"Yeah... well, he plays here from time to time. He's not bad. But he's not who I was referring to."

"No?" I redirected my eyes at him once more and my heart did a little dip as I found his already on me. Why was he looking at me like that? Was there something on my face? I brought one hand up, but found nothing, then what? Maybe the horrible glasses? His lips stretched a bit, even if he didn't drop his stiffness and they parted; but never get to say anything as some new voice interrupted us:

"My man!" a new voice came from our side and we turned to see a brunette girl coming to stand there.

Wow.

Her skin was tan and flawless, and her long golden-brown mane was pulled up in a high ponytail, but still look long... if I was to bet I would say it reach her hips when down. Her factions were thin and elegant, like a fairy, absolutely beautiful. Even in her working outfit, letting me know she was a barista, but wow...

She made me hyper aware of my own appearance. The simple dress, my hair loose around my shoulders, the glasses -not like I was in the ideal state to struggle with the contacts when we were to leave. I wouldn't even wear make up and all my freckles were showing. I'd never been this casual in a public place since I hit puberty... maybe even before that. And now more than ever I felt self conscious about it.