After my favourite song played, Dino and I stayed on the dance floor for a while longer. I was slowly but surely realizing that I was most positively enjoying his company. Along with his good looks, gentlemanliness, kindness, attitude, etc. The basic gist of things when a young woman is attracted to a very handsome looking young man.
Surveying everyone else in the large space, I asked myself questions about the man in front of me. Why did he think to even approach me apart from myself being the only lonesome person? What did he see that gave him a flicker of interest toward me? The answer couldn't possibly be as cliché as he 'hasn't seen someone as pretty as me before'.
Not having more chance to continue my thoughts, Dino spun me around. The sudden action caused a surprised yelp to escape my lips and just as I thought I was to lose balance, he caught my hand in his. I registered what he was intending to do when I looked him in the eyes again, so I continued to look down at the ground, allowing my brain to settle. Finally, I lifted my gaze to Dino's near-luminescent eyes to see an eyebrow cocked up but without answer, he gracefully spun me into his form.
People around us that watched the occurrence whistled and cheered.
As I made contact with his body, his arms wrapped around my waist whilst my back was against his chest. Muscles in my back tightened but immediately relaxed when I reassured myself that I could trust Dino. I could feel his warm breath brush past my ear as he chuckled, causing a chill to run along the length of my spine.
"Would you like to have a couple of drinks?" He offered.
I mulled it over and decided to give it a go. "Sure. I just hope that I don't get too overboard and become a drunkard."
"Well, I guess I will have to keep watch of you," he chuckled once again before taking my hand in his. He guided our way out of the crowd and I couldn't help but notice the Autobot insignia that was blatantly set on the back of his formula red jacket. I instantly assumed we had at least one thing in common.
As we sat down on the stools of the adjoining bar, Dino ordered a few beverages to share between the both of us. Our orders came through and I didn't hesitate in chugging it down to dampen the desert-dry throat I never knew I had. Realizing I could've been making a mild embarrassment of myself, I slowly lowered down my now empty glass and placed it back onto the countertop. Dino cleared his throat, gaining my attention.
"Scusa, but I realized that you are wearing something on your back that is very familiar to me."
My face brightened with a beaming smile as I knew what he was talking about. "Indeed. I assume you are wearing the same familiar thing on your back also," I replied.
His brows rose in surprise. What, he didn't think I would pay attention to what he was wearing? I wouldn't have scoped him out half as much if he didn't look especially attractive in what he was displayed in, honestly. "Yes, I see you've noticed the same like I have. Are you on the side you are wearing?"
My smile formed into a smirk, wondering how he would act toward the next thing I said, "No, not really." The reaction I provoked was a sudden contrast to his usual suave attitude. His eyes widened in shock and began to choke on his current drink. On reflex, I initiated on patting his back with some force to alleviate his coughing.
After his coughs subdued, I giggled like an idiot. "Wow, you must be such a big Autobot supporter to react the way you did," I said between my laughs.
He gazed up at me from where he was hunched over with some concern while he coughed a few more times, "You do not support u-them even though you are wearing their symbol?"
I furrowed my eyebrows in thought, "Well, I do like the Decepticons as much as the Autobots. I'm a neutral, basically."
His brows rose again, though this time, in a questioning manner as I shrugged.
"But," I paused, "I would definitely choose Autobots if I were to decide between one or the other."
While he averted his gaze from mine, I saw a flash of a smirk grace his lips but it left as fast it had occurred when his lips met the glass he raised.
I continued to assess his facial features and soon enough, I found myself drawing up blank. There was a thin layer of awkwardness set between us and I was too timid to begin another conversation with him. Although Dino is very friendly, attractive, approachable and a whole other bunch of things I can't describe him enough with, I could just sense this agitation within him. Almost as if he were hesitating in saying something. Especially with the way he is tensed up.
Sure, it does seem like he's a great guy after one gets to know him, but it also seems like he is secretive in large amounts. I'm not trying to really assume anything bad revolving around who he is and what he does out in the world.
"So, do you live around here?"
The question caught me off guard, restraining any more thoughts that seemingly kept spilling out of my brain.
"Scusa, può ripetere?" I meekly asked in Italian.
"I said- wait," he reeled back in surprise, "what did you say?"
I chuckled in response, amused, "I said sorry, can you repeat that?"
Dino continued to look at me incredulously, "I asked if you live around this area?"
"Oh, I do, I guess. If you count taking up temporary residence in an apartment in this city, then yeah." His lingering once-over was kept on my face for he was examining me for any lies – which there were none of. "What about you, Dino? Do you live somewhere around here?"
He shook his head, pulling himself out of a train of thought, "I reside in Washington DC for the moment. I'm not sure for how long we'll be there for considering we've already relocated once."
I nodded. Wait, 'we'? Is he talking about his other soldier amigos? "We?" I repeated.
