"I kinda miss you when you're not around..."
Annie's words echoed in Beck's mind, continuously playing on a loop. Each time they surfaced, a smile would effortlessly appear on his face.
By the time Beck had returned Annie's call the night before, she hadn't answered her phone. He figured she had already turned in for the night. So, he sent her a text, hoping she'd catch it in the morning. Annie replied first thing in the morning, and they quickly made plans to catch up later that day.
They decided to meet up at a local bar down the street from Beck's place. The bar was already alive with activity when they arrived. The faint sound of music slipped out through the partially open door, blending with the laid-back buzz of folks chatting and laughing inside.
Beck motioned for Annie to go ahead as he held the door open. Once inside, a familiar scent of aged wood and spirits welcomed them. The walls were decked out with old photos and artwork, adding a nice touch to the cozy atmosphere.
As they entered the bar, they unexpectedly encountered Amelia. She sat alone at the bar, a glass of wine in hand, her eyes brightening as she noticed Beck and Annie.
"Hey, you two! What a pleasant surprise," she exclaimed, raising her glass in a playful salute.
"Hey, Amelia. Are you here by yourself?" Beck asked.
"I sure am!" She smiled and took a large gulp of wine.
Beck hesitated, glancing at Annie. He had planned a quiet night with her, but he couldn't bring himself to ignore Amelia outright. Annie, ever considerate, took the initiative.
"Amelia, join us! We were just looking for a quiet spot to hang out," she said with a warm smile.
"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to interrupt," Amelia replied, emphasizing the last word. Without waiting for an answer, she eagerly tagged along.
As the night progressed, the conversations flowed effortlessly. Beck recounted his adventures through Southeast Asia. "There I was, backpacking through Vietnam, and I accidentally ordered a plate of the spiciest noodles on the menu. My mouth was on fire for hours!"
Amelia chuckled, leaning in with a grin. "You think that's wild? I once got lost in a rainforest while chasing after a rare butterfly! Thank goodness for GPS apps."
Annie chimed in, adding her own quirky anecdote. "So, I'm in Rome, strolling around like a total tourist. I see this gelato place buzzing with locals, and I'm like, 'That's the spot!' But the menu's all in Italian, and my attempt at asking for 'uno gelato, per favore' ends up with me pointing randomly at the words on the board. I ended up with a cone loaded with flavors I couldn't even pronounce!"
As the evening wore on, Amelia's demeanor shifted. Her laughter lingered longer, and her glances at Beck became more pointed. While Beck navigated the situation with his usual tactful charm, Annie's discomfort grew.
Annie felt a subtle shift in the air, the atmosphere carrying a hint of Amelia's flirtatious glances. Beck, ever the attentive host, tried his best to keep things balanced, involving Annie more in the conversations.
"I heard the most intriguing story the other day," Beck interjected, turning to Annie. "It was about this eccentric writer who—"
Amelia, not to be deterred, redirected the conversation back to Beck. "Speaking of eccentricities, Beck, have you ever stumbled upon an artist who's too focused to notice the world around him?"
Beck chuckled lightly. "Well, sometimes the world within art tends to be more captivating than the one outside."
Annie tried to participate in the conversation. "That's the beauty of artistic immersion. It's like losing yourself in another universe."
But Amelia's attention veered back to Beck. "Beck, you've got such an interesting perspective on life and art. I'd love to learn more about your creative process. Maybe we could discuss it over coffee sometime?"
Beck, again, attempted to shift the focus away from himself. "Thank you, Amelia. Actually, Annie's got some great insights into literature and storytelling. Annie, why don't you share your thoughts on that new novel you've been reading?"
Annie, grateful for the diversion, seized the opportunity to shift the conversation. "Oh, well, it's this fascinating blend of mystery and fantasy," she began, trying to inject a liveliness into her voice.
"Ugh, I'm so boooooored," Amelia interjected, her tone impatient. "Books are so boring. I hate it when people would rather live their lives through fictional characters than bother with their own lives."
