I looked down the train tracks, then back at which station I was. Number 5, the one with the broken down bench and the package of salted crackers that had been there for god know's how long. I looked back at the clock on my crappy old phone. Guess Jolene was late, it wasn't really like her but it happened before so I wasn't particularly worried, well at least not much. I just decided to lean against one of the street lights while waiting for her to show up. After a couple more minutes pass I decide to text a quick message just to make sure she didn't forget about me or something.
Ya coming girl?? Been waiting for u
Sorry, mom's been holdin me up, coming now tho with a lil surprize ;)
Aaaand my battery was dead, just great. I sighed as I put my phone away, tucking it into one of my coat's inside pockets. I quickly closed it back up when the cold wind tore at me, leaving me shivering slightly. It was already pretty cold for early fall. I closed my eyes and started letting my mind wander, mostly just guessing what she had planned this time, maybe another party? Would be in character for her. Just hope she wouldn't try to convince me to get high with her again, that had been fucking awful.
Even though I had turned 18 a little bit ago, I still didn't like alcohol or smoking a lot like some of my friends, well alcohol wasn't that bad, just never really liked being drunk or the hangovers. God the fucking hangovers, they hit me like concrete. "Lia! Over here you sleepyhead!" I heard Jolene call out from somewhere behind me. I kept my eyes closed for a moment longer before turning around with a little swing.
There she was, styled as always;her long, curly, brown hair loosely tied in a low-hanging ponytail. I cold see a caramel-colored lipstick applied on her small lips which were perked upwards in a smile, showing her dimples. A expertly applied eyeliner made her eyelashes appear much fuller than they'd naturally be, making her blue eyes stand out. She wore her dark brown wool sweater and jeans, she held her black, leather purse adorned with little silver, gem like stones that sparkled lightly in the setting sun firmly.
She waved me over before swaying a small liquor bottle she had just pulled out of her purse in on of her hands at me with a wink. Yep, she brought alcohol and with the way she was styled she definitely scored us an invite to some kind of party, I was glad I was wearing some more party appropriate clothes under my lightbrown coat. I calmly walked over to her, noticing that she was almost buzzing with excitement.
"So,what has gotten you so excited?" I ask as she pulls me infor a quick hug and handing me the small liquor bottle, the liquor being vodka. I look back up at her with a raised eyebrow, she knows I don't drink hard liquors, why'd she bring me some?
"Aww, c'mon, thought you might loosen up a bit more since you're 18 now. Also your girl secured the both of us a place in the party of the Lane's Bar tonight! You know, the one everyone's been talking about?" She explained, giving me a challenging smirk and before I could even nod or say 'yes' she spoke up again.
"Unless of course, you're too scared." She teased, which sadly worked too well as I took a sip of the vodka, almost coughing when it hits the back of my throat, tears dwelling in my eyes but I wash them away quickly. "God, that shit's strong." I mumble while Jolene giggles and takes a much longer sip of the liquor than I could before handing it back to me.
"Wanna explore the alleys while we wait for the club to open up?" She asks with a mischievous grin and taking my hand, already walking towards the nearest, and sadly the most unlit, one. "Why should we do that? Don't you remember the murder scandal?" I ask, just thinking about it made me shiver, I remember all the news station,no matter their size, reporting about it, even though the victim's family asked for it to not get media coverage. God, that made myblood boil, the audacity of some people.
Jolene stopped, before looking at me. "Haven't you heard the rumor? Y'know, the one about the monster lurking in alleyways?"She asks, looking intensely at me, as if waiting eagerly for me to suddenly remember it or nod my head, but I didn't, instead looking at her surprised. "A what?! Pff, you know monsters aren't real, but why the hell would you even go into alleys if you heard such rumors?" I say, tilting my head before turning my back to the alley.
"We could go to that new ice cream shop instead, you gotta agree, that's a much better idea than lurking in some dark, dirty alleys like rats." I chuckle at the last words, already pulling her towards the little shop, it was way more pleasant too, besides who knows who we'd actually find in the alleys, probably a bunch of junkies or worse.
But Jolene didn't budge. "How about just a little sneak peak? Besides don't think we'd really be allowed to drink there." She argues with that smile that'd seem so incredibly sweet if you didn't look closer, she wouldn't change her mind and she'd be pissed if I left her. With a sigh I turn back fully to her, which made her smile a more genuinely warm smile as she began dragging me into the dim alley once more.
