Authors: Jess Parry
Ripping it open, she handed Jason and Sarah their copies of the planned itinerary.
“So as you can see our parents have planned the next two weeks for us. They have given us two days of freedom before we begin our cultured learning experience” Siobhan calmly said hoping to change the subject off her.
“WTF” Sarah exclaimed as she flipped the pages glancing over the writing. “This is completed crap, so much for we trust you; you’ve shown us that you are responsible young adults…blah…blah.”
Jason was quiet
as
Siobhan watched
him
read through the entire two pages before him. Sighing, Jason picked up his water glass
taking
a deep swallow.
“Looks like we have a project to turn in, as our parent’s told the Dean what we were doing
,
he assigned us papers to write on our experience here.” Jason took a quick breath before looking at both Sarah and Siobhan “He said he would count it towards a quarter of our European history class grade.”
Eyes widening Siobhan shook her head “I can’t believe it, what about the other seniors? Do they have to do something similar?”
“No, it would seem that we are the only ones that have been given this great privilege” Jason said slowly
“Oh this is just a bunch of bullshit!” Sarah
shouted
slamming
her hand on the table
A few people around them
abruptly
stopped
talking as they
looked in their direction; Sarah turned
glaring
at each one daring them to say something. A few
snickered
, b
efore
resum
ing
their conversations; one couple shook their heads
as they walked quickly towards the front door
.
“Great Sarah, we haven’t even got our dinner and you’re going to get
us
tossed out” Jason hissed
“Oh screw them, this place is stuffy as hell, but I was starving and cold” Sarah jeered at the waitress who was making her way towards them scowling.
“Let me handle this, dammit” Jason whispered harshly.
“Is there something wrong here?” the waitress asked with a considerably brogue accent
“No, ma’am, my friend and I were arguing over a project we have to do for our class back home. It got a little heated
,
I apologize if we caused a disturbance, it won’t happen again.” Jason looked up at the waitress his dimples flashing
Rolling her eyes, the waitress walked away murmuring something about tourists. They watched
in silence
as she went back to the front
leaning in to murmur
something to the couple standing there. Siobhan
watched, her face flaming,
a
s
the three
of them were
shaking their heads in unison as the waitress lead the couple to another table on the other side of the restaurant.
Leaning over to Siobhan, Jason whispered “we’re so going to finish this later”
Turning to look
at him with eyebrows arched
, before rolling her eyes
. Their food arrived a few minutes later
, wanting to silence any further conversation
Siobhan tore into her food as Jason and Sarah followed.
“I can’t eat another bite” Sarah exclaimed as she pushed her plate away. Turning in her seat Sarah watched as two guys walked into the restaurant. Smiling wickedly at the tallest one, who looked unabashedly at Sarah in return and winked.
“I think I found what I’m looking for” Sarah whispered to Siobhan
and
Jason.
Rolling her eyes, Siobhan turned to the direction of Sarah’s gaze. The two guys made their way over to their table, looking as if they were late to their dinner party. The tallest one; wore all black his blonde hair with red tips spiked around an angular face. His cool eyes returned Siobhan’s gaze as he grabbed the open chair next to Sarah, turn
ing
it around
sitting down
. His friend who was slightly shorter, with long black hair hanging loosely around broad shoulders, his face turned away from the group only showing a chiseled profile. He pulled a chair over from the opposite table, not even asking the group sitting there if he could. Once he was seated he slowly turned to Sarah, then Jason and lastly to Siobhan. His gaze lingered on Siobhan as she took in his dark eyes reflecting the light bouncing off his eyes it seemed almost afraid to stay too long in the iris.
“Well, what is the plan for the evening?” The blonde one asked looking at Sarah seductively
“Dunno, it’s our first night here, what do you suggest?” Sarah asked leaning closer
“This is a private dinner, who are you?” Jason asked the black haired one sitting next to him
“I’m here to show the lovelies a good time…what are you here for?” He replied softly
Giggling Sarah leaned
closer to the blonde guy who was currently in a staring contest with Jason.
“I’m Sarah, that’s Siobhan
and this is
her boyfriend Jason. Who are you?”
“I’m
Simon,
that’s Marcus” the blonde replied to Sarah, but kept his gaze on Jason. “We were on our way to a club
and
saw you two lovelies sitting at the window. Thought you might like to join us?”
“Definitely” Sarah replied a little breathlessly
“Uh, Sarah, I don’t know if we should” Siobhan stammered
“Oh come on, we’re supposed to be learning the culture here, so I say yes let’s go!” Turning Sarah yelled at the waitress for the check
as
a soft chuckle came out of Marcus.
The waitress ambled over, dropped the check and stood there staring at the group before her with a slight frown. Jason pulled his wallet out
tossing
some bills onto the table as he rose.
“Keep the change” he said as he stuffed his wallet back into his back pocket.
“
After you” Simon purred to Sarah. Sarah giggled a
gain as she
stepped around Marcus
,
head
ing
towards the door. Siobhan jumped out from behind Jason
running
to catch up to Sarah, grabbing her arm
she
pull
ed
Sarah closer to her.
“What the hell are you doing Sarah?”
“Getting ready to have some fun, as will you, so get your panties untwisted” Sarah murmured back as she glanced back at Simon. “I must say, Simon is a fine specimen, but Marcus is awfully quiet”
“Take a right when you walk out it’s about three blocks down” Simon’s voice held a lilting tone that sent a shiver up Siobhan’s spine.
