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— Intentions —

2# - First impressions
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"Because you never get a second chance to make a first impression."
— W. Rogers

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— U. Takumi

AND INDEED, IT HAD JUST STARTED, especially for that group of girls, as some guys began to flaunt around them.

From douches to dumbasses, they started to try to flirt with them, only to get turned down after several crude attempts. Amber eyes looked totally pissed off though. Her fierce eyes were aimed at the ravenous wolves, firing them death looks to keep them at length. But to no avail did she succeed to, as they came around them like bees do to flowers.

I chuckled at those unrefined guys.

Seriously, they had no skills whatsoever. Her forced smile grew tighter with every passing second. She sat snuggly in a loveseat, her lips drawn into a thin line as her eyes were now fixed on the nearly empty glass she held in her palms. Another creeper sat beside her, bravely brushing his hand against her knee as he ogled at her. She stiffened, shifting uncomfortably into her seat as her gaze squinted toward the unwelcomed hand.

Honestly, I think her glare turned me on. More than simply piercing eyes, it was burning with raw emotions, which right now could be irritation, disdain, and hot suspicion. She might not have been aware of it, but she was emanating a total hard-to-get aura that enticed more than one interested glance, compared to the women in this club whose intent was blatant and fakely displayed. And her slender body was not helping: proportionate curves; long, toned legs that her dress failed to hide —especially when the creeper's hand went higher on her thighs—; and gorgeous, bitable collarbones; she was undeniably a delectable package.

Enjoying this perfect situation to be watching her like this, I downed my glass of Scotch in a shot. I could not help but wonder with a fleeting smile as my eyes set on the empty glass: What would it take to make her mine?

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— A. Misaki

I WAS PISSED OFF.

That guy was definitely feeling me up without any shame. I wanted to slam his head onto the table, kick it parched and then—, tell him to back off, —in that order.
Both him and his friends.

We were supposed to celebrate Erika's birthday, not get hit on some guys for God's sake...

I shuddered as his hand crept higher on my leg. When he finally pushed to the edge of my limits, I suddenly stood up, startling him as I glanced at my friends; they were apparently all busy flirting back with a new group of "gentlemen". Tch. How could they stay blind to those hungry eyes they were subject to? The unabashed stares made me want to throw my guts out. Honoka, the troublemaker of the group was totally wasted. She came up to me in wobbly steps as she clung onto my arm.

"Misaaki, go get us some drinkss," she slurred into my ears. I took a look at the table to consider. Two mojitos, one cosmopolitain, and a Long Island iced tea for Honoka; making it four drinks. I could make it cautiously in maybe one go, but maybe two would be better as I was to get them alone. With one last glance at drunk Honoka, I warned her before stepping away, leaving the guy on the love seat in the background.

"Stay here, and this is the last drink before going home, okay?" She acquiesced her approval before getting back to her 'conversation' with the random, cheeky brunet.

I hurried to the bar, sneaking between couples and the crowd of people. When I finally got there, I nodded at the barman, ordering the drinks as he came up to me.

"Two mojitos, a cosmo, and an Island tea." I shouted to cover the beat of the music. But my voice got lost in between, as the loud electro thumps absorbed my words. He leant down onto the counter as I propped onto the bar to get closer to his ear.

"Two mojitos, a cosmo, and an Island tea please," I called out. He nodded in understanding before taking care of my order. I stepped off the counter and turned to scan the crowd for my table.
They didn't move, good. I sighed before reaching for my smartphone in my purse. I leant on my right elbow, against the bar, as I shifted my finger on the screen to unlock it.
Better act uninterested and busy rather than all free and available in such a place, after all.