It was his turn to nod as he explained, "I'm speaking of my comrades also. We have all been residing in the same place for a while now, though I don't know for how long the others have since I am still a new arrival from being transferred."
I recalled when he informed me he and his comrades are all soldiers. "Were you and the others close friends before joining the military?"
A smile flitted across his lips, "Ah, yes. I wasn't exactly friends with them all, but I did know of them." He lightly chuckled to himself, "Seth and I used to dislike each other very much. Sometimes, the dislike turned into physical fights, though his brother was always there to break it up. Even if Sonny was the older and more vain one of them, he definitely didn't like to see his brother get hurt."
What he told was lucid enough for me to see that with the way he fondly spoke of Seth's brother, they must've had a strong friendship. I wonder what caused this 'Sonny' to get lost for so long without any communication between any of the others.
"Do you know how he went missing?" I gently pried.
Dino's eyes were downcast during the time he shook his head. "Nobody knows what, when or how it happened. Not even his own brother. It is unfortunately as much a mystery to us as it is to you," he turned away and took a couple of sips from his next drink.
Holding a sad smile, I began to rub his shoulder as soothingly possible. Although I despise the way my friends left me to fend for myself only to get laid, I could never imagine losing them, let alone how it would have been to find out a friend has gone missing like Dino. They're just too close to my heart and I would most likely be lost without even one of them. Squad goals, huh?
"Understood," I empathized. "You used to be close friends with Sonny unlike Seth, didn't you?"
"Yes, very much so," Seth unexpectedly said behind us. The suddenness of his voice scared the ever-living daylights out of me as I flinched severely.
"Dude, what the hell?!" I screeched, almost losing balance on my chair via winding myself. Just as I nearly fell off, Seth caught me from behind, his arms hooked underneath my underarms. Well, wasn't this just embarrassing?
"Gotcha."
I rolled my eyes. "My savior," I told sarcastically.
Seth chuckled and brought his arms up to place me back onto my stool with – literally – inhuman strength. Whoa, his muscles felt like steel against my slightly tensed ones.
"Dude, do you work out all the time to lift all my weight up with ease like that? Wow," I added, flabbergasted.
"Well," he scratched the nape of his neck, "I guess. And why do you keep calling me 'dude' now?"
I shrugged, "Because- I don't know! Probably from the all the shock you caused me from your little visit just now? How the heck did you not get the tiniest bit surprised when he did that?" I questioned Dino.
"Like I said prior, he does pranks. He also surprises people out of the blue but you get used to it," he stated, continuing to drink out of his next glass. He already consumed so much alcohol and isn't effected one bit. I bet he was talking about surprises as in unexpected fights with Seth in the past.
"Exactly, but I'm sorry and you're welcome. I'll be on my way now," Seth strode away with pride in his gait.
"Thank you," I uttered aloud. Not long after speaking my gratitude was when I witnessed Seth raise his head higher to the point where he was looking up at the ceiling with all his bravado. Now that I think about it, did he eavesdrop on the whole conversation, or did he unintentionally end up eavesdropping on the part about his brother by coincidence?
Dino and I remained in silence as we progressed in getting through each drink until there were none left. So much for 'keeping watch over me'. I felt the alcohol advancing over my brain as I began to sway slightly in my seat. Being tipsy isn't always the best thing in the world. You're practically balancing on a thin wire between falling into unawareness and still being completely conscious of your actions, words, and thoughts. Not to mention it also gives off the worst dizzy sensation anyone could experience.
I attempted standing up straight but the sensation was throwing me off so I had to retire back to sitting and swaying like one of those balloon people in front of some stores. I lowered my eyelids halfway in experiment to see if it would help with all the swaying. It didn't, which was unfortunate on my behalf.
Dino finally turned to face me again since turning away from me and according to the retro-styled clock I glanced up at, that was, what, maybe half an hour ago? He had a face of surprise. "I realize I haven't been paying much attention to your drinking. My apologies," he apologized.
I sighed. "Hmm, I don't know… are you really? Or did you want to see how I would act right before crossing the threshold between becoming a drunkard and remaining in the tipsy state I am currently in?" I asked all at once, matter-of-factly.
"I really do apologize for not considering the amount of alcohol intake you can withstand before succumbing into a drunken state," he countered with a hint of smugness, folding his arms in front of his chest. Oh, he wants a verbal fight with me now? I'll show him.
I sat up as straight as I could and placed one leg over the other, inputting plenty of concentration into not swaying from side to side like a fool. "Well, kind sir," I slurred and paused slightly, for I noticed his soldier buddies approaching our general direction, Seth amongst them. "I'm afraid that you were not fit enough to look after my drinking tonight, and for your punishment, I demand that you take me to my current, temporary residence."
His comrades halted a few feet away. "Would like anything else, Signorina?" He bowed in a sarcastic manner.
