Sera
Tonight has been a huge disappointment. I've been in this club for over an hour and the only great thing about it is the music. The type of men that have come up to chat me up, however, have been total losers. Something is in the air tonight, and it's not fun. Sighing to myself, I knock back my Bombardino. I was skeptical when the bartender suggested it but it's honestly delicious!
"Babe, just looking at you is depressing, and you know I need cheering up tonight." My roommate Mila hugs me from behind and shouts in my ear. I turn my head because she is about to deafen me, and her breath can start a fire. Clad in a slinky silver dress that barely covers her butt, she has a lot of admirers eyeing her from across the dance floor. Her silver earrings jangle as she drags me up unsteadily. Sober, she's barely four feet two, and my five feet, eight inches make me a freaking giant beside her. I allow her to drag me to the dance floor when the DJ switches to Despacito. Squealing, we both start shimmying and dropping to the beat. I am a shy dancer but Mila makes it easy to not care when she is also dancing with me. Laughing, we effortlessly fall into our Despacito choreography, something we learned for fun when the song came out. Alcohol makes it easy to bend and roll my hips while Mila shouts "Go girl!" from behind me. I'm laughing at her exaggerated shouts when I turn my head and time stops. There is a Greek god of a man standing just off the dance floor, and something about the way he is staring at me makes my limbs freeze for moment. I shake it off and keep dancing, but now that I know about him, my head keeps turning to check on him. He is looking at me every single time. I'm totally flustered and helpless to stop staring when he drains his drink, keeping eye contact throughout. I dimly acknowledge the fact that he has a friend with him when he passes him the empty tumbler and disappears into the dimly lit club. Suddenly feeling like I've been released from a spell, I shake my head and motion to Mila that I'm going to the bar. I feel jittery and excited, so I make a beeline to the toilets instead. Luckily, the line in front of the loo isn't too long, and the bass from the speakers is somewhat muted in this section. Once I'm in, I take a moment to pee, then splash some water on my face after peeing. My black cutout dress is suddenly confining, so I take a few deep breaths.
Calm down, Sera. He is just a man. A beautiful man, yes. But a random one. You didn't even get a good look at him. All you know is that he is quite tall and has incredible eyes. Whatever else that was, was just an effect of the booze. You've sobered up somewhat, so just go back out, have another drink, and tell Mila you're going. You need to start packing anyway. School's done, and you start work in a month.
I run my hands through my red curls and straighten my dress. Nodding to myself, then smirking at how much of a weirdo I am, I step outside the bathroom with renewed confidence and walk back towards the bar. A huge shadow on the corridor walls makes me pause and I inconspicuously search my purse for my pepper spray.
The shadow straightens up and a cheery voice exclaims "Whoa, pretty girl! I mean no harm, I promise. I just wanted to talk to you."
O…kay. Like that isn't creepy at all.
Standing still, I watch as the man steps into the light and I see the man beside the Greek god from earlier. He seems interesting and a bit on the wild side, dreadlocs on one side of his head, with the other side close cropped and shaped well. He has silver and gold rings on all fingers and when he turns his head slightly to glance down the corridor, I catch a glimpse of jewelry in both ears.
"My name is Dayo. I couldn't help but notice you and my man K staring at each other across the dance floor."
"Um, Oh…I am really sorry. I didn't know you guys were together…"
"Hold up, girl. No. That's not what I meant at all. He is my best friend but it's been so long since I've seen him this interested in a girl. He couldn't take his eyes off you throughout."
Feeling a bit reassured, I move a little closer and ask this strange yet earnest man.
"So, why are you here instead of him?"
Dayo sighs and says gently "He might look unapproachable, but he is actually very shy. I just wanted to know if you'll be interested in meeting him?"
My first thought is No. I may not go out much, but I've never been hit on by proxy before. Then, I think about light colored eyes, and bronze skin and I say Yes before I think about it.
"Really? Oh nice. I'll introduce you guys then."
We walk down the corridor with Dayo asking me about myself and telling me they are tech bros who came for a conference. Just before we enter the main club area, he turns towards me and says softly, "Sera, if for any reason you decide you don't like Kaden, please let him down gently."
He sees from my expression that I do not understand, but he just smiles sadly and ushers me forward.