| Eleanor |

I was kinda glad I didn't attend the concert.

Apparently a mademoiselle Willow had found the man of her dreams. Her skin was flushed from excitement and her eyes starstruck. .she had been hit by the cupid's bow!

She wouldn't shut up!

"—and he gave me his number." She gushed , the assignment sheet blank as she continued to spill.

"Did you smooch?" I smirked , copying down the assignment from my laptop.

We were sprawled on the carpet of my apartment. Pens and pencils spread out around us as we copied down.

"It will happen when it will happen." She winked and I did a double take at her.

Wow! The nerd was shining through!

"What is this gentleman called?"

She sighed in that cringy way girls do in love.

"Mark Andrew. He's a senior. Tall, dark and—you should see his body, El!"

My hands stilled on the sheet as I glanced at her.

Mark. .

"I think I know your man." I said slowly as I sat up, my hand black and blue from all the writing.

She squealed in surprise.

"No way! Where? How? When?!"

She looked near to burst into confetti.

"I met him on the first day and we had a rough start." I said truthfully. And then I told her everything.

The smile on her face did dim down a little which made me regret telling her everything but she was my only friend and I was suppose to look out for her.

She knew Megan's story so it didn't take her long to put in all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle.

"Mark. . .Megan's boyfriend. . ." She trailed off.

"Ex boyfriend." I corrected her.

"Technically he didn't cheat on her. She did it so. .he's not the bad guy of the story right?" She said weakly.

I nodded.

"No. He may be the good guy. It wasn't him hooking up with hottie." I said and instantly I was reminded of striking blue eyes.

Aw man!

"Tell you what? Tonight we're suppose to meet at the club and you're gonna be my side kick. That way you can meet him too and . .push me back if he has any of those red flags." She offered.

I frowned.

Her offer was tempting.

Going out and free food. Judging people from a corner. .now that was my favorite thing!

"Okay! Deal!"

××××××××××××

"This is what you gonna wear? Come on ,El." She rolled her eyes as she tugged down her knee length skirt.

"I'm not going to impress any guy. You're." I widened my eyes as she sprayed her hair vigorously.

"Chances are you might find your prince out there." She said in a smug voice while applying a coat of lipstick.

I rolled my eyes.

I was dressed like a. .normal person.

"That's the thing. I don't want you to dress normally. Be abnormal tonight." She added.

Must have said it out loud.

But there was no way in hell I was changing out of my t shirt and skinny pants. The only change I had on was . . I left my fiery curls loose. I used to be an exotic specie at my school because of red head and brown eyes. Usually redheads had blue eyes but I. . .I was unique.

"We getting late , bro." I reminded her as she checked herself in the mirror for the millionth time.

She was jittery and nervous and. . beautiful. I walked up to her and stood behind her a she fussed over. Tucking my chin on her shoulder, I smiled. .

"You look beautiful , darling. You will shatter his heart."

"Lets hope he thinks that too." She grinned.

He better!

×××××××××××××

"You should have put out your legs. If I had legs like that. ." She shook her head.

The cab zoomed away.

"I don't want to. Men are sleazy and also the prince charming, " I batted my eyes in a fake way ," won't care if my legs are on display or not."

"You're a nut." She deadpanned.

"Proud to be." I grinned widely.

And just like that I was going to meet her future boyfriend. I sighed softly as I looked out of the window, seeing the streets pass by in a blur.

I had no idea how Mark would react seeing me. We had a rough patch on the first day—

Ugh! Who cared about him? How he will take me? All I cared about was. .

I glanced at the beaming face of Willow.

×××××××××××××××

To say club 460 was packed would be an understatement.

The second we stepped out of the cab, I tried not to let my jaw hit the floor. Club 460 was going on and off on the signboard. The neon pink lights surrounding it. The club itself had a string of people going inside. The door of it metallic since it was gleaming under the lights.

The music loud enough to mess with my heart.

It wasn't my first time to step in a club. .it's just that. .such places intimidate me. Made me uncomfortable. Out of my comfort zone.

I like to stay in my bubble. Be a hermit.

"Wow!" Willow breathed out.

Yeah, wow. Not.

I did recognize girls of my campus hustling away in slinky dresses. .their giggles getting on my nerves.

"Shall we?" Willow offered me her elbow.

I nodded.

Well I had to.

As I slipped my hand around her elbow, I thought I saw a flash of blonde hair slipping inside and—was that Megan?!

What was she doing here?

It was a club! Why can't she be here?!

I had no idea why, but seeing her going in had my insides twisted in knotts.

××××××××××

The second we walked in, my social anxiety settled down because really the in was quite spacious and people were having drinks and chatting away. Willow and I , our awkward pair, didn't draw any eyes.

Which I was thankful for.

I could locate the lit bar at the corner and it was deserted except for—

I leaned towards willow." Isn't that—"

"Mark!" She yelled so suddenly , probably out of nervousness.

People glanced at her and she turned beet red.

The guy occupying the bar stool swiveled around at being called so loud. His eyebrows knotted as he scanned the crowd and the second his eyes fell on Willow . .he smiled.

Getting off the stool.

Coming towards us.

"Go , sis. Conquer him." I whispered.

She didn't hear me.

Because her eyes were glued to his broad chest and all muscled body.

The second his eyes shifted from her to me, he frowned . .a little.

Feeling defensive, I crossed my arms trying to look intimidating.

As he reached us, a blast of manly perfume hit my face and I sneezed.

"Achoo! . .sorry. Strong perfumers gets me." I said to him.

He gave me a weird look.

"This is my friend, Eleanor." Willow said now introducing me.

He nodded stiffly. "I know her."

Bless her to act surprise like she was hearing this for the very first time.

"Oh? Do you?" She faked wide eyes.

"I'm afraid so." He cracked a smile at her. "We have met before and the circumstances had been quite—"

"Ghastly." My voice was dry.

"Yeah." He rubbed the back of his head in an awkward manner. "So shall we?" He asked willow.

I held up my hand.

"Hold on a sec fella! First you need to let her know if you're still involved with Megan or not?" I said it in his face. .he kept staring at me for few seconds.

"Excuse me?"

What's with men and excuses?

"Don't act up. The whole campus knows."

Mark glanced at willow and then at me.

"No. I'm single, red head."

I gave him a thumbs up.

"You can have her then." I grinned at his sour face.

He breathed out and muttered something like  "Unbelievable"  and then outstretched his palm towards my friend. .shyly she placed her hand in his and they walked away from me.

Willow did look over her shoulder at me.

"I'll be fine." I mouthed at her.

She nodded, going away with Marky Mark.

Now that they left , I realized one thing straight away.

I was alone.

Men were staring.

And Megan was slipping something in a drink.

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