"No that would be all," I responded whilst getting up off the stool and striding past him towards his friends behind, but not without a gentle pat on his back. "Thank you, Signore."
His friends chuckled as I made way to them relatively easily with the current constant movement of my body. The dizziness only subsided in the smallest amount, but still offered me some leeway with walking in a straight line. I looked back at Dino for a short second to wonder if he would follow, only to find out he already was.
From somewhere to my left, I heard Seth whine. "Why does he get the girl?" I pursed my lips, struggling not to laugh, but a few managed to escape.
"Seth, you'll get a girl one day," Jazz said. "When you grow up!" I saw Jazz slap his knee in silent amusement as Seth pouted and looked away, not bothering to argue. I shook my head in amusement like Jazz. It makes me wonder if the others even had a single drink tonight. Probably considering they're trained soldiers, they likely wouldn't drink and would be on the lookout for any signs of danger based on instinct.
During the time Dino was catching up to my pace, I cocked a brow at him in puzzlement and stopped.
"Si?" He asked.
"Are you not gonna bid them farewell like you respectfully should? I mean they are your friends as much as they are your teammates out on the battlefield," I told truthfully.
He contemplated on what to do but decided on signalling them, giving a wave goodbye. "Happy, Signorina?"
I rolled my eyes. "You don't have to keep calling me that, you know," I muttered. It's nice to have him calling me young lady in Italian but the fact that it could become bothersome for him makes me feel a bit guilty about it. Then again, I could be wrong on my assumption.
"Why not? I like it. As much as you like calling me 'Signore', I like calling you 'Signorina'," he assured. It seems I was wrong with my previous assumption.
"But wouldn't you get annoyed with me calling you that all the time? I mean, it's not that I disrespect your culture or nationality or anything, it's just personal preference," I argued.
Dino analysed my facial features while deciphering how he should respond. "For personal preference, you can call me whatever you like."
Oh I would totally put effort into giving him another nickname – an inappropriate one at that. "So, you wouldn't care if I called you, I don't know… dickhead?"
"I would die for someone to call me such an inappropriate thing," he spoke sarcastically, rolling his eyes. I laughed, fancying how he goes along with wry jokes whilst beginning to walk towards the back exit of the nightclub. A wave of dizziness would've almost thrown me off balance if Dino didn't snake his arm around my waist.
Dino gave me an inquisitorial look. "Thank you, I'm fine." I nodded, assuring him I could walk with heat slowly making its way to my cheeks. I didn't feel his arm detach from my waist but I didn't bother fussing about it, knowing I'll most likely lose balance and stumble a few times here and there if I didn't have some sort of 'restraint'.
When we made it out the exit, I inhaled the fresh, crisp early morning air. Removing his arm from my waist, Dino withdrew Ferrari car keys. I wonder if his car is red to correspond with his leather jacket?
"Could you wait here for a moment? I parked my car elsewhere so my comrades could have easier access to their vehicles." I nodded in approval, causing my head to swirl and myself to lose balance once more. I put my hand on the wall for support.
"Sure."
He gave a nod and walked away quickly. I looked to the parking lot in front of me and noticed some pretty, uh, familiar vehicles. Namely a truck and some cars including a Camaro that I freaking love. The infamous Optimus Prime Peterbilt 379 truck with the customized red and blue flames, a silver 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray concept, a silver Pontiac Solstice, a lime green Search and Rescue Hummer H2, a black GMC Topkick, and the customized yellow and black Chevrolet Camaro that Michael Bay used in Transformers: Dark of the Moon.
Okay, Danika. Stop fangirling and just take a damn picture so you can do it not out in the open like a complete moron. I took out my phone and took the most glorious photo in my life so far. I marvelled at the picture and I placed my phone back into my pocket, secure.
All I could think about, now, was what kind of Ferrari Dino's was. I like cars, too, even though I'm female. I know I'm at liberty to have the same interests as any men in the world, and I'm more than grateful for it. I've just always liked cars since I was a little girl, for some odd reason.
I was brought out of my thoughts as I heard a few hollow metallic knocks against the adjacent brick wall followed by a continuous eerie scraping noise. The source of it was unknown but it seemed to be getting nearer. I took a step back, just in case it was something I needed to flee from. Alarm bells were going off in my head.
"Dino?" I asked, glancing behind me to see if there was some ambush I needed to be aware of. There wasn't any so I focused back on the direction the hollow sound was coming from, frightened out of my very own skin.
The first glimpse I had at the culprit was their pant leg. They wore blue jeans. Dino's jeans were black.
It isn't him.
Fuck.
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(A/N)
Yolla! Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Fair warning; I'm pretty sure the updates will turn into spastically-timed ones soon so.. yeah, just don't expect them to settle into a rhythm ever lol.
Ily!
~Daniela~