Annie's smile faltered slightly, caught off guard by the abruptness of Amelia's comment. "Actually, fiction can offer unique perspectives and insights that enhance our understanding of the world around us. It's not about living through characters, but exploring different experiences and emotions," Annie said, attempting to maintain her composure.
Amelia shrugged dismissively. "I guess. I just prefer to live in the moment, you know? Not get lost in some made-up world."
Beck chimed in, "But isn't the magic of fiction how it connects us to different realities and emotions? It can open our minds to possibilities we might not face otherwise."
Annie nodded, relieved by the support. "Absolutely! It's about empathy and understanding, experiencing things beyond our own reality."
Amelia's attention shifted back to Beck, ignoring Annie's points. "You're so deep, Beck. I admire that. You seem to have this mysterious air about you."
Beck, feeling increasingly uncomfortable with Amelia's behavior and her continued disrespect toward Annie, decided to address the situation more assertively. "Amelia, it's not about being deep or mysterious. It's about showing some basic respect for other people's interests and perspectives."
Amelia, seemingly unaffected by Beck's comment, persisted in directing attention toward Beck. "You're too humble, Beck. I bet you've got some fascinating stories to tell. What about you, Annie?" She turned abruptly toward Annie, a hint of condescension in her tone. "Do you have any exciting real-life stories or just those you read about?"
"Are you even listening to yourself right now? You sound ignorant and disrespectful. Annie's insights regarding literature are as valuable, if not more, than anyone else's here," Beck said, his discomfort growing.
Beck's assertive stand against Amelia's dismissive tone sent ripples through the atmosphere. The bar's ambiance wavered momentarily.
Amelia, momentarily taken aback, quickly regathered her composure. "Oh, I didn't mean any offense. I was just—"
Beck interjected, his tone firm but composed. "Intentions aside, words have weight, Amelia. And you were being intentionally dismissive of Annie."
Amelia attempted to change the course of the conversation. "I apologize if I seemed disrespectful. Let's move on and lighten the mood!"
Beck nodded with a slight smile. "Sure. Why don't we get another round."
"Actually, I think I'm going to call it. I've had a bit too much to drink tonight." Amelia said, sensing the underlying tension. She gathered her things and exited the booth, leaving Beck and Annie alone.
As Amelia made her exit, Beck sighed softly, glancing at Annie. "Are you okay, Annie?"
Annie managed a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Beck. Thanks for stepping in back there. I just didn't want to add any friction between you and your friend."
Beck offered a gentle smile in return. "She's really more of an acquaintance from the art community. But thanks, Annie. Let's not let it ruin our night." He leaned back, seeking a way to change the mood. "Actually, there's a local band playing a few blocks away called 'Midnight Reverie.' I hear they're fantastic."
Annie's eyes lit up. "That sounds awesome! Let's go."
They ditched the bar and headed down the street. The distant sound of lively music lured them closer, growing louder with each step.
The new venue buzzed with an electrifying energy, the beats of the drums and the melodies of guitars blending into an intoxicating sound. They snagged a spot near the stage, their feet tapping along with the rhythm, wholly lost in the live show.
The band's music was a cool blend of indie rock and folk. Annie found herself swaying to the rhythms, captivated by the lead singer's soulful voice, while Beck immersed himself in the energy of the music, letting it envelop him.
Lost in the music, Annie felt a sense of freedom and exhilaration wash over her. Beck glanced at Annie and smiled, mesmerized by her joyful expression. He felt content seeing her so carefree, warmth filling his chest.
Beck suddenly sensed a shift in the crowd's energy and quickly positioned himself protectively behind Annie as the crowd surged closer to the stage. Before he could react, someone crashed into him with unexpected force, throwing him off balance and inadvertently shoving him into Annie.
Annie staggered forward as Beck stumbled against her, the sudden collision startling them both. Instinctively, Beck's arms wrapped around Annie, steadying her before she lost her balance completely. The chaos quickly subsided, and the band's performance continued without pause.
"Are you okay?" Beck asked, leaning closer so she could hear him.
Annie nodded, slightly breathless from the abrupt collision. "I'm fine. You?" Her voice, soft in his ear, made the tightening feeling in his chest return.
