lips of an angel
I’m going to be even more inactive than I have been, but I swear I’m not leaving!
Times like these, Nick wished he could read minds. Well, he was wondering what was going on in Evangeline’s head to be honest - her features were unchanging, but her eyes gave away that she was deep in thought about something. Unfortunately (or fortunately), Nick was not a mind reader, so he had absolutely no idea what she was thinking. He sort of liked it a little - the fact that she didn’t feel the need to speak everything on her mind gave her an air of mystery and made her different than a lot of girls he’d met. It kept him on his toes, a least.
“Why wouldn’t you? Well, a pretty girl like you, I’m lucky you even looked at me,” he laughed, shrugging his shoulders. “But hey, I am definitely not opposed to be talkin’ to you again, trust me,” he gave her one of his little half-smiles, winking at her. Nick wasn’t a really flirty guy, but he was only human, and it was perfectly normal. However, it seemed to be pretty one-sided. Nick was a live-in-the-moment sort of guy, though, and had been shot down loads of times before and had used his fair share of dumb pick-up lines. So, he didn’t mind if she didn’t reciprocate - he was just happy to be making a friend, or what he hoped would become one.
“Well, I guess you’ve got your whole life to figure that out, well, assuming this boat doesn’t hit an iceberg,” he joked, though he wasn’t sure whether that was really something he should be joking about. Ah, well. At her comment, he couldn’t help but smile widely, and he looked down for a moment to cover it up. “Really?” Duh, really. She didn’t really seem like the kind of girl who would just say something like that unless she meant it. “Well, thank you. I do try,” he continued, “I like you too, Evangeline, you’re…” he paused for a moment, trying to think of a word to accurately describe her that didn’t sound dumb. “Well, I’m still trying to figure you out,” he finished with a quiet chuckle.
As her cheeks flamed up, Evangeline’s gaze fell into her lap. Pretty was something she had been called many times, but mostly by horny teenagers or suggestive men. There was a certain simplicity to Nick’s voice that made the offhanded compliment feel much more real to her. “Oh, don’t say that,” She rolled her eyed, bumping her bare shoulder to Nick’s. “Firstly, you’re plenty cute, and I’m pretty sure you know it too.” Evangeline took a small sip of her beer. “And secondly, I’m sure many attractive girls talk to you, all the time.”
Evangeline’s jade eyes widened. “Don’t even say that,” She chuckled. “Considering the engine’s already failed once…” Her voice trailed off slightly, lost in thought for a moment. The French island episode had proven to be quite interesting. Hugo had taken her on a totally-platonic date, only to leave the next morning. Evangeline didn’t truly like him, but he had been an excellent companion, even if she refused to let him know it.
Nick’s earnest reply snapped Evangeline back to reality quickly. A warm smile bloomed on her face, proud yet happy. Leaning back in her chair, she took a long sip of her beer confidently. She felt like she was mysterious and alluring, like the stereotypical foxy woman from a 50’s mystery movie. Who ever said Evangeline Mortiere couldn’t hold her own? “Good, I like being unreadable,” She grinned.
Teens these days. They’ll do anything just to get buzzed, forget the real world and slip into something a little less rational. As a new drug enters the underground, it catches the attention of many, but only a select few are lucky enough to try what it provides. Though the pill itself is nameless, everyone who is anyone knows what it brings. The Dark Side, an alternate world where everyone is who they aren’t. The Dark Side brings out the most deep and shocking sides of every user. Slipping into the Dark Side is like trading your halo for your devil horns. Because when you’re on the drug, you become your alter ego, forgetting who you truly are. That very person you would never be, you become. It’s terrifying, yet exhilarating. And nobody can be held responsible for their actions.
The rabbit hole to the Dark Side will be opening in an hour.
ERRYBODY.
ONE HOUR.
Abigail. Is that even a legitimate question?
Tyler stepped forward quickly placing his hands on Evangeline in a supporting manner once she tripped slightly, not wanting her to face plant onto the hard wood floor. Once she composed herself he stepped away some but kept his distance close just incase she stumbled again, “You ok there?” He asked smirking some.
Tyler shrugged at her question, “Well I figured you could pick something since you’re the one that’s drunk, you know what you’ll be comfortable doing.” He smiled softly and glanced at the dancing people as well, the music thumping loud in his ears.
