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The city nightlife was always an experience.
Vibrant colors got into your eyes. The night sky was starless as always because of the advertisements being everywhere and the lamp light being too much.
You were overwhelmed always.
The city was alive with the energy of a summer evening, the kind that made the air feel thick with probabilities. You had always loved nights like this, where the streets seemingly gushed and pulsed with life. As every corner seemed to hide a different experience. You weren't really looking for anything in particular that night—just a walk to clear your head after a long day.
Drunk people on the sidewalks making buffoons out of themselves.
You wanted to sneer at these people but you knew that they wouldn't care. You wanted to be someone who didn't care. You wanted to live like them somewhat.
The music of bars at night ringing in your ears.
As you wandered through the narrow alleys. Songs and music started playing as you approached the older sections of your city, the cobblestone streets of the old town, as you felt yourself drawn to the sound of music spilling out from a small, dimly lit café. The soft strumming of a guitar mingled with the murmur of voices, seemed to attract you inside. You, of course, hesitated at the entrance while feeling a strange pull in your chest. You almost decided not to indulge your desire to meet new people because of previous experiences but something was different.
You felt different.
The café was warm and inviting on the inside, a haven of worn wooden tables and flickering candlelight to make it seem somewhat romantic. The walls were lined with hidden bookshelves, each crammed with romance novels that had better days. A singer stood in the corner in a designated spot, there was even a karaoke place beside it. Your eyes yet focused on the singer, her voice low and soulful, accompanied by a lone guitarist. The atmosphere was perfect, a bubble of tranquility in the middle of the bustling city.
Your heart thrummed unwillingly.
You found an empty seat that had old leather cushions that almost could be torn off by hand. You were near the back, tucked away from the crowd, and ordered a drink. You let the music lose you while feeling the tension of the day slowly melt away. It was then that you noticed her.
A random girl with marked gang tattoos.
She was sitting alone at a small table near the window, her fingers idly tracing the rim of her glass of a dark glossy beverage. Her dark hair fell in loose waves around her face, partially obscuring her eyes. You could see that she was beautiful in an effortless, almost ethereal in a way. She had a book open in front of her, but she wasn't reading. Instead, she seemed lost in thought, her gaze distant as she watched the street outside.
The book had a black cover with a red ribbon holding it together. The title of that book was 'Dark Monster'
She felt like she had a story worth being told.
There was something about her—something that made your heart shake. You couldn't quite put your finger on it, but she had an air of quiet mystery, like a character out of one of the many novels that lined the café's walls.
You were overthinking it again.
Without thinking, You found yourself walking to her, your feet carrying you to her and her single unmarked table. You hesitated. Suddenly, you were unsure of what to say or do. But before you could second-guess yourself, she looked up, her eyes locking onto yours.
A dead reflection.
For a moment, the world seemed to pause. The noise of the café faded into the background, and it was just the two of you, connected by that single, deadpanned glance. Her eyes were a deep, captivating shade of brown, flecked with hints of blackness, and they held an intensity that made you choke your words.
Her eyes didn't show any care at all.
"Hi," You said while trying to be gentle but your voice was rougher than intended. "Is this seat beside you taken?" A fake emotion played on her mind as she was hesitating to talk.
She had a mask like you. Not really a surprise.
A small, surprised smile played at the corners of her lips, and she shook her head. "No, it's all yours." Your mind stopped being overwhelmed as she showed passiveness towards you.
It was sort of like an invitation.
The empty seat was filled and you sat there quietly looking at her dead eyes. Your heart pounded for some reason as you tried to hide your excitement. Up close, she was even more beautiful, and there was something about her presence that made you feel different, that you found someone else that played the same role.
It was at first awkward.
"I'm Y/N." You said while extending a hand as you hoped she wouldn't notice the slight tremor in it. Her hazel eyes were on you for a long time.
She was observant of you.
A quick glance told her everything as she took your hand, her grip was cold and unhuman. "I'm Autumn."
It felt like a fake name but you shrugged it off.
Autumn, the season? The name suited her as you thought more about it. Her dad and mom must have had been deciding the name spontanously. You held her hand for too long, moments longer than necessary- Neither of you were willing to let go first. When she finally did, you felt a strangeness, but it was quickly replaced by a warmness.
Things began slow.
You both began to talk and open up, slowly at first. But then with a growing ease that surprised both. The conversation seemed to flow naturally like you had known each other for years instead of minutes, it felt like someone understood you.
You wish this moment would've lasted longer but she had to leave you sooner than expected...
As the night wore on, the café around you grew quieter, the patrons slowly trickling out until it was just you left there, drinking away your problems. Sitting alone by the window. Outside, the city had begun to slowly wind down, the streets emptying as the hours grew late. But inside that little café, time seemed to stand still.
You wanted to meet her again.
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