The Police
1393 Words
Ethan (POV)
The place was already loud before the first hit landed.
“Still hanging around here like you own it?” I didn’t turn immediately, I knew that voice.
I took a slow sip of my drink before glancing over. “Thought you learned your lesson last time.”
He laughed, stepping closer. “Funny. I was about to say the same thing.”
My friend, Marcus the bartender sighed behind the bar. “Not tonight, guys.”
Neither of us looked at him.
“You’ve got some nerve showing your face here,” he continued.
“Yeah?” I said calmly. “And you’ve got a habit of not knowing when to walk away.”
Then,
Crash.
A table shattered and just like that, everything changed.
“Yo relax!” someone yelled.
“Take it outside!”
But it was late.
The guy swung at me first.
I leaned back just enough, his fist missed by inches.
Glass crunched under my boots as I stepped forward. “Careful,” I said, calm. “You’re making a mess.”
He grabbed a bottle from the table and lunged.
I caught his wrist mid-air. “Drop it.”
“Go to hell.”
I twisted his hand. The bottle slipped and shattered.
The crowd erupted. “Fight! Fight!”
“Ethan!”
He tried to shove me back. But I drove him into the edge of the bar,
Another glass broke.
People scrambled out of the way.
“Still want to do this?” I asked quietly.
He swung again.
I blocked and hit him in the ribs enough to knock the air out of him.
He staggered, breathing hard.
“Stay down,” I muttered.
He rushed me again.
I sidestepped, grabbed his arm, and slammed him onto the table behind us.
CRACK.
The wood split.
Cheers exploded around us.
“Done?” I asked.
He groaned, not giving an answer. Not that I even care.
I let go and stepped back, rolling my shoulders slightly.
Then I felt a weird sensation like someone was watching you. I glanced up and there she was.
Just standing there looking straight at me.
My grip loosened. But then she turned away.
I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth with my thumb.
I clicked my tongue softly, reaching into my pocket and tossing a piece of gum into my mouth..
I pushed through the crowd, heading straight for her.
People moved instantly.
She was already turning to leave when I got close.
“Funny how out of everyone here,” I said, stopping just beside her. “You’re the only one I want to talk to.”
She raised an eyebrow. “That sounds like a you problem.”
A flicker of amusement crossed my face. “Is that how you usually respond to compliments?”
“Was that a compliment?” She asked dryly. “It sounded more like you trying to be in control.”
I stepped a little closer. “Depends,” I smirked. “Are you scared?”
“Of you?” She scoffed softly. “Not really.”
A few people nearby turned to stare at us.
“And here I thought I was intimidating,” I murmured.
“Maybe to other people,” She muttered, her tone seemingly bored. “I’m just not impressed by guys who solve problems with their fists.”
Before I could say another word, she walked past me. Just like that.
I huffed a quiet breath, running my tongue over my teeth, still tasting blood.
A short laugh escaped from behind the counter. I glanced over.
“Damn,” The bartender, Marcus said, already sliding a glass toward me. “That looked painful.”
I picked up the drink. “It wasn’t.”
“She didn’t even acknowledge you.”
“I noticed.” I muttered, acting unfazed.
He leaned on the counter, grinning. “Should I be worried? Or impressed?”
I took a sip. “Neither.”
“Right,” he said, clearly not buying it. “So… who is she?”
“No idea.”
“That’s worse.”
I huffed a quiet laugh.
Marcus watched me for a second, then nodded toward the crowd. “New plaything?”
I shook my head, taking another sip. “No.”
“Didn’t look like a no.”
“It is.”
He studied me, like he was trying to catch something in my face.
Then his tone changed, a bit lower. “Are you looking for her?”
The question hit different.
I didn’t answer. I just stared into the glass for a second before finishing it. The burn sat heavy in my throat.
“It’s been a year, and she won’t just show up after how you guys ended things.” He continued.
I set the glass down. “Don’t start,” I said.
Marcus raised his hands slightly. “Alright. Relax.”
I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair.
Then someone hurriedly came to me, whispering something near my ear.
My countenance changed instantly. I straightened as my eyes went cold. “Where?”
“Outside.”
I didn’t look back, I just walked away.
—————————-
Brittany’s POV
I walked towards Avery the moment I left the bar. My heart was still beating rapidly from my conversation with Ethan, Avery’s brother. He had a commanding and an intimidating aura.
It seemed like he hadn't recognized me.
The moment I found Avery, I urged her that we should leave because I knew she didn’t have a close relationship with her brother and I didn’t want to ruin her mood.
“Avery?” I pushed through a group of people and grabbed her arm. “Hey”
She turned to me slowly, her eyes were a bit unfocused, a wide smile spreading across her face like everything was hilarious.
“Britt!” she squealed, way too loud. “You disappeared.”
“I was at the bar,” I said, frowning. “Are you okay?”
“I’m amazing,” she laughed, swaying slightly. “This is—this is the best night ever.”
She tried to spin, nearly losing her balance in the process. I caught her quickly.
“Okay,” I said firmly. “We’re leaving.”
“Why? I still want to have fun.” She pressed on.
While I was trying to convince her, I heard a noise. At first, I thought the noise was part of the music.
Then someone screamed. “Cops!”
Everything changed.
“What?!” Avery snapped, grabbing my arm.
“I don’t know,”
“Run!” someone yelled.
The music cut off halfway.
“Everybody stay where you are. Police! Don’t move!” The officers growled and stormed the place.
No one listened.
People started running.
A glass fell near my feet and shattered.
“Avery, wait!” But she was already pulling me.
“Come on, Britt, move!”
My heart was racing too fast. “I didn’t do anything!” I said, panicking.
“Do you think they care?!” she snapped.
Someone bumped into me hard. I almost fell.
“Stop right there.” a voice shouted.
Avery cursed under her breath. “Ignore them.”
We pushed through the crowd, trying to get to the exit. But there were too many people.
“Move!”
“Get out of my way!”
“s**t,”
Then,
A hand grabbed my arm hard. “Got you.”
I froze. “No…wait—please, I didn’t—”
“You’re coming with us.”
“Avery!” I shouted.
She turned just in time for another officer to grab her too. “Hey! Let go of me!” she yelled, struggling.
“Save it,” the officer said coldly.
“This is crazy!” I cried.
“Tell that at the station.” They started dragging us away.
Around us, people were still running. Some got out, while some got caught.
Avery was still fighting. “Get your hands off me!”
They pushed us outside.
The cold air hit my face.
“Get in.” They shoved us into the back of the car.
“This is insane.” I whispered feeling nervous.
- Writer
