Billy, Rachel, and I are out at the local bar called Wheelers. We’ve already started taking shots and I can feel the release of tension from my earlier ‘incident’. We let loose and dance to the 90s Pop music that’s ringing through the entire bar.

As I’m in my element I crash into another person on the dance floor and spill my entire drink on him. 

“OOhhhh- man!” says the tall stranger.

“Oh shit! I’m so sorry!” I senselessly starts wiping away at his shirt with my hands. 

“Okay. Okay you can stop doing that.”

I’m suddenly aware of how well-built this person I’m inappropriately touching is. I look up and am taken aback when I look into the dark brown eyes of the man in front of me. Shit! Fuck! It’s the guy from across the street!

“No, I’m sorry. I should’ve watched where I was going.” The handsome man stared back into my eyes, besotted. “Hi.”

My heart rate quickened and I quickly turn my back to him. I respond, “Hi. Yeah. Okay. Well. Sorry anyway.” I run off quickly, as far away from him as possible.

I bolt into the bathroom to hide out for a few minutes. Shit! I look at myself in the mirror. Maybe he’ll go home?

Billy and Rachel stumble into the bathroom with their hands all over each other. I’m half disgusted and have relieved when they barge in. 

“Guys! We should leave! Maybe continue the party at another place?” I yell to get their attention.

“Whyyyy? I’m having too much fun. Plus, we’re waiting our turn to play foosball in the back.” insisted Rachel.

We end up staying and I deliberately try to make sure not to run into the neighbor guy again. That quickly fails when it is Rachel and Billy’s turn to play foosball. Of course, there he is. He and another tall handsome man are the ladies’ opponents. I nod towards them with an awkward smile then stand off to the side to watch the game, avoiding eye contact.

They flip a coin to see who is first to serve. Rachel calls tails and it lands on heads. The guys proceed to serve the ball and start the game. While the game is going on, I realize that the neighbor guy does not once look in my direction. It seems like he does not have any hint of recognizing me. He would’ve said something by now if he knew that it was me in his apartment. Maybe he didn’t see me. Of course he didn’t see me… because it didn’t even happen. It was just a very vivid dream.

The game is heated. The score is 4-7, the guys are in the lead. Both men have smug expressions across their faces. The girls seem determined and unwavered by their confidence. The ladies score 3 points, closing the gap, and they clap and cheer. The guys are starting to look nervous. Things get serious when they are tied at 10-10 and it’s all up to the last goal. They put the ball in the middle and everyone is frantically, yet skillfully, passing and blocking the ball back and forth. Billy is at the goal. The ball comes to her end of the table in a flash and she manages to block it. The ball bounces off her goalie and reaches another of her little men. She takes one strong and sharp hit to the ball and it shoots at an angle to the opposite end of the table, straight into the goal. The girls jump and cheer with their arms in the air. I join in the celebration and high-five the victors. The boys look shocked to be defeated, however, the neighbor guy has an impressed look on his face. Then he looks at me. He smiles. I forget how to breath. I smile back at him and give him a “better-luck-next-time” shrug.

He walks up to the victors and sticks out his hand for a shake. “Ladies. You were worthy opponents. That was an impressive come-back.” Billy and Rachel both shake his hand. “Drinks on us?” asks Billy.

We all head to the bar and take shots. Everyone is laughing, chatting, and dancing. I finally take a seat and the neighbor guy takes the seat next to mine. 

“Hey!” he starts.

“Hi!”

“How hard am I rocking this stain on my shirt?” he asks sarcastically.

I chuckle, “I think it really added some dimension to your otherwise monotonous shirt.”

“Hmm” he says with a smirk.

“Yeah. I think I should get out of healthcare. Become a fashion designer.” I continue rambling, “People really need to start embracing their stains anyway. Like why do we always have to cover them up? We’re human. We’re messy. Come on – like -Fuck composure!”

“To stains and no composure” he says raising his alcoholic beverage.

We both chug our drinks.

“So, you’re in the healthcare field? What do you do?” he asks.

“I’m a nurse,” I answer while taking a big sip of my drink, “Working in a dialysis unit at the moment.”

“Wow! That’s awesome. Dialysis. What is that exactly?” he asks coyly.

“Basically like an external kidney machine for people who have kidney failure.”

“Damn. That’s wild” he says with an interested look on his face.

“So how about you? What’s your deal?” Model or thirst-trap influencer would be my first guess.

“I teach swimming to kids at Sky Fitness and do some training as well,” he responds.

“Ohhhhh! What type of training?”

“For most clients, I do bodybuilding, and occasionally self-defense training.” I take a sip of my now thicker drink and manage to give a nod in response. Makes sense. My eyes begin to wander at his chest peeking through his V-cut shirt. He catches me checking him out and gives a humble grin. Fuck. My face feels like it’s on fire. I look down at my drink, trying to avoid eye contact. He’s looking at my very seriously. Stop. I swallow to dampen my dry throat. Suddenly I am very thirsty. See? Thirst trap.

“Ya know, it’s strange. Your voice. It sounds familiar” he says while gazing at my lips.

“Hm. Strange indeed.” I respond as my body involuntarily leans toward him.

Just as he leans in further, mere inches from my face-

“NISA!!!” Rachel yells while clumsily hanging onto the barstool, “We need to gooooo! Billy is shit-faced…”

I shut my eyes with frustration. Dammit Rachel! This couldn’t have waited 20 more seconds? The gorgeous man laughs at my face which clearly fails to hide my irritation.

I look at him with an ‘maybe-next-time’ look and we all get up to help carry Billy out of the bar.

We get into one of the designated driver cars parked outside. I hop in after letting the girls in first. He shuts the door behind me. I roll down the window and look at him.

“Thank you… I never got your name.” I say, aching to know what name will come out of his mouth..

“Corey. And you are?”

“Nisa” I respond as the car drives off.