4...Were you able to get a girlfriend?...

RYAN.

"With that smile,Dave would think you're a very nice girl" I blurted out. She had a nice genuine smile to be honest. She used to give me that smile in the past.

She threw me a look I could interpret as 'I'ma hit this glass cup on your forehead'. I'm sure it's taking everything in her not to act on her thoughts.

"I am nice,okay?" She laid emphasis on each word.

"Hm. A nice girl indeed" I said not arguing with her.

Maybe if I was to be honest here,I would admit I brought out this side of her. She has been kind to me in the past,but now, that has suddenly changed. I thought she'd come around sooner though and we'd start talking again,but she surprised me. She's still so sassy towards me.

"What's up with you today anyways?" She suddenly asked.

The question took me by surprise. I frowned at her threw a query at her as a reply to her question.

"What do you mean?"

I definitely knew what she was talking about,I just needed to be sure since the question had surprised me.

She scoffed and took her time to gulp down a drink before replying "You're answering my question with a question when you obviously know what I'm talking about"

My frown deepened as I realized something about her. She's naturally rude and just needed a little push to show more sides of her sassy self. Why wasn't I observative to notice that before now?

"I don't know what your talking about" I denied.

"You don't know?" She shook her head in a way to silently say 'I can't believe this'

She called the attention of the bartender to order for another drink.

I wanted to tell her how more drinks was gonna have a bad effect on her very soon but decided to stay out of her business. I watched her drink and drink and drink, when I couldn't bear to watch her get wasted anymore,I stopped her.

"That's enough" I commanded.

She blinked slowly and shook her head. "What. the. hell?" She drawled.

"I know it's not my business but..."

She interrupted me "Ohhhh" she laughed, hitting her laps lightly "You know it's not your business!"

She stared into my eyes boldly like she was daring me to do something to stop her. I stared back into her very dark blue gray moist eyes intensely.

"You need to stop now" I said slowly,but the tone of my voice still had authority in it.

"No can do, Mister"

"What kinda girl are you?" I blurted out. She's so stubborn. So rude. Arrogant. Daring.

She rolled her eyes and turned her face to the back, probably to check for signs of Charles or the other guy she came with. When she saw Charles walking towards her, she rose from her stool but could not stand firmly on her feet due to the effect of the alcohol in her system. I stood up quickly to help her by holding her arm.

"Don't worry. I'm fine" she whispered,still in a sluggish tone.

"Your pride will get you into trouble" I mumbled, annoyed at her stupidity and released her arm from my hold,but she still could not stand straight,she kept falling back on her stool anytime she tried to stand. It happened again,and again and again, until I came to her aid by doing what I did before which is holding her arm. This time,she didn't protest.

"Please don't tell me she's also wasted" Charles said looking fed up.

"Heyyyyy" She giggled and went into his arms.

Charles wrapped his arms around her shoulders gently, looking so gloomy already.

"Oh no. Two drunk friends. How am I supposed to handle them?" Charles sighed. "Terry had too much fun with girls and drinks. He's wasted"

I could tell Charles is starting to regret inviting them here.

"Claire" Charles called softly.

Claire. Her name echoed in my ear just the way it did the first time I heard someone call her that. Such a pretty name for a girl with unpleasant behaviors.

"We're going home now okay?" Charles told her still using the same soft voice,but from what I could observe,I don't think she heard him clearly.

He carried her bridal style before turning to me "Please wait, I need your help with Terry after getting Claire into the car"

I nodded. Charles whispered something incoherent to Claire as he carried her out of the bar. He obviously has a soft spot for her.

*****

Charles and I managed to get Terry out also. The Terry guy is so heavy and whiny,I could now understand why Charles needed my help to get him out of the club,one person is not enough to deal with him in his drunken state.

Charles told me Claire and Terry are both gonna stay at his place tonight. I guess that's not the first time they're passing the night at his place.

"Does Claire stay alone?" I asked.

Charles tilted his head to the side with a deep frown, wondering where the question was coming from.

"I wanted to know if no one was gonna get worried about her or not" I shrugged a shoulder "Maybe you need to text someone for safety assurance"

"Oh" Charles face relaxed after my explanation.

I know she looked matured and independent,but still,I won't be surprised if her parents still call her every second to know her whereabouts.

"Terry would've taken care of that before getting wasted" Charles said smiling "He always does"

I nodded an okay and we parted ways.

******

'Were you able to get a girlfriend?'

That was the first text I received when I got home. I texted her back.

'Leave me alone Cassie'

Then I went to the bathroom to clean up. As I showered, I thought about everything that happened today, getting annoyed with the way my day was spent. I can't say it's a good day.

'Are you telling me you saw no pretty girl in that nightclub?'

My sister texted back, ignoring my order for her to leave me alone.

'What part of 'leave me alone' do you not understand?'

Then something registered in my brain making me frown deeply, my fingers began to type speedily. 'How did you know I went clubbing?'

I called her phone immediately,not waiting for her to text back,she answered on the first ring.

"Do you go about monitoring my movement?" I asked harshly.

"Calm down big wolf. Take a deep breath"

The funny thing is I found myself taking that deep breath before I continued.

"So, how did you know?"

"You told me, remember?" She sounded certain, but I know Cassie too well.

"I don't remember telling you anything" I said firmly.

"Try to remember, you did Ryan" She said with a believable voice,but she can't fool me.

"No I didn't" My voice was getting raspier than it was seconds ago.

"You did" She pressed.

"I said I didn't" My voice was as hard as steel now.

"You did!" Her voice was high pitched.

"Cassandra!" I called firmly.

I heard her sigh. "Fine. you didn't tell me anything" She finally admitted.

She knew I was gonna ask how she got to know,she decided to answer my unasked question. "I got to know through Dave" She paused like she was expecting me to say something,but I was quiet "You're too smart for my liking Ryan"

"I told you not to give Dave a green light sign and that's exactly what your doing. If he sleeps with you and then dumps you like trash, don't come crying to me" I warned bluntly.

"I'm not a kid, okay? Don't act like I'm one, I know what I'm doing. Dave and I are friends and there's nothing wrong with that"

I was taken aback by her response.

"How come you were not able to get a girlfriend?" She asked teasingly. And the hell does she manage to switch tones in seconds?

I rubbed my free hand over my face. "I don't know. I just never saw one"

"Hm. Get one before it's too late"

That hit me like it was a physical strike.

"Mum and dad are getting impatient" she added

And that got me scared.