1 Chapter 1 part1
My name is Elise Sumner and today has been marked on my calendar everyday for years. Today I turn 21. From my not so first drink of liquor, to the drag of a cigarette red with my lipstick. The laughter of my obnoxious friends all the way down to the small tear in my tights. Every inch of my body lights up with electric energy. Because from across the bar is mr tall dark and handsome, he's been watching me since I entered the bar. Saw him say something off hand to the other yummy man with him. They laughed and shooting me a wink Mr. TDH downs his shot and weaved his way to the people dancing. The closer he got the more I could see him, a shadow of a beard on his face. Scruffy black hair and glinting jade eyes, torn pants and dirty boots. A well worn leather jacket and glimmering onyx necklace. And those cheekbones? Like he was cut from marble, and a smile that whispered tainted desires.
He moved like snake, sliding past elbows and busy tables with servers who always stuck out their asses. Didn't so much as glance to a server who tried and failed to make it seem like an accident that she had stumbled into him. The woman shot a curse word after him before he vanished into the crowd and out of my view.
"Eli? Earth to Eli?" Pestered Joe, who prodded my arm until I looked at her. "I know he's hot and all but its your birthday. Wait for the cake huh?" She sat perched on her seat sipping her third martini.
"Oh please Joe, Elise is just looking, there's no harm in it." That was Marty, she rolled her eyes and crossed her ankles.
Joe Collins had the body of an athlete, tight jeans with low cut shirts. She oozes danger with every cat like movement. Several waitresses had to look away when she glanced at them, dazzling hazel eyes wondering who she'd take home. My friend Marthe Sveshka on the other hand was her opposition. The small and never seen without her sapphire choker, Marty was the mysterious one of our little trio. Tonight her black hair was done in ringlets and her deep blue dress flattered her waist and large chest. She sighs.
"Eli just go dance with him before you drool anymore." Joe snips downing the rest of her drink and shaking out her hair. I watch her stretch, and get up when she shoots me a look. Straightening the band shirt I chose to wear and searching again for TDH.
My feet tap to the rhythm of the karaoke bars music. Eyes glancing from one face to the next, my feet are already moving before i see him. Hes at the Djs booth chatting. Joe catches up quickly and loops her arm through mine. She passes me her half cigarette in favor of chatting with a friend at the bar. I take a drag and sway over to him, he hasnt noticed me approach. Or if he has he chooses to say nothing.
"The Night?" The Dj asks, his name is something easy to remember. But it slips away when TDH finally glances at me. "You sure man? The crowd isn't going to be about it."
The smile on his lips makes my knees weak, im falling into his eyes. But he looks away handing a 20 to the DJ saying. "Its fine, dont worry about it." Something in his words feels dreamy. Its throaty and reminds me of an old Pub Id seen in England.
"The Night by Aurelio Voltaire?" My voice betrays me, my confidence lacking and making my voice shake. "Are you going to sing that?" I tip my head to the side relaxing my stance in hope of controlling myself.
When he looks at me I dont melt, my fingers fiddle with the edges of my shirt. "I am, glad to know someone recognizes it."
"Hey!" Johnny? Kenny? Laughs jokingly, though i can see a nervous wrinkles by his eyes. "I knew it when you played it for me." The Dj smiles at me, i dont like the way his gaze lingers on me.
I fill out a request slip and take a drag of my cigarette. "Good luck" I say giving the request slip to the DJ and brushing my fingers against TDHs arm. It sends electricity through my body and we both flinch for a second. The dark bar hides our meeting eyes and the smile showing on his face.
Like a caged animal my heart races, I suddenly have an overwhelming urge to run. Its dumb and unreasonable of me to suddenly be so filled with fear. So I take a few steps back and rejoin Joe whos flirting with the bartender, the poor guy looks as scared as I feel. Joe is a different kind of intimidating sometimes Im not even used to it. Theres something feral in her that reminds me of TDH, his demeanor reminds me of a wolf. Waiting for his prey as a lone wolf. Joe however…
"Just one round of shots! I wont tell anyone if you dont." Her free hand slides across the bar and touches his hand. Joe is a clever fox through and through. The bartender seems to process what hes been asked, and theres a sheen across his eyes. I blink and its gone. Fuck I'm drunk.
Shots acquired i get back to our table with Joe in tow. Marty would have let her go on a rampage until it was her problem. However I dont feel like watching Joe beat anyone up tonight. We cheers tapping out glasses before downing the shots. Martys face sours considerably and she quickly takes a swig of water to chase the vodka. I agree, the shot is straight vodka with a splash of sweet and sour. Its bitter and strong and not what I was expecting, Joe doesnt batt an eye at the taste. We enjoy the bad karaoke and chat, a few times Joe takes me out to dance. Our feet choosing the pattern for us, other people around us jostling us as the music washes over us all. One writhing mass of dancing bodies, each and every one of us intoxicated and having a great time. Hands slide onto my hips and at first I think its joe. But the soft deeper voice of my friend Taylor gets my attention.
