WE GET DOWN

“Hey, we could’ve just went our separate ways earlier but you’re the one with the budding curiosity.” Avery pointed out, taking a step forward to shifted her frame from the wall. With her hands held before her, she pivoted to follow his prompt order. Heel clad feet standing shoulder length apart as she balanced her stance. “Are you just going to stand there and stare or ––?” She spoke sarcastically, turning her head to catch a glimpse of him. 

Avery rolled her eyes, well aware that her little act had certainly backfired. “Fine,” her response strayed from any form of defeat despite being caught dead in the act. Charcoal painted fingernails danced along the red lace trim of her panties, hovering over the bag hidden behind the denim fabric. “You know what, it’s your job.” She retorted, removing her hand to hold them both up in defense. “Come over here and search me, officer.”

“I’m actually not too familiar with this part of town –– a few friends and I decided to check out this party and one thing led to another and now I’m here with you, I guess.” Her petal pink lips thinned across her face, one corner curving upward. Hazel lit hues centered in on the seal of the bag the officer had so obviously been referring to and lifting her hand, she casually scratched the back of her head. “Hm? You must be seeing things because I’m not too sure what you’re talking about.”

Though many people would’ve been a nervous wreck in situations similar, Avery remained perfectly calm. It was acquired of her to be familiar with the rundown of things and being fluent in persuasion, hopefully her keen way with words would get her out of the potential crime. “Of course, officer, everything’s fine. Nothing foreign to see here –– just a girl with a tiny bladder too impatient to wait for a bathroom.” She shot him a coy smile, a half-assed shrug following shortly after.

“Yes.” She replied in a blunt manner, her narrowed eyes shifting from the sight of the stranger feet away back onto the male she had priorly addressed. ““You know you’re a pretty judgmental guy, for all we know he could hop into a Rolls Royce and drive off to his million dollar mansion somewhere.” Snaking her arms across her chest, Winona shot the male a rather puzzled look; her brows furrowed and lips slightly pursed. “Oh yeah, and what type of guy should I go for exactly?”

“It’s scientifically proven that people can sense when other people are either approaching or acknowledging another person, and even if I had been staring you would’ve known.” With a shrug of her shoulders, she gradually turned her head to acknowledge the so-called suspect eyeing her to begin with. “I guess I should probably go give him the exact same talk then,” the brunette shrugged her shoulders, “maybe even get his number if he comes up with a better excuse.”

James couldn’t believe that after ten years, here he was, standing in front of Laurel with that same goofy smile on his lips as he had all those years ago. “It’s crazy how time flies, I can’t believe it’s been ten years,” he told her, his gaze scanning over her face, almost in disbelief. Losing touch with Laurel was never something that James had intended to happen, not even when they went off to separate colleges. But classes started picking up and little everyday things got in the way and slowly but surely the pair lost contact. “God, you look incredible, even more so than you did in high school” James spoke, a cheeky glint in his eyes as a million memories flashed through his mind from the last time he saw her. “Well, you know what they say, once a charmer always a charmer,” he shoot her a wink, a laugh slipping past his lips. 

She lifted her hand to conceal her flushed cheeks, head dipping down to hide the sudden giddiness overtaking her demeanor. The girl couldn’t help but laugh at the compliment, a calm sigh parting her petal pink lips. “Oh stop it.” One thing about Laurel was that she was modest, never once having the ability to truly believe the kind words he or anyone for that matter threw at her; however, she accepted his statement with a smile. “I could easily say the same to you as well,” there was no doubt about it either. She felt silly, her smile never once seeming to falter; it was something about the particular moment that was too surreal for her, sure she imagined they’d reconnect at one point or another but never this sudden. “So,” she broke her silence with enthusiasm and peaking interest, “how have you been? What have you been up to?”

Graciously extending her hand, she plucked the empty flute of liquor from his hand and placed it upon the silver platter. Crimson painted fingernails soon danced around the glass as she fought to find a stable grip on the beverage. “Here you are, sir.” She was surprised her words had fluently came out without hesitation, though it was clear her nerves gradually began to pick up as she cautiously offered it over towards him. “If you need anything else, please feel free to appoint one of us. The hors d’oeuvres should be circling around momentarily.”