Smokey Illumination (Short Story)

The atmosphere was smokey, but that could have been my memories of that night.

A Christmas party with work ended up leaving me alone when everyone decided that they wanted to go home early.

They ate, and then they left.

“That’s fine.” I thought.

I decided to stay at the bar and have another drink or two.

As I did my usual order, a whiskey and coke, I saw the girl beside me ordering some drinks. She looked a similar age to me, someone forced to come to their work Christmas Party despite only having started a little over a year ago.

She had trouble getting the attention of the bartender, but that was what caught my eye.

She seemed almost like a clutz but was rather cute in how she laughed at herself for not being able to stand out in a crowd.

Although, she stood out to me perfectly.

“You alright?” I asked. I felt as though this was the easiest way to not creep her out. She may be worried if I said anything that made it clear I had been watching her.

“Hm?” She said as she turned to me, looking to see my face before speaking. “I’m fine. Just trying to get his attention.”

It felt as though she didn’t want to speak to me. I don’t blame her. I was a stranger.

“I’ll help you.” I leant slightly forward over the bar, raising my hand to get the attention of one of the young bartenders who hadn’t been working long enough to memorise the order that the customers arrived.

“Thanks,” she said looking at me with a cheeky smile.

“No problem.”

She gave her order to the bartender as I returned to sipping my drink. I didn’t listen to her order, but from how long she was speaking, it was clear she was ordering for the whole table. I don’t know who she came with but there must have been at least 5 drinks in that order.

It was childish of me to keep listening in. Although, I did hope she would turn to me again and keep the conversation going.

“Thanks again.” She said,

“No worries, are you here for a Christmas party?” I asked.

“Yes, what about you?”

“I was, they all left so now I’m alone.”

“I think I’ll be in the same situation. It’s only 6 PM but everyone wants to leave after this next drink.”

Her hair was slightly blonde and she spoke with a slight accent. She watched my eyes closely while speaking and seemed to be listening with close intrigue. 

“That’s what happens when you work in an office full of old people,” I said. “Everyone I work with has families already and wants to get home quickly to their partners.”

“I know that feeling.” She said.

I could only stare back at her greenish-brown eyes whilst wishing that I could see them more often.

But I knew that I couldn’t keep her for long

“Well, if your friends decide to leave and you want a drinking buddy, I’ll still be here.”

She hesitated as she took the time to look at me again. A slight smirk arose on her face.

“Thanks.” She said, innocently. “I don’t know about tonight, but I’ll give you my number.”

In only 5 days, it would be Christmas. I couldn’t complain about that or anything else.

I was only looking forward to the holidays, but I had something else to look forward to.