In any sober moment, Evangeline would have frozen at his touch, half from rage and half from heart-gripping fear. But the drunk Evangeline was grateful as she looked up into Tyler’s face, a laugh playing out on her lips. “I think I got it,” She groaned half-heartedly, balancing herself again before walking out of the bar with Tyler at her side.
“Hey!” She burst, turning swiftly to point her finger in Tyler’s face, a mirthful grin on her face. “I’m not drunk. I feel lovely.” To prove it, Evangeline grinned, scrunching her nose up and squinting her eyes. “But I’d much rather curl up on my bed and watch a movie,” She nodded as the two stepped into the elevator, the idea relieving her.
Nick hadn’t been lying, well, he had to a small degree - she did have a really pretty smile. She was pretty in general, really, he wasn’t blind. It wasn’t as if Nick didn’t have any experience with girls, he certainly did, but he hadn’t ever been the sort of guy that all the girls were interested in, he was more one-guy-one-girl than a womanizer, and a lot of his friends teased him about that, how he was ‘turning into a chick’. But he’d never been the sort of guy to be afraid to speak his mind, either.
“Well, I look forward to seeing more of them, then,” he added, meeting her eyes for a moment before breaking the eye contact to take a drink. “Wait, does that mean you’re going to talk to me again after this?” he realized, grinning, “Scoree.”
“Yes, I do. I’m a gentleman, I promise,” he insisted. Nick didn’t mind paying, really, she was tiny and wouldn’t drink much. For some of his friends back home, though? That was a tab he’d rather not have to think about. “Why would I laugh at that?” he asked, it was one of those names that sounded impressive, not ordinary, like ‘Nick James’. “I think it’s a beautiful name, it suits you,” he added, matter-of-factly, taking another sip so his courage wouldn’t fail him. He already knew he was acting like a dork, but he didn’t have to shy away, too.
Evangeline’s eyes flashed to her lap, many feelings coursing through her at once. Apprehension, confusion, reluctance, and well… a burning curiosity. Though Nick seemed like the generic all-American cutie, there was a certain pull that she felt towards him, and a feeling that there was more to his story. A lover of puzzles, she took a small sip from her drink as she pondered how she’d figure this one out.
Her seagreen eyes rolled as a half-smile flickered on her lips. Suddenly feeling a tad more confident, she rolled this half-questioning joke around in her head. Fighting a real smile, Evangeline opened her mouth, then closed it again, unsure of how to respond. “Why wouldn’t I?” She countered somewhat quietly.
“I’ve never met a real gentleman before,” She replied thoughtfully. At Nick’s friendly words and sincere smile, Evangeline bit the inside of her cheek. She was somewhere between wary and timid. Nobody had ever treated her with such blatant warmth and kindness. It felt unfamiliar, but so nice. “I’m not quite sure what fits me, at the moment.” Feeling somewhat bolder, she added, “I like you, Nick James. You’re sweet.”
He smiled softly at her and nodded, “Agreed. But you can’t back down on me.” he laughed slightly. He took another drink of his beer and then looked back at Evangeline, “Did you want to get out of here? You don’t look that great, and I don’t want you having to push through a crowd of people just to get to the bathroom…” He trailed off and stood up off of his stool.
This night had left Tyler with a lot to think about. A lot to think about himself and Evangeline. He felt like they were beginning to form a strong friendship, although it might be a slightly strange and love/hate type of relationship, it was a relationship nonetheless and he was actually somewhat glad that he and Evangeline could finally see eye to eye.
Sucking in a shaky breath, Evangeline nodded. Immediately she felt relieved, like she’d lost a hundred pounds. Everything was clearer, lighter. This night hadn’t gone even close to the direction she had expected, yet she wasn’t the least bit remorseful. Tyler was her friend now, a strange and brave new concept she couldn’t quite grasp. Yet judging by the smile that took over her face, it was clear the idea warmed the girl.
Evangeline stood too, immediately stumbling over the leg of the stool. Her head began to tilt, like it was half-full of water that kept rocking back and forth. A scowl overtook her face as she balanced herself on the edge of the bar. As soon as she felt normal, she looked back up at Tyler. “Where do you suggest? And please, nothing requiring too much movement.” The last sentence came out as a groan. Watching the slap-happy people dancing their hearts out on the dance floor was a little too nauseating for the tipsy girl.
