Chapter 4: Purple Sweater
Standing over her weakened body in the hospital bed, I'm a little pissed.
That was a lie.
I'm actually extremely angry. The events from last night flashes through my mind.
Coming from a very long work meeting, Jared basically dragged me to a 'party.' I could have just gone home like I planned, but I owed him a favor. Plus I never pass on an offer for free drinks.
As I entered the bar, with the lights dimmed and everything very shiny and black, I instantly regretted my decision to go.
There she was.
Long braids, piercing brown eyes, and completely out of place in her bright purple sweater.
In the middle of two guys and a girl, it looked by a double date, but she appeared to be a lamb for sacrifice in the rowdy group.
Choosing to make myself as invisible as possible, as running out the bar did not seem like a valid option, I resigned my fate and let Jared do the introductions.
"Hey guys! Sorry we're late, I see y'all have started the party without us." He pointed to the many drinks lined on the table.
"In case Esther didn't fill you in, the name's Jared, and this sour faced robot here is Jude."
I nod at the different people round the table, but I skip one, refusing to look at a very specific location.
I know she's seen me, but I can't tell her reaction. I wished I had properly looked at her when I entered, to see her face. She was probably angry-and she had every right to be.
I don't even feel like drinking anymore as I pretend to sip the wine in my hand, twirling it round my hand.
Focusing all my energy at not glancing her way, I end up looking a lot at the girl seated right next to her. The girl starts to coyly smile my way, so I politely nod her way.
Jared leans in to me and whispers, "Her name's Esther. Ya like what you see ehhh?"
I push his teasing face away and focus again at not staring at her, but I can tell Pelumi is pissed. Her body language screams that she is about to lunge at me and dropkick me where it hurts.
Suddenly flustered, I start up a conversation with the girl from across the table. She leans in closer to hear me, prompting the guy beside her to laugh and give up his seat, bringing Esther to sit right next to me.
"Haha. Where were we? You said you've been to Malaysia?"
Somehow, I hold a conversation I don't even remember, about my investments in Asia, even when my brain is solely focused on one thing.
Her.
The punk next to Pelumi with the idiotic frazzled hair has been over laughing and over touching Pelumi all night.
I can tell that she's clearly uncomfortable, so I tried to distract him with conversation, but I keep failing, as he keeps giving me short replies, a greasy smile and goes right back to focusing on her.
When he suddenly leans into her side and whispers into her ear, I find myself about to lunge at him when she abruptly jumps up.
"Thanks for the invite guys, but time for me to go home." Pelumi gets her bag and leaves before anyone can even comment.
"Woah, that was a little awkward." The obtuse Jared comments, leaving the slimy guy to awkwardly laugh and chug his drink.
I remain rooted to my seat, not even bothering to listen to the girl beside me anymore. I can't even remember her name by now.
As the thoughts in my head dance even harder, the loud rumbling of thunder outside the bar snaps me out of it and I quickly stand up.
"I think I'll call it a night too guys. I have an early morning tomorrow. Thanks for the free drinks, Jared." I quickly leave my seat before Jared and anyone else can comment or stop me.
Walking out of the bar, I remind myself not to run as I walk towards my car. Driving the opposite way to my house, I convince myself that I'm looking to buy gas, even though I never do so myself.
After agonizing moments pass, I spot a bright but now soaked purple sweater on a sluggish body walking down the street in the heavy rain.
Of course, it's her.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone