x's

the club where Marina h

boys openly stared at them without any shame. Watching the way they looked at us made me regret letti

have fun!" Marina told me, her voi

ourself..."

a drink you'll feel better," she

r touched alcohol, and I certainly had never danced. Did she really

nce floor, which was so crowded I could hardly make my way through. I felt inc

moving to the music as if it were second nature, while

na shouted, grabbing my hands

more and more uncomfortable, and it seemed l

will help you relax a bit. I promis

eally had a choice anyway, and m

he had always been as eccentric as she was no

er. In fact, art was what had brought us together-she'd found my sketchbook in th

ites attract, and Marina

na's

eeded to unwind. I ordered her a cocktail with just a splash of

e's very little al

ut alcohol, right?" she asked,

rthinking! Here's t

njoying the drink I picked out for her. At

oys had been watching her since we arrived. Sure, the dress played a part, but her green

thought about highlig

e fewer people," I asked, noticing she w

good

ely fewer people, though most were couples, which mi

e near the bar and su

u think for a f

ter off here than downstairs," s

ad finally managed

any plans f

want to go out again," she a

s a different kind of

t laugh; honestly, it was about time she started going out. Poor th

ek'

upstairs to settle

the room, while Sophie stood nearby, keeping

e kids. Look at them, they bar

attention, there were some true standouts in the crowd. My gaze met a particularly attractive

looking and glanced over

at least old enough to be here

le; I fully intended

ned her on the bench w

ou're of age?" I asked, pointing at Sophie,

ne," she replied, runnin

her shoulders, and she n

th a single glance, I could always tell what they wanted,

neck, and I felt her shiver with anticipation. In an instant, her

it had to be Sophie texting

p myself-I just liked

x's

corations were genuinely beautiful, featuring striking bursts of color. I never would

h displayed even more stunning colors, the aluminum columns catching

es settled on a couple kissing-not the couple themselves, but

er his skin, revealing intricate designs. The tattoos looked gen

t I didn't even notice when the girl left, and now th

roze. I wanted to lo

e could see straight through me, as if he

by his eyes, he brought his glass to his lips, never breaking eye conta

zed by his gaze, and my breathing qui

ld we go ge

, who now stood with the tw

na asked, noticing h

es. Let

e the tattooed man had been, I saw he