"Yeah, I'm alright," Beck replied, his voice slightly strained. He steadied himself and glanced around, ensuring the atmosphere hadn't become too overwhelming. "Things are getting a bit intense here."
Annie, still slightly shaken, nodded in agreement. "Let's move to a quieter spot."
Beck scanned the area and spotted an alcove nearby, relatively secluded from the surging crowd. "Over there?" he suggested, gesturing toward the nook.
Annie nodded. Beck took her hand, and together, they made their way through the bustling crowd. The distant melody of the band's music enveloped them as they settled into the quieter space, their closeness more palpable than before. Beck's protective instinct lingered, a silent assurance that Annie was safe by his side.
The band finished their set with an energetic finale. Beck and Annie exchanged a smile, feeling a subtle connection to the music and each other. As they moved through the crowd toward the exit, Beck felt Annie grab onto his t-shirt at the small of his back. The sudden act made goosebumps run rampant over his body.
The cold air washed over them as they stepped outside. Beck swiftly slipped his hoodie on, and Annie wrapped her coat tightly around herself.
Looking at Annie, cheeks red from happiness, Beck knew he didn't want the night to end just yet. He suggested they grab food from a nearby food truck.
"My place is a few minutes from here. We can eat there if you want." Beck suggested as they waited for their food.
"Sounds good," Annie replied, grabbing the bags of food. She turned to Beck, a genuine warmth in her gaze. "Thank you for tonight. It was unexpected but really lovely."
Beck smiled. "I'm just glad we could salvage the night."
Annie chuckled. "True! Despite the slight hiccup, it turned out great."
They strolled together, chatting casually. The city buzzed with life around them. Arriving at Beck's place, Annie trailed behind him, taking in the comfy layout of his apartment.
"Sorry for the mess," Beck apologized, hastily clearing the cluttered coffee table to make room. They settled next to each other on the floor, leaning against the front of the couch. The aroma of the food filled the room.
"You've got nothing on my place," Annie chuckled, eyeing the tidied-up table. "This is nothing compared to the chaos back at my apartment. I'm convinced my couch is a black hole for stuff. Last week, my remote control vanished into the abyss."
Beck laughed. "Ah, the mysteries of furniture. My couch tends to squirrel things away in a hidden corner." He motioned toward a corner with an amused grin.
They dived into their meal, savoring every bite between shared stories. "I tried to fix my leaky faucet last month on my own," Annie said between bites. "I'm not a plumber, but I tried. It ended in a full-on flood."
Beck chuckled. "Well, you're a step ahead of me. I haven't even attempted to fix mine. Buckets work just fine for now."
Between the laughter and easy conversation, Beck felt a sense of comfort he hadn't felt in a while. Annie's presence lightened the mood, bringing a companionship he hadn't realized he missed.
Something about having Annie in his space felt right. "You know," he said, leaning back, "it's nice having someone around. I'm usually fighting solo battles with my TV remote and the occasional spider. This feels refreshing."
Annie grinned. "Well, I'm happy to be your sidekick in remote control battles. As for spiders, not so much." She nudged Beck playfully, the comfort between them growing more apparent.
As the hours passed, they found themselves engrossed in conversations that effortlessly transitioned from one topic to the next.
Before they knew it, the clock chimed, reminding them of the late hour. "I didn't realize it was that late," Annie remarked, surprised.
Beck chuckled softly. "Time flies when you're having fun, they say."
Annie smiled, amusement in her eyes. "Indeed, it does. I should probably head home. Thanks again, Beck. I had a really great time."
Beck nodded, a sense of reluctance creeping in. "I can walk you home."
"It's cold out, and my place isn't far."
"Okay. I'll walk you out."
They made their way to the door, the cool night air greeting them once more. As they reached the sidewalk, Beck turned to Annie. "I hope we can hang out like this again sometime."
Annie's smile widened. "Me too. I'd like that." She glanced at her watch, reminding herself of the hour. "I should get going. Goodnight, Beck."
"Goodnight, Annie," Beck replied and watched her walk away until she disappeared from sight.
Closing the apartment door behind him, he leaned against it, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
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