The Pawn

Take more chances, dance more dances. Whatever we say, or do, is already written. Whiskey eyes. There is a thing called ‘fate’. One who doesn’t believe in it, eventually gives up. Dark Hair. There is no such thing as a coincidence. The lips. *Snap* A flash blinded my eyes, and for a second all I saw was black dots until I felt a rough nudge on my shoulder. “For God’s sake” I mumble, massaging the eyelids as a polaroid slips into my lap. I stare at the picture, smiling slightly as I am met by a familiar figure. “I told you not to take sudden pictures” A forced sigh left Rome’s mouth as he placed his arm around me, squeezing my shoulder before slightly shaking me along. Rome Snider, a soloist, a photographer with multiple awards, and my friend. “You were spacing out, and I took my chance to capture this moment. Just look at it. It would take a nice place on the wall of my gallery, wouldn’t it?” “Absolutely not.” “Absolutely yes.” Rome goes rambling about home many more pictures he has to take till the end of December to announce the exhibition. I groaned and stared off of the train again, trying to forget the memory from the previous night by listening to him, but… “Meet my friend, Teriel.” My eyes fell on a much taller and fine-looking guy. His eyes radiated fog, only for them to roam around my body until he maintained eye contact again. I heard his friend introduce me to him, but I was too lost in his gaze to hear what Mathew said, so I quickly broke the threads forming and smiled at the other guy. “So” Matthew moved his eyes towards me again, such a confident lass. His charm is radiating off him, yet I still find it so dull. “What do you do, Artis?” I smiled again, taking a small sip from the martini. It was a safety alarm to hide my real profession. These guys might seem friendly, well, at least Matthew, but they don’t seem trustable. “I read,” I answered simply. It was not a lie, yet there were many interesting things I could have said. I didn't. “Sorry?” The Brunette guy trailed off, pausing to see if I was serious. “I read,” I repeated, and my eyes locked on Teriel. He had a whiskey in his hand, yet I didn’t see him drinking it once. I finally allowed my gaze to fall on his clothing, but the shiny thing caught my attention. Underneath the sleeve of a long black coat, hiding a very nice watch, must be expensive. “What do you read,” A fake smile again. I was such a good actor. Mom, your genetics paid off. “Dostoevski,” I answered shortly, tugging up my sweater slightly to shove my hand halfway in the pocket, trying to search my phone. Where did I put it? “Does your friend read too?” The sudden question made me stop my actions as I followed Matthew’s gaze. Rome was chatting with the ladies, probably showing them his pictures since he was holding his camera. “Rome captures the moments,” A simple answer, once again. “I guess we have the same interests, me and him. I like capturing as well.” Now that sounded creepy as f**k. He raised his vodka at Teriel and me and slipped between us, probably taking off to Rome. Good luck, Matthew. He has an awful temper too. I sighed before I turned towards the bar counter again, playing with the halfway empty glass and, for the first time in a few minutes, I saw Teriel take a sip of his Whiskey. He sat one seat away, placing both of his hands on the wood. A sparkling watch. I need that watch. Me and my obsessions. “Teriel, was it?” I asked, focusing on my martini. “Your friend doesn’t have a single luck, if he is trying to hit on him” I trailed off, smirking, but my smile turned to fake as his only response was to take another sip. God, I am not hitting on him. But this makes it so awkward, more awkward than the time I forgot my next move in ballet. Here we go again. I moved to the seat next to him. Placing my hand dangerously next to his. “I like your watch,” I mouthed casually. “I think I gifted my dad the exact same one for his birthday last year.” Forgive me, my dead father, for using you as my bait. I knew there would be no response from him, so I touched his arm, rolling up his sleeve just a little so that I could examine my target even better. “Mind if I have a look at it?” His sharp gaze fell on me finally, and I swear he was about to open his mouth to say something, when a girl came from behind and wrapped her arms around him. As Teriel raised his left hand to do whatever he intended, I quickly used the moment to click the watch open and slip it from his wrist. Nice one Artis. The new babes ended up from his wrist to my pocket in no time. He didn’t seem to notice, he was too busy trying to ignore the girl, only when she took the hind and moved away, letting me see his face once again. I smiled again. “Well, I won’t interrupt,” I downed my Martini and smiled once again, getting up from my seat. “Nice catch Teriel”, I shot, and I felt his sharp gaze on my face, especially my eyes. He had something in them. Turning around, I tried to find Rome, but he wasn’t in his usual spot. Probably is smooching Matthew. I checked my phone, knowing that there would be a text from him that would have the same meaning as ‘ditching me to f**k someone.’ There was. “Tsk” I smirked and put the phone back in my jacket before walking towards the door. That playboy. I arrived in a cab to my house, when I felt a buzz in my back pocket. I thought it was Rome, but my stomach churned when an ‘unknown’ number was flashing on my phone, with a very unsettling text beneath. ***Unknown*** ‘Little thief’