---
We ended up deep enough to not see the street we entered from, which apparently made only me nervous, god it'll take a miracle for us not to get into some kind of trouble here. I sigh while walking and keep glaring behind me, not able to shake the feeling of being watched. "Are you sure this is a good idea? It's dangerous here, as you know." I ask, honestly just trying to convince her to turn around again and leave or at least pick a different, more well lit alley.
She kept walking but turned to me halfway, smirking like we were just sneaking out together for a sleepover like we so often did. It eased my anxiety a little bit but not much. "Aw c'mon, you scared? It's just an alley, nothing to be afraid off!" She exclaimed before giggling and hopping onto a half wall made of stones, beckoning me to join her. "I'm not scared, just cautious. I'd like to actually finish college." I mutter before copying what she did and lean against a wall of a house, eyeing my surroundings, or at least what I could see of them.
I saw Jolene rolling her eyes before taking another sip of the vodka."Still have no idea how you could pick such a boring major, I mean seriously, why pick chemistry of all things?" She complained with a laugh, pulling me closer to her and leaning against my side. I just grumbled in response, she knew it was something I enjoyed and I had explained why it was so interesting often enough for my lifetime, but I also couldn't understand why she ended up picking programming as a major. So I couldn't complain too much.
She offered me the bottle again and I begrudgingly took another sip, it went down better than the first. The alcohol already starting to calm myself, hanging around the alleys was starting to look not that bad anymore. Geez, we'll end up getting ourselves harmed if we continue like this... Maybe then mum will start caring about my actual well being and not just my fucking grades.
We ended up downing the entire small bottle together while waiting and just chit chatting about nothing in particular.
"Hey, what's the time, Lia?" Jolene asked after a while, I shrugged before telling her my phone was dead. She sighed and very dramaticially shook her head, I almost thought her ponytail would come loose but it didn't. "You're phone is always dead! You really don't know how to take care of your mobile!" She exclaimed, I was surprised she didn't slur her words at all, even though I could tell she was a bit tipsy. I playfully nudged her shoulder before jumping off the half wall back to the ground, almost falling over.
I heard her follow suit and by the shifting noise from her purse, she was taking out her phone to look herself. After a second she grabbed my arm and started bolting towards the main street, I could barely manage to muster a surprised shriek by the time I saw the end of the alley again. "The party has begun like 10 minutes ago!" She explained while running and mostly just dragging me along as I tried not to trip.
We arrived at the bar quickly and the run made my head slightly spin as Jolene chatted with the bouncer, showing the invite card and dragging me inside before I had really recovered.
The music was loud but not deafeningly and the club seemed pretty full, that I could tell even with the more dim led lights. There were so many conversations all at once that I couldn't concentrate on a single one and they made my ears buzz slightly. I didn't complain when Jolene nudged me on one of the bar stools before sitting next to me.
"So, what'cha want to drink? And don't worry, drinks on me." She winked, as I looked around more properly. "I don't know, just a beer or something like that." I say, my eyes wandering around. The place looked cozy but not cramped, there was a pretty full dance floor in the middle, most of the lights were focused on that spot, leaving the bar and the tables at the sides in dim lights.
I noticed that the Corner close to me and Jolene was the darkest in the entire room and at the table there, was only one person. I turned back to Jolene when she pushed a cold glass against my arm. Yelping lightly in suprise as she tried to suppress her laughter, failing even harder when I shot her a death glare.
I shook my head before sipping my drink, somewhat surprised that she had actually ordered me beer, it wouldn't have been surprising if she had gotten me something stronger.
Jolene was soon dragged away by some older, handsome looking dude to the dance floor, I would have been more nervous but the warm, fuzzy feeling replaced my usual worry in these places.
After another beer I started wondering about the guy in the dark corner. Why was he all alone? What was he doing here, but also what did he look like? I couldn't catch a good glimpse of him from where I was. After a third drink boosted my confidence enough, I got up and walked over to him. "Hey, I couldn't help but wonder, what are you doing here all alone?" I ask, leaning against the bench opposite of him.
He looks up at me, lifting his head enough for me to see under his hat, which I think was a fedora. He had dark blue eyes, they almost looked like a washed out violet and a warm smile on his lips. I noticed his strong jar line next. His white hair, not the grey hair that the older guys get just plain old white, was tied back in a sort of man bun. Some of his hair strands still feel onto his face, but it looked rather charming than messy. Next I realised he wore a rather nice looking suit, while I was in just a plain crop top and plait skirt that barely reached my knees. I no longer wore my coat, it was still on the bar stool. Shit I should probably get that before someone steals it.
