Style // 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙇𝙚𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙘

24.

Just like that, the night was alive, right as it was coming to an end. Me and Elliot are two of the last stragglers out on this frozen Sunday evening, with no care for our alarms ready to go in the morning. The further we wander from the bars and the closer we get to my flat, we encounter less and less people. Our boisterous chatting and outbursts of laughter echoes and ricochets off the stone walls of towering buildings around us. We've disturbed so many neighbours, and ran as soon as we see a light come on, or hear someone lean out their window to yell at us.

Elliot made the right decision to get out of Le 300. We found a bar tucked away from the main strip, that was open all night long and played similar music to Jimmy'z. There was a tiny little dance floor, and loads of room to sit down. It was a memorable night, one that you'd experience in your dreams with the love of your life. One that an author would scribble into a book and create a scene out of. We've bumped into each other, tripped over on uneven tiles and held onto one another for dear life as the laughter makes our knees wobble. It felt like being 18 again, walking around with your first boyfriend with no cares or worries for the world.

"Oh my God, I've got a stitch!" I gasp, holding onto my stomach as we get to our apartment block, leaning against the front door. "I haven't laughed like that for a while!"

"It wasn't even funny!" Elliot agrees, shaking his head. "We were laughing at nothing!"

"I know!"

I catch my breath, convincing the hyena inside me to stop cackling away. I hold my hand over my mouth as I giggle, capturing the last sounds. All whilst I fail to pull myself together, Elliot looks down at me. The way he gazes at me has become addictive, such a simple gesture executed so beautifully. His posture leans towards me, his hands tucked in his pockets to keep them warm. The little puffs of vapour as a stray chuckle leaves his mouth, like evidence.

"Ok, I'm good." I admit, not too honestly. "Thank you for tonight, I loved it."

"No, thank you." Elliot sends the compliment back my way. "I thought you'd turn it down, I wasn't expecting it."

"I was having a bad weekend, I'm glad you asked." All this sweet talk makes my face blush beetroot red. "You've made it so much better."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did." Elliot's broad smile returns to his face. "We should do it again, on a night we don't have work."

"Definitely, I'd love to."

Our mini world of chaos comes to a stand still, reality catching up with us. The cold becomes chillier, the night becomes darker, the road becomes emptier. It's just mine and Elliot's existence, totally wrapped up in one another. My bed calls for me, but I'm struggling to untie the knot between us and say goodbye. Thankfully, Elliot clears his throat, looking to the front door.

"I'll see you around, probably with Mark and Stella." Elliot's voice is quieter as he looks at me, inching closer.

"Yeah, I'll see you around." I nod, looking him up and down.

Elliot pauses, that split second of hesitation makes my heart stop. Then, he goes with his gut, cupping my cheek as we kiss. His hand burns against my cold skin from where he's been warming himself up; the simple touch feels like a crackling fire, my whole body melting under his. His lips are soft, and he doesn't push the kiss further like most other guys do. He holds it for a few more seconds without making it uncomfortable, then pulls away.

"Goodnight." Elliot says, his hand slipping back into his pocket as he walks away.

"Goodnight." I call after him, buzzing the doorbell for Stella to let me in.

Then, just as I step foot into the lobby, I jump out of my skin as I hear a squeal coming from above. Stella comes flying down the spiral stairs in her pyjamas, with no care for the people sleeping around us. She bounds off the third step, leaping into my arms and spinning us around.

"What's happened?" I ask, hugging her back a bit skeptically.

I swear, if she's pregnant.

"I saw you and Elliot kiss on the doorbell!" Stella squeezes me, swaying us side to side. "It was so cute!"

"How did you know we were there?" I question, pulling out of the hug to frown at her. "I rang it when he left?"

"I heard you coming from a whole block away, you guys are so loud!" Stella tells me, giving a warning look. "You're in trouble if a patient recognises you tomorrow."

"Oh, I'll apologise to them, they'll get over it!" I wave her away with a hand, making my way to the stairs. "Come on, I need to get in bed."

"Nuh uh, you are telling me everything first!"

I groan in exhaustion, all of my energy has been sucked out of me. I'm desperate to dive into bed, to wipe my make up off and get toasty under the covers. Also, the more time I spend yapping away about my date, the less time I sleep!

"Stella, I'll tell you about it when we walk to work tomorrow, deal?" I offer, pushing into our flat. "It's late, I don't know why you're awake."

"My best friend is out on a first date, with a guy that isn't her ex!" Stella exclaims, looking at me like I'm the mad one. "You might've needed me to come and get you?"

"Stella, you can't even drive, how would you of got me?" I regret asking the question, putting a hand out to pause her. "Forget I asked, you can tell me that in the morning as well."

"Fine, grumpy gills." Stella sneers, scrunching her nose up at me. "Keep your secrets, goodnight!"

"Goodnight!" I chirp, knowing she's joking as I disappear to my room.

I shut my door behind me, then lean my head back on it with a sigh. I am knackered with a capital K. I start to pull my coat off, then roll my eyes as my phone starts ringing. Who on Earth is calling me at this time? I shove my hands into the pockets until I find my phone, then toss my coat angrily onto the floor as I answer.

"Hello?" My tone sounds short and impatient.

"I'm surprised you're awake."

Charles. Again. He's walking on thin ice, I'm telling you. Dancing on it. I take a deep breath to calm myself down, but mentally scream and throw a tantrum inside my head.

"Yeah, I just got back home." I say, laying down on my bed.

"You were out for a long time." Charles says.

"I know." I keep my answer short. "Isn't it late where you are, why are you calling me?"

"It's seven in the morning, I'm about to catch my flight home." Charles chuckles. "I wanted to ask how your night was."

That's it? "Fine, we went to Le 300 for cocktails, then Elliot took me to little bar-"

"Elliot?"

Shit! "Uh, yeah."

"Just the two of you?" Charles questions.

"Yeah, he asked me on a date." I mumble, kicking myself in the shins for slipping up.

"Oh." His voice is flat, like he doesn't know how to react. "Ok."

"Yeah." I chew my lip, the awkwardness and embarrassment eating my whole. "I need to get some sleep before work tomorrow, good luck with your flight."

"Ok." He repeats himself, exhaling heavily. "See you tomorrow."

I forgot about that as well. "See you tomorrow, goodnight."