No ID, No Problem [Carleigh]

[Rhys Freeman]

Rhys was looking through his inventory; dozens of small bottles of liquor, packages of cigarettes, and some dime bags.  The contraband covered his messy, unmade bed while his music blared through the bedroom, the bass making the floor vibrate.  He'd probably get another complain from the neighbors, not like he really cared.  Elijah would deal with that.  There was enough stuff to get through the night if he could catch some sales.  If he didn't it wouldn't be the end of the world.  Rhys had plenty of money on the side and it wasn't like he was blowing it on anything specific at the moment.  He wouldn't mind a new spoiler for his car, but if he was patient he could get one for next to nothing.  If his life had taught him one thing, it was how to make things last, typically by hoarding like crazy and being patient with things you wanted.

He shoved everything in his hoody pocket, a handfull at a time, but a bulge never formed.  Everything fell easily into his little fold of space, right where it belonged.  It was convenient and certainly made his life more bearable.  Once he was packed he slipped out of his room, dodging his siblings before sneaking out the front door.  It wasn't their business where he was headed and he didn't feel like playing twenty questions.  He got into his car and made his way to his best hot spot; Atmosphere.  

The place was jam packed with kids.  He'd almost invited Katya, but decided last minute to go alone.  Who knew who he would run into, and though he loved the girl, being seen with one wasn't always good for sending out single vibes.  He'd sold a couple of mini's when he saw her.. the cute blond.  There was something cute and innocent about her.  He had to at least say hi.  Worst case scenario she blew him off.  Wouldn't be the first time.  Best case.. well, there were plenty of best cases he could think of.

"Hey." He nodded at her and offered a sleek half smile, the right corner of his lips pulling up.  "How's it goin'?" He asked as if he might know her.  Of course he didn't. but that didn't really matter.

[Carleigh Davidson]

Atmosphere was a place that recently came up on Carleigh's radar. She'd heard whispers of the name in the hallways of Hammel, about how it was a club run by college students for a younger age crowd. For high school kids who wanted to venture somewhere that was like a club, but age appropriate. It caught the blonde's interest, as she had spent so much time sulking about the school during the holidays and only talking to two people.

It wasn't an image she was use to seeing of herself. And so, things needed to change.

Carleigh stood off to the side, a glass of water in her hand. She took a tentative sip, standing with her back straight. The illusion of confidence; her head held high. There were a lot of people dancing and mingling, but she was fine just waiting for someone to approach her. It wouldn't take long, hopefully.

As if on cue, a boy approached. The first thing Carleigh noticed about him was his striking eye colour. She stared for a moment, captivated, before coming to her senses. A bubbly smile lit up on her features. "Hey." She replied, with a small wave from her free hand. The way he was talking had Carleigh wondering if they'd met before. She doubted it; someone with eyes like his she wouldn't forget about.

"It's alright." She answered, with a small shrug. "Haven't been here long." Blue eyes locked with his, her grin softening a tad.

[Rhys Freeman]

He wasn't sure he'd seen her there before, but that didn't mean she didn't come there often.  It wasn't like he was there all the time, just whenever he wanted to make a quick buck.  On a bad night he walked out with at least a hundred, on a good night it could be three times that. 

The girl explained she'd arrived not long before and he gave a sort of nod, looking out at the crowd.  "Are you waitin' on someone?" He asked casually before he peered back down at the cute blond.  She probably was.  If that were the case he would gladly keep her company, if she'd let him.  Probably with a dance, or maybe by getting her a drink they didn't sell.

[Carleigh Davidson]

Carleigh was reluctant to admit this was her first time at the club, so she kept the information to herself. She reached up to smooth down the strands of her hair, before shaking her head. She hadn't bothered asking anyone to go out with her, figuring she'd find someone worthwhile talking to while there. If not, her backup plan was to go home. "Nope, not waiting for anyone." Carleigh replied, shifting her gaze upwards.

She took another sip of water, continuing on. "Figured I'd find worthwhile to talk to here." Whether he was or not, she'd find out. "How about you?"

[Rhys Freeman]

Rhys was more surprised than not that she wasn't waiting on someone.  If he knew girls, they gathered in packs.  It wasn't often you found one straying from the group in favor of going it alone.  She was either really bold or really stupid, time might show him that if he was lucky.  Whenever his sister went out alone he called her an idiot, and if he was able to follow her, he did.  Rhys could care less if Joc knew he was on her tail.  He had an obligation to keep her safe, especially since she seemed so incapable of doing it herself.

