I had never seen a more extravagant ballroom. White and faded pink roses hung from the ceiling and chandelier, there were at least hundreds of candles in the room circling the centerpieces of each table and along the walls. Before Estelle and I had a chance to comment on the luxurious sight a server was suddenly before us offering a tall glass of a pink frozen drink with strawberries at the rim. Eagerly we each took one as the server proceeded to the next set of guests.
"Oh my god it's spiked frozen pink lemonade. Thank you for inviting me Luna." Estelle said through her teeth as she continued to sip on the drink. I never drank, not even alone or at gatherings whenever I happened to find myself at one. I wasn't a prude I just hated the taste of alcohol so it wasn't worth it.
"It's just a glass of spiked lemonade Luna. You'll be fine I promise." She teased as she noticed I hadn't taken a sip of my drink when she was already half way done with hers. We chose a table near the dance floor to have a better view of the events that would take place before the dancing.
"Can you taste the alcohol in it?"
"Not even a little bit just drink it!" She pushed after finishing the last of her glass. I took a sip from the straw the find that it only tasted like ultra sweet pink lemonade.
"Oh my god…" I gasped. Estelle just nodded her head at me as I continued to drink, she was already waving down another server for more drinks.
"Wow this is really good, I'll hold off on another glass for later though." I said setting down the half finished drink away from me on the table. I looked around to see more guests were arriving, there were definitely more people here than there were at the ceremony. Ok just remember what you promised yourself Luna, don't let anxiety take over tonight, everything is going to be fine, let's just have a good time.
~~{_}~~
"Haha no kidding! I studied Journalism at UT also! I graduated back in 2014."
"Wow really? I'm really enjoying it so far, what do you do now?" I asked Jared, the 3rd man I had become acquainted with, hopefully things went well this time. He was tall with dark black curly hair, handsome, I hadn't found anything wrong about him quite yet but I was remaining optimistic about him. I looked over his should to see that Estelle was still eating face with the with a built blonde haired man in the back corner of the room. He was literally the first man to approach her and apparently they hit it off with each other immediately. I could hear her voice in my heard from earlier, 'Fuck some girls just have all the luck don't they?'
"Uh I'm between jobs at the moment. I've been thinking about taking some time off to focus on my music a little bit." Oh there it was, the flaw. He didn't have a job, and here was my cue to ask what instrument he played.
"Your music? What do you play?" Don't tell me, guitar and singer? I hoped my faux interested expression was convincing enough.
"I've been playing the guitar since I was in high school and I only started singing about a year ago. I'm in the process of putting a band together if you know anyone who would be interested in fusion rock-jazz sound. I think I might have a demo on me—Oh cool I do. Here you go, this is just a little something I put together last month." He said grabbing a USB from a pocket within the front of his jacket and placing it in my hand. Uh. Was this his angle this whole time?
"Oh thanks. Yeah I'll definitely give it a listen—"
"Great! Hey Lisa it was fun chatting with you but I had made a commitment to be somewhere else tonight. Let's get in touch soon ok? Have a goodnight!" He rushed, already out of his seat and making his way through the crowded dance floor. Well that was a waste of my life. And get in touch? That dick couldn't even remember that we never exchanged information, idiot. I tossed the USB over my shoulder and returned to the table Estelle and I had stationed at. She still seemed pretty occupied in that back corner. Three glasses of the pink lemonade drink remained as I started to finish one while snacking on the pretzels and cheese set up at the table. Eating while being mindful of the lipstick I had on became annoying so I used my cloth napkin to wipe every trace of it off. It was naive of me to think that my luck would change just for tonight, I gulped the last of my drink.
"Luna! Oh my goodness I'm having THE best time! Julian is perfection, not to mention freakishly hot!" Estelle gushed, startling me as I sipped on my 4th drink tonight. It was unlike her to really gush this much over a guy, whenever she hooked up with a good looking she usually gave pretty realistic criticism the day after, she wasn't the lovey dovey type at all. That's how I knew this guy she was with was pretty special, part of me was envious of her.
"That's great Estelle. Just be careful ok? You aren't planning going home with him are you?"
"Oh gosh we haven't even talked about it! You know I think he mentioned something about coming along with friends, maybe he could come back to the apartment with us?" She pleaded with her eyes, drawing annoyingly close to me.
"Once you confirm that he isn't a psycho killer you may bring him along." I smirked at her downing the last of the drink.
"Ah you're the best Luna!" She tightly hugged me. "How has it been going for you by the way? No luck?"
