Meeting Someone New (Open)

[ilyas aylin]

“If you say so.” If she wanted to keep fooling herself, he wouldn’t intervene. It would be her own choice, and only she had the ability to change that. And he didn’t expect her to just do that on the spot, in front of a strange guy with attitude issues, on his way to drowning it all with liquor. It didn’t matter to him; it was her business. He just found it difficult to wrap his mind around why she was so eager to be different. “I wouldn’t know why you’d want to make a difference. No one would care.” But again, if she wished to waste her life in such a way, pleasing others, he had nothing to say about that. She was a big girl, capable of making her own decisions.

He played with his glass, sliding it over the bar a little, from one hand to the other. He was slowly starting to lose track of his thoughts, his mind hazy. And that was exactly what he came to do here. If he kept drinking the way he had done this last hour, he’d soon not be able to make sense any longer, but he doubted anyone would care about that. He surely didn’t, and the barwoman; he was probably just bothering her anyway. And he didn’t really care how he’d get back home either. He’d been drunk before and somehow always managed to live through the night, whether it was in his own bed or on a bench in the park.

He listened to everything the girl had to say silently; she did talk quite a lot, and fast too, and because of the increasing dimness of his mind, he had trouble keeping up with the swift way the words left her lips. But he did pick up on, what he thought was, an insult. “I’m not feeling sorry for myself,” he said defiantly, his voice now a lot lower. Little did he know he’d missed the part she’d spoke after that and that what she’d said wasn’t appointed to him at all. “My reasons to be here are my own, and they are none of your business.” He snapped at her before downing the remains of his glass down his throat, but when he caught sight of her face again, and her expression, he began to realize he might’ve just made a fool out of himself. “You started it,” he stated in his defence, his voice softened again, but it made very little sense.

[eden]

Eden would normally had said she didn't say he felt sorry for himself, but the way he looked and acted. She figured he was rather drunk which wasn't good, she wanted to offer to help him home since her shift was ending but didn't know how he would take that. So figured she would at least get him a cab, but would think about what she wanted to do. She was use to people being nasty to her, her whole life so he didn't hurt her. Sighing a bit she figured why not, she would take care of him even if he didn't want.

"My shift ends in about thirty minutes if you want me to give you a ride home" She forgot today she actually drove to work, she normally walked. This wasn't her being nosy this was her trying to help, thinking about a hundred different things. She had no idea what the hell he would think of her offer. But knowing him he would probably say things that pretty much meant her nose in his business. But at this point she wouldn't say no to him. Rather he liked it or not she cared, and if that made her stupid so be it.

Perhaps she was just looking for an excuse to relax a bit after work. Since she never did anything after work, just worked went home read or used her laptop. "And if you insist on me not giving you a ride I can call you a taxi and no this isn't me putting my nose in your business." She finally said after a rather long pause. Everything right now was at a stand still with him. She would never call him Prick but perhaps stranger was better. Or give him a name, though she wondered if she would ever know his name.

[ilyas aylin]

Ilyas lifted his eyes when the girl mentioned her shift was almost over. This one really was too nice for her own good. He was less drunk than she’d thought, but her offer to give him a ride home really had him completely puzzled and his previous surmise simply had to be true; this girl was incredibly naïve. Not to mention that she'd drank too, it wouldn't even be responsible. With his eyes now averted to the bar again, he tried to think of a reply to her invite, but all that popped up in his mind were nasty, mean comments. She’d been nice to him, so the thought of snapping at her wasn’t something he’d preferred, but it seemed he just had to be the bad guy tonight, even if it was only to teach her a lesson.

“Are you crazy?” he asked, completely and entirely serious. There wasn’t a smile on his lips, not even a hint of one in his eyes, while he gazed straight into the pair of grey eyes that she had. “You cannot be serious.” It was as if he tried to read her face, to see whether she meant what she’d just said, and when she didn’t budge, he couldn’t stop the words from rolling over his lips. “You’re offering a drunk stranger, a man, a ride home. You don’t even know my name.” This time, he didn’t rant for his sake, but more so for hers. He wanted her to understand how dangerous something that seemed so innocent as this could be. And how naïve people often fell victim to human predators.

“I could be a rapist, or worse.” Slowly, the man’s voice died down. He brought a hand up to his forehead and rubbed it tiredly, while he mumbled something close to ‘My God’; headache, and this wasn’t even ‘the morning after’ yet. It must be a wonder that this girl had lived this long, because he refused to believe he was the only one she’d ever offered a ride to. And to think she thought he needed her help. Of course he’d need to struggle to walk straight, but he’d get somewhere, eventually. His eyes slowly met with hers again. “You’re not really serious, are you?”

