The First

My first week back in Huntington Beach is Hell. I do end up finding a place, which is great, but I haven't been able to nail down a job yet. I'm going to have to find one soon if I expect to be able to afford my apartment. Even with the money I have saved, it will only last me for a few months, I'm still going to need something to keep me going.

In one of my job interviews this week I literally felt like a piece of meat being eyed up by everyone. The office setting was full of men. The main boss was a tool, completely full of himself and he hit on me within the first ten minutes of me being in his office. I was appalled. It took me all of about 30 seconds to high tail it the fuck out of there.

I'm starting to get stressed out and I hate it. I know what happens when I get like this, and things start to spiral downhill. I don't want that again.

I'm currently straightening things in my apartment. It's not hard to believe I've gotten everything moved in, considering I literally only had a suit case full of clothes with me, upon moving back. I was able to pick up a couch, tv and a bed from a local store, so at least I have something to sleep on and entertain me, not that I find myself watching much TV these days. TV is depressing to me, all of these shows either remind me of my past or remind me of the future I'll probably never have. Don't even get me started on reality TV, that's shit's just crazy.

I find myself wanting to text Brian and see what he's up to, so I type out a quick "Hey. What are you up to?" and hit send, before I have a chance to overthink it.

A few seconds later my phone dings, alerting me to a new message.

Allison? The message reads.

Yeah. Against my better judgment I throw in a winking emoji.

I was wondering when I would hear from you again. He sends back the winking face.

Oh. He's been waiting for me to text him? Before I have a chance to type a response, he sends a follow-up message.

Well it's Friday, so I'm stuck at the recording studio. He follows this up with an eye rolling emoji. But it's all good, we are almost done here. What are you up to?

Found a place, so I'm just situating some things.

That's awesome. Glad you were able to find a place pretty quickly.

Me too.

Do you need help with anything?

No, I'm good. Thanks. I don't have much right now, so not much to do. It took me about 20 minutes to get moved in and completely unpacked. I'd say that's one for the record books.

I'd say so! Any plans for tonight? Or are you too busy "situating things" in your new place? Another winking emoji.

Is he asking me out? Already?

If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were asking me out. I send a surprised emoji.

His reply is a simple side-smirking emoji.

I'm not sure what to respond. I don't have to, though, because a second response has already come through.

Maybe I am. We were planning on going back to the club tonight, if you'd like to join us. By we I mean me and the rest of the guys, just so you know.

So it's not technically a date, right? Not if all of his friends will be there, too.

Yeah, I could use a drink. It has been quite a long week.

I could swing by and pick you up, if you want...

Yeah, that would be great. I send a smiling emoji and text him my address. See you in a bit!

I'm not sure what time he'll be done at the studio, or how much time I have to get ready, so I'm sort of in a rush to get ready. I take a quick shower, then run to my bedroom to skim through my closet for something to wear. I don't want to look as skanky as the girls I saw outside of the club last weekend, but I do want something that doesn't scream "I'm a studious college student". My sweater and jeans last week aren't really the kind of thing you'd normally wear for a night out by far.

I come across a little black dress and quickly pull it out of the closet and slip it on. I've always loved this dress, it shows off my cleavage and butt nicely, without revealing too much, it will be perfect for a fun night out. I quickly head to the bathroom and do my makeup. I lightly dry my hair, so that it falls into nice waves down my back.

I'm heading back into the living room, when there's a knock at the door. I take a quick peek through the peep hole to see Brian. My heart flutters for a moment. What the fuck? I'm asking myself, as I open the door to him. I barely know this guy.

I smile up at him. "Hey, Brian. Let me just grab my purse, and I'll be right back." I leave the door open, so that he can step in, and head down the hall to my bedroom.

When I return, I feel his eyes on me right away, looking me up and down.

"Wow." He says. "You look great."

"Thanks." I smile at him. "You don't look too bad yourself." I take him in. Holy fuck this man is attractive. I can't believe I get to hang out with him and his friends. I can't believe I got the chance to meet Avenged Sevenfold, let alone spend time with them, twice in one week at that!

"Not as good as you, though." His smile grows.

"Oh, stop." I say, turning my head away from him. I can feel the heat rising up to my cheeks.
"Let's get out of here." I say, grabbing my keys from behind the door and shooing him out.

"Alright, alright, I'm going." He says, laughing, as he steps out of the door. I follow him out, and lock the door behind us, throwing the keys into my clutch.

--

"You're not just using me to get into this place, are you?" Brian says in my ear, smirking, as the bouncer lets us into the club.

"Excuse me, but I'm pretty sure I'd be able to get in this week by myself." I smile smugly at him.

"I can't say you're wrong." He laughs, and I feel his eyes rake my body again. A shiver works its way through me, not in a creeped out way, but in a "I want this guy to do many bad, but oh so good things to me" kind of way. I smile at the thought.

"You are the one who invited me here, remember?" I point out to him, as we make our way over to the rest of the guys.

"Touche." He says in return, and snakes an arm around my waist. He quickly retracts it, though, and I'm wondering if he's not as attracted to me as I thought he was. I look over to him and he just smiles.

I can't help but frown, wondering if he really doesn't like me. Why in the Hell am I thinking like this anyway? I only just met this guy a week ago! Why would he like me, we've only hung out twice, that's including now.

"Hey, Allie." Zach greets me as we walk up. He gives me a smile, but sees that I'm frowning, and his smile disappears. He looks to Brian. "Brian, you just got here and you've already pissed the poor girl off."

Brain throws his hands up. "I don't know what you're talking about." It's true, he doesn't know.

"I'm going to go get a drink. Be right back." I say, and vanish into the crowd of people. I'm trying to navigate my way through the crowd, when I hear a familiar voice from my past. A voice I had hoped I wouldn't have to hear again. I had hoped he moved, I had hoped so much that I wouldn't have to run into him again.

Notes

Hope you all enjoy this update! I have a few more chapters in the works, they'll be posted soon!
Thanks for reading!

- J