He startles, and she startles harder, eyes veering heavenward as the lights flicker. Maybe she’s imagined it, however, as they monotonously burn with a static hum. Patrons remain glued to their cheap beers or gathered on the makeshift dance floor without a peep of complaint. It’s only the goosebumps winding up and down her arms that has her doubting her own doubt.
(This isn't her usual haunt, this dive bar with smoky corners and sticky countertops, but going out had been a last minute decision. Spurred by understanding this could be her last new year.)
Exhaling, Silver recovers with a small, apologetic smile, falling back on her heels. Undeterred, she softly repeats, "Hi."
She noticed him long ago. The moment she had stepped inside the bar, in truth. Like her, he isn't drinking. Like her, he's alone. And like her, he watches.
With his okay, she mirrors him, leaning back against the wall as the band drunkenly initiates the countdown to midnight. Goosebumps blister as anticipation ripens the air, bringing her attention back to him. To the pretty curve of his mouth. Finally, reluctantly, her gaze moves up, and with a jolt, she discovers his had never strayed. Busted.
She glances at his lips again, conveying it wasn't an accident but an open invitation. When he accepts, closing the distance between them by leaning in, her blood hums. Grabbing his jacket collar, she pulls him downdowndown towards her, his height be damned, the winding countdown be damned -
From above, something dives at them both, prompting Silver to reel, the spell broken. Her knuckles turn white as she instinctively tightens her grip and -
Breathing out a stunned laugh as it lands on his neck, she eases up, equal parts disappointed and amused. Her lips are tingling. "Guess we had the same idea."
stormborns
titsay
vaporwave