[eden]

She crossed her arms seeing how he reacted to it, she sighed a bit and figured he would be on his own. And she didn't like that, people didn't understand her because no one understood her. But perhaps one day people would see she isn't all sweets and smiles. She had a darker side to her as well. She enjoyed the challenge however. Seeing him rub his temples she had a simple look on her face, no frown or smile. But then he said he could be a rapist and some other things. Thinking for a second he had a point but wouldn't budge.

"Well guess what you don't know me either, I can take care of myself. You think I am some naive girl who is all sweets and smiles, but if you took a while to get to know me. You would understand how I take care of myself, I can defend myself just fine. You shouldn't judge people before you get to know them, and if you were to hurt me. You would be flat on your back before you could even strike me. I learned to defend myself years ago. When bullies actually beat me up

So I am more then able to take a fully grown man down, and the fact your drunk makes your actions slower. Sure I had two drinks, but I use to drink my father under the table. I hold my liquor just fine but you don't. But do what you want, I can't force you" She said finally looking rather angry but dealt with it. She knew she had to get ready to leave, so she went in the back to get her long black coat. As another bartender came in to relieve her. Looking at him she just smiled and headed out.

[ilyas aylin]

Well, at least he’d managed to make her rant. Perhaps she wasn’t as innocent as she seemed to be, or she realized her proposition had been stupid and yet, she felt the need to defend herself. Either way, he was fine with it. He’d learned once again to not give people advice; even though he’d done it in a strange, harsh way, it was meant to be helpful, or maybe an eye-opener to a naïve girl. Sure, she said she wasn’t naïve, but she knew as little about him as he did about her; actually, even less than he knew about her. She didn’t know the tricks he had up his sleeve. She couldn’t know how big a threat this man could actually be. But if she was confident enough to continue her ways the way she did, fine. “Suit yourself,” he murmured to himself while he decided not to be nice to anyone again until Christmas. Maybe, if he was in a good mood.

Telling him he couldn’t hold his liquor was quite an insult. He’d like to see her walking straight after half a bottle of scotch, downed within a little over an hour. This was the last time he’d sit at the bar; the boots over in the shadowy corners were far more appealing from now on. Before the new bartender could even as much as open her mouth, the blonde man had gotten to his feet and was ready to head for the door. The bottle he took with him, though, because, hell, he wouldn’t leave it behind while it wasn’t yet empty. And a park bench at this time of night was far more enjoyable with something to keep him warm.

His feet were reluctant to carry him, but his willpower was strong enough to make him reach the door, without tumbling over or having to reach out for support. He pulled on the door, but it didn’t even move a bit. A frustrated groan left his lips. “Son of a--“ Until his eye fell on the ‘push’ sign. His blue eyes rolled when he realized his own foolishness; that little girl really had him feeling out of it tonight.

But not much later, he managed to get outside. The walk home would be quite long, but he’d already decided to make a stop halfway, in the park. He just hadn’t yet decided whether he’d continue his way tonight, or the next morning.

[eden]

Eden was angry and the cool air helped her relax, looking up at the sky as she sighed a bit. Seeing the stars over head helped her think clearly. She knew she was fine to drive, because she never drank if she was a danger to people. She walked over to her car and unlocked it, but then she noticed the guy walking. Looking down she closed her eyes and sighed some. Never underestimate people that is how people got hurt, and right now she just didn't know what to think any more. But she looked up.

"Hey"

She called over to him, she didn't know what the hell she was doing honestly. But she didn't feel right leaving him, it was cold out and having a feeling that he would end up passing out if he lived far away. So she decided to try and urge him. So she got into her car and drove so he would be next to her car. She could read people well and knew he needed someone, rather he wanted to admit it or not. Everyone needed help every once in a while. So getting out of her car she stood in front of him.

"Okay you can call me stupid, naive all you want. Your right I don't know you, but I also know when someone needs help even if the person didn't want to admit to it. You need help and I am not letting you walk, you could pass out some place and get hurt, especially with a bottle in your hand. And you could go to jail if a cop pulls up, now I want to avoid that. Please let me help you" She said finally she hadn't said please to a stranger before. Sighing a bit she looked back up at him.

