1. For the first time

"I'm making people that happy. How cool is that? That's my job."

-Ellen Marlow

8:45 pm, the clock felt like it had been ticking for eternity. With every second the second hand of the clock strike felt like hours until it would hit the next one. Elizabeth deeply sighed and took a sip of her beverage. She had been in the bar for two hours waiting for her ride to drop her home. It had been a long trip from Boston and all Elizabeth wanted to do when she landed was lay in bed and sleep like there's no tomorrow. But instead she found herself stuck in the bar desperately watching the time pass by. She had been informed to wait here as her ride would pick her up immediately after she landed. She even sent many messages, and called 50 times, but was only responded to with nothing. A little frustrated and tired, Elizabeth paid the bartender and picked her purse and started her way out, planning on getting a taxi instead. As she made her way while she fumbled through her purse for her wallet, she was stopped by a hard thud.

She had bumped into someone.

"I-i'm so sorry" she said without looking up at the person and knelt quickly to pick up her purse and the items that had fallen out from it from the ground. "There you are" she stated as she spotted her wallet, but as she reached to grab it she saw a hand that had picked it up. Elizabeth was a little startled and looked up to see who the hand had belonged to. As her eyes met with the person, her breath hitched for a moment. It was a man, he had a sharp jawline but was also soft from a face to face angle. He had grey eyes that glowed well in the bar light. And jet black hair that was ruffled and set on his forehead. But what caught her attention was his skin, specifically on his face. He had huge blackish purple patches, one that had completely covered his chin all the way to his ears. And had a scar that ran across his right eye. But Elizabeth also noticed the sorrowful look in his eyes. The man handed Elizabeth her wallet, in which she replied with a warm smile and stood to her feet. "I'm really really sorry" Elizabeth said again with an awkward laugh. The man only looked at her in silence, nodded and started on his way.

"Umm, am sorry excuse me" she stated, stopping the man on his track. He turned around to look at Elizabeth who still held a smile. "Is it okay if I buy you a drink?" she stated. The man raised his eyebrows slightly at her question. Elizabeth noticed this and smiled "It's just I was so careless and I wasn't looking where I was going. But if you don't mind, I'd like to repay you back with a drink." The man stared again, this time directly into Elizabeth's eyes. He remained there for a few more seconds before he sighed and nodded. Elizabeth smiled and they both made their way to the counter.

As they sat, Elizabeth had signaled the bartender, "Just water please" she said to him. The bartender nodded and faced the man. "Rum" the man said. "Alright then, i will be back with your drinks in just a few" the bartender stated and took his leave. "Elizabeth" she stated as she reached her hand out to the man for a handshake with a smile plastered on her face. The man hesitated a little before shaking Elizabeth's hand, "Gabe" he said to her. She smiled in response.

There remained a silence between them, it was a little awkward but at the same time calming. Elizabeth held a slight smile as she watched the man in front of her. She could've made her way home and layed on the comforting cushion, but something told her to stay here. She had a gut feeling, and Elizabeth always knew the importance of following whatever her guts says. "So, um where are you from?" Gabe slightly raised his eyebrows by the sudden question, the woman had asked to buy him a drink and was now suddenly interested in his origins. It was unusual especially since he just met her and at the same time Gabe wasn't really the type that engaged in many small talks. He sighed anyways and spoke "California" he stated expressionless. "Oh wow really, I have a friend from there actually. Which part of California?" "Fresno," Gabe replied. "Wow, my friend is from that part too. But anyways I recently just moved here from Boston and boy it was a long trip." She said, letting out a little exhausted laugh. Gabe slightly smiled in response, he wasn't sure why but he was enjoying how the conversation was going so far. "So what do you do?" she asked, filling the little silence that overtook them. "I own a small business," he stated. "Well that sounds cool. I haven't met many people who own small businesses, but from what i've heard it sounds  pretty fun" Gabe stared at the woman in front of her, he wondered about the many things that could've gone on throughout this night. Sitting silently alone in the bar and drinking all his pain away for hours. Pondering over what had remained of his life but the little interaction had kept him a little occupied for a while. And although he wouldn't admit it out loud he was glad. "And you?" he stated but with a little more interest in his tone. His gaze meeting the woman who sat in front of him. She let out an uncomfortable laugh "Well, I am actually just figuring things out, I just finished college and I guess I wanted to go out of the state. You know, just to start fresh." "Interesting," Gabe replied, almost a whisper but enough for Elizabeth to hear. They stayed in silence again, gazing into each other's eyes. It wasn't an awkward one, but one where they try to unravel each other's mystery by just utter silence.

"Here are your drinks" the bartender gently placed their drinks, cutting them both from their gaze. "Thank you," Elizabeth said to the bartender with an appreciating smile.

"Oh wow look at that" Elizabeth said looking at her phone. It had now turned 10:00 and the two had been conversing for an hour. They discussed common interests which only engaged Gabe deeper into the conversation. It was shocking how two complete strangers could communicate as if they've known each other for years. But with Elizabeth it felt natural and flowed easily. Plus she led the conversation asking questions and making sure to bring a new topic when silence took over in which Gabe appreciated. "Am sorry, I honestly didn't mean to keep you here this long." Gabe stared at the apologetic women in front of her, they had been staying for an hour but honestly it felt like a minute had only passed. "It's fine," he stated. "Alright then, I guess I will be heading out. It was very nice talking to you, Gabe." Elizabeth said as she held out her hand with a smile glued on her face, her little freckles making an appearance. His heart ached a little having this interaction end, but he was aware that they couldn't stay there long. It was too late and the bar would close after another hour. He sighed and held his hand out shaking Elizabeth's. "Likewise, Elizabeth" She wasn't sure why but the way Gabe had said her name sounded so natural. She's had many people say her name but with Gabe it was definitely different. His deep voice that was raspy but gentle at the same time suited the way he said it.

With one more glance and a smile Elizabeth made her way out the bar, satisfied with how her night ended. Soon after, Gabe made his way out. As he stood outside he felt the gentle night breeze brush against his face. He looked up at the dark sky that was littered with stars that shimmered brightly, reflecting over every corner of the street. Gabe felt a wave of relief gush over his body as this night would have ended very differently, but the interaction with the women had changed his plans completely.

He sighed and started on his way, as today he will be walking home with a feeling of satisfaction... for the first time.

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