"Oh I'm just waiting on someone, care to join me? I'm starting to believe she might not show up." He said, his voice was deep and kinda rough. I wonder who would even stand up someone that looked that attractive. I gace him my best wide-but-not-idiotical smile before sitting down with him. "I'd love to, been wondering what to do anyways." I answer, leaning against my seat, my coat quickly forgotten as he pulled me in with his charm.
"So that's how I ended up coming face to face with a boar! You should've seen how big that beast was, thought I was done for sure!" He ended his story with a hearty laugh, which I soon joined in. I was leaning my elbows on the table. "Would you like to drink something? I heard they have great wine here." He asked, before turning around to look for a waiter, his smile faltering slightly when he saw none.
"Sure, I don't drink wine that often but I'd love try it. You have any suggestions?" I answer, hardly bothered by me not being able to stop smiling. He was so interesting that I could imagine myself listening to him for forever. He turned back to me again. "Ofcourse dear, I'd say giving the red wine a try would be a good idea. You don't mind me getting some at the bar real quick?" He asked, I knew why he was asking ofcourse, there's been a real 'drugging your Date' problem around here lately.
I felt my heart slightly flutter, man he was thoughtfull. "I don't mind, if you come across a light brown coat over one of the bar stools, I'd appreciate it if you bring it back to me, I kinda forgot to bring it with me." I mention, a bit embarassed, I mean, who even forgets their coat? A purse might happen occasionally but a goddam coat?
He nodded before getting up and over to the bar, I followed him with my eyes until I noticed Jolene looking around. Shit she was probably searching for me. I waved at her and she thankfully saw me, coming right over, looking rather relieved.
"Girl, I thought I lost you!" She exclaimed before pulling me into a quick hug. "You're mom would've never let me live that down!" She joked and we both giggled in unison. I motioned for her to lean closer so I could whisper to her. "I might just score myself a real charming guy tonight." I told her with a wide smile, barely able to supress my more than maniacal giggles.
She gasped playfully and winked at me. "Oh damm, I better not interven then, don't wanna ruin your first time ey?" She said, walking off before I could even throw her a glare.
I feel my eyes widen in suprise when I hear a chuckle. Turning slightly I see him again, standing just behind the bench he previously resided on while holding two glasses of red wine. "I'm guessing that's a friend of yours?" He asked while sitting back down and sliding one of the glasses in my direction. I avoid eye contact and just nod, feeling the blood rush to my cheeks.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of, really. I'm glad you feel the same way." He tells me before taking a sip of the alcohol, his smile widening as he leans back more and closes his eyes for a moment. "Ahh, missed that feeling." He mumbles. I barely acknowledged it as I felt surprised at what he had said before, he felt the same way? I actually had a good shot for once, I almost felt giddy with excitement, now I just had to not screw it up.
He handed me over my coat after a moment. I thanked him quickly before trying the wine aswell. I was suprised how good it was compared to the last time I drank wine and I found myself almost greedily drinking from it.
The glass was empty too soon but I didn't wanna look like a boozer so I continued to indulge in the small talk. After what seemed like an hour (and another drink) he offered to take me home and I gladly accepted it. My heart fluttering as he guided me back outside whilst holding my hand gently.
The cold air hit me hard as I quicky put my coat back on, but still feeling cold. He held me close to him, I noticed that he seemed really warm, which was pretty nice.
"Hey, in which street do you live in?" He asked. "Harvard street, it's next Creek park." I answer, gritting my teeth against the cold, the night was incredibly dark and I was thankfull I wasn't alone. He seemed to suddenly loosen up a bit.
"I know a great shortcut to it, it's just through an alleyway near the bar!" He exclaimed happily, I thought for a moment before nodding, allowing him to lead me down the street until coming to a gap between the buildings that was barely wide enough to fit a car.
He motioned towards it before entering it and I followed a little more behind, I was looking back at the main street while walking further in, it being atleast mostly well lit, much better than where I was heading. I started to feel incredibly nervous aswell as the feeling of something being incredibly wrong.
"H-hey, do you maybe know a more well lit path?" I ask, coming to a stop and turning back around but I was alone. I couldn't see him, not even further in, if he was nearby I should've atleast seen his white hair, but I couldn't. I couldn't have just missed him, I wasn't looking for like less than a minute, did he just leave me? It wouldn't really seem like him or would it? I did just meet him, had I made a huge mistake?
I started panicking when I suddenly heard his voice again but now it was a bit deeper. "Hey darling, one more question if you don't mind." He said, right behind me but before I could turn around I felt a pair of strong hands grip my shoulders and slamming my back against the wall, the force cut off my yelp and my fear prevented me from screaming as I was faced with a monster. A real one.