[ilyas aylin]

Vaguely, Ilyas head someone calling out from behind him, but it wouldn’t be the first time someone tried to make fun of him while he wasn’t sober; that was apparently fun. He paid no mind to the call, nor the person, and continued to walk on in a slow pace. He couldn’t go any quicker and he knew it, because he’d certainly need something to lean on if he did. There weren’t any more call coming from behind, so he figured his reaction hadn’t been fun enough to continue annoying him, but not much later, another sound caught his attention; the sound of a car that came to a halt and the closing of a portal.

Like a ghost, she appeared in front of him. It was that same girl, the bartender and Ilyas wasn’t quite sure how he felt seeing her again. Hadn’t he pissed her off enough?

“Lady, you’re giving me more of a headache than the booze does.” But as he also grew more tired, squabbling and resisting her offer started to cost him more and more energy. Snapping at her didn’t work, calling her crazy didn’t work; sure, he could think of worse things, but he wouldn’t degrade himself to such levels. It was the way she was convinced he need her help that had him frustrated; he wasn’t a charity case. There was another reason why he had trouble accepting help, though: he didn’t want to owe anything, to anyone. People had the habit of claiming favors when you owed them something, they knew well how to exploit such a thing.

In the darkness of night, and with his limited night vision, the young woman strangely reminded him of someone. He swiftly looked the other way, because he didn’t wish to have the image of ‘her’ in his head. Not tonight, not while he was in this state. “I’m just heading to the park. I’m not hurting anyone.” His voice now reflected more clearly how tired he was of this game, as it was less hard and distant. And he wasn’t hurting anyone, no one but himself.

[eden]

He was stubborn like a horse which interested her it was a rather interesting night and heard what he said about just going to the park, looking up she saw where that was. It wasn't to far but she didn't like the fact he was going to sleep there. Sighing she decided then she would meet him half way so to speak. Thinking for a moment as she just began to wonder about today and relaxed. When it came down to it she truly was happy to be around him. Just something about him drew her to him, he needed a friend and she knew it.

"Well since you refuse to come with me then I will at least walk you to the park to make sure you didn't drop the bottle, fall on it and bleed to death." She said simply and began to walk beside him, it was really cold out and right now she didn't know exactly how this would go. But nothing could make her stop doing what she was doing. He wouldn't push her away she wouldn't allow it, and if she wanted to she would sit with him the whole night. She smiled at him.

[ilyas aylin]

“There are worse ways to die,” he said with some sarcasm in his voice to her comment about him bleeding to death. He still, for the love of Jesus Shepherd, couldn’t understand why she’d care. Even if that would happen, even if he’d died tonight (and he strongly doubted that), it wasn’t like she knew him.. Or did she? No, he was sure he hadn’t met her before in his life. Not while being sober, at least.

Even now she wouldn’t leave, so the man felt he had but one choice left. “Promise me you will leave me in the park,” he demanded while he allowed the young lady to walk by his side, but still with enough distance between the two of them. He’d much rather have her walk a mile behind, but he knew she’d refuse to do that; he wouldn’t even propose it.

The park wasn’t far away. Within a few minutes, they strolled onto a pebbled path, surrounded by fields of grass. Ilyas said nothing, but that shouldn’t have come as a surprise. His eyes searched for a place to sit and found a bench near a pond in the distance. It was lit by a single lantern. The cold of the night didn’t bother him, but he wondered how long his company would go without shivering. His legs were heavy and happy to reach the bench, onto which he lumped down. There wasn’t a single soul in the park, but that wasn’t so surprising, seeing as how it was far past midnight. “See?” he spoke softly. “I didn’t fall.”

[eden]

She listened to what he said and just nodded to him, she walked beside him but leaving enough room to show they were not even friends, sticking her hands in her pockets the cold didn't ever make her shiver and really what she had on made her feel rather warm. Looking over at him the whole time just about. She wanted to smile at him but didn't since it got her no where with him, but something was up with him just didn't know what. It was cold but wouldn't show that it bothered her, she didn't want to appear that weak ever. Right now everything was calm.

"Why don't you want my help? I mean I understand why you don't want to tell me your name, makes sense not to. But the only thing I want to do is help you, yet your a dick about it. I think you want and need a friend but you wont open yourself up, which makes me wonder if you were hurt by someone, a woman perhaps. I want to help you not because I am up to something, but because I actually want to help. Looking into your eyes you seem like a nice guy.

And even though you are nasty drunk and not so friendly to strangers I think part of you is lonely, otherwise why go to a bar. And not just for the drinks, just wish I knew. But as you wish stranger I will leave you here at the park, even though its against my better judgement to." She walked off but stopped and looked back at him. "You know don't judge me because you don't know me, as I do not know you. which is why I want to help I don't judge. I just hope you will be okay and I see you again, because like it or not you have someone who wants to be your friend" She said and slowly walked off.

