Breathe Again

Prologue

Rosa ran her finger gently around the rim of her almost empty glass. Thetable was slightly sticky from previously spilt drinks, but she barely cared. Her thoughts drowned out the booming music and she closed her eyes. She could feel her head lightly spinning as the alcohol started to buzz in her system. She liked the feeling. It felt almost like falling but never hitting the ground. She smiled and swayed her head to the music as she let it play back into her mind.

Suddenly, a hand was planted onto her shoulder and it made her twitch. She looked up as Sophie squeezed into the seat beside her.

"Hey, move up. I need to sit for a while, this dancing is killing my feet!"

Sophie was the most beautiful girl Rosa knew. Long, blonde hair perfectly styled, blue eyes and flawless skin. She was more often than not the centre of everyone's attention, but what Rosa admired most was that it never went to her head. Sophie was beautiful, but she was also loyal, kind and funny. They had been best friends since school and Rosa couldn't imagine her life without Sophie. She never had any siblings but this girl was as close to a sister she was ever going to get.

Rosa shifted around the seat and made room for her, before sipping the last of her drink.

"Having fun?" She asked.

"Yeah, but I wish I'd worn more sensible shoes!" Sophie replied, clutching at her heels and pulling them off.

Rosa laughed and grabbed her purse from her bag.

"Want a drink?"

"Yeah, make it a double!" Sophie grinned.

Rosa inched around the table and made her way to the bar. She leant on it and smiled at the barmaid, who held up a finger to say that she would be over in a minute.

Rosa nodded and sat on the stool next to her, tapping her fingers on the bar in time with the music.

When the barmaid came over to her, she ordered the usual Vodka and Tonics (making sure to remember Sophie's double) and glanced around herself. That was when she noticed him.

He had ash-blonde hair, short and styled. He wore a buttoned shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and had the deepest blue eyes she had ever seen. Her dull brown-grey eyes didn't hold a candle to his. He was looking right at her from across the bar and tilting his head as an invitation for her to go over. She hesitated for a second, looking back at Sophie, who had also seen the signal, judging by the wide eyes and excited finger pointing she was doing. Rosa rolled her eyes and stood, straightening out her dress. Her eyes met his and she made her way to the stool beside him. She smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Hi." She spoke first.

"Hi" he replied, "what's your name?"

"Rosa. And yours?"

"Thomas."

The barmaid put the drinks down in front of Rosa and she quickly fumbled with her purse before Thomas placed a hand on hers. His skin was soft and warm and his touch made her tingle.

"I'll get these."

He handed the barmaid a note and told her to keep the change, then turned back to Rosa with a smile.

"Thankyou," she said "you didn't have to do that."

Thomas waved his hand dismissively.

"So tell me about yourself, Rosa." His eyes seemed to study her face as she searched for an answer. "What are you passionate about?"

Rosa thought.

"Music I guess. Well, I play the guitar."

Thomas raised his eyebrows and nodded, approvingly.

"How long have you been playing?"

"Since I was a kid," Rosa's eyes lit up as she recalled; "my father taught me."

"I'd like to hear you play sometime." He said, somehow almost seductively.

"Maybe you will." She blushed.

Seven years passed...

Rosa ran her finger gently around the rim of her full coffee cup. She could feel her head lightly spinning as she placed her hand tenderly on her cheek where it hurt. The throbbing in her head drowned out her thoughts and she let a long breath escape her lips.

Suddenly a hand was planted onto the table and it made her flinch. She looked up as Thomas sat himself down opposite her.

"You shouldn't do that."

Rosa was silent.

"You make me mad."

She said nothing, gazing down at her coffee, watching the ripples.

"Rosa."

She looked up and met his eyes.

"You-"
"Want a drink?" She interrupted abruptly, pushing herself to her feet and turning her back to him. She made her way over to the kitchen counter and poured coffee into Thomas' cup. As she returned to the table and placed the cup down, she looked at him.

His ash-blonde hair was messy and grown out. He wore a t-shirt and suet pants, and his deep blue eyes were cold and emotionless. He tilted his head as an order for her to go over. Rosa knew better than to hesitate. She made her way to the chair next to his and let her hair fall down in front of her eyes.

He slid his fingers underneath her chin and lifted her face, before kissing her cheek. She winced at the sudden pain and shut her eyes tightly as he pulled her towards him and placed a hand on her inner thigh. He kissed her neck and she shuddered. 

She let her mind wander and dreamed she was somewhere else.
Anywhere else.