Black Velvet

It was Tuesday evening and I had to agreed to go out for dinner with Deb and Eliza. I had pressed to make sure Abbie wouldn't show up as well, no part of me could deal with her. I pulled on a pair of high waisted jeans and dark navy, long sleeve crop top, touching up my eyeliner before hurrying downstairs. It was a nice change to be going out with Deb instead of Alex.

The restaurant we were going to was in the middle of Jersey's botanical gardens. It was small and had a dark wood, antique cocktail bar which Deb, Eliza and I were standing at. I looked over into the actual restaurant which was dimly lit with different sized lanterns from the ceiling. We hadn't been here before but dad had once had dinner here with potential clients and he had told Deb to go. Eliza ordered me a cocktail even though the bartender looked at me hesitantly, on the cusp of asking for my identification.

"It's so beautiful here, don't you think Amelia?" Eliza asked, walking up the dark wooden steps and through the glass paned doors to get back inside the restaurant so we could be seated.

"It's pretty..." I began, my voice fading when I saw Mr. Way sat at a table with three other men in the middle of the restaurant. I shook my head, squinting my eyes to check it was him as I followed my way over to my own table. I couldn't even believe it and reached into my jeans pocket to collect my phone to text Alex.

'Went for dinner with Deb, Mr. Way is here. This town is too small!'

'You're kidding? You're part of the elite hun, our sector is small!'

"Put your phone away," Deb murmured, pushing at my cell phone. I apologised and slipped my phone back into my pocket, pinning a smile to my face and taking a sip of my gin based cocktail. I made idle conversation with both Deb and Eliza. We spoke mostly about Eliza's new exhibition on child abuse that was supposed to be opening in The Hartford Arena in the next month. From their chats together it made me realise how much status people had around this area. Especially Abbie.

"I did hear you'd been invited to The Queensland Hotel dinner," Eliza suddenly said. I was so zoned out I simply nodded and smiled at her, "The dinner and dance? Fancy invites? Kids with loads of money?" she said as if reminding me, her eyebrows raised.

"Yes, that party," I agreed, nodding, trying to stay in the conversation.

"Jeez, Amelia, what's up with you lately?" Deb asked, her wide eyes filled with concern. I couldn't help but look past her and stare at Mr. Way. He was drinking, laughing, his row of small, square teeth on show as he was constantly chuckling at something. His hair was tucked behind his ears and he was wearing his signature black velvet jacket.

"No... uh," I began stuttering, "I need some air, I think, I had a long day in school," I rambled. Deb nodded, still obviously concerned but I got up nevertheless and slipped through the glass doors.
I shivered once I got outside, part of me wishing I had bought a jacket along with me. I checked my phone but didn't bother to text Alex back, slightly scared she would come up to the restaurant and go full Alex with a massive action plan. I just wanted to leave and go back home, I was sick of being around Mr. Way and Abbie constantly. I wandered to the cocktail bar and leant against it hopelessly, taking deep breaths as the bartender eyed me wearily. The glass doors suddenly opened, Mr. Way and his group of friends falling out, all of them heavily intoxicated.

"Oh God," I mumbled, turning around and facing the bar, trying to stay unrecognisable. I only got twenty seconds of hidden identity before his distinct, nasally voice sounded behind me.

"Mia?" he questioned, I turned around slowly, smiling awkwardly. He was wavering on the spot, barely being able to stand still. His friends continued off into dance floor that was beside the door, barely giving Mr. Way a second glance.

"Mr. Way," I smiled, my hands dug deep into my back pockets.

"I'm out with my friends," he grinned childishly, making a huge attempt to not slur his words.

"I'm just our for dinner," I replied bluntly, shivering, goose bumps pecking at my skin.

"You're mad with me still because of earlier huh?" he asked, a smile creeping up on his face. He also stuffed his hands into his black trouser pockets. I pondered for a second.

"Yeah," I started, turning my body towards him when he also came and lent against the bar, "I am annoyed with you," I admitted.

"I knew you'd be mad," he snickered, a charming smile plastered on his face. I shrugged, watching as he leant over the bar and ordered two drinks, paying using his card which he slipped out of his wallet, "Have a drink with me and make friends? It'll be our little secret," he asked, pushing one of the drinks towards me. I scowled, folding my arms and looking at the drink, "Come on! Mia! Smile please!" Mr. Way begged.

"I don't feel like smiling," I pouted, playing him up, enjoying his grovelling. He pursed his lips, holding back a smile before he suddenly reached out and tickled my side. My whole body jolted and I could stop a giggle emitting from my lips and a smile from cracking my face, "You didn't just do that!" I exclaimed.

