Expect The Unexpected

1. Meeting

I look in the mirror one more time, not completely satisfied with my appearance. My blonde hair is pulled back into a loose braid with a few strands slightly curled, framing my face. I paired a nice shirt with some jeans. That's good for a small country bar, right? I want to look like I'm not trying too hard but I also don't want to look like I didn't try at all. I can't believe I'm finally meeting Hunter-the guy I've been texting on snapchat for the last 6 months.

"Brinley, you look great I promise! You have to get back out there. This man really likes you," my roommate Grace assures me. She's dressed almost the same as me, but her purple shirt looks gorgeous against her dark skin. I'm so glad she's coming with me. I'm not sure I could do this alone.

"Well, it's now or never," I say mostly to myself, trying to make sure I won't talk myself out of it.

The walk to the car was pretty chilly on this February night but I wouldn't dare put my hoodie on and mess up my hair. Grace is kind of nervous too. It's not like her to go to a bar. It's just not really her scene so I'm grateful for her, knowing that she doesn't have to come but she is anyway for me.

It took about 5 minutes to get to the bar from campus. We pay our four dollars and head inside. I see him immediately but the nerves kick in. His light brown hair is mostly covered by a hat but even from a distance his eyes are so blue. The tattoos on his right arm are even more attractive than I remember from his photos.

Grace looks at me confused. "What are you waiting for? Go talk to him."

"Um, I think I need to work up the courage first."

We walk to some bar stools in a corner as I hide. I can't believe I'm being such a chicken. I watch Hunter as he keeps checking his phone probably wondering if I stood him up. I already showed up late and now I'm hiding from him.

"Hey, do you wanna dance?"

I lift my head to the right and my eyes meet a tall guy's eyes. He's handsome and I promised myself a long time ago that if a guy works up the courage to ask me to dance, I wouldn't say no unless my intuition said not to.

"Sure, let's go." I said.

He grabbed my hand and weaved us through the crowd. He held me close as he asked, " What's your name?" Our faces were close enough that I could smell the beer on his breath.

"Brinley, what's yours?"

"Kain."

The dance isn't particularly good and his hand keeps sliding lower as the end of the song draws near. He is a bit of charmer with that half smile, telling me how pretty I look tonight. I won't lie, it feels nice to hear though.

"Thank you for dancing with me," he says as the song ends.

"Of course." I give him my best smile while he spins me for the last time but it quickly fade as I see the line of bruises on the side of his neck mid-turn. Yikes, either he's taken or he's having temporary fun and I don't want any part of that.

I make my way back to the corner of the bar with Grace. "How was the dance?"

I sigh, "It was alright, he was a bit drunk and I can tell he's looking for a good time, that's all."

"Well, time to face the music and go talk to the guy you actually came here for. You know you like him. That's why you're avoiding him."

I look over at Hunter again who is playing pool with a few other guys. He scans the bar clearly looking for me with a worried expression. I feel bad for making him wait and entertaining another guy while he was wondering where I was.

That's it. I muster up the strength to do my confident girl walk. Here goes nothing.

"Hey Hunter" I say to him with a gleaming smile on my face. I'm genuinely happy to see him and meet him for the first time but nerves got to the best of me for awhile.

He immediately goes in for a bear hug and I feel like I'm at home. I needed this. Why did I prolong this tonight? I feel like I already know him so well already.

"It's good to see you! Do you wanna go to the loft?" I look up and see only a few people in the loft above the dance floor.

"Yes! I've never actually been up there before."

Hunter takes my hand and I look back at Grace one more time. She gives me a proud little smile and wave. I wave back and embrace how good it feels having my hand in Hunter's.

We get to the top of the loft and watch the people dancing below. It is packed tonight.

"I started to think you weren't going to show tonight. I'm so glad you did though."

"I really wanted to see you, I was just so nervous," I admit. I spot the guy I had just danced with and point my finger at him.
"Actually right before I walked up to you someone asked me to dance. He's the blonde one right there."

"You danced with that guy?! Were you break dancing too? Sucks I missed it." Hunter makes a shocked face as he stares down at Kain who has decided to break dance. I giggle and look back at Hunter who is suddenly closer to me now.

"I love your laugh," he looks down at my face and I feel a bit sick from being overwhelmed by the butterflies in my tummy. I blush and look down but his finger meets my chin, tipping my face back up to him. Our eyes meet and I suck in a small breath before saying, "Thank you."

I'm about to say something else but we are startled apart by someone over the speaker saying "Last call!"

"We should probably head back downstairs," I mention and he takes my hand again slowly, relishing the sensation of us being close.

Back downstairs, I take the lead and find Grace.
"Hunter, this is my best friend and roommate Grace." I look to her and say "This is Hunter."
She shyly says "Hi" and waves a bit but Hunter is having none of that. He hugs her and says "Nice to meet you," with a friendly smile. He is such a people person. Grace is definitely the type of gal to appreciate a good hug.

"Hey can I have your number or snap?" I turn and realize it's Kain who is talking to me. He walked right up to me in front of the guy I'm clearly here with and asks me for my number? He is definitely drunk.

"Uhh.. not tonight sorry." I had no idea what to say but hopefully that sufficed.

He doesn't look too heartbroken, he just shrugs and walks away to his friends.

Hunter on the other hand puts his arm around me saying,"That was pretty bold. I've got a hot commodity over here," smiling down at me. My cheeks are hot. I can't believe that actually happened.

People are lining up to get out the front door and we join them. Once outside, we say our goodbyes. He hugs me tight and kisses the top of my head as we part ways.