For the first time in my life I questioned my decision not to drink alcohol. The bizarre night made me crave the numbing effect that the bottle could possess. It was all in my head, I tried to convince myself. Francesco was not crashing my blind date by joining us, a double date, since he refused to acknowledge me, instead leaned forward in order to talk to Sophie. I couldn't believe that she was eating up his every word, giggling and tossing her auburn hair back and forth whenever she could.

"It's all in my head." I mumbled, rubbing the side of my scalp.

"Are you alright Maya, do you feel a headache coming on?" Devon said, the only one to acknowledge my pain. Sweet Devon.

"I think so yes."

"Oh no, really?" Sophie moaned. Although I'm sure that she was afraid that I was about to ruin her night with Francesco by asking for us to leave.

"I might have something in my purse..." Hastily she digs through her bag, eventually retrieving a small bottle of pills. My eyes cross as she holds it in front of me.

"No thanks." I sigh. "I'm sure some air will help. Devon, care to join me?"

"Err...yes." He stuttered.

"We'll be right back." Francesco is forced to stand up in order to let me out of the booth. His expression is hard to read, but I could tell that he wasn't happy. I gesture for Devon to give me his hand before we head for the exit.

"Don't they look cute together, a perfect match." Sophie said behind my back. I smile at the fact that Francesco doesn't respond.

"So that Francesco guy, do you know him well or..."

"Hardly." Smoke rises above my head when I speak, the night is cold.

"He seems a bit sketchy, don't you think?"

"What do you mean?"

"For starters, the way he looks at you." Devon hugs himself as the cold snakes its way through his thin shirt.

"He looks at me?" I frown.

"I mean it's subtle, that's why I thought you might know him better."

"He is harmless." I said, regretting the fact that I let Devon get the wrong picture of Francesco as someone to look out for.

"Oh, so you do know him?" His face mellowed.

I shrug my shoulders. "Only as Fran's little brother from Italy."

Silence lingred, we were left huttering in the cold. The cheers of a crowd erupted inside and music started to play.

"We should probably head inside." I shivered.

"Wait." Devon stops me in my tracks. I paused when he suddenly leaned forward, slowly closing his eyes before planting a soft kiss on my lips. A sudden rush of warmth went through my body. "What was that for?" I smile.

"In case I don't dare to do it in the next class we've got together." He said.

By the time we returned inside a crowd had already gathered in front of the centered stage, making it impossible for us to make it back to our booth. Luckily we ran into Sophie in the midst of people.

"There you are." She said, "I've been looking all over for you guys, the band is about to play their set."

"Where is Francesco?" I shout over the loud music.

"He went to check on the band backstage. He said he'd be back in a minute."

"Ain't he cute?" Sophie continued, although I really wished for her to stop. "I think I'm gonna go for him."

"What do you mean?" I ask, feeling like I had a knife to my throat.

"What do you mean?" She snorts. "I'm gonna ask him back to my apartment once we're done here."

"Wow Sophie." I sigh. "Moving a bit too fast aren't we?"

"You're the one to speak." She said looking further back over my shoulder to where Devon was standing. "I saw how you two little lovebirds were getting it on outside. Kiss many first dates do you?" She teased.

"You saw that." I gasped. "How?"

"What do you mean how?" She frowned. "Anyone can see through the glass windows from here."

Looking back, I notice how our booth had a perfect view of Devon and had been standing outside.

"Did Francesco say anything?" I said, turning back to Sophie.

"About what, the kiss?"

I nod.

"I'm sure he won't tell on you. Besides, Francesca was the one to set you up on this date, do you really think she'd mind you locking lips with the guy on your first night out?"

I sigh to the obliviousness of Sophie. A part of me wanted to look for Francesco and explain that the kiss meant nothing, but why would I do that? I don't owe him an explanation. I mean nothing to him and he doesn't mean anything to me.

"I think the band is about to go on." Devon approached us to say.

"Let's move closer to the stage." Sophie shouted. She was really enjoying her night out, I'm glad someone did, I wanted nothing but to leave.

Suddenly the crowd erupted seeing Francesca and the band take center stage. "Buonasera a tutti!" Francecsca spoke into the microphone. "We're Stick Rich and we will be your entertainment for the night."

Beside me Sophie cheers, Devon also claps and when the soft sound of a guitar plays. The crowd starts to sway along with the music. Francesca's voice is enchanting, however I couldn't bear to listen. I felt a lump clogging my throat. I leaned towards Devon and Sophie. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom, I'll be right back." They nodded understandingly.

I make my way towards the toilet booths, when the silence hits from shutting the doors behind me, I can finally exhale and let the warming tears flow.

"He doesn't want you Maya." I repeat, before leaving the booth. But as I go to unlock the doors my eyes fall to the pair of suede shoes standing in front of me. Tilting my head I try to translate Francesco's puzzled expression.

"Were you crying?" He spoke softly.

