The mysterious stranger clings to my side like a stick stuck in the mud. With one wrong step, we'd both end up on our faces. Despite the pathway being fine, by his wobbly steps make walking uneasy. Besides that, it shows me I need to drink more.

As we stumble down the sidewalk, the wind rushes past, blowing his sent in my direction. It's a mix of cheap whiskey and cigarette smoke. It's an interesting, yet toxic smell.The guy looks at me and smiles, a contagious one which leaves me grinning from ear to ear.

"We're almost there," he explains. "And I have the perfect kebabs picked out for us."

"Okay, but these better be good." I laugh.

It's been awhile since someone's taken on the role of making me food, that's always been a Blake thing. However, I'm excited and I have high expectations.

We walk across the street and then around another corner. The street isn't as busy as the bustle of the main nightclub strip, but it's a nice atmosphere. There's a couple of old bars dotted along the street, but mainly a string or retail / takeaway food shops.

    The stranger and I arrive in front of a bright lime green shop that sticks out against the dark night scene. The front display window has a couple of large New York style pizzas on display. I can see the melted cheese goop sliding down the crispy crust. My mouth waters at the thought. I could easily go for a kebab and a slice of pizza. Could I eat both? Probably not.

    I follow him into the small stuffy shop and to the even smaller counter. The old fashioned grey till sits beside another greasy display window. I grab a menu from the counter and examine it. He grabs the menu from my hands and throws it over his shoulder.

"Remember?" he asks. "I've already got the perfect meal planned out."

"I thought you were joking."

    "No." He laughs.   

"What can I get you?" The man behind the counter inquiries. He grabs a pad and pen, then waits.

"Yeah man, can I get a satay kebab combo with the chips?"

    "Yes." He scribbles the order down, then rips the page off and passes it to the man making the food. "That'll be ten dollars."

He grabs his wallet from his pocket and then tosses a plastic blue bill into the man's hand. We're then given a paper number ticket and told to wait to the side. The man staggers into a chair and hits his head on the wall on impact. I wince at the sound it makes, but he doesn't seem phased by the slight bump.

"Do you come here often?" I ask.

Taking a seat beside the stranger, I cross one leg over my knee and lean back in the chair. He slouches against the metal table and looks at me. A proud look consumes his slender face as he begins to explain.

"Yes, so this is why you can trust me. It'll be one of the best things you've ever eaten."

    "Just know that once the trust is broken, it can't be the same again." I giggle.

    "You doubt me already? Ouch!" He flinches back but I see the humour swirling in his eyes.

    "I'm Ava Greyson, by the way." I smile.

    "Axel Anders," he replies. "Also known as the kebab expert." Axel winks.

    "We'll see about that." I smile.

    It takes a few moments for the food to be packed and handed over, which makes me incredibly thankful because the small shop is very hot. I grab the food and make a dash for the exit.

    The cool night is refreshing and manages to cool the beads of sweat accumulating on my forehead. I take a seat at a free table and Axel follows along. Outside the shop along the sidewalk is a small white marquee with matching lime green chairs and tables for people to eat.

    I place the chip box on the table and push it towards Axel. He takes a handful of chips and shovels it into his mouth. He then grabs the kebab stick and hands it to me, an excited look already forming on his face.

    "Here's the moment of truth." I laugh.

    Taking a bite into the kebab meat, I grin at the beautiful flavour that erupts in my mouth. I hate to admit it, but these are amazing. So good, I would totally trek into the city for a late night snack.

    "Do you like it?" asks Axel.

     "Eh, they're okay." I laugh.

    "Ay." He throws a chip at my face. "I see the way you're looking at them."

     "Fine." I surrender. "They're pretty good."

    "See." Axel smiles proudly.

    "You're officially Kebab Master," I say.

    "Fucken Amazing Kebab Master, more like it," corrects Axel.

    "So," I take another bite into the kebab stick. "What brings you out tonight?"

    He shoves a few more chips into his mouth before leaning back in the chair to explain. His eyes wander to the street before flickering back to me.

    "It started out as a bar hop for a mate's bux night, but they decided to run off. Something about going to the strippers for a few pints. Me on the other hand, I decided to get food."

    "Not a fan of strippers?"

    "I like my money in my pocket." He chuckles.    

    "Okay, fair enough."

    "Why did you run away from your friends?" questions Axel.

    My mouth drops with surprise. How did he know? My gaping mouth shocks Axel. He straightens his posture and begins back peddling.

    "I mean, I think you did? Or maybe you didn't?" He mumbles. "You just seemed out of place and there was someone in the background . . ."

    "Oh." I frown. "That obvious?"

    "Maybe." He scratches the back of his neck awkwardly.

    "So, tell me about yourself."

    "But you seem far more interesting." Axel grins.

    "What do you do? Work or study?"

    "Both, sort of. I'm an engineering student and I play in a band," explains Axel.

    "Let me guess, lead singer?" I tease.

    "Pft, no." He shakes his head. "Better, I'm the lead guitarist."

    "Ohh, that does sound better," I agree.

    "Downside, I live with a stinky roommate who's a lady's man." Axel closes his eyes and shakes his head in dismay.

    "Wow, that bad?"

    "So bad, you don't want to know!" He laughs. "How about you?"

    "Honestly?" I frown. "I was studying in daycare before I dropped out."

    Confessing the fact I have no direction if life is a tough one, especially to someone who seems to have their life put together. A hobby, apartment, studies, and a future.

    "Why did you drop out?"

    "I didn't have time for it." I pout.

    "Hardcore drugs get in the way?" he teases.

    "Sure, something like that." Loving Blake might as well be a serious drug addiction.

    Axel and I finish off the food before throwing it into the bin. When he gets a message on his phone, I'm almost certain I'll be calling a taxi back home.

    "My friends are bar hopping nearby. Do you want to come? I promise, no strippers." He laughs.

    "Um." I bite my lip.

    "Just know, I won't let you say no." He smiles.

    "What?" I giggle. "Then why did you ask?"

"I hear it's the gentlemanly thing to do?" He raises a blonde eyebrow.

    "Where to first?" I smile.

    "Oh, you're going to love this place," explains Axel.

"Let me guess, you're also a bar expert?"

    "I know everything, Ava."

    We get up from out seats and then Axel hooks his arm around my neck. We walk across the road and back in the direction we came from. The bar isn't too far, thankfully, and the line is considerably short. Once we pass the I.D check and get inside, Axel leads me to the bar.

    The whole place is completely finished with a dark stained wood which makes the place feel stuffy and boxed up. It's interesting but an odd taste. The moose head hanging off the wall and the elephant décor show off their unique styling even more.

    "What's your poison?"

    "Anything." I smile.

"Now that's the answer I want to hear."

     Axel leans over the bar and orders something. From the live band blaring out the speakers, it's almost impossible to hear. The bartender nods his head and begins preparing two shot glasses. I don't catch the label of the drink but I smile, embracing this moment because you don't get many of them.

    When the bartender is finished, he pushes the glasses to us and Axel pays for them. He hands me a shot glass and we clink glasses.

"Here's to a good night," shouts Axel.

The drink burns on the way down, making me shiver from the after taste. This is the kind of night I was anticipating. Free drinks, good music, and someone to dance with.

What do you think about Axel now?