She so badly wanted him to call her name to stop her, to sit with him. But figured it would be a cold day in hell before he did such a thing with her.

[ilyas aylin]

Again, she ranted on and on, swiftly and without a pause, for what seemed minutes. Ilyas rubbed his temples. By the sounds of it, this girl had a hobby playing private investigator. She had so many questions that he’d refuse to answer. Why couldn’t she understand that it wasn’t all that common to spill out one’s history on the fist meeting? Or ever, for that matter. The past was the past, and it was meant to stay behind; not that he managed to do that himself, but sharing it with anyone surely wouldn’t make him feel better.

But certain comments she made did sting.

“You’re a bad judge of character, then.” He responded to her calling him a nice guy. He wasn’t a nice guy; or at least, he was convinced he wasn’t. Yes, he’d judged her, because she looked like a helpless, naïve little girl. She hadn’t yet proved him the opposite. But her claiming to not judge him didn’t go unanswered.

As she’d already started to walk off, her back towards him, he spoke softly, yet loud enough for her to hear, his voice his common, monotone key. “You say you don’t judge, but that’s a lie.” His voice echoed through the empty park. Not that it mattered, for there was only one person who could hear what he was about to say. Her intentions were most likely good, so she probably didn’t realize she was doing it, but he felt judged by her just as badly as she had felt because of him earlier. “You’re judging me for not accepting your help. You’re judging me because I keep you at bay and for not being as open as you are. And you judge me because I want to get wasted and forget about the world.”

“Don’t preach to me about being judgemental, because really, you’re no better yourself.”

There was an edge to his voice now. “Don’t claim you know what I want, or need. I don’t need a friend. Friends are a pain in the ass.” He’d already uncorked the bottle again. “Friends can’t be trusted. Everybody stabs you in the back, sooner or later.” Without actually realizing it, he gave away a little of the things on his mind, even if it was only shortly. “You could’ve talked to me about everything; the weather, sports, nature, freaking fairytales, but no. You decide you’re mother Theresa for a day and I’m your newest charity case, because you think I need it.”

“Face it, you’re judging me just as hard as I judged you.”

His voice softened again and died out slowly. Even if she’d still be listening to him, she would’ve walked away now. A person could only take so many insults, only so many annoying, drunk comments. He stared blankly at the grass by his feet, silently. The booze blurred out his emotions, but whatever he was feeling, he looked like a waif, miserable and alone. He’d managed. He’d managed to scare off another person.

[eden]

Eden was beyond frustrated with him, so much so she just could hardly think. So right now she just let it slide off her shoulders, her temper was nasty when it was let out. But him being so drunk she wouldn't let it bring the temper out of her. No matter how bad it was, but then she stopped and looked down thinking. Closing her eyes as she saw what she did, seeing her parents for the last time. And knew someone who would do that, looking up she just couldn't help herself. She turned around and looked at him.

"I lie?.."

Her question left her lips as she marched back over at him, looking into his eyes. "I hate to tell you but I was you a few years ago, I didn't trust people. I wanted everyone to go to hell, to go back to where they came from. I drank myself in the hospital twice trying to die. I had every chance to go after the man who killed my parents, I almost went to the prison myself and meet with him then slit his throat. But I learned to stop feeling sorry for myself, I learned to ask for help.

So yeah when I see someone like you I want to help, this isn't about charity, this is about saving a life worth saving. Yet all you hope for are for the answers at the end of that bottle. You don't like to be open fine, that's your own right. You are so use to being hurt, so use to back's being turned to you. So when I reach for you to take my hand you push it away, and why? Because it terrifies you that someone may actually give a damn, not to hurt and betray you.

Do you want to die? is that why you drink yourself half to death!?" She asked him not sure if he would answer her, but she was getting emotional now. He had no idea what hell she went through in her life, just like he had no idea what hell she went through in her own. Life is based on choices, and she choose to be a big girl, stop feeling sorry for herself and actually do some good.

[ilyas aylin]

He’d have forgotten about all of this tomorrow, he’d make sure of it. Even if he’d have to down the rest of the bottle for it. He wanted to forget about this girl and everything she’d told him this night. And it would probably be pleasant if he couldn’t remember all the things he’d told her tonight either. He already thought of himself as a bad person, there was no need to intensify that feeling. The bottle was brought to his lips. The brown liquid stung in his throat and it didn’t taste the way he wanted it to. He was no longer enjoying the taste, he just thought about what result it would cause. It was worth enduring all of this if he could forget all about it for the rest of his life.

