XI. DON'T.

2019.

The soft, jazzy music echoed from the bar's speakers the occasional whisper of voices belonging to bodies clinging together, alcohol clearly in their system making the atmosphere feel much more smoother.

Sitting on a bar stool was Carmen, she'd long been finished with her little breakdown and needed some time alone to gather her thoughts.

And so nursing a glass of lemon water seemed to be the only suitable thing at that moment. With her phone resting a couple of inches away from her, she had it faced down on do not disturb. She didn't want to be bothered with anything that screamed adulthood. She'd been adulting for years now and simply having time for herself wouldn't hurt anybody.

Toying with her straw, her thoughts soon became disturbed when the familiar smell of aged oak and pine grew stronger next to her. Only glancing, she was met with the dull yet starry gaze belonging to Art. Just when she thinks her night couldn't have gotten more chaotic she was met yet again with the very same guy she'd just been crying over. Isn't it ironic?

Dressed in sweats and a T-shirt, Art sits on the empty stool that resides next to Carmen. Her eyes remained on him for a second and a brow could only be raised as he motioned for a bartender to come over. "Brandy." Was all he said which only made her wonder. Those who ordered brown liquor must need something just as strong to rid of any troubling thoughts in their mind.

"Rough night?" Asks Carmen, a hand reaching out to grab her drink. With slow movements she placed the straw in her mouth and for a second there she could've sworn that Art's eyes glanced at her actions.

"I should be asking you the same thing. We're both at an empty bar and that's somewhat depressing." Once Art gets his drink, he takes one sip and immediately regrets it. The slow yet powerful burn practically coats his throat making him cough slightly. Once he got himself together, he decided to attempt the conversation of small talk. "So, what brought you all the way here to nurse a glass of water?"

"It's not just water — it's lemon water." Clarified Carmen with a motion of her finger. Continuing on she looks at him, "And I'm here because I am tired." Exasperated Carmen and you could hear the deep sigh that resonated within her chest. Swiping her tongue across her already moist bottom lip, she contemplates whether or not she should even give in to talking to Art since they weren't friends, not even associates. Knowing that she was most likely going to regret this later on, she shrugs, "Tired of this damn event and tired of trying to entertain all of it."

"I know that feeling all too well."

It grew quiet between them as neither knew what to say. It's been years without seeing each other and the idea of randomly striking up a comment was all too sudden and awkward to even begin with.

"So...you and Patrick are friends again. Cool." Using the word cool felt almost forced. He didn't know what to say and what better yet to feed in the tension than by saying that?

"What about me and Patrick?" Carmen asked slowly narrowing her eyes in obviousness, the sounds of glass tapping against the tables, elevator dinging of itself arrival, and occasional murmuring of voices lingered in the background completing the silence that ensued between the both of them. "Hm? Because unlike you I don't have a reason to hate him. He just so happened to be in the same event as the both of us and that's that."

Carmen wouldn't dare let Art know about her possibly coaching Patrick. It's not like she was obligated to tell him the truth — it was her business, not his. And if he were to find out then so be it.

Despite the obvious awkwardness laced with tension, their eyes met, and just for a second, it felt like it was just the two of them at that bar. Glancing at his finger Carmen couldn't help but notice a certain ring missing from it. Trouble in paradise? Perhaps, after all, even the most perfect couples have their moments.

Art could only sigh, his eyes narrowing into what almost appeared to be a frown. "I just hoped we'd be able to talk."

Chuckling Carmen tilts her head at him. "I thought we were already doing that."

She didn't want to 'talk' she wasn't so sure if talking was the greatest idea since talking led to other things being exposed and she wasn't ready for that. Not right now.

"Well, I gotta go. Finals are tomorrow and I need the rest." Standing up, Carmen grabs her phone. Having already paid for her drink and other additives she had earlier, she decided that it was time to leave before it could escalate further. "And you should go to before you wind up with a hangover in the morning and Tashi on your ass. And you and I both know that you don't want that."

"Alright, Captain." A smile eventually made its way onto Art's face.

Looking at him just for one moment, Carmen bit back the smile that threatened to reveal itself before walking away.

It was clear that there was still unfinished business between them. The only question is how long would it be before it came tumbling over?

authors note
They want each other so bad.