"Alone." She agreed with a nod.  "Tryin' to find someone worthwhile." He repeated with a somewhat playful smile.  Part of him wanted to remind her how pretty girls on their own get taken advantage of, but that would only remind her that he could be trying to do just that, and though on some level it might be true he certainly didn't want her thinking about that while he flirted.  

Rhys nodded to her cup.  "What're you drinking? Doesn't look fun." He noted, knowing he could easily get her a drink.  A real one, in a place that didn't sell them.  Getting drunk was the first step to going home with a girl.

[Carleigh Davidson]

One reason Carleigh went out to parties alone most of the time was it gave her the opportunity to seek out new people, and hopefully, more relationships, whether casual or meaningful. She wasn't afraid to put herself out there, and since she's been closed off for the past few months, the blonde figured it was about time to snap out of her funk.

Nodding along with the stranger, she added "Sometimes it's more fun to go out alone. Which you've seem to opted for as well." Carleigh commented, but that was assuming he wasn't meeting anyone here and making small talk along the way.

Blue eyes glanced down to the cup full of water, an amused laugh coming from her lips. "Water. Plain water. Very exciting." Carleigh joked, lifting the glass in a half salute. She wasn't huge on soda and juice was alright. That left her with little choice left given the demographic of the club. "But what can you do about it." A rhetorical question really, as Carleigh didn't expect an answer.

[Rhys Freeman]

She had a point.  Sometimes it was more fun to go out on your own, especially if you were intent on meeting people.  Going out with friends was great, but it made talking to girls a little difficult.  Guys always had something to say about the girls you picked, and in Rhys' case they always wanted him to provide the booze.  Hanging out with people wasn't his favorite thing to do.  Women.. we'll, after a few drinks most were decent company.

Rhys couldn't believe this chick didn't even have a soda or something.  Her question was rhetorical, but he found himself shaking his head.  "Plenty." His pale eyes pierced hers.  "Tell me whatchu want.  Anything." A smug sort of smirk played at the corners of his lips.  "I'm like a fucking magician." He teased playfully, intent on impressing the cute blond.

[Carleigh Davidson]

With a tilt of her glass, Carleigh finished the last of her water. The venue was beginning to feel a little bit warm to the blonde, who felt like she could go get another glass of water. She didn't want to leave in the middle of a conversation, though.

His next question threw the blonde off guard. She hadn't expected him to answer, especially with such confidence and certainty. Raising an eyebrow, Carleigh's eyes met his. He looked serious. "Anything?" She repeated, matching with a smirk of her own. "Alright, I'll bite. Malibu." Because Carleigh liked the sweeter liquors, and she was sure that the boy wouldn't have it in his arsenal.

Blue eyes flickered to his pockets. They appeared to be empty, anyway. She crossed her arms, waiting for him to admit defeat.

[Rhys Freeman]

He liked that look.  Everyone gave him that look when they realized he had stuff they might want on him.  "Anything." His eyes were on hers, his head tilted slightly to the side as he gazed down at her, watching the gears turn in her mind.  She didn't believe him.  He couldn't blame her.  Her smile grew as she named her poison, his own growing in return.

Rhys shoved his hand into his pocket.  He knew he had some, he had at least three in there, maybe four.  He rarely drank that girly shit, preferring something hard and strong.  Sweet liquor was for those who couldn't handle the stronger stuff.  Also, the nice thing about Malibu was that the bottle was unique to other miniatures.  The neck was long and smooth as it blended into the base of the bottle, making it stand out as he fished around.  His nose wrinkled slightly as he searched, finally pulling a little bottle free, wrapped tight in his large fist in case someone who shouldn't see saw what he was up to.  Rhys offered her the bottle along with a coy little grin.  "What're we mixing it with?" He asked, cocking a brow.

[Carleigh Davidson]

Carleigh lifted her head slightly, to meet his expression. The shared, mutual smirk. Daring him to pull the familiar white bottle from empty looking pockets. She was confident that he was all talk; trying to impress her. Maybe this was something he did on a regular basis, she didn't know.

Patiently, the blonde waited, the smirk growing as time passed. "Can't find it?" She asked, almost tauntingly.

But, Carleigh spoke too soon