But her voice rang in the back of his mind. He cursed himself for imagining her, but his eyes soon caught sight of her shape as well. He wasn’t imagining. She’d returned, for reasons unknown to him. It left him taken aback, off guard. He stared into her grey eyes, his own blue one holding a dullness. That wasn’t just due to the fact he’d drank too much. It was always there, that dullness. An emptiness nothing could fill.

She finally hushed, after a speech that nearly gave him goose bumps, but of course, he blamed that on the cold weather. He was terrified. Not because of the exact same reasons that she named, but she had a point. And that fact, the fact she had a point, was even more frustrating now. “You really think your lecture is going to stop me from drinking myself into a coma?” His hand was tightly clenched around the bottle’s neck. If he would’ve squeezed much harder, it would’ve probably broken to pieces in his hand, but he needed a way to contain his anger. And the worst part was that he wasn’t even so angry at her. He was angry at himself, like he always was, but with her around, she was an easy target to vent at.

“What I do with my life and how sorry I feel for myself is not your business.” His voice was now a hiss. “You don’t know shit.” If he were to answer her question honestly, then it would’ve been answered with a yes. Tonight wasn’t the first night that he wished it all to come to an end. It would be weak, so weak, but he couldn’t help wishing for it. He couldn’t help wanting to give up, and if this girl knew even a little about him, she wouldn’t blame him for it. He averted his blue eyes swiftly as his vision blurred, away from hers, so she wouldn’t see how salted tears started to sting his orbs under the light of the nearly full moon.

[eden]

Eden listened to the venom that he spit at her but she didn't take it hard at all, crossing her arms as she began to wonder so many things. Hearing everything he said, he did have a point. His life was his own business, but every life was precious that much she knew. Sighing softly she crossed her arms and began to think of a million things to think. And her Grey eyes found the answers in the stars a soft smile on her face. And as of right now she had no idea what was going to end up happening.

"True your life is your own business, but I Just wish you could see your life as precious, all life is precious no matter how bad one feels. You have a friend in me rather you like it or not stranger, and I honestly do not hate you for what you are saying. But if something was to happen to you, don't think I wouldn't be sad. You may have no one to care about your well being but I do. And you may not like me, but I am not wrong with what I see in you"

Deciding to do something she never did, she took something from her purse and put it in his pocket. Turning her back to him and figured after tonight she would never see him again, but she hoped that she did. She didn't want to hear about his death in the paper or on the news. But turning her head a bit she just smiled a little bit at him. "It's my number I hope you call me sometime stranger, because as I said I would care if something happened to you, everyone needs a friend" And slowly head away hoping he would either stop her or call her.

[ilyas aylin]

She stayed silent for a moment, or maybe Ilyas’ brain had shut out any sound for the time being. After a moment longer, he even glanced over his shoulder at her shortly, just to check whether she was still sitting there or if he’d maybe missed her leaving. But no, she was still sitting there, her head tilted up towards the sky and she smiled. And not long after, she found her voice again, but this time, she didn’t nag as much; the tone of her voice was different. He still didn’t understand her, though, but he probably never would.

He, too, averted his gaze towards the sky. The moon was beautiful; the moon was always so beautiful, but nothing beat it in its full shape. When it was full, it was a reminder of the most precious possession he’d ever had in his life, and how she was ripped away from that, no questions asked, no turning back. His blue eyes quickly stared at the grass again, before the thoughts would be too overwhelming. It was then he noticed the girl by his side had stuck something in his pocket; he was too distracted to instantly react to it and only vaguely noticed her smile before she walked off. He took out the small piece of paper, on which a number stood written. Her phone number?

“..I don’t have a phone.” Why he felt the need to tell her that, he wasn’t sure. It seemed like she had some expectation of him now, and it’d be best that she knew he wouldn’t be able to live up to it, for different reasons that one would initially think. He wanted to safe her a disappointment. Even if there’d be a phone in the motel room he currently lived in, he wouldn’t know how to use it, or why. He’d never had a reason to own a phone, because he’d never had anyone to call.

The bottle, now emptied three-quarter, was still in his hand, but for some reason, he’d lost interest in it. Maybe this girl had a point. There were no answers at the bottom of this bottle, nor at the bottom of any other. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t reach for it again soon, but perhaps it had lead to a little epiphany tonight. He stared at the bottle for a while longer before turning it upside down and allowing the liquid to run freely onto the grass. Damn lucky grass.