Friday

"Woah! Hubba, hubba! Looks like tonight is my lucky night, Alyson!" Shailene stage whispers with enthusiasm and pins her elbow into my side.

Being right here and now, I've learned a valuable lesson; Never go out on a Friday night with Shay. You would think I would know this by now, but I have a weak spot for my best friend. Shailene is also a master at being persuasive, but mostly a compulsive liar.

This totally isn't an art museum.

For my best friend, I'll suck it up and pay the price of being uncomfortable, but she definitely owes me big time. It's only been two seconds since we've stepped into the infamous New Jersey Bar, and she already has her eyes stuck on a man. Go figure!

The bar has speakers blasting inappropriate music filling each corner of the place. Luckily, it's not too obnoxious so I can ignore it easily. Unfortunately, I can't ignore the drunk eyes darting in my direction. I must stick out like a sore thumb! Lewd eyes slither all over Shailene, but that's exactly how she likes it; You can look, but you can't touch.

In each corner of the bar, pool games are being played, and smoke fills my lungs as we get deeper into the claustrophobic clutter of people. Girls with more skin showing than I would ever imagine swaying their hips as they walk, make-up stuck to them like a mask. The bar is jam packed, and I mentally thank myself for not being a drinker. Everyone has at least one fancy glass cup, or bottle in their hand, and I'm more than positive that all of them are filled with intoxicating substances.

This isn't how I like to spend my Friday nights, but sometimes we must sacrifice for the people we love.

"Just look at him." Shailene continues, not taking her eyes off of the man sitting across the bar thirty feet away. He holds a tiny shot glass with an unknown liquid inside.

Alcohol is nasty. End of story.

"He is so tall and bulky. Oooo! And those eyes are just so-"

"Shay, how can you see his eyes from here? Better yet, how do you know if he's tall? That guy's sitting down." I break her daydreaming with some of my realism.

"Ugh, when you meet the love of your life, then you'll understand how I feel! I can see everything with just one glance, even if he is far away and not standing up. That's like love 101!" Shay exaggerates, eyes twinkling with lust and nothing more.

I raise my eyebrows and hold my hands up in defense, pretending to be apologetic for not understanding her definition of love. She claims the nearest seat her way, and I follow, rolling my eyes. I grab an ice cold metal seat next to her and slouch myself in it.

"Yeah okay." I tell her, tone bland, and uninterested. This night is going to be a bust, I can feel it.

My chin rests on the palm of my hand, holding it in place, and glance the man's way. Sure he's the typical hot hunk every girl falls for. You could tell he was ripped from a mile away. To me, he seems like a guy who has an ego bigger than the size of his brain and listens to only his package zipped in his pants in moments of affection. Not my kind of guy!

Taking a glimpse around him, something else catches my eye, and I find myself straightening up more into my seat.

To the left of the "hunk" is another man, and my jaw tightens at the sight of him. His head is down, and the man Shay has the hots for is chatting with him. They must be friends. He fiddles with his hands on top of the table and wears a teal sweater that stands out in the crowd. Though I can't see his face all too well, I have the sudden urge to go up to him, to be with him.

I'm going insane.

"See I knew you'd start staring too. You just don't like to admit those kinds of things as I do. Watch out, I saw him first!" Shay jokingly boasts and hollers to the nearest waiter to get her a beer.

"I'm not staring at him," I reassure her, keeping my eyes on the captivating boy. "I'm looking at his friend." I then turn my head left to meet gazes with her.

"His friend..." Her grey eyes bounce around to then spy on the guy I was looking at. Her face once full of excitement now drops, and her brows crease in concern.

"You mean the creepy looking guy to the left of the hottie with an "I wanna kill someone" face?" Her words cut the space between us, and I smack her naked arm playfully.

"He is not creepy! Sure he may look a little down, but maybe he's having a crappy day." I defend the stranger, and Shay takes a swing of her beer that the waiter brought her.

Placing the bottle back on the greasy table, Shay examines her french nails. "Okay okay, sorry. Yeah sure, He's kinda cute...If it was opposite day." She mumbles the last part and I roll my eyes. Sometimes she can be so shallow.

I raise an eyebrow and cross my arms. "You lied to me and dragged me along to this dump, so don't go offending the people that I think are attractive. I could leave right now if I really wanted to."

"Ugh, Alyson you're such a downer. I was kidding, geez! Besides, if you did end up leaving you'd be alone, mixing around with some paints or scribbling on paper, and that's boring." She whines and rises from her seat.

