Chapter 2: A Night of Promise

The grate slides closed over the front of the bar as I wave at the other girls for the last time. The Shady Pub sits on an invisible like between tourist traps and reality. While the other girls walk towards the brightly-lit train station, I walk in the opposite direction towards the shady apartments past 1st Street. A bum lays in a pile of newspapers and scratches his stomach as I walk past, the orange street lamps guiding me home. The Miami night is warm and sticky, yet I don't feel a thing as I smile like a fool with every step. Had he noticed me watching him when he walked out the door? Did he look back at me before he left or was that just my imagination? The warm wind whips around my pinned-up mess of curls as I turn the corner. One step closer to home. I wonder where the people who work at Ocean Tech live. I wonder where HE lives.

Soon I'm standing in front of my tucked away two-story apartment building, the AC of the lobby freezing the fibers of my sweaty work clothes. I float up the stairs and stab the key in the lock, still replaying the sensation of his lips on mine. Soft with a cut on one side that felt old. Familiar. I push open the door and flick on the light, the empty takeout container I left on the coffee table a blatant reminder of how single I am. I lock the deadbolt in place and strip off my layers. I'm on a one-track mind for a nice hot shower. No way was I going to look like a mangled mop on my first day at Ocean Tech. The grime of the day washes down the drain as I close my eyes and let the water rain over me, my hair cascading down my shoulders.

My mind jolts and I'm staring at the wet concrete of that day, tears endlessly flowing down my face as the rain pours on. I open my eyes with a shaky breath. Why remember something like that now? Why not imagine my mystery man and my hands running over more than just his chest? Endless sweat dripping down to his—

It jolts again, that face etched in my memory like a ghost haunting me. Saz. No matter how many years pass or how many guys have come after, Saz Fairweather has been a constant thorn in my memory bank. The lankiest boy I've ever met with tan skin and eyes so gold, I'd feel like I was drowning in honey. He had the sweetest kisses that would make me ravenous for more on every inch of my body—

I shut off the shower, my breath shallow and my insides just as hot and wet as the outside. If only he had stayed that day, maybe I wouldn't be such a mess like I am now. I wrap myself up in my oversized towel and get to work on my mane of dripping wet curls, yanking at every knot in my path. As if doing my hair is going to keep the memories away. Like it will keep away the lingering feeling of his large hands when they encompassed mine while we walked together down the path to school. The feeling of his laughter ringing with my own as we ran through thunderstorms together. The last time I saw Saz, he was the kind of boy that used to tuck a stray strand of curls behind my ear and tell me "You have the most beautiful brown hair I've ever seen."

I stare at my reflection in the mirror, my once light brown hair replaced with jet black. My simple protest to the scumbag that left me behind. Not that he'll ever see it, but it makes me feel better for some reason. Like I'm really standing up for myself.

I undo the towel from my body and wrap it around my head, making my way to my bedroom. One glance at the closet and I already know I'm in trouble. Years covered in grease and spilled beer have disintegrated what little fashion sense I had to a lackluster collection of stained jeans and t-shirts. My first day tomorrow must be perfect. I can't show up like the sad nobody I've been all these years. Tomorrow starts a new day with a new kind of Allie.

There was no way I was going to show up in the dress I wore for my interview. I barely made it without passing out from the lack of breathability from that fleece lining. Who wears fleece in this kind of humidity? A girl that's desperate for a new life. I comb through the closet once more and stumble upon an old pair of beige slacks. A souvenir from being forced to take "career development" in my first semester. I cross my fingers and slide them on, nearly jumping in the air as the buttons don't pop from my breathing. If I pair it with the shirt from my pirate costume last year, I should be able to pull off my first day.

I lay out my clothes on my chair like I have purpose and I matter. Mostly because it's what I read on the back of a self-help book, and I need all the help I can get. I check my phone as I plug it into the charger. 3:14 AM. Beautiful, I'll have just enough time to pass out before the day begins.

I flop onto my bed and slink under the covers, the weight of events finally catching up to me. My cheeks flush as I remember my handsome stranger. I touch my lips as a giddy laugh escapes me. My heart flutters with the excitement that I'd normally reserve for roller-coasters or extremely cute puppies. Is this love? Nah, don't be so dramatic. I close my eyes and see those swirling hazel pools staring back at me. My memory intertwines with my imagination and I'm in his arms once more. His fingers that cling to my upper back trail down my body. The crappy bar fades away and I'm whisked into a sea of dreams. Tomorrow is going to be different. The first day of the new me. No more worrying about Saz or random flashbacks. Tomorrow, Ocean Tech is going to recognize who I am. Tomorrow, everything is about to change.

If I only knew how much change was about to come my way.