Don't Let Me Down

Tara had told the cab driver where they were going as he pulled away from the curb. She stared at her phone, scrolling aimlessly through some social media app. Aria looked down at her jeans, playing with the tiny hole that had formed near her right knee. Though she was normally not one to fawn over athletes, celebrities, or anyone of the sort, she couldn’t help but be nervous about running into Mats again. She had confidently left him at the curb, but at that moment, she had thought that she would never see him again. She didn’t think she could get away so easily this time. She silently hoped to herself that Tara had been misinformed, and that the Rangers were at one of the other countless bars in Manhattan, and not the one they were going to. She cleared her throat and turned her attention towards Tara.

“So, are you sure the Rangers are going to be there?”

Tara chuckled and flipped her hair over her shoulder, before reapplying her lip gloss for what seemed like the fifth time since they had left their apartment.

“Oh, I am positive.”

Aria couldn’t help but laugh and be in awe of Tara’s determination.

“How did you even manage to get us on this list?”

Tara raised her eyebrows up and down and smirked before replying.

“I have my ways.”

“Come on, Tara, I’m serious.”

Tara sighed and looked at Aria, shaking her head in a teasing manner.

“Man, you’re no fun. If you must know my source, I’ll tell you. Do you remember Hayley, the skater who was almost as good as you, but didn’t stand a chance?”

Aria sighed and felt a familiar pit in her stomach. Of course she remembered Hayley. Though they were from the same company, they were always competing with each other. They never got along and it was all because Hayley always wanted what Aria had. However, Hayley refused to put in the extra effort and always fell short of Aria. Of course, that changed when Aria got injured. Now, Hayley was at the top, and she made sure everyone knew. Of course she would know where the Rangers would be, as Hayley was the opposite of Aria, someone who actively sought out athletes, celebrities, and the like.

“Hayley actually let you bring me along?”

Tara playfully hit Aria on the side and gave her a sympathetic look.

“She doesn’t hate you so much anymore since you can't compete.”

Again, Tara playfully shoved Aria and ruffled her hair. Even if Tara was friends with Hayley, Aria knew that she could always count on Tara to be there for her. Tara knew talking about skating was something that was hard for Aria, and so she switched the subject to talking all about what she was going to do when she saw the Rangers.

Soon enough, the cab driver pulled over and stopped outside of a club that seemed to be overflowing with people. Tara leaned over the seat and paid the driver, before following Aria out onto the sidewalk. The first thing they saw were the lines of people, kept in order by the red velvet ropes. They walked over to where the bouncers were and gave their names. They showed their IDs and one of the bouncers unlatched the rope blocking the entrance. Aria couldn’t help but chuckle at the jealous people waiting who groaned as they got let in. They walked in and were sucked into the crowd, knowing there would be a good chance that they would get separated. Without fail, it had only taken a few minutes for Aria to end up all alone.

She decided to head over to the bar to get a drink, but regretted it almost immediately. Right next to the bar was a roped off area, where the entire team of the New York Rangers currently sat. Aria stiffened, and she went to turn back around, but was pushed forward by the countless bodies of the crowd. She swallowed her pride and made her way to the counter, ordering a rum and coke from the bartender. She tapped her fingers on the bar as she waited for her drink and hoped that she would remain unnoticed. However, her luck seemed to be running out.

“Aria!”

She stood still and took a deep breath before turning to look. Just as she had suspected, the shout came from the roped off area. She looked closer and saw Mats waving her over. She gave him a quick nod and took her drink from the bartender, throwing a tip on the counter before making her way towards Mats. She tried to look composed and reserved, but her heart was racing on the inside.

“Hey, Mats. Didn’t know you’d be here.”

He looked up at her and waved her over, inviting her to take a seat next to him.

“I guess it was fate then that we ended up at the same bar. Although, I wish I could have bought you that drink.”

Aria chuckled and shook her head, looking up at him.

“I think you’ve spent enough money on my behalf today. But thanks.”

He looked like he was nervous and looked down at his feet, to which Aria couldn’t help but crack a tiny smile. She looked up at him, truly taking in his looks. Up close she could see the definition in his jaw and his long lashes, cloaking his light blue eyes. She continued to study him in silence and was unprepared when he looked back up at her, blue eyes meeting green ones. He swallowed and reached out to tuck a piece of blonde hair that had fallen in front of her face behind her ear.

“You have amazing eyes.”

Aria bit her lip, trying to come up with some witty comeback to hide her blushing. However, she couldn’t come up with anything.

“So do you.”

The pair continued to look at each other until they were interrupted by a cough. Mats spun around and put his hand out to pound the fist of none other than Derick Brassard. Brassard sat down next to the two and held his hand out to Aria, introducing himself.

“Derick Brassard.”

Aria reached out and shook his hand, her face slightly red from being caught staring at Zucc for too long.

“Aria Foster.”

Derick chuckled and hit Zucc on the shoulder, shaking him a little.

“Oh, so you’re the hot dance teacher that we’ve all been hearing about since the game today.”

Mats spun around and elbowed Brassard, pushing him away. Derick laughed and moved away, leaving them alone. Mats shook out his hair, clearly embarrassed. He looked at Aria and gestured away from where they were sitting.

“Want to get out of here?”

Aria nodded and followed Mats as he got up and walked away from the secluded section. He reached out and grabbed her hand, guiding her through the crowd. Aria told herself it was just so they didn’t get separated. They walked out of the club and people started going wild when they saw him. People were asking for autographs and pictures, and being himself, he couldn’t say no. He looked over at Aria apologetically, but she shook her head, telling him to take his time.

After he had gotten through the line, they began to walk away from the club. Mats realized he had grabbed her hand again and quickly dropped it, biting his lip.

“Can I walk you home?”

Aria hesitated, but gave in. There was something about him that she just couldn’t resist. They began to walk down the empty Manhattan street, side-by-side, their hands close but not touching. For a minute, she thought she should turn back around and go back for Tara. But she changed her mind, because right now, this was where she needed to be.

Notes

Chapter 4!

THANK YOU to everyone who has read/commented/subscribed. Love ya!

In hockey news:
The NYR are in the playoffs! Feeling bittersweet about them playing the Penguins because they are my number two team. Still excited though!