To you, maybe. I wanted to say, but I keep the comment to myself. I'm not in the mood to play "my hobby is better than yours" right now.

I watch her in bewilderment as she adjusts her skanky blood red dress, and flips her golden hair. Her shaped lips match her outfit, and her light makeup is done to perfection. I look at her and take a glance down at me. Shay and I are totally different people. She dresses to impress, and I don't impress, no matter what the outfit is.

"I don't know about you, but I'm going to claim my man tonight, and you should do the same." Shay winks at me, and I send her a death glare, not finding any of this amusing.

With a huff, she trots her way behind me and bends down. Her hands gently stroke my shoulders, and her full lips pucker near my ear. I hear a guy near us gasp, probably hoping for some girl on girl action. I take a second to shoot a look at him. With the combination of his gawk expression and liquid eyes, I can tell he's waiting for the fun to begin. Disgusting!

"Ace, think about it. We aren't fighting over the same guy, which usually happens in those cliche movies. Plus, the guys we like are friends which is a total bonus. I get my man, and you get," Shay hesitates, "the other one. It's a perfect plan. Come on, what could go wrong?" Shay loves to think of the positives, and always has a way of getting herself out in the open, which isn't always such a prime thing to do.

In this case, though, I guess it wouldn't hurt to at least go talk to him. The worse he could do is tell me to go away, or not talk to me at all, or randomly pull out a gun or--

Okay enough thinking, more doing!

I firmly place my converse on the floor and take a stand. My breath is uneven when I reply. "Alright. Nothing wrong with saying hi, I guess." I'm far from being confident.

Shailene bounces up, and down in joy, and takes her beer from the table. "Yay! Alyson, you're the best. I'm sure the guy will love you after tonight. But not as much as I do. " She squeezes my cheeks, and I scrunch my face in pain.

Yeah, I'm feeling the love now.

She lets go. "But here." Shay guts me in the stomach with the beer bottle, forcing the glass in my hands. The bottle feels alien in my possession.

"Ouch! What exactly is the bottle for, and why did you shank me with it?" I ask in sheer confusion, but Shay rolls her eyes like the answer is obvious.

"You have to look like you fit in, duh! No one likes a stick in the mud." With that being said, Shay starts striding away towards her target. Most of the time I'm taller than her. Tonight, however, she's feeling extra and decides to wear her five-inch black heels to show off her curvy legs and bring even more attention to herself.

Being the insecure dweeb I am, I drop my eyes down at my attire once more. Skinny jeans with flannel, white undershirt, and black converse. Yup, good enough! I trail behind her awkwardly.

"Well, if you don't have a beer in your hand then how will you fit in?" I try to say into her ear so she can hear me. We squeeze past drunks and dancing people to get to our destination.

Stopping in her tracks, with her eyes on the prize, she doesn't look at me when she says "Oh trust me, with this dress, and my master plan, I won't need a beer to be one with the crowd."

Shay continues to click her way to the hot boy. I follow in discomfort. Shailene is gorgeous, no doubt about it. What if the guy I like thinks she's better looking than me?

What if? You know he will. Everyone does. I'm such a child for even thinking about this. I just want to be friends, so it doesn't matter. Plus, I don't even know him, so I can't already like him.

But I know I'm lying to myself.

As I get closer I realize how starstruck I am. Unlike my dear friend, I'm not so confident and already have burning cheeks when I get to their table. I'm beyond nervous.

Shay automatically sits across from her prey, and he looks up in shock. Needless to say, he isn't disappointed with Shay sitting in front of him, but chances are he would've been if it was me instead. Stop being so insecure!

I awkwardly sit in the last available seat across from the other guy. His head is still down, and I can't really find his face. Only his black waves and teal sweater consume my gaze.

I put the bottle down on the table, and clear my throat in worry. Peeking to the right of me, I see Shay already working her charm, and they both have started a conversation right off the bat. Looks like she's already got his name and a bed buddy. I shiver.

Like she senses my cry for help, Shailene stops mid sentence to change the subject.

"Oh! Landon, this is my best friend Alyson. She came over with me to say hi to your friend." Shay motions to the slouching man, who doesn't seem to notice that she is referring to him.

"Oh, umm yeah." Landon's deep voice isn't much of a catch, and he has a jerk expression that's a turn off to me. Not sure what Shay even sees in him.

He continues his thought while rubbing his shoulder. "He isn't really in a good mood today. Some issues at work, and -" His friend jumps out from his chair, surprising us all when he speaks.

