His best friend

The music was loud, the lights low, and the air thick with perfume and spilled alcohol. Ella sat at the edge of the bar, fingers wrapped around a half-empty glass of something she didn’t even like. She saw a couple making out and a sting of pain pierced through her heart. she looked away, today was her anniversary with Ryan and all she got was a text: “Can’t make it tonight. Sorry.” She couldn't help but start crying she felt pain, everyone in the bar started to look at her. He always did this always left her hanging. Just then a hand stretched fourth a handkerchief "Don't cry, beautiful" a low voice said. Ella looked up, she couldn't see his face properly the lights were dim. She took the handkerchief with shaking fingers "Thank you", Ella whispered. He sat beside her signaling the bartender to bring a glass of alcohol for him. Ella wiped her eyes, feeling ridiculous. “Sorry,” she murmured, eyes fixed on her drink. “I don’t usually cry in bars.” They sat in silence for a beat, the kind that wasn’t awkward but loaded. "Bad day?” he asked. Ella swallowed. “Bad year.” Some years are like that,” he finally said turning to her with a look of genuine understanding. “It feels like you’re just getting hit over and over again.” She let out a shaky breath. “That’s exactly what it feels like.” He offered a small, comforting smile. “Well, I can’t fix the bad year, but I can buy you a good drink to end the night.” She looked down at her half-empty glass, then at him. For the first time all evening, a genuine smile touched her lips. “I’d like that very much" “I’m Kai,” he said simply. She hesitated, then gave a name she hadn’t said out loud to a stranger in a long time. “Ella”. "Nice to meet you Ella" he replied "nice to meet you too, Kai" They sat in silence for a while "care to tell me why you were crying" he asked after a while "It's my anniversary," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "And my boyfriend canceled, By text". "That's gutless", Kai said. She felt a lump in her throat, but it wasn't from sadness this time. It was from the surprising relief of having someone, a total stranger, validate her feelings. "I just... I'm tired of it," she admitted. "He always does this. Promises things and then just... disappears." Kai just nodded, not saying anything else, and that was exactly what she needed. Not advice, not an over-the-top reaction, but just simple, quiet understanding. Kai ordered more beer and kept pouring into Ella's glass anytime it ran out. The drinks kept coming, and so did the conversation. They talked about random things. Kai didn’t press too hard or ask too many questions. He just listened. And laughed in all the right places. At some point, Ella realized she was laughing too. Genuinely. Loudly. Her cheeks hurt from smiling, and the weight in her chest didn’t feel so suffocating anymore. It was strange how easy it was to talk to him. How safe. “You’re different,” she said after a while, resting her chin in her hand. Kai raised an eyebrow. “Different how?” She shrugged, smiling. “You didn’t try to hit on me the second I sat down.” He smirked, leaning back in his chair. “What if I’m just good at hiding it?” She laughed, and something about the way his eyes watched her like she was the only person in the room made her pulse stutter. They chatted for a while and Ella became really drunk and passed out. Kai looked at her face she's cute he whispered He called a cab and when it arrived he tried to wake Ella up but failed, he decided to take her to a nearby hotel. He carried her to the room and dropped her on the bed he helped her remove her shoes and covered her with a blanket. she suddenly opened her eyes and they stared at each other. Ella rose up and kissed him. Kai was shocked She pulled back and said "Hmmmm, what a nice dream" She pushed him onto the bed, Kai was left speechless. she kissed him again and he kissed her back she claimed on top of him and they kissed passionately. She pulled away and went back to sleep Kai was left speechless. He laughed and turned off the light he decided to stay by he side tonight.