"I'm your teacher I can do what I like," he smirked, taking a sip of his drink. I smiled, also taking a sip of my own drink, unable to stop smiling giddily, "Come on, come have a quick dance with me and then we'll send you back to your table," he asked me, his head cocked to one side.

"Won't your friends wonder who I am?" I questioned delicately.

"Well... let's just say I know you anyway other way than that you are my student, I don't imagine that would go down well," he replied, chuckling slightly.

I followed him gingerly towards the wooden double doors, glancing over my shoulder quickly, feeling incredibly guilty about following Mr. Way. The door slammed behind me and I was instantly hit by the stuffy heat of the dance hall. Mr. Way instantly started moving his hips to the song that was playing and he had surprising rhythm for the awkward dad dance that he was doing. My brow instantly furrowed even though I was trying to cover how awkward I felt. He seemed to find this amusing, grinning at me as I stood there, uncomfortably tapping my foot.

"Smile!" he yelled at me, I blinked back at him, trying to muster a real smile. Mr. Way rolled his eyes and came closer to me, using his free hand to push my drink towards my lips. As told I took a long few swallows from my glass, my own eyes rolling when he made me finish the rest of it, "Well done," he smiled, taking my empty glass and replacing it with his full one.

"I can't drink this too!" I yelled at him over the music, noticing the dance floor was filling up. I moved aside for a group of people who came in, wriggling through the crowd to get closer to the front by the speakers.

"Just do as your told for once!" Mr. Way laughed loudly, pushing at the bottom of my glass again. I sighed out loudly, taking a deep breath in before starting to drink back the cold, icy liquid. I grimaced when I finished, a little shiver running throughout my body, "Good girl," he smirked, taking the now empty glass from my hand and this time replacing it with his hand.

After a few songs the drinks had taken effect but I still felt shy and bashful. Being with Mr. Way was weird, occasionally he would grab my hands and make me dance, or spin me round mock Disney princess style. I couldn't tell whether he was flirting with me or treating me like a five year old little girl. I met his eyes a few times, each time I had to look away quickly, my cheeks would flush and I would feel childish, my dancing momentarily stopping so I could collect myself. I was about to announce my leave before Alannah Myles' Black Velvet came swaying through the speakers.

I looked around me wearily, my vision slightly blurred from the drinks before my eyes landed back on Mr. Way. He was stood still, surrounding by people either leaving the dance floor or pairs coupling up to dance together. His shirt had become untucked from his dancing, his hair tousled from sweat. His hazel eyes also landed on mine and a small, crooked grin formed on his face.

"You going to dance with me?" he questioned, leaning forward allowing his voice to slip into my ear effortlessly. Before I could answer his arm slipped around my waist and he pulled me closer to him.

Using his free arm, he pulled my arm around his neck and allowed my other arm to copy its action. I could feel the dampness on the back of his neck and the heat of his body against mine was making me dizzy. His body swayed lightly from side to side and I could his fingers stroke the bare skin between my cropped shirt and my jeans. I tensed as I felt his whole hand slip up the back of my shirt, his fingers tips pressing on my skin. I bit my bottom lip into my mouth, avoiding eye contact by staring at the lapel of his suit jacket.

"Look at me," he murmured in my ear. Doubtfully, I looked up, my breath hitching in my throat when he pulled me even closer to his body. I wanted so desperately to kiss him. It was becoming unbearable, he stared into me effortlessly, like it barely effected him.

"I can't look at you," I admitted just loudly enough for him to hear over the music.

"I know you can't," he replied as I dropped my arms from around his neck. I rested my hands against his chest, looking down at them doubtfully, "Look at me," he asked again. I did as I was told, even though I was silently pleading with him.

"Please, stop doing this to me," I ground out, pushing at his chest a little even though he didn't loosen his grip. He held me closer, once again his lips so close to mine, "You told me not to get confused, how is this not confusing me?" I questioned, swallowing worriedly. He said nothing. I was drowning in his eyes, my heartbeat rapidly pounding beneath my shirt.

I lent up towards him, my lips basically touching his. I could feel the slightly damp skin brush my own. For a dream filled second, I thought he was going to kiss me back but he pathetically let his arms go from around my waist and he took a timid step back. My mouth opened and my eyes widened.

He stared at me guiltily, chewing the inside of his cheek. My lips curled into a snarl and I grimaced before turning on my heel, pushing my way through other people, not even turning around to see him drop his head to the floor uncomfortably.

Notes

sorry for being MIA recently, been really busy! really loved this chapter though, hope you guys did too!