"Are you going to tell everyone that same damn excuse!?" His voice is forced and a vein is popping out of his forehead. Everyone in the bar pauses what they're doing to gaze at him.

"Go ahead, why don't you tell them I do crack! That I smoke some weed now and then! Tell them I'm an alcoholic, and just threw up my dinner three hours ago. No one cares about my shitty problems, Landon, so don't bring it up!" He gets into Landon's face who has already gotten up.

At this point I'm stunned, and Shailene has no words. Landon is standing next to his friend and soothing him back into his seat.

"Hey, buddy! I know. I'm sorry, Aiden. I didn't think this would bug you so much. I'm really sorry. Just relax, and sit back down. I won't say anything anymore. Alright?" Landon gets his friend, Aiden, in his seat, who huffs all his anger out. In return, misery is caught in his voice, replacing his fury.

"Oh, gosh, man. I didn't mean to yell at you. I'm sorry." Aiden says, and Landon pats his friend's back.

"Hey, don't worry. I deserved it. We're cool." Landon doesn't seem phased by his friend's episode and slides back into his seat.

Bringing his attention back to us, an apologetic expression is now on Landon's face.

I remember to breathe again. Aiden

"I'm sorry, my dude is going through a hard time." He whispers, hands folded on the table. Shay touches them in empathy, flirting her way back into his spotlight.

"Aw, don't mention it. We understand. You're such a strong, sensitive guy. I really like a guy who isn't afraid to show their sympathetic side." Landon's expression converts back into lust.

After Shay turns on her charm, I basically tune out. I've heard all her tricks in her book more than I'd like to admit, and know where this leads in the end; A drive back to his place.

Sure, Landon has the plus one biceps, flawless brown hair, and perfect blue eyes, but it doesn't phase me as Aiden does. I didn't realize I was analyzing Aiden until I find myself replaying his incident in my head. Not because he is crazy or scares me, but because of how beautiful he is.

He has a tall skinny physique. and a set jaw. His pale skin seems so soft, and he has eyes that are colored all black. He's hurt and struggling through a lot, that much is certain.

I couldn't help but notice that his adam's apple sticks out of his throat, and the curve of his lips are drawn out wonderfully. I really wish I had my sketchbook right now, to trap all his beauty on paper.

Oh man, Shailene is rubbing off on me!

"Are you just going to play with that bottle all night? Or do you plan to drink it any time soon?" Aiden snaps at me, and I realize I have been rolling the bottom of the beer bottle around in a circle, making a rough noise against the table. I must be annoying.

I push the bottle away from me, startled by his comment. Then I tuck a stray piece of my auburn hair behind my ears in embarrassment. "I, uhh. I don't drink." I blush. Might as well be honest with him.

Finally looking up at me, he snorts. "No shit." He says, then takes the beer and tilts his head back to drain it empty.

I watch him with hawk eyes as his throat moves with each gulp he takes. Slamming the hollow glass bottle down, he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and I forget to breathe again.

"Bite your lip any harder, and you'll bleed." Aiden nods his head at me. I didn't even realize I was even doing that! I cover my lip with my hand thinking this will somehow make him unsee what I was doing. He grins in reply.

Oh God, help me!

The grin is far from mischievous or boastful, but I feel his mood changing in his eyes to be more playful. It's a smile that stirs in his orbs and wrinkles his nose. I have to grind hard on my teeth to refrain from biting my lip again. I bet if more people saw him smile like this they'd finally see what I see. It makes his face glow, and never have I witnessed anything like it before. I wonder how many people have gotten the privilege to see him beam like this?

"Quit staring at me, you crazy bitch. Do you know how rude it is to stare at someone like that? Stop staring at me!" And the bottle is back in Aiden's grasp again, but not for long. He stands up and throws it across the bar.

A sharp crash echoes the bar, and I abruptly spin around to see what it hit. There against the front wall of the bar is the beer bottle smashed up, only bits and pieces of it left. Most of the glass pieces are tiny on the floor, but a nice crack is now engraved in the wall that it smacked against. Nice throw.

The guys playing pool near that area send an evil eye at his direction, but nothing more. Is this a reoccurring thing with him? Aiden doesn't seem to pay any mind and sits back down again. Probably feeling better he got that out of his system, he pretends it never happened.

Landon looks at Aiden with worrisome eyes, but all Aiden gives him is a reassuring nod and breaks his connection with him. I quickly inspect Shay who seems freaked out, eyes wide with fear. The people around us proceed with their normal routine, and I'm surprised no one has kicked Aiden out yet. Maybe this isn't anything unusual to them.