"The worst luck. First guy I talked to accidentally let it slip that he had come looking for a hook-up so I quickly made my way out of that awkward conversation. Second guy straight up interrupted me to ask if I was willing to join him and his girlfriend's orgy they were having tonight. And the last guy I just finished talking to was apparently just trying to get his music out and left the moment I took his demo. So I'll be here whenever you're ready to go home." I held up my glass to her and took another swig. Ugh, I should probably stop already I still have to drive home tonight. I looked down at the time of my phone, it was a little after 1:30 a.m. The invitation said the reception ended at 2 so it was about time to take off anyway.
"Is that the time already? No wonder the party is thinning. I'm going to go talk to Julian about coming over, I'll be right back." She then scurried off to her anxious new boy toy, leaving me with me with my thoughts once again. I glanced at my half full drink that sit before me. I guess finishing this won't hurt, and with that I downed the glass in seconds.
"May I join you?" A low voice asked from above me. The blue eyed stranger towered over me with a grin. Whoa, he was definitely a looker.
"Um, sure go ahead." I responded, slightly confused. I must've looked desperately lonely, I guess there was still time to mingle. He had slightly long messy black hair that brushed just over his eyes, he didn't look that much older than me either. He was dressed especially sharp in what looked to be a very expensive suit.
"I'm Atticus, pleasure to meet you…" He grabbed my hand that was resting on the table and planted a single kiss to my knuckles. I could feel my face going warm. Well isn't he the charmer? This act seemed pretty well rehearsed though, I decided not to take him too seriously. I think the alcohol might've been getting to me.
"Luna, nice to meet you too. How many girls did you try this on tonight? It wasn't too successful huh?" I smirked at him, retracting my hand from his grasp. I tried not to laugh as his eye brows rose at me, I couldn't help but smile.
"Look I'm going to be honest with you. I've been taking men's bullshit all night, is it really that hard to find someone who is actually sincere? Seriously, fuck all these acts. Dating in this day and age is dead. Everybody is just looking to hook up. So if you didn't catch it the first time, I'm not looking for a one night stand. You're welcome for saving you the time." I popped a strawberry into my mouth while fiddling to remove the stem off another. I looked over at him waiting for his response. His head was resting on his hand that was propped up on the table, he was looking at me rather pleased. The look on his face took me by surprise, there was no denying he was incredibly handsome. I bet it wouldn't even take much for him to seduce any girl here, especially with this polite act he seemed dedicated to. So why was he talking to me? A server approached our table setting down two more drinks, I claimed mine and immediately began to drink it.
"Just as I thought…" He said smoothly, still eyeing me. Was this guy for real? I gave him a suspicious look.
"What you're not even going to finish your thought?" I glared at him, continuing to sip the heavenly drink. He was chuckling now.
"You're drunk." He smiled at me. The gulp of the spiked lemonade I had just taken was suddenly caught at my throat as I started to viciously cough. He was right…my head was starting to feel a bit fuzzy. Ugh how embarrassing.
"Hey Luna, looks like Julian is coming home with us! Oh sorry I didn't mean to interrupt!" Estelle began from behind me, she didn't continue when she noticed the handsome stranger that sat besides me.
"It's alright. Uh Estelle this is Atticus, Atticus, Estelle."
"I'm sorry Ms. Estelle it seems that you and Luna have had a bit too much to drink tonight. I approached your lovely friend to offer her one of the rooms I had booked here at this hotel, considering the circumstances." He spoke politely to Estelle. Ah fuck. I just acted like a total bitch to a guy who was just trying to help me out. The one guy who had been nice to me tonight. I'm such a fuck up.
"So what do you say Luna? Do you accept?" His attention was on me now. God I felt awful. I simply nodded to him with a weak smile.
"Excellent decision. It would be unsafe for either one of you to drive home. Here is your room key to room 607 on the 6th floor." He handed Estelle the key card, I was out of it at this point. Wallowing in my stupidity for acting like a total bitch to a hot guy who just gave us a free room for the night. Estelle's hand was suddenly on my shoulder.
"Atticus would you like to join us and my date tonight for some refreshments in the room you're providing us? Just to show our appreciation." She was discreetly pinching my shoulder now.
"Um yes, please? I feel awful for judging you so quickly, it was rude of me." I said softly, trying to ignore the pain of Estelle's fingernails. My hand was suddenly in Atticus' as he placed a slower kiss on my fingers.
"I accept your offer. I'll give you ladies time to settle in and then I'll make my way up. I'll see you soon Estelle." His eyes were locked tightly with mine. I gave him another weak smile as he nodded to Estelle and was off.
"What the hell was that? Is anyone ever that nice anymore?" Estelle blurted the second he was out of sight.
"Estelle I'm plastered HELP ME!"