I took a deep breath and looked in the mirror at my long, black hair with bangs cut just above my eyebrows. My nose and cheeks had freckles scattered on them and I had one, dark brown eye and the other a very light, almost green. I put some dark, purpled lipstick on and doubled checked to make sure that the wings of my eyeliner were almost identical. I adjusted my septum piercing and pulled on my leather jacket.

"You've got this, Maisy. You hate social events, but you can do this." I said as I slipped on some black boots.

I was going to my cousins' birthday party at some local bar. I hadn't seen her since her mother had passed away. We were just kids then. We had recently gotten back into contact and she had invited me, so I figured I better suck it up and get it over with.

I grew up in Massachusetts, but decided to move to New York. I had just finished back packing through Europe and had only been here for a few days, so I was pretty tired. I walked towards the entrance of the bar and looked in at the crowded place, but immediately noticed Angela, with her blonde hair. I took a deep breath and nearly ran into someone.

"I'm so sorry!" I said, by cheeks flushing to a bright pink.

I went down to pick up Angela's gift, as well as the stranger and we bumped heads, causing me to laugh.

"Sorry!" I squeaked out as I looked at him.

"Oh my God, Elliot?" I was shocked. I had only met him a few times, but he had features that stood out as a kid that had stayed with him. He studied my face, his eyes large,

"Maisy!" He exclaimed. He pulled his hood back, running his hands through his thick head of hair.

"Are you going to Angela's party? Thank God. I didn't think that I would know anyone." He looked in, nervously.

"I-I'm not sure." He peered over his shoulder, as if someone was following him.

"You ok?" I asked. He nodded his head,

"I have to go. Tell Angela something came up." He said as he began walking.

"Ok, it was good seeing you!" I yelled as he turned around, a small smile on his face as he quickly nodded and disappeared into the crowd.

I was envious of him being able to leave, in a way. He had always been…peculiar, but I remember feeling bad for him as a kid, since his dad was sick and his mom was…well to put it bluntly, a bitch. I walked in and Angela's face brightened up,

"Maisy? You look gorgeous!" She ran over, embracing me.

"Thank you, so do you! And Happy birthday!" I handed her the gift I had brought and looked around at all the unfamiliar faces.

"I feel like I know you, just from how much Ange has told me about you! I'm Ollie!" A man said as he pulled me into an uncomfortable hug.

"Oh yeah, her boyfriend! We've seen each other a few times over video chat."

She introduced me to the rest of her group and we began drinking, "

Ugh, Elliot isn't answering any of my texts." Angela threw her head back, dramatically.

"I mean, that is so Elliot." Ollie said as he took a shot. I could already tell that I didn't like that guy, just the vibe he gave off and he seemed like a douche.

"Oh! I ran into when I came in. He said that something had come up and was sorry that he couldn't make it." I stirred my drink as Ollie began laughing.

"What?" What was so funny?

"You added that last bit, he's not one to apologize." He said placing his hand on my shoulder as I shrugged it off.

"Well that sucks." Angela said quietly.

"Hey, we'll still have fun!" I smiled at her and she nodded her head.

"Have you found a job yet? I mean I know you just got here and all." She said as she played with a water droplet on the table.

"Yes! Did an interview over skype and got it!" I smiled.

"What do you do?" Ollie asked, already drunk.

"I'm a dancer. How's work going for you…at Allsafe, right? You told me you are in charge of a large account?" I wanted to change the subject. Once you said that people would prod. I was a stripper, as horrible as that is. I got into a few years ago and made a lot of money and haven't been able to get out of it since. I honestly enjoyed it as well.

"It's been going alright. I feel like they don't have faith in me, since I'm a woman."

"That's not true, babe!" Her boyfriend interjected.

"Hey, they're lucky to have you. If they haven't found that out now, than fuck 'em!" I said, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.

"God, I'm so glad you'll be living here now! Have you settled into your place much?"

"Yeah, it's really nice!" I sipped on my drink.

"Where are you at again?" She asked,

"Brooklyn Height area."

"Wow, that's a nice area! You must make some good money!" Ollie stated.

"I've just been saving up a lot." I smiled sheepishly.

"So, are you and Elliot still close?"

