Translation of Love

BONUS: Koko & Max

[Koko's POV]

Chapter Nine + Extra

Summer and I parted somehow, but I catch her resting on a bar stool with a cute intoxicated smile on her face. Content and undeniably wasted for the first time in a long time, I shout out in pure ecstasy and dance my heart out as the DJ plays an actually good song.

Man, usually I have to pretend to enjoy myself as DJs play lame 2010 hits, but this guy actually knows what he's doing.

I make my way to the front of the room to cheer on the DJ as he talks to the crowd. It's hard to see him behind the equipment and dark lights, but it's not hard to miss his eyes when they lock onto mine. I give him a suggestive smirk as I continue to dance freely. Some guy comes behind me to hold my hips, but one stomp on his foot with my heel and he's long gone.

The DJ begins to laugh as he sees this happen and I can't help but smile back at him.

"Now, unfortunately guys, I'm off in five minutes," the room breaks out into boos. "Hey hey now, don't be too upset. Here's one final song for you."

A sonorous bass beat begins to shake the dance floor as he takes off his headphones and talks to some other staff. Upset that the good music will soon end but pleased with the final song choice, I move my way across the room, dancing with random strangers as I move along.

When the song's over, just like I expected, a song from six years ago starts to play. My dancing immediately seizes.

"Really? Starships? That's all you got?!" I shout out to the new DJ.

Just then someone catches my eye in the crowd. He's the only one not dancing, and he seems to be walking towards me with a drink in hand.

I blink in surprise when I recognize the eyes of the DJ.

"Sucks that your shift's finished," I say to him in English. "Looks like my nights over."

"Aw that's too bad, I was hoping to spend the rest of my night getting to know you."

I stare at him with a goofy grin, pleasantly surprised by his fluent English.

"That's all you got?"

He smiles at me and shakes his head. "But I'm serious. What's your name?"

"Vanessa," I say without falter.

"Nice to meet you Vanessa, I'm Max."

Then, somehow, we end up talking for another half hour. And then eventually, I end up with my lips on his.

I don't usually do this, as much as I pretend that I do. While I love guys and guys often love me, I was not into entertaining them past a flirty and suggestive conversation.

However, we get carried away before I know it.

"Shit," I breathe out after his lips leave mine.

"What's wrong?" He asks, just as winded as me.

"I don't usually kiss random guys and actually enjoy it."