One
Music pounded in my ears. Lights flashed in my eyes. Bodies danced in my general direction but not a single soul paid me any attention.
As I squeezed through the bodies, I found myself at the bar. My dress clung to my skin. Getting it off tonight was not going to be easy.
I looked at the bartender as I planted myself on a stool. “Negroni, please.”
It wasn’t long before a person sat next to me. I was not at all surprised. When I did decide to come to the club, there was always a man or woman trying to hit me up.
The bartender gave me my drink and I took a sip. “Do you come here often?” he asked me.
I put my glass down and looked at him. “Do you always use that pickup line?”
He smiled a bit. “You caught me. I’m not a good flirt with the ladies.” He shook his head and fixed his sleeve before pulling out a real rose. “They only come out when they sense beauty.”
I scoffed. “So original.”
He shrugged. “Like I said, I’m not a good flirt with the ladies.” He ordered himself a drink. “What’s your name?”
“Why does it matter?” I sipped some more alcohol.
He leaned forward. “Because you seem interesting. Some women are eager to hook up. Some are like you, here to turn down men. And I’d like to get to know why that is.”
I turned my seat until I was facing him. “I’m not here to turn down men. I’m here because I like the scene. It’s loud and I dont have to think. I get to escape reality and watch people have a good time. I just don’t particularly enjoy the romantic scene of things.”
“You’re not a romantic?” He sat back and held his drink.
“Romance doesn’t interest me. The whole idea of flowers is boring. The idea of pickup lines sounds stupid. I’ve had my fair share of men trying to get my attention. I’m simply not interested.” Another sip.
He placed his hand flat on the table and grabbed the straw from his cup, pushing it down until it disappeared. I blinked an extra few times, unsure of how he did that. The straw was just gone.
“No? What does interest you?” He glanced at me.
I laughed a bit. “Honestly? Designing graphics. But that doesn’t interest most people.”
His words rang with excitement. “You...manipulate images?”
I finished the rest of my drink. “Yes, I do. I enjoy it.” He didn’t say anything else, so I decided to go on. “There are so many options you can go with. I’m a visual person and being able to create something the pleases the eye is an exciting feeling.”
He nodded a bit. Before he could ask another question, a man approached us. “Is he bothering you?”
I looked back at him and shrugged. “Not so much.”
“No?” He squeezed between us. “I can get rid of him.” He gave me a sly smile.
Turning my body away, I ordered another drink. “No, I can do it myself.”
His hand was placed against my back. “Don’t be such a prude.”
I spun on the stool and twisted his fingers until he was crying out. “I’m not a damsel. Get your damn hand off of me before I break it.”
He pulled his hand away from me and held in his other. “Bitch,” he muttered before leaving. Yes, he certainly was.
“Damn. Is that what you thought of me?” the other guy asked.
“That’s what I think of most guys at the club. No morals. I don’t come here to find love or hookup. I come here because I enjoy it and the mood helps inspire my work.” I shrugged my shoulders.
He nodded. “You can hold your own. I admire that.”
Laughing, I said, “You say that because I hate being a damsel in distress. You’re trying to get in my panties.”
“My name is Kai,” he finished off his beer. “And no. I do not want to hookup. The one-night stands don’t hold my interest. I say that because I mean it. You don’t expect someone to come to rescue you. In this world today, you can’t expect much from anyone. Everyone is in it for self-gratification. Although I won’t deny there are some good ones left. You just have to find them and hold onto them.”
I choked on a laugh. “You’re a thinker, too? Damn.”
The alarm started first, and water rained from the ceiling. Everyone yelled and screamed out until they ran for the exits. Smoke drifted through the air.
Kai jumped off his seat and waved for me to follow him out. I didn’t question anything else when my goal was to get out before I suffocated.
Kai directed us out of the back door and it closed behind us. My laughed echoed into the night sky at the thought of experiencing something so out unexpected. We could have died and yet, we didn’t. The concept exhilarated me.
“What is it?” He faced me.
I leaned back against the wall as my hair stuck to my face. “The thrill of running out of the building, I very much enjoyed every second. Am I crazy?” I looked up at the stars as firetrucks sounded in the distance.
“I would doubt you’re crazy. Many people enjoy the adrenaline they get. That’s why they skydive or bungee jump. Have you ever tried that?” He stood beside me, putting his weight against the wall.
“No. I probably should. I need more adventure in my life.” I glanced at him.
He nudged me. “Indeed. Maybe some romance.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m aromantic, Kai. I don’t feel anything towards anyone.”
He chuckled. “Is that so? Can I ask how you know this?”
“I’ve never been romantically interested in anyone before. I’m twenty-three. That’s unusual for a woman my age.”
“Uncommon, yes, but not abnormal. How about a challenge? I have a week to try and get you romantically interested in me. If you’re not at all into me in the slightest by the end, I’ll leave you alone and you are indeed aromantic. If you are, I would like to see more of you.” He smiled a little. “Deal?”
I tapped my chin as I smiled. “I’ll take you up on that challenge.” I never accepted a challenge I couldn’t win. “Also, it’s Elle.”
“Hm?”
The firetrucks arrived, hosing down the building and checking to make sure everyone was safe. “You asked me for my name. It’s Elle.”