"I guess? I'm not sure. He's grown quite distant recently, he doesn't open up a lot, as you know. We actually work at the same place." She bit her lip.

"He's always been kind of difficult, even as a kid. He'll come around, that's great you two work together!" I exclaimed.

The rest of the night went well and I actually had a good time. That's what would normally happen, I'd dread things but would end up having fun. I walked outside to get to my taxi, nearly tripping and looked down, seeing someone's ID.

"Are you ok?" Angela ran over,

"Yeah, I'll see you later!" I waved as I got in, looking at it. Elliot! How long had that been sitting out there unnoticed?

"Can you take me to this address?" I asked the driver as he nodded.

It was late at night as we pulled up to a red building,

"Thank you, can you wait?" I asked as I began stepping out.

"No. My shift is over. Sorry ma'am." I handed him some cash and went in, knocking on his door. Nothing, I swear I could hear crying though,

"Elliot? I have your ID." I said.

"J-just a second." He said. He opened the door, his eyes red and puffy.

"Hey, are you ok?" I gave him his license.

"Yeah. Thank you." He began shutting the door,

"Do you want some company?" He looked through the crack, his eyes sad. To my surprise, he opened the door.

I walked into his small, organized place and we sat on the couch.

"What's going on, Elliot?" I turned to face him, resting my arm on the back of the couch and placing my head in my hand.

"Nothing." He sniffled, and I knew that he was lying.

"Remember that time when Angela was feeling pretty down and we put that funny play on we had written? Like we just winged the whole thing!" I began giggling as he looked over at me, a small smile creeping on his face.

"Yeah…Villain, I have done thy mother!" We both finished, as I had finally gotten him to loosen up a little.

"I had forgotten my line and that's all could think of." He said quietly, smiling over at me.

"I mean, what kid knows a Shakespeare quote like that? I'm shocked that you became a computer engineer and not a great stage actor!"

He looked over at me,

"Ange told you we work together?" I nodded my head.

"Was she mad I didn't make it?"

"No. I think you and I are alike in a way though. Social anxiety. Events make you so nervous and on edge, but it's only momentarily. It was fun and we all missed you." I smiled warmly at him. I had always loved his eyes.

"Can I just say, I do not like her boyfriend? I have a bad feeling about him." I let out a small yawn.

"He's a creep." Elliot said, matter of fact.

"Well, I'm glad you agree with me. You sure you're ok?" I watched him as his eyes darted around the room.

"I'm just going through some things." He looked down at his hands as he fidgeted with them.

"You have a strong support group if you ever need anything. I was in a dark place a while back, but have slowly been making progress. Let me know if I can help at all."

"Thanks…I just don't like being alone some nights. It's hard."

He seemed disappointed in himself, and I didn't really understand why.

"Everyone feels that way, El. Even me. If I wasn't here with you now I'd probably be in bed feeling lonely."

"You?" He looked at me baffled.

"Yeah! Why would that be so surprising! I've always been a loner, nothing wrong with that though. Just surround yourself with friends when you feel that way. Want me to stay over tonight? I don't mind."

"That'd be nice." He nervously tapped his foot.

"Perfect, I'll take the couch!" I stood up, stretching my arms.

"Y-you can sleep in bed with me, if that'd be more comfortable." He looked at me, unsure of what I would say.

"Sure! Whatever helps you out."

I took off my jacket and unlatched my bra, letting it hit the floor and took my jeans off. Elliot lay in bed trying to look at anything but me.

"Do you have a sweater I could borrow?" I rubbed my arms.

"First drawer." I put on a black hoodie and pulled my knee socks up and joined him. I wrapped my arms around my waist.

"Sorry, the heating has been broken for a few days…the landlord hasn't gotten around to fixing it yet." He said, staring up at the ceiling.

"It's ok!" I shivered.

"I know you don't like being touched, but can we cuddle?" I looked up at him, his eyes looking worried.

"It's fine! I don't want to make you uncomfortable in your own home."

"We can. I know you so it will be ok…I just haven't cuddled in a while."

"I can help ya!"

"I'm going to rest my head on your chest, if that's ok?" He nodded his head. He wrapped his arms around me, which I wasn't expecting. I listened to his heart as the pace reduced, which was calming.

"Good night, Elliot." I nuzzled into his chest, causing him to tense. "Night."