First Time in a Pub

-Winter 2016-

I took a deep breath, the deepest breath I had ever taken.

He had asked me out. Where? A pub.

A place where I had never expected to go.

But I decided to anyway.

I didn’t know if I was doing it for him or me. Maybe for us both.

I pushed the doors open. I was dressed in a red short dress with a jacket and a scarf that he had chosen. I was wearing high heels and lipstick and my hair was newly done, I had also gotten my nails done. Everywhere there were people. I didn’t like crowded places. People were dancing, talking, laughing and drinking. It was chaotic, but it felt exciting, a new adventure.

I pushed through the crowd, desperately looking for my boyfriend. It had been exactly 3 months since we had dated.

There were neon LED lights that switched colours making me go partially blind. The song in the background was clouded with voices, voices I had never heard before. I looked right, then left, he wasn’t there.

Suddenly I saw him. Dressed in a hoodie and jeans. He hadn’t seen me yet. I calmed down a little, and that’s when our eyes met. The moment was just perfect, I felt as if everything was going in slow-motion. Everything blurred and he was the only thing I could see clearly. He tilted his head and smiled.

Again the tilt.

Why was it always the tilt?

I blushed a little because everyone was now looking at me, I suppose they had realized how Reese was looking at me.

Every body’s watching her, but she’s looking at you.

The lyrics of the song went just like that. So relatable. And I instantly turned red and rushed off to the bar.

“What would you like today, Miss?” The bartender asked as he juggled a bottle.

“Just give me whatever.” I wasn’t thinking straight and I was red in the face.

“What’s she having?” A boy asked.

Reese.

Of course it was Reese.

“Glad you came.” He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.

“I’m not gonna let you cheat on me that easily.” I spun around on my stool and he watched in amusement as I spun round and round.

“I might’ve if you hadn’t shown up.” He chuckled after my stool stopped.

“Hm.” I mumbled as I took a sip of whatever was on the bar.

The taste was strong but relaxing, bitter but sweet, pleasure bringing but disgusting at the same time.

I made a face,

“Ugh.” I stuck my tongue out.

Reese laughed, “Amateur.”

He took my glass and chugged it down.

“Are you gonna get drunk now?” I asked curiously.

I didn’t know how these things worked, this was my first time ever doing this. The only time I had been in a pub before was in Holly Bourne’s books, yes, I read them a lot.

He shook his head.

He drank some more.

“I’ll be back in a min, K?” He kissed my cheek before disappearing into the crowd.

I hummed to myself, exploring this exciting new place. My eyes went to the walls, to the couches that were filled with people, the dance floor, and the DJ booth. It all felt surreal. Then I saw a boy, red hair and green eyes, walking towards me.

“Hello Gorgeous, you here alone?” He asked as he sat on the stool next to me.

I was about to scream but he shook his head then smirked.

“That won’t help, do you really think anyone would hear you over this noise?” He laughed, “I even have to yell to be heard by YOU.”

I scanned the crowd for Reese, he was nowhere to be seen.

“Now, you see, Reese is an old enemy. So be a good girl and let me take my revenge, Hm?” His face was now serious, he licked his lips.

“S-S-S-Stop.” I cried as he touched my jacket.

“Shut up.” His voice sounded frustrated and he reached to grab my jacket again.

I closed my eyes.

“Didn’t you hear her when she said stop? Or are you deaf AND an idiot?”

Reese looked furious, his rage was wild in his eyes. His hand grasped the boy’s.

The amusement in the boy’s eyes was replaced with fear.

“Revenge on me, huh?” He asked, “Look I don’t know who the hell you are, but come near ME or HER again, and I will bloody deal with you.” He punched the boy, hard.

I felt safe and protected as I jumped into Reese’s arms and he hugged me. He broke the hug with a concerned look on his face,

“Are You Okay?” He asked, emphasizing every word.

I nodded, tears stung in my eyes.

There was no need for tears now that he was here,

I never should’ve worried.

I knew he would come.

He always did.

He spat at the boy who had a bloody nose and he was still on the ground.

The spit was red…BLOOD! I suddenly realized.

I looked at Reese and his image faltered, I saw him covered in blood, his lips red.

I yelped, but then everything went back to normal.

Just hallucinations.

Those were just hallucinations.

“You sure you’re OK?” He asked, his head tilted.

“Yes, now let’s please get outta here.” I begged.

“Dance with me first, and forget that ever happened.” He smirked.

I sighed as he led me to the dance floor. The song suddenly changed to a slow one, the DJ looked confused.

Had Reese somehow done that?

He placed his hands on my waist and I placed mine on his shoulders, and we danced the night away.