"No." I sniffle.

"Why were you crying?"

"Like I said..." I pushed past him and headed towards the sink. "...I wasn't." My body is brought backwards by Francesco pulling me back into the narrow toilet booth. My back hit the wall and his face was now inches away from me.

"Tell me." He whispers.

"Tell you what?" My hands were brought to the height of my ears as Francesco went to pin them up against the wall. "Tell me why you were crying." He demanded.

I inhale his sweet scent, remembering how it had lingered when he laid on top of me on the living room floor.

"Francesco?" I sighed, with the need for him to come closer. Our lips barely brushed when a sudden knock on the door interrupted.

"Oh for fuck sakes get a room!" A man's voice shouted. "I'm not gonna wait for the two of you to come off together before I can take a piss, fuck if I do."

Francesco places a soft kiss on my collarbone before letting me go. There was a smothered laughter as we left the bathroom. No words were spoken. I squeeze his hand before disappearing into the crowd of people. I found Sophie and Devon at the center of it all swaying and dancing to the music.

"There you are, what took you so long?" Sophie shouted over the music.

"There was a line." I lied. Francesco appeared. Devon met my eyes and I felt guilt in the pit of my stomach. Shophie, oblivious to it all, took Francescos hand and railed him in, forcing him to dance with her. I do the same with Devon, thankful to the fact that he pretends to enjoy dancing with me.

Once the band finished their set Francesco took us backstage to meet up with Fran and her band. Smokey air roamed the backstage lounge, the band had already gotten around to pass each other a bottle of whiskey when Francesca got up to greet us.

"You guys came, thank you so much." She said cheerfully. She was dressed in ripped jeans and a tank top that highlighted her uncovered nipples.

"There are beers in the mini fridge and the guys were just ordering us something to eat."

"Sounds great." Sophie said, quick to make her way around the room, shaking every band member's hand. Seamus and another guy were just about to set up their first game of pool so she only gestured to them with a slight wave of her hand. Francesco, now a part of the crew, took a seat in one of the couches, spreading his legs comfortably. Someone handed him a beer and he sat back tilting the bottle into his mouth.

"I'm afraid I can't stay, I've got work in the morning." Devon said. A collective sigh came from Sophie and Francesca.

"Devon, no. I was really looking forward to hearing about how your blind date is doing."

"Fran." I said, angrily biting down on my teeth. However Devon isn't as flustered as me. "Thank you for having me. Your music is amazing and I really hope to hear you play some other time." He said politely.

"Hang on." I stop him at the door. "I'll come with you." There are protesting noises behind me. Devon shifted his gaze between the crowd and me. "It's no worries, I'll find my way out."

His steps were quick out of the lounge, I am left standing underneath the frame of the door.

"Some blind date." Francesco said, taking a long sip of his beer.

"Yeah, what was up his butt." Sophie added.

Francesca came up to console me. "Did something happen, did the date not go so well?"

I had no answer, but I knew that I was at fault.

"Where are you going?" Sophie said as I collected my purse. "I just have to see how he's doing?" I turn to Francesca although my eyes are on Francesco who stares me down with a displeased frown on his face. "I'll give you a call." I told his sister.

I had to run down the street with my coat flying behind me in order ro catch up with Devon. He had his hand deep in his pocket, with his shoulders up to his ears, once I got within shouting distance.

"Maya?" He said, waiting for me as I came running.

"You left so fast I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye." I panted.

"I'm sorry I just sort of felt out of place." He mumbled.

"I'm sorry, it's not really my scene either."

"It's not?" He said surprised. "What kind of scene are you into then?"

"I dunno." I shrug. "Something more subtle and less noisy. A place where we can at least hear each other talk." I smile.

"Like the movies?"

"A place where we're at least allowed to talk." I joke.

"Like the central aquarium?"

I put a finger to my chin, pretending to think. "Mhm...much better."

Devon laughs. "I'll keep that in mind for our next date."

"Our next date?" I smile.

"Unless you don't...."

"I'd love to." I say. Devon looks shyly to the ground. A long pause follows before anyone speaks again.

"Can I walk you home?" he said.

"I'd love that" I hook my arm with his and we go.

The cold night brushed sharply against my face, once we reached the apartment I hoped for a rushed goodbye from Devon. He stood facing me for a long time, not really saying anything. Eventually I am the one who leans forward and kisses him goodnight, before running up to the apartment.

I contemplated taking shower, however once I reached my bedroom I just decided to jump into some cozy pajama pants and a sweatshirt. I'm under the cover within minutes. It is only ten-thirty so I pop open my computer screen and fall asleep to an episode of The Simpsons. Around midnight I was woken up by the door slamming shut in the hallway. The light from the computer screen is in my eyes, when I go to shut it a dark silhouette is seen standing in the frame of my door.

"Fran?" I said, rubbing my tired eyes.

"You're here?" A male voice said.

"Francesco?"