Closing her eyes, she inhaled taking a quick breath
as
the smell of cinnamon and cloves surrounded her. A peaceful calm fell over her, the tension she had been feeling fell away as she exhaled. Opening her eyes, she looked back at Simon and Marcus
unable to
remember why she had been worried around them.
Jason who was now walking between Simon and Marcus barked out a laugh at something Simon must have said
as he
winked at Siobhan. Simon bounded up to Siobhan
and
Sarah, toss
ing
his arms around them as they walked towards the club.
“Lovelies…Lovelies…what shall we do with you?” Simon’s voice wound around them, pulling them into a tighter group
,
Siobhan felt the giggles rising
up again
. Simon pulled them apart
spinning
them around into a circle, Sarah stumbled
,
laugh
ing madly
as she grabbed onto to Simon to keep from falling.
“Hang on lovely; we don’t want you to hurt yourself before we even make it onto the dance floor! You must promise to save me a dance” Pulling Sarah closer to his embrace Simon winked at Siobhan “You as well lovely”
Siobhan felt her face flushing
,
looking d
own at her feet, embarrass
ment washing over her
.
Quickly, she glanced back
up to see an older couple making their way towards them with their dog. The dog was happily trott
ing
in front of the older couple as they ambled along hand in hand. They
idly watched
the group boisterously laughing before them. Siobhan smiled widely at them eyes twinkling
as bent down
to pet the dog. As her fingers nearly touched the dog’s head, he reared back growling and snapping his teeth viciously. Squealing loudly Siobhan snatched her hand from the dog’s sharp little teeth before it snapped its mouth shut. In the blink of an eye Marcus appeared next to Siobhan
pulling
her behind him.
“Watch your goddamn mutt” Marcus hissed baring his teeth at the older couple. The woman’s old eyes widened in fear
as she
quickly
made
the sign of the cross before her. Her husband pulled on the leash yanking their dog closer to him.
“Devil be off with you” his gravelly voice cut through the fog surrounding Siobhan. Blinking several times the colors around her were not as sharp
or
bright as they had been. She started to apologize to the couple as Sarah and Simon sauntered over to where she
stood next to
Marcus. She watched Simon take in a deep breath
,
then blow it in the older couples direction. Sucking in a breath, Siobhan watched as the older couple’s face
s
went lax
;
a dazed look came into their eyes. Exhaling loudly she caught the faint whiff of cinnamon and cloves lingering vaguely on the air.
“Naughty girl, you missed the best part” Simon pulled Siobhan closer to him
blowing
a soft breath into her face. Siobhan breathed in the stronger scent of cloves, closing her eyes as the wave of calmness fell over her again. Sighing contently she opened her eyes slowly
grinning
at Marcus, as Simon’s laughter rang loudly around her.
“Be off with you, and take your
damn
dog home. When you get in bed tonight dream of your youth as it’s clearly left you” Marcus cooed at the couple. Smiling at each other, they stepped around Marcus
pulling
their still growling dog down the street. Siobhan turned
around
reach
ing
for Jason who stepped up to her
pulling her into a tight
embrace. Leaning up she kissed him tenderly on the lips.
“Now…Now Lovely, we’ll have none of that unless it’s Simon or myself you’ll be planting those lush lips onto tonight” Marcus wiggled a finger between Jason and Siobhan breaking apart their embrace. Laughter erupted from Sarah as Simon once again twirled her around him.
“Hey I thought you said it was just a few blocks to the club” Sarah whined
“Tis just a little further” Simon returned as he leaned over
kissing
Sarah lightly on the lips
Siobhan heard the bass from the music thumping off the buildings before they turned the corner to see line of people waiting to enter a
n old
building. The windows were all painted black
, or
any sign over the two doors telling Siobhan what the name of the club was. Two burly bouncers stood outside checking I.D.’s and occasionally opening one of the doors to let a couple go through.
“Seriously, I’m not standing in a damn line; it’s too damn cold out here! Its summer it’s supposed to be hot!” Sarah stopped dead in her tracks staring at the amount of people leaning against the building. Some were talking; a few blew halos of smoke over their heads
.
S
ome
couples
in the back were engaged in a deep lip lock groping between their partners.
“What the hell is the name of this place?” Sarah asked as she turned towards Marcus letting go of Simon’s hand.
“Purgatory” Marcus replied as he pulled Sarah to her
whispering persuasively
“Have you been naughty lovely?
I do lover the naughty ones
”
“Oh yah, I’m a bad little girl” Sarah whispered back to Marcus
“Well, then lovely, we can walk right in, we’ll skip the line tonight” Marcus pulled Sarah into his embrace
,
smartly smack
ing
Sarah on the rear.
They walked past the line, enlisting a few cat calls towards Sarah. The bouncer closest to the line looked up meeting Siobhan’s gaze. A flicker of shock grazed his face, but was gone when Siobhan blinked. He was as tall as Marcus, broad shouldered with lean hips. He was also dressed in all black, with short cropped black hair
, his
steely brown eyes
missing nothing
. He was rugged and earthy; if it wasn’t for the scar going down his left eye to his chin he would have been beautiful. Shaking his head, he pulled the door open
letting
Simon waltz in first.