Guilt weighs upon me, and I rub my arms in concern.

"I-I didn't mean to make you mad or anything. I'm just new at this kinda stuff. And well," Don't say it, don't say it, don't say it.

"I've never seen anyone as handsome as you before." And I said it. Good going Alyson, now he thinks you're trying to get in his pants.

Aiden's face hardens, and he squints at me, leaning his head my way. "I don't know what kind of game you're playing here, but you better quit it. I've had enough people mock me in my life, and I don't need you to continue that routine." His voice is barely a whisper as he tries to hold back more rage. "I know I'm scary, ugly, and pitiful, but I don't need you to give me bullshit or feel dread for me."

I'm honestly offended at this remark. Why would I joke about something like this? I place my hands firmly on the table, and lean in, my smoky eyes now leveled with his.

"Excuse you, but I'm not making this up, and this isn't a game. I don't hurt people for kicks. Don't accuse me of doing something out of sympathy when you don't even know me."

"Bullshit! You're a liar, and you know it. You pity me like everyone else. Liar! Stop lying to me! I hate liars!" He yells right in my face, and I flinch.

Springing out of his seat, he then punts the chair towards a crowd of people who all shriek in horror. An older man approachs us in interest, and is about to ask what's wrong when Aiden punches the poor guy in the face. I gape in awe.

People gasp, and help the man up, and Landon is already at Aiden's side. He holds his shoulders firmly, and tries to comfort him again, but this time Aiden shoves him onto a table. Without another word, he storms out, knowing it's time for him to leave before someone shows him the way out.

Anger boils in me, and I can't help myself. I need to go to him before it's too late.

I jump up from my seat, but before I can walk away Shay grabs a hold of my wrist, tears seconds away from spilling down her face. She's afraid of him, but I'm not. "Ace what the hell-"

"He is not getting away with this, I won't let him leave me like that." My voice is cold, and I pull away from her grip. There is only one thought that is keeping me from going back to her; She won't miss me when I'm gone, Landon will give her all the attention to make up for what happened.

I enter the midnight air, glad to be out of the commotion inside. Street light blare at me, and some people pass by. I keep my eyes peeled on the sidewalk for Aiden until I come to a conclusion; he doesn't seem like one to go on the sidewalk. He is a person to do the exact opposite of everyone else. Different. A trait I happen to find extremely attractive.

Keep it together, Alyson! He just punched a guy in the face, said you were a liar, and screamed in your face.

Yet it doesn't burden my mission, but pulls me into a more determined state to find him.

I speed walk down the pavement in hope that I haven't missed him. Aiden's face consumes my every step, and I long for his eyes to find mine. Searching the sides of buildings, I suddenly spot a figure with their hands in their pockets near an alleyway. Anyone who is sane knows never to go in an alley in any city, ever. Especially at night. From what I learned about him in the fives minutes we've interacted, I know that must be him.

Luckily, some light from the streets reaches where the figure walks. Undoubtedly, I notice the teal sweater, and messy hair. I catch my breath, and stomp straight towards him.

"Hey!" I holler to grab his attention. "You don't get to just scream at me, call me a liar then walk away like nothing happened! That's not fair." I whine to him. I sound like a child complaining, but I really don't care what he thinks of me.

Well, maybe a little.

He spins his head around, and I swear his eyes capture my heart. I just met him not even five minutes ago, and I'm already finding myself attracted to him. I'm actually losing my mind.

I freeze in my tracks, and lick my chapped lips. He makes his way over to me, my heart beating faster with each step he takes, until I can feel his heat surrounding me.

"Why," he voice is raspy "did you follow me?"

"I just-" I start, but he steps forward, and I fumble back.

"Can't you see I'm no good? I'm a mess for Christ sake! I punched a man! And you want to follow me? You must be really desperate." Aiden keeps stepping closer, and closer as I walk backwards. I back into a brick wall, and lights gleam on his white face. I'm caught in the middle as he sandwiches me in, yet I'm still not afraid.

His breath burns against my skin, and he leans onto the wall, locking eyes with me. "You must be totally stupid to drape yourself all over someone who is clearly a psychotic freak. "

I take offense once more at his words, and point a finger in his face. "Don't you dare say that about me! I'm not desperate. I know what I see, and I know what I feel, but I'm not asking for attention." I correct him, my voice shaky. Aiden merely snorts.