"Having a good time?" A low and husky voice behind me asked, startling me with shock. Planning to spit bitter words, I opened my mouth before I turned around, the frown on my face getting only sharper as I froze upon seeing a familiar looking face. Sandy blonde hair and forest emerald eyes glinting with amusement, he seemed to enjoy my reaction as he chuckled at me, dimples showing next to his playfully upturned lips.
Setting back his elbows upon the counter, he played with the.. —Whiskey?... Scotch?— glass he had in his hand, before his words pulled me out of shock, only to dive me back in. Apparently, my misdirection skills were awfully lacking.

"Care for a drink,— ... Lady— ...?" he paused, expecting me to introduce myself. I retaliated soon enough, before my shock would be taken for anything else that I did not feel. It was odd seeing him that up-close when all I thought of him was "another-TV-celebrity" a few hours ago.

"No, I'm only ordering for my friends." I replied, ignoring his request for my name, before casually adding, "Thank you though." Decent manners were still significant as long as they stood reciprocated, —no matter the situation— , my mother taught me.

He kept his gaze on me, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips as he kept silent, though his eyes were saying something along the lines of "Didn't you forget something?". He sipped his drink as I turned back to my phone, slowly leaning away from him to increase the distance between the both of us without being too obvious. I could still feel his eyes studying my face, and my cheeks warmed at the thought. Nervously flicking my eyes up to his, I only found myself getting more anxious under his scrutiny.

"What is it?" I bit out tensely. His half-lidded stare wandered from my eyes to my lips as I spoke, before focusing back into my eyes. He shifted his position, facing me as one of his hands went to rest on his knee, while his other one was still laying on the counter, holding the glass on its rim.

"Only wondering how pretty your name could be," he responded melodiously. I gaped at his words. How smooth of a talker was he?

"I'm afraid I do not disclose any confidential information on a daily basis." I casually shrugged, and precised, "Let alone to a stranger."

"How thoughtful of you," his eyes gleamed darkly. "But then—, better be safe than sorry." His eyes paused fleetingly on my lips again.

"And.. It is, indeed, a safe bet that you are playing here..." He said, his voice hinted at an alluring promise.

He was definitely no prey. Predator would suit him best, that was for sure, and I was nowhere near wanting to be his victim. Perhaps even the predator was his prey: he must be the ruthless hunter then. Playing the safe card, I was determined to leave before he could perfect the trap he laid on me.

"Yes... I guess so.." I trailed off, right when the bartender came up with the drinks. I quickly gave him my credit card, which he swiped onto the device before handing it back to me. Reaching for the cocktails, I began to lift them up before his voice cut me short.

"Running away already?" He sneered at me with that cunning tone.

"Uh, yes?.. It was nice to meet you." Not in the least, it was more stressful than anything, in truth. He was about to answer, but before I could reach for the remaining cocktail, a loud voice broke in.

"MISAAAKIII!" Erika shrieked.

I wanted to facepalm so badly, but the drinks in my hands prevented me from such behavior. What a great day, I bitterly thought. She came up to me with worry in her eyes, but relaxed when she saw me, relieved to find me here.

"What took you so long! Oh—," she stared at the handsome, blonde guy, who was sitting two steps away from us as he wore a widespread grin, his chiseled jaw flexing in return.

"Am I interrupting something?" Her eyes flickered from him to me, as her curious frown turned into a smug look. She promptly took the two glasses I had in my hands before scooting away after a quick "Take your time Misa-chan!".

Now that my hands were free, I could totally facepalm, but I refrained from such. The dismay I felt was too intense to even do that. Casting a final glare at him, I hurriedly took the remaining cocktails before trailing behind Erika with haste.

On that one last glance, the glint in his forest eyes sparkled with glee as the sly grin he wore shifted to a wicked smirk.
Upon his parting lips could be read in utmost silence: "See you again, Mi—sa—chan."

My heart kind of sank back then.

—

Author's note: Thanks for all the replies about the age poll! I decided on 24 for Misaki.
The beginning of the story is in early summer, thus, Takumi's birthday (April 27) has already occured, making him 26.
They have a year and a few months difference ;)

(She was born on September 29).