Crimson Red…

Prepare yourself for an unpredictable, yet enticing modern love story of ‘boy meets girl’.

Cp.11

So here we were. In Alexis and Sam's dorm room, making ourselves look pretty for Owen's disco party. It had been a week since I last had my encounter with the arrogant prick, and I've avoided being seen in public ever since.

Reed gave me an unlimited invitation for whoever I wanted to bring with, so the girls were covered. Meanwhile, the guys got invites through their many connections as Styles would say.

Sharing a joint taxi uber, Charlotte Lawrence, Nina Nesbitt & Sasha Sloan's Girls just wanna have fun played on the radio.

That's all they really want

Some fun

When the working day is done

Oh girls, they wanna have fun

We screamed at the top of our lungs.

They just wanna

Girls just wanna have fun

Arriving at the party in style, Jessi's Put it on ya featuring BM of KARD and Nafla boomed throughout the room. We were in the grand hall, naturally blending in with the already tipsy dancers.

We spotted the guys by the bar, receiving massive compliments for our outfit choices. Hanging out for a while, the twins and Styles went in search for girls whilst Alexis danced with her new found boy lover.

I told Taylor that I'd look for Reed and she volunteered to go with me. Last time I spoke with him, he said that he'd be by the outside patio balcony.

On our way there, we took the elevator, meeting Greg as soon as the doors opened.

"Heya stranger." I smiled, widening my arms as an inviting gesture of a hug.

He immediately responded in a charismatic manner, pecking my right cheek though his eyes were fixated onto the person behind me.

"You good, little one?"

"All goodies, senior. How bout you?"

"You know me, same old same old. Whose your lady friend?"

Turning around, I faced her. "She's Taylor," Nudging her to come closer, I introduced them to each other. "Tay, this is Greg."

"Hi," Extending her left hand, Greg shook it, chuckling if I might add.

"You're adorable."

"Sorry, what?" Blush creeped onto her cheeks. "Lynn, I'm going to head off now, see you later."

"I'll go with you." Greg offered.

"That's okay, I'll be fine. Besides, I know the way back."

"No you don't," I added on, shutting my big mouth as I silently apologised for contradicting her.

"It's really okay, I was heading downstairs anyways. You don't have to be scared of me, Taylor, I don't bite," He smirked. "Unless you want me to."

"Take care of her." I warned him.

"I'll guard her with my life." He promised.

Watching them disappear from my sight, I made my way towards the balcony. Owen had his back towards me, clearly in his own world as he gazed up at the stars.

"Hey."

I greeted him. It was the least I could do.

"Reed hasn't arrived yet," Was all he said.

Asshole.

"I didn't ask."

Turning around, we made eye contact. "Someone's dolled up."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Grinning, I walked over to sit on a long and wide couch. "It's a bit chilly out here."

"Only the cold hearted survive this jungle. Now can you please go inside, and wait for Reed there? I'm not in the mood for babysitting."

"Why?"

"Huh?"

Standing up, I stood in front of him. "I get it, you're mad at the world, but does that give you the right to show just how miserable you are to other people? Being human is given, Owen, but keeping that humanity is a choice."

Leaning down on me, he glared. "Are you scolding me?"

"I'm trying to help you."

"Let's get one thing straight, we're not friends."

"Who would want to be friends with you?"

"Don't test me."

"Or what?" I glared back.

It was like a staring contest had occurred, though both of us soon broke eye contact when Reed laughed out loud.

"Reed." I gasped.

"I'm happy to see that you guys are getting along."

"Ha ha, very funny." Owen rolled his eyes before grabbing a drink and leaving.

"You look stunning."

Pecking both of my cheeks, I sighed.

"Where were you?"

"On campus. Professor Kingsley asked me to help him out with a favour."

"How noble of you, kind sir."

"That's just the kind of guy I am."

Taking my hand in his, we went inside and enjoyed the rest of the evening in each others company.

~°•°~

"Please tell me that Greg treated you well?"

"Define treat."

Nagging Taylor on giving me details of what had actually happened while I was gone, she groaned from embarrassment.

