Since realizing what she'd lost, Maia hadn't been in the best mood ever. Okay, that was a bit of an understatement as Maia was currently sitting alone at a bar on Valentine's Day, trying to find the bottom of her glass. It wasn't like her to wallow, and she wasn't enjoying it one bit. How had she kept her stupid emotions in check for so long, only to have them spill over and ruin her now? It was so stupid, no, beyond stupid! Idiotic! Why did she miss him now? She'd had her chance, had more than one. Dozens of chances to get him back, and yet she hadn't even tried.

When Jordan had been standing right in front of her, she hadn't given a thought to any of the good things. Like how when they'd first started dating, she'd been so worried he'd spot some pale skinny beautiful blonde, and choose that over Maia's dark curves. Since she'd met Jordan, he'd always seemed like the type to want skinny and pale in a woman, but Jordan had proved time and time again that he only had eyes for her. Sometimes when other women who saw her on his arm, they would glare at Maia, and though it should have bothered her, Maia had always felt so proud in those moments, proud to have earned his attention. His consistent and obvious preference for her had melted the iron of Maia's heart back then, only to have the iron return with a vengeance after they broke up.

Jordan had been the first person who had really noticed Maia. After a lifetime of being in her older brother's shadow, such a thing had been worth more to her than she knew how to express. She'd revelled in the feeling then, only to take it for granted later.

Maia looked down at the bottom of her glass. It was time for another drink. Signally the waiter, she ordered a second, and watched numbly as it was made.

"You wanna talk about it?" the bartender asked her.

"Not really," Maia replied, taking a sip of her third drink of the night.

"Contrary to popular belief, I don't ask everyone that," the bartender continued. "It's not actually part of the job you know." Maia chuckled, though without much heart. She looked up at the bar tender. He wasn't anything to remarkable. Apart from his kind smile, there wasn't much to distinguish him from any other bartender.

"Thanks," Maia replied trying not to be rude. The bartender was called away then to help a customer on the other side of the long bar. Maia was sitting at one far end, her back to the large tv playing some kind of sports game.

Valentine's Day, Maia thought as she stared down into the liquid in her glass. She remembered her first Valentine's with Jordan. He'd been so nervous, he hadn't had a clue what she'd want, and had planned multiple evenings in case she hated one of them. Maia smiled remembering the adorable expression on Jordan's face when she'd realized what he'd done. Maia had kissed him then, her hand gently holding the nape of his neck. It had been so long since she'd kissed him, so long since she'd kissed anyone.

Maia had to down her whole drink in one go when she realized the last person she'd kissed had been Simon. If only the bartender was cuter, or she was drinker, maybe Maia could change that.

"Is this seat taken?" It was a guy's voice, but not one she recognized. Maia turned to face the tall white man with blonde hair standing beside her. He looked unkempt, with uneven stubble on his chin, and a untrustworthy gleam in his eye.

"Yes," Maia told him. "By my very large, strong, boyfriend who will be back any moment."

"Nah, I don't think so," the man said. "See, I've been watching you from over there for the last few hours, and you've been sitting here alone all that time."

"He's just late," Maia tried, but she knew it was hopeless. This guy clearly didn't believe her, and why would he if he had indeed been watching her all evening? The idea made the hair on the back of Maia's neck stand on end. She turned slightly, trying not to be too obvious as she checked to see if the kind bartender was in view. He wasn't.

"Oh no, lonely girl," he whispered moving closer. "There's no one here with you, no one coming for you." He was far too close now, and Maia was getting very uncomfortable, regretting her decision to leave the house today.

"So sorry I'm late," came a loud male voice from behind her, also unknown, but nevertheless he was using a familiar tone. "Traffic was murder."

Maia turned to see yet another tall stranger, but she already like this one far more. The newcomer had broad shoulders, dark skin, and a very square jaw. He looked strong and gallant, like a knight in shining armour, though she would never say such a thing out loud.

"There you are, honey," Maia said with great enthusiasm at the second stranger. "I've been waiting."

