Was the universe playing some sick, cruel joke on me? Was I being punished for something? Was I stuck in a dream – no, correction – nightmare?

Why did my favourite number have to fail me now?

It might seem silly to most, well probably a lot, to still have a favourite number. 18 just always seemed to stick around. Plus, it seemed to find a way to find me a sense of happiness.

Well, except for now.

To make matters worse, not only was I seeing Hunter for the first time in 18 months, but it was also on the exact day I finished my list. For 18 months I didn't have to see this boy. And now, all of a sudden, he just happens to be across the bar from me? Just my luck to be seeing him again all alone.

Great. Just great.

I couldn't help but wonder what thoughts were running through Hunter's mind as his eyes watched me. Was he wondering what I was thinking about? Was he trying to read me? Oh god. Did he even remember me? I mean, he must have. But, there was that possibility he didn't and I was just some random, lonely girl at a bar he was taking an interest in.

Oh, how I've heard that story before.

As a tall brunette walked over to Hunter's side, putting her arm around his shoulder and whispering something into his ear, I took that as my cue to finally pull my gaze from his.

My eyes moved to the glass in front of me. I hesitated to decide whether I should accept his gesture. Would that make him think he won?

Fuck it, I thought to myself. I needed a drink.

Two limes hung tightly on the rim, the contents seeming to be vodka soda. I guess that answered my question of whether or not he remembered me. Then again, my drink order was a classic choice, even considering my annoying request of having not one, but two limes.

I kept myself busy with whatever I could think of to avoid having to look back up. Pulling my phone out of my bag, I sent off another text to Abby to find out where she was and how long I would have to suffer here alone.

I glanced around the space I was in, taking in the scene for the first time since entering. The inside seemed to replicate the same look from the out. The walls were painted a gloomy shade of grey, the lighting was relatively dim, and the bar stools were all made of black leather. There were more bodies inside than I would have thought, given the limited appearance of an open establishment from the outside. The music played at a volume that didn't overpower the room, allowing for easy conversation to flow between customers.

As my eyes moved around, I couldn't help but look back at him. The brunette who previously stood beside him now found her way onto his lap. He seemed pleased with whatever she was whispering into his ear.

One second, I found myself sucked in again, the next, he was back to his old tricks.

The feeling of jealousy suddenly crashed through my body like a giant wave consuming me entirely. I forced myself to stop watching by turning around and leaning against the bar. I closed my eyes, the nails of my fingers finding their way to dig into the palms of my hands.

One... two... three... I counted in my head... ten... eleven... twelve... I did my best to return my breathing to a steady pace... sixteen... seventeen... eighteen.

"Hello again, Angel."

My eyes shot open, hearing a low tone that was all too familiar, causing the hair on the back of my neck to rise. I glanced over beside me. Hunter's body was faced towards me as he rested his figure against the bar, his eyes watching me as he took a sip from his glass.

"Don't call me that," I hissed, feeling my muscles start to tense as I heard the nickname.

He seemed amused by my response, letting a deep chuckle escape his lips. "Why not? It suits you."

Ignoring his comment, I peered over my shoulder and looked back across the bar. In his original seat now sat the brunette with her arms crossed over her chest, sending me a glaring, angry look. Clearly, she wasn't pleased with Hunter and I's interaction, and I had to agree.

"I don't think your girlfriend likes you over here," I said, looking back at him. "You should probably go back to her before she decides to not put out tonight."

Hunter leaned closer, his free hand moving to the side of my face, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, "You are as charming as I remember," his voice growled softly, letting his hand linger.

Before I could pull away, I caught myself staring at him, taking in his appearance. His brown curly hair was still short and tousled to the side, his cheekbones were still high, jawline still striking, all as I once remembered. Everything about him seemed to stay the same, except now his eyes looked somewhat darker. The wash of blue that brought out the light in the deep grey colour seemed to have disappeared. It could have just been the lighting, but even in the darkest of rooms, somehow that tint of blue always shined through.

"Still painting?" His words pulled me out of my thoughts.

I felt the tip of his finger gently touch my arm. I looked down at his hand and watched as he traced the paint mark that was left on my skin. Grabbing hold of his wrist, I stopped his movement and pulled my body back slightly, causing the small amount of contact to break.

Ignoring his question, I turned back to face the bar, grabbing hold of my drink and taking a long sip.

There was a long pause of silence, the only sounds between us rising from other customers ordering their drinks or chatting amongst themselves. I glanced down at my phone, hoping to see a response from Abby that she was here to save me from this interaction. Sadly, there was nothing.

"Waiting for someone?" Hunter asked.

His eyebrow was raised out of curiosity, the grin he once had was now flat, as he pressed his lips into a thin line.

I nodded. "Yes." I took another sip from my drink. "I'm sure there are other people here who would enjoy your company more than me."

"You're not enjoying my company?"

The eye roll I sent him was enough of a response, allowing for more silence to consume us.

After what feels like minutes of quiet between the two of us, Hunter spoke, "How about I buy you another drink then?"

I glanced down at my glass, seeing that I had finished my drink without realizing it.

"No, thanks."

Hunter let out a frustrated sigh and leaned his body closer to mine. "I'm just trying to be nice, Dylan." I could tell he was attempting to be soft with his tone, but I could sense the frustration behind his words.

Just as I was about to tell him he could stop, another voice interrupted me.

"There you are man, I've been looking for you."

I looked over as the person put his arm around Hunter with a large smile across his face. The man looked like the polar opposite next to Hunter with short light blond hair and big bright eyes. While Hunter dressed in all black, he wore a crisp white shirt, tucked into his dress pants. I noticed his attempt to look more casual as he rolled his sleeves up, just before his elbows.

"Who's your friend?" His attention turned to me. I failed massively at trying to hide the flush of colour that spread across my cheeks.

"Dylan," I said, before quickly adding, "Hunter and I are not friends."

He nodded in response and his smile seemed to grow a little wider. "That's a beautiful name. I'm Charlie."

"Thank you. It's nice to meet you, Charlie."

Hunter's eyes flashed back and forth between his friend and me. Without looking, I could tell his frustration was beyond being evident in his tone alone and had now spread across his expression.

"Can I buy you a drink?" Charlie asked, pointing towards the empty glass in my hand.

A playful smile found its way to my lips as I kept my eyes on the handsome blond standing in front of me.

"I would love one."  

2019; 

Just a lil introduction to the other leading man in this story, Mr. Charlie (ooh la la!) 

Ah, hope you guys enjoyed! Wow, I can't believe my story has already received so much lovely feedback! Thank you guys SO MUCH!  <3 

I'm excited for the next chapter, it's got a lil (tiny but good) insight into the past...might make you realize why some lines are important... hmm...

are you team hunter or team charlie?? let me know in the comments!