"Greg showed me around, hell, practically gave me a grand tour of the place. He introduced me to a lot of people, and didn't let me out of his sight."

Scoffing, I snickered. "I think that he took my words a tad too far out of context."

"And because of him, guys looking my way were too intimidated to talk to me, let alone, ask me for a dance."

"I bet Greg offered to be your dancing partner."

Teasing Taylor was one of those things that made her jump off her bed, literally.

"Do you read minds now, because he dragged me to the dance floor, and I have to admit, the guy can move."

And just like that, she fell onto her bed.

"Oh God, Kait, he swept me off my feet. The whole atmosphere was warm and gentle, he was warm and gentle."

"Well I'll be damned, somebody's got a crush." I wiggled my eyebrows.

"Nope, ah huh," She shook her head in disbelief. "I don't date guys like Greg Miller. They look at girls like I look at cake."

I snorted. "The kind that doesn't digest for six months."

"Good one." Taylor chuckled.

Getting ready to go our separate ways, I simply had to remind her of the truth.

"You know he's not going to leave you alone."

"I'm counting on it," She gave me a hug. "Kate Hudson taught me some tricks on How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days."

"How entertaining!" I cheered.

"Ah, wait," Stopping dead in her tracks, she sat me down. "I don't know why I didn't mention this earlier, but yesterday night, when the elevator closed, I received a text message from your phone."

"Right, I left it in your pocket."

"I was going to mute it, but I saw that the incoming text message came from Owen."

My left eyebrow was raised. "What did he say?"

"Check it out for yourself, but if I remember correctly, he asked if you had finally decided on coming."

"And what did you say?"

"I wrote back that something important came up."

Not able to help myself, I unlocked my phone and went through the brief messages.

Stop with the petty excuses and get your ass over here. It's fucking freezing outside and I'm bored as hell. ~Owen

Go home then. ~Dawn

That would be rude of me, since I'm the host. ~Owen

Then I don't understand why you're still complaining. Good night. ~Dawn

I'd be disappointed if you didn't come. ~Owen

Be my guest. ~Dawn

Dawn, I'm serious. ~Owen

I'll make it up to you. ~Dawn

"I'll make it up to you?" I repeated the somehow foreign words, giving Taylor an, 'are you kidding me?' look.

"I didn't know what else to say," She stood up. "Besides, he'll be more considerate towards you if you have a good reason for not being there as Dawn, but as Lynn."

"Thanks for the backup."

When she left, I thought long and hard before sending Owen a message.

By any chance, you aren't mad at me, are you? ~Dawn

Minutes past, followed by hours until I couldn't take the silence anymore. I rushed out of my dorm room after 17:30 p.m, knowing that I couldn't work in peace if my mind was distracted.

I'm at our usual meeting place.~ Dawn

Wow. Had we become so used in meeting up at the Starbucks coffee café that it was now our regular chilling spot?

Owen still didn't respond, but I was determined to give him a piece of my mind.

I'm not leaving until we've spoken. ~Dawn

Taking a sip of water, I checked the time from my phone. 17:45 p.m. Great. I was ready to type that I really didn't mind sitting all alone, but seeing him enter the café made me relax.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"You actually came."

"Yep."

"I'm sorry for yesterday."

"Okay."

"Give me some credit here, I mean look at me," Glancing at my attire that consisted of an oversized grey matching sweatpants and a sweat top that read 'Not On A School Night', my white takkies, black cap and oversized beige coat made me seem like I was over dressed for the already cold weather.

He was clearly amused by my efforts.

"This is me making it up to you, 12 hours max."

"Then let's get going."

Huh? "Where?"

"No questions asked, you'll see."

Leading me to his black range rover, Owen began driving to God knows where, so I took off my coat once the car's heater was on and tackled his stereo to ease the quiet tension.

Selecting my favourite track of Angus and Julia Stone, I increased the volume for Big Jet Plane.

I swear, as soon as the song began to play, the corners of Owen's mouth formed into a smile.

Weird.