"I know," he replied looking quiet respectfully guilty. Maia had to admire his acting. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright," Maia said. "Come, I saved you a seat." The handsome dark skinned man sat beside her. Maia didn't dare turn around to check if the creepy guy was gone.

"There's so much snow on the highway, it was blocked up for hours," the fine actor continued. Maia suspected the creep was still watching them.

"That's awful," Maia replied. "I'm glad you made it alright." She had to admit her acting sucked a lot more than his.

"I tried to call, but cell reception was down," he continued. Then Maia watched as he turned his head to check behind them. "Okay, it's all clear. He's gone."

"Thanks," Maia said with genuine gratitude.

"I'm Bat," he said smiling and offering her his hand to shake.

"Maia," she said accepting the handshake.

"So what guy broke your heart so badly it landed you in a bar alone on Valentine's getting hit on by creepers?" Bat asked.

"You my friend, have made an assumption," Maia told him.

"Have I now?"

"Yes, you assume I'm not the master of my own misery," Maia explained.

"Ah, then do please enlighten me," Bat smiled.

"I broke his heart," Maia corrected. "Then after trying to win me back non-stop for over a year, he did the rational thing and moved on, just in time for me to realize I'm an idiot."

"Ah yes, quite a different story than the one I had in mind for sure," Bat replied. Maia tipped her drink to him, then realized it was empty.

"So what brought you to a bar alone on Valentine's Day?" Maia asked, deciding it was only fair he answer the same question she had.

"Oh, I'm not alone," Bat replied. He turned and pointed to a group of people in a booth to their left. "My buddies Steve and Gregg came with me."

"No dates?" Maia asked. "On Valentines Day?"

"Says the girl dating her whiskey," Bat remarked. "At least I'm here with friends."

"Urg," Maia grumbled. "All my silly friends are at home tonight, probably having fantastic sex with their soulmates."

"And you aren't at all bitter," Bat chuckled at her.

"Oh no," Maia replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Not at all."

"Would you like to join us?" Bat asked. "I promise none of us are creepy."

"Even if you were, you're at least better looking than that other guy," Maia said, getting up off her stool and joining the boys without hesitation. She might have been a little intoxicated, but even the parts of her brain that were working didn't have a problem with this new plan.

"How drunk are you?" Bat asked.

"Not sure," Maia replied, thoughtfully. Bat looked at her dubiously.

"Maybe you should call it a night?" Bat suggested.

"Oh no!" Maia objected. "Not happening. First rounds on me!" Bat laughed but didn't argue, and when they reached the table, Bat introduced her to both his friends. Steve wasn't as tall as him, though he had a similar look about him with broad shoulders and dark skin. Gregg looked like he had a little white in him, lighter skin, and his facial features were structured differently. They all seemed like nice people, and Maia found herself quite comfortable.

Four rounds of shot later things were looking up.

"I find it hard to believe a girl like you couldn't even find one friend to go out with on Valentines," Gregg was saying. "You're fun, Maia."

"Thanks," Maia chuckled. "Here, have more liquor. It makes people prettier." She pushed the jug of beer towards him. All three men laughed at this, and Maia congratulated herself at her drunk humor.

"See, my one friend has a kid," Maia said, her head spinning a little. "Or maybe she's more an acquaintance, not sure. Others all in couples who wanted to do couple things today. One friend, she's grumpy." Maia giggled. "Cause she being celibate for her boyfriend."

"I thought you said all your friends were having sex with their soulmates tonight?" Bat reminded her.

"Sex, snuggling," Maia replied dismissively. "The soulmate part is the- whoa." The world had spun a little as she'd finished her sentence, so Maia decided to abandon it.

"Celibate for her boyfriend?" Steve asked dubiously. "Is her boyfriend gay?"

"Shh no," Maia snapped, then continued with less confidence and focus. "He's cautious. Strange complicated history. Checking things... or maybe he's just dumb." She hiccuped in the middle of her mostly a sentence. "Not sure." Maia took another gulp of her drink.

"I still say he's gay," Steve added.