"Okay, maybe you're not as desperate as your blonde friend . Who, by the way, is extremely hot. But it doesn't change the fact that you're very stupid and complete wrong about me." His voice is cold yet thirsty. I try not to let the accusation, and insult bother me.

I guessed that he would feel this way about Shay. No doubt about that. And yet, him admitting it makes me feel even more rejected.

"Don't tell me what I feel. You're just in denial that someone can truly think you're good-looking and could-" My demand is cut off when his fist collides with the brick wall behind me in irritation.

"I want to kiss you, dammit!"

I gasp in shock. "Uhh, excuse me?"

Looking deep into his eyes, the street lights contour the left part of his pale face. I don't have time to say anything more when his lips crash on mine with restless passion.

I've never been kissed before, but I'm sure it doesn't exactly go like this. It's a feeling that consumes my mouth, and takes my breath away, but not in a good way. I'm too paralyzed to move. His lips are sloppy on mine, covering the entirety of my mouth. It all feels sticky, and my eyes stay wide open.

Horror strikes me, but he doesn't seem to notice. Aiden presses against me even more.

He bites my lip with his teeth and I wince in pain. My heart dancing against my ribcage. Aiden's hands rest tightly on my body. The kiss so forceful that he stumbles forward, my now back squishes against the brick wall. His hands then claw both sides of my lower hip, and it stings my trembling body. I don't know what to do or how to feel about this, but I don't think a kiss should be like this.

Suddenly, all his roughness shifts to be gentle, and his grip loosens to rub my hips softly. His lips that were once harsh, now soothingly connect with mine, and I find myself kissing him back. I'm kissing someone!

The soothing rub of his lips on mine changes my perspective of the kiss completely. His gentle touch holds pleasure and my nervous body seems to calm. I stretch myself to reach his face and my arms snake around his neck. My adrenaline flares with desire. Swiftly, the movement of our lips match, and I feel it escalating even more.

This blissful moment doesn't even last ten seconds before I'm shoved against the wall. I instantly detect a bruise forming on my back from the impact. My eyes fly open, and the feeling of guilt washes over me. He's touched me like no one else has before, and I don't even know his last name. This isn't like me, I don't do things like this.

"You freak! You're not suppose to kiss me back! Why would you even think about kissing me back? Why would you do that to me?" Aiden's soft tone is yet again replaced with bitterness. His posture intense, and he has his fist to the side of him, ready to swing, but his face shows otherwise. It's not vicious, and doesn't make him seem threatening. Instead, those pitch black eyes of his hold tenderness, and his lip quivers.

Why would he have the sudden need to cry? It's not like I attacked him into kissing me.

Tears threaten to slip from my own eyes, but I won't let them go. I'm stronger than that.

A beat goes by before I have the courage to find my voice again. the bottom of my shoe rests on the wall for support."Why did you kiss me in the first place then?" I choke out, and he makes his way back into my personal bubble.

"Because it's difficult to hold back, and it's so hard to resist you. Because you're gorgeous, and I can't seem to help myself." Aiden's voice is hushed, and his honesty baffles me.

Then he turns to walk onto the sidewalk. His normal change in pace shocks me. I glance after him, so stunned, that I can't even move. Who leaves someone after saying something like that?

He pauses, then turns to face me. "What's your name?" He asks forcefully, and I gulp.

"Alyson." My voice cracks, but he doesn't point it out. It's like the last two minutes were wiped from his memory and our kiss never even existed.

Smiling, but not making contact with me, he tucks in his lip and hides his hands in his pockets. "Alyson," he repeats. "I'll have to remember that." And he strides away from me, not looking behind him this time. I'm left alone to recollect my thoughts.

At this point, there is simply one thing I'm certain of; He's stolen my heart.

Hello there friend! :D

For those who are confused, this story is based on a mental disorder called Severe Bipolar Disorder (SBD). I did some research on what the symptoms are to include them in the story. Some of the signs are as follows:

1. Inability to complete a task.
2. Depression.
3. Abuse of alcohol and/drugs.
4. Work problems. 
5. Lack of sleep, but still energized
6. Sexual desires without control.
7. Irritability.
8. Rapid speech/ cutting others off.

I hope this wasn't offensive, and that it was worth your time. These kinds of disorders are fierce, and awful to cope with, so I wanted to make a story where someone understands this kind of pain, but loves them for it anyway.

Special thanks to most_bay for encouraging me, and making an awesome cover for this book.