She said, hello mister

Pleased to meet you

I wanna hold her

I wanna kiss her

She smelled of daisies

She drive me crazy

Gonna take her for a ride on a big jet plane

Hey, hey

Be my lover

My lady river

Can I take ya

Take ya higher

Gonna take her for a ride on a big jet plane

Hey, hey

Gonna hold ya

Gonna kiss you in my arms

Gonna take ya

Away from harm

Gonna hold ya

Gonna kiss you in my arms

Gonna take ya

Away from harm

Gonna take her for a ride on a big jet plane

Hey, hey

Each time this song ended, it felt like all the dopamine had been sucked out of my body. I didn't notice that this issue had me bitting my bottom lip.

"You're in deep thought, why?"

I frowned. "I don't like that this song had to end."

"Songs tend to do that, it's in their nature."

"I know..." I grumbled. "You've got to admit that it's a good song."

"Meh, I prefer Nothing Else."

"Never heard of that one." I shrugged.

"Well, it's about time."

Listening to Nothing Else, we carried on choosing songs by Angus and Julia Stone. Draw your swords, Chateau, For you, The devil's tears, you name it. We were far from UCLA campus as the trip was as long as half an hour.

The car came to a halt in front of joint bar and restaurant called The MaryJane.

"What is this place?"

"I'm late, and you talk too much."

Guiding me inside, I sat at an empty booth. Owen looked around for someone he finally spotted. "Okay, now you stay put," He hesitated, before removing my cap. "And get rid of the ponytail, your hair is a mess."

It took so much courage to not strangle him now and there. Instead I eagerly chased him away, and he easily disappeared into the neatly packed crowd.

Moments later, a waitress named Betty came with some hot chocolate. "Owen said that he hopes this will keep you company in the meantime. Enjoy."

I smiled. "Thank you."

Suddenly the lights went a bit dimmer and everyone was focused on the stage situated in the centre of the bar/restaurant. The owner walked towards the stage with a wireless microphone.

"Evening to all families, friends, couples and employees. I would like to thank you for having a fully booked house today." The crowd chuckled. "I know that many of you have come far and wide for tonight, and I hope that new comers feel welcomed than ever before as The MaryJane offers not only great service, but an unforgettable joyride experience. Now, I don't want to waste anymore time, so without further or due, I give you the Little Mermaid."

Everyone started clapping their hands, which made me feel like the odd one out. Watching the curtains open, I wiped my black rimmed glasses to make sure that my eyes weren't deceiving me.

Owen was in the centre with a microphone stand, no longer wearing his light brown hoodie and black bennie that had absurd written on them, but instead wore a white vest like T-shirt he probably had underneath and held a base guitar, while a girl with dark purple hair stood at a few feet from him with also a guitar and a microphone stand. One guy sat behind the drums and another guy sat behind an electric piano.

"Hello," Owen stated. "We are the Little Mermaid."

The soft keys of the electrical piano instantly made it easier for me to figure out what song they would be singing; Daniel Caesar's Get you.

Through drought and famine, natural disasters

My baby has been around for me

Kingdoms have fallen, angels be calling

None of that could ever make me leave

Every time I look into your eyes I see it

You're all I need

Every time I get a bit inside I feel it

Ooh, who would've thought I'd get you?

And when we're making love

Your cries they can be heard from far and wide

It's only the two of us

Everything I need's between those thighs

Every time I look into your eyes I see it

You're all I need

Every time I get a bit inside I feel it

Ooh, who would've thought I'd get you?

Oh yeah, oh yeah babe

Ooh, who would've thought I'd get you?

The girl began to sing her part, and was later joined by Owen during the bridge.

And I'll take some time

Just to be thankful

That I had days full of you, you

Before it winds down into

The memories, it's all just memories

La-la-la-la-la

If you've got someone you like

(Don't you love when I come around)

Somebody just tell somebody

If you've got someone you like

Feel something that's right

Somebody just tell somebody (build you up then I take)

Ooh, who would've thought I'd get you?

(Oh yeah, oh yeah babe)

Ooh, who would've thought I'd get you

This feels like summer

Boy you make me feel so alive

Just be my lover

Boy you'll lead me to paradise

Everyone cheered, whilst clapping their hands in the process. I was one of them, barely lost for words for what I would soon call the discovery of the day... The year even!