"Then you very wrong," Maia told him in her best mature voice that probably came out like a toddler. "Is good thing."

"If you say so," Steve laughed.

"I do say so," Maia giggled. "Ssay sooo."

"Also guy friend is dating roommate," Maia continued. "Sorta friend with blonde guy who looks like my brother dating guy friend ex. All soulmate cute, annoying." Maia made a face as if she'd stepped in something nasty.

"You have some shitty luck," Gregg sympathized.

"This calls for more alcohol," Maia stated firmly. It was the only thing she was really sure of at the moment.

"I believe it's my turn," Steve said as he got up to get another round.

"See problem is," Maia began again. "My friends are his friends."

"You talking about your ex?" Bat asked. Maia nodded. She had a vague feeling that she'd become hard to understand, but her drunk brain had decided this was okay.

"Can't complain to Simon about him because Simon on his side," Maia whined.

"Yeah, that was the problem I encountered when I broke up with Jean," Gregg replied sympathetically. "Aside from these two idiots, I had no one that didn't side with her. And making new friends is so much work."

"See no cause I do that," Maia explained, as best she could. The room was getting very wobbly. "Went and made all new friends, moved to new city and the bastard followed me! Managed make same friends without me knowing till too late!"

"I'm not sure that was an actual sentence," Bat chuckled. "But if I understood you correctly that's gotta suck."

"Suck lots," Maia agreed, Steven returned with more booze. "Lot's suck. Maia suck."

"We have reached self-deprecation drunk," Gregg commented. "This is usually when I call it a night."

"Maia," Bat's voice spoke gently, and Maia had to think to turn her head and face him. "Did you drive here?"

"Bus drove," Maia said absently as she stared at his face. He'd saved her from the bad man, given her place to sit with people. She liked Bat. He was nice, looked nice too. He wasn't hot hot like Jordan. Bat had neater hair and had less of a rocker boy look to him, but they both had a similar skin tone to her own. Both tall, both kind to her. Both pretty. Pretty boy...

Before she realized what she was doing, Maia had leaned forward to kiss Bat. She knew the alcohol was definitely killing her inhibitions, but at this moment, Maia didn't care. She wanted to be kissing Bat right now, and to her surprise, he seemed okay with the idea. She felt one of his arms hold her back, and she tangled her fingers in his hair in return.

"Ow," Bat said, laughter in his voice. Maia pulled away. He was massaging his scalp and she realized she must of pulled his hair.

"Oops," she mumbled.

"If you are still this enthusiastic when sober, we can re-evaluate in the morning," Bat chuckled at her. "But right now, it's home time." Maia whined a little, but she wasn't totally sure if she was actually making sentences, or just slurring her speech. The boys were having none of her whining, as one of them called her a cab. It took Maia a whole five seconds to realize that Bat was in the cab with her. When it stopped, they got out, and Bat made sure she got to the door then, he was gone. Maia walked into the building, her mind swimming… no spinning. When she reached her door she rang the bell without thinking. A stranger opened it, and she realized she was at the wrong apartment. Maia moved away, probably not walking straight. The next door she decided was hers turned out to actually be hers, and Maia went in, walking like a zombie to her bed before collapsing into it.

Guest Review:
Then get a husband, or at least a fiancee

My Reply:
Okay, this made me laugh. You took my joke just a little more seriously than I'd intended.

Sneak Peak Chapter 117

Her mother had taken to calling Izzy far more than usual to talk about her brother's wedding. Alec was getting more and more stressed out by the day. It seemed like every other comment he made lately had something to do with the wedding, or their mother.

"Do you think mom and dad would disown me if I eloped?"

"Why? Oh why, did I plan my wedding right after exams? Am I stupid?"

Izzy's reaction was usually to say yes to the first question so Alec didn't get any ideas and no to the last question so her brother wouldn't go assuming he was an idiot just because April the 19th was a mere two days after exams. Alec's usually follow up questions was in regards to failing all his exams. It was that this point that Izzy would remind her brother that Magnus was far more important than exams.