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Alice made a grimace at that; She'd never understand how someone would pick studying over having a good time. But she couldn't really judge it, either. After all, she understood well enough that some people's desires didn't always align with her own. "You could've just skipped," she offered with a simple shrug. College wasn't for Alice. It had never been in her cards.
Still, the brunette smiled, draping her arm over the blonde's shoulders as she shifted away. "Well," she began, dragging the word out. "I was thinking about introducing you to my other line of work:" She wiggled her eyebrows at that. She'd been dying to get some familiar face to join her line of career; Burlesque dancing. It helped her motivated that her club sorely needed more dancers. What also helped was that the blonde currently in front of her was a perfect fit.
Taking another swig from the glass, Alice put it down against the bar. The sound dulled by the thunder of the voices and music around them. The blonde didn't have to ask her twice.
Rolling her shoulders, the brunette pushed away from the bar. She tossed another, quick, glance towards the dance floor. It was a shame, but it couldn't be helped. Turning her attention back, she smiled. "You owe me a dance, though." She'd make sure to hold her to that.
Pulling her card up from the back of her phone, she placed it on the bar. The bartender was and the score was quickly settled. "Let's go, yeah?"
Lifting the glass to her lips, the brunette decided not to smell it before taking a swig. Pulling her lips back in a grimace, she chuckled. "Wow," she said, "That's terrible." She had never been one to enjoy brown liquor, but this was by far the worst thing she had ever tasted. The conversation, and the mood, changed, which had Alice lifting her gaze, brows furrowed.
The question had the brown eyes telekinetic smiling. "It happened by chance, really," she offered with a shrug. Just like everything else in life, she supposed. "I've always enjoyed exercising, so I supposed it just seemed like a right fit." Her choices rarely, if ever, had any long trains of thought behind them. She was impulsive that way. "I am a dancer on the side, though," she added, a secretive smirk forming against her plump lips. He could take that however he wanted.
It would have been a good thing then if Alice could actually remember all the names that would have ended up on the list. "I would if I could," she offered sheepishly. She was in no way embarrassed about her life, but even she could see how much of a douche move not remembering names could be seen as. Not that she honestly thought Emmett would ever judge her.
Returning the gesture, the grin returned to the brunette's features. "Cheers." Lifting the glass to her lips, she took a swig. Her eyes closed as she felt the burn down her throat. Just what she needed.
Rotating the glass in her hand, Alice pursed her lips in amusement. "I don't even remember her name."
Leaning into the touch, Alice let out an audible sigh. She didn't often find herself in these situations and while they were all different, it wasn't something she ever enjoyed - and not because it made her feel bad. It was just annoying, really.
Emmett didn't have to tell her twice. "Make that two."
Making a beeline towards the bar, Alice could feel the tension drop off her like water sliding off plastic. She was never one to carry a grudge, nor let things stick for too long. She supposed she was lucky that way. "Give me whatever you're good at making that also happens to be strong," she told the bartender. She turned her head then, brown eyes searching for the blonde's.
Alice stepped aside to allow the blonde more room. Brow eyes darting between the two girls. She figured it was better that way. Emmett seemed to handle the situation better than Alice would, because the brunette couldn't for the life of her take the girl seriously. She figured.
Then she changed her mind. Eyebrows shot up at the explanation the blonde offered. Alice tilted her head and did a little nod; After all, she couldn't argue the possibility of that happening. Not that she really wanted to anyway. She almost pitied the girl. Almost.
"Besides," Alice threw in. "You could do way better." It wasn't a lie. If a relationship was what the girl wanted, then she really could do better. Commitment hadn't ever been something Alice sought out. It was never something she promised.
Was she supposed to be graceful when handling a situation like this? No, she didn't think she had to. Alice had never promised any form of commitment and she had a feeling that neither had Emmett. Sure, she could have acted nicer about it, but she didn't need to explain herself. She didn't owe the girl anything.
"Not that we have to," Alice muttered under her breath. She was tempted to say something else, but instead, she pressed her lips shut. There was no need to be cruel.
And the girl only looked angrier then what she had when first approaching them. Huffing, Alice stood her ground. "What is that you're looking for exactly?" An apology? That either of them would change their minds and offer her the self-respect she seemed to think had been taken away from her? "Because I don't think you're going to find that here."
There was that familiar pull again, yet Alice was unable to place any memories to the face. Which, naturally, wasn't unfamiliar to her. It wouldn't be the first, nor the last time and the brunette could only assume what was happening.
A sheepish smile formed on her lips. Looking over at Emmett, she couldn't hide the amusement from her gaze as she mouthed the hissing motion of an angry cat. What? She couldn't help herself. That was exactly what she was thinking of, watching the familiar, apparently very offended and possibly scorned girl.
Alice turned around then. So she knew both of them. Her brows furrowed then before lifting, as if suddenly realizing something. "Wait, so have we met?" She put a hand to her lips, unable to keep the mockery out of her voice. "Oh, no," she gasped. "Did we both forget to call you back?" She lifted her hand at her blonde friend, as if scolding her. "We're terrible, terrible people."