The band later sang The National's alternate version of Terrible love. This song always made me want to dance, so I took off my sweat top, leaving me in my white quater sleeved crop top that had two buttons undone, which left my hair in a wild, but sexy look as it went down my back. My glasses were in my left pocket, so I was good to go.

Joining people who were already on the dance floor, my body began moving from side to side, as I braced myself for what I liked to call the 'it' moment. I was getting so close to the moment, I'd lose control, and there it was. The chorus always seemed to make everyone go crazy, and we soon sang along with them.

It takes an ocean not to break

(Ooh)

It takes an ocean not to break

Company

(Ooh)

This quiet company

(Ooh)

This quiet company

It's a terrible love and I'm walking with spiders

It's a terrible love and I'm walking in

It's a terrible love and I'm walking with spiders

It's a terrible love and I'm walking in

It takes an ocean not to break

Hands in the air, I danced all crazy until the last note was hit. The ending left my body so numb, that I panted for a while before lazily returning to my awaiting booth in a satisfied manner.

Owen joined me five minutes later, introducing me to his band members. My hair was tied into a messy bun when I digged into my bacon and cheese burger with fries on the side, listening to how unfairly, —from Owen's point of view, the Little Mermaid came to be their band name.

Passenger's A song for the drunk and broken hearted and Taylor Swift's The last great American dynasty, Seven, Betty and Invisible string blended with the place's aura as the soft tunes played in the background.

"I guess it's obvious," Ariel laughed.

"Just dye your hair red next time and everyone else won't have to wonder anymore." Owen snorted.

Taylan, the drummer, pointed out how Ariel's name suggestion made them settle down from their more stupid ideas that included Adam's (Taylan's older stepbrother and Ariel's boyfriend) horrible idea of naming the band: The singer, the guitarist, the drummer and the pianist.

"Way to be original Adam," I teased him.

"Someone had to be less tense," He drank his coke. "Plus, have you been in the same room with this guy?"

Seeing that he was the one being pointed at, Owen wasted no time in defending himself after chewing on his buffalo hot wings. "What did I do now?"

"Have you looked in the mirror lately?"

"I don't need to have mirrors showing me just how fucking handsome I am."

"News flash friend, you're toxic."

"Definitely toxic." Taylan agreed.

I never thought Owen Cooper would get called out for something so serious, and simply shrug it off with a middle finger.

"So, Dawn," Ariel began, "How did you and Owen meet?"

"It's a really short story," I snickered. "Some lady bumped into me outside of a Starbucks café and I was the verge of falling on my ass until our dear Owen caught me."

"Ooh," They said in unison.

"What they really mean, is what a cliché." Owen added on.

Ariel playfully nudged her boyfriend. "The beast has a heart."

"Okay, now I'm offended."

Throwing one of my fries at her, she glared. "I've told you countless times man, not the hair."

He only, in return, shooed them off to perform their last song without him.

"You wanna dance?"

I looked up at him. "You’re talking to me?"

Rolling his eyes, he sighed. "Who else would I be talking to?"

My opinion seemed to no longer matter as Owen rose from his seat, and involuntarily led me to the middle of the dance floor. Staring at the band, Adam had taken the led while he played with Owen's base guitar, and the rest of the gang stayed in their previous positions.

Jean-Philippe Verdin's Everyone's got to learn sometime had been chosen as their closing off song.

Hand around my waist, I was pulled into his warm embrace while his other hand took ahold of mine and held it to the side. We swayed to the slow tune, moving side to side. The dim lighting had given me a new found sense of courage as I watched him gawk at me. We exchanged no words what so ever, but kept going at our strong eye contact.

At last, I couldn't take his intense dagger looks so I decided to rather lay my head on his right shoulder. The song unexpectedly came to an end, causing me to distance myself from him.

"Thank you for having us, we are the Little Mermaid."

I, along with the audience clapped for the last time before we exited the bar/restaurant.

Nothing else, but Halsey's Graveyard and Alina Baraz ft Khalid's Floating played on Owen's stereo as we both made no attempt to have a decent conversation, but only glanced at one another from time to time.

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