Alice couldn't quite help the chuckle that passed through her lips. "I'll keep that in mind." It seemed like the brunette was reminded over and over again why she'd taken a liking to the blonde in the first place. She was easy going and about as free spirited as Alice was. Kindred spirits and all that.
Dancing was like having a set of extra limbs. Following the rhythm felt natural, as if she'd done nothing else throughout her life.
It was until someone repeatedly tapped her on the shoulder that Alice took a moment to stop, head turning over her shoulder. Brows furrowed at the face looking at her, then at Emmett. Confusion colored Alice's brown eyes and she could feel the faint pull of recognition. "Uh, hiya," Alice offered, head tilting. The girl was cute, curly hair that reached to her mid back. Green eyes that complimented the freckles surrounding her nose.
Alice didn't even have the time to offer a nod before the man made his way towards the bar. Happily, she followed. She usually preferred the simplicity of the bar as opposed to the intimacy of a boot. It felt freer and more open. It was easier. Taking a seat, she raised her eyebrows at the order, but didn't complain. Sure, she had her preferences, but was always keen on trying new things. She would have been a hypocrite had she argued. Besides, he was paying.
"Yeah, well," she shrugged, unable to keep the grin from appearing. "I did have an hour to kill." What else should she have done with it? Sit around, waiting for people to show up? That hardly sounded like something her restless soul would take much joy from. She chuckled then. "Well," she mused, "We can't all be single and eager to drink during day time." She offered him a shrug. "I mean, that would make the world awfully boring."
"So, you're the person I should call if my car ever breaks down." Though, that would mean having to get a car in the first place. Alice enjoyed walking. She always had. Unless it was raining - or snowing. But there was always other means for days like those and it was usually cheaper than actually owning a car. At least, long term. Still the information didn't much surprise her. She could see the blonde in action and it made sense.
Emmett didn't have to ask Alice twice. Downing her beer in three swallows, she pushed herself out of her seat. "God, yes," she replied.
She moved forward a few steps, turned and held her hands out, waving the blonde towards her as a playful smile played on her lips. There was few places Alice felt so at home as on the dance floor. She often felt as if she was made for it. The way her body drew towards the rhythm was exhilarating.
She laughed at that. Genuinely laughed at that. "Oh, right," she said, nodding. "My bad." She couldn't quite help the roll to her eyes. She had to give it to him, though, he had charm. She could see how he'd gotten all the practice from. She didn't think it was particularly hard for him to charm his way, well, anywhere.
Following suit, the brunette stepped up and passed him through the door. "I'm not sure I'd go for the word classy, but I'll take it." It took the brunette nothing more than a sweep of the room to decide she liked it. It was cozy, but seemed like a great place for a drink. She would have preferred the mull of more people, but she wasn't too picky. She had company, after all.
"Bar or boot?" she asked, turning to face him, eyebrows raised. "I suppose it's only fair to let you decide, no?"
Alice could see the appeal of moving closer to your family. She really did. That didn't mean it was for her. She loved her family and they were great, but she loved her sense of freedom even more. Or so, she kept telling herself. She'd always felt more restricted around them. As if they expected her to do more. To be more.
"That sounds nice," she said honestly. It did sound nice. Offering the blonde a shrug, she took a swig of her beer. She caressed the damp glass with her thumb, pursing her lips. "A little bit of everything, really," she started, head tilting. "Right now, though? I'm a yoga instructor by day and a dancer by night." She gestured towards the dance floor. Sure, she did a whole different kind of dancing professionally, but baby steps and all that.
"And you?" she asked before holding her hand up. "Let me guess: Married with kids." The sarcasm almost dripped from her voice and she couldn't help but wiggle her eyebrows. She could see her being married less than she could see herself.
In way, being around Kyle was a relief. He was the kind of person who didn't seem to take himself - or life - all that seriously. While Alice had certain things she took to, life generally wasn't one of them. She was still young and intended on enjoying her youth for as long as she could. Going off with a guy she didn't really know was hardly something that would surprise anyone that knew her.
"If that's an innuendo, you're not flattering yourself," she fired back at him, unable to keep her own grin from appearing on her lips. Opening the door, she stepped into the crisp January air and took a deep breath. She couldn't wait for summer, tank tops and shorts to be a part of her wardrobe again. "You're paying, by that way," she tossed over her shoulder before crossing the street.
Alice leaned over the bar table, elbows pressed against the wooden surface as she looked out over the dance floor: Her favorite spot. She hadn't seen the blonde in years and while she looked different, Alice was certain she would have recognized her anywhere. It hadn't been that long. She turned to look at the girl one more, the corner of her lips tugging upwards.
"Oh," she said, head tilting. "You know how it goes." She waved the bartender over. "Birds of a feather and all that." She ordered herself a beer and took a seat, making herself comfortable. She hadn't come her to attend college like most of the mutants who'd followed the move. Instead, it had just felt easier, with mutants being out in the open and all. Safer, too, perhaps.
As if realizing something, Alice's eyes widened. "Wait, this is where you left to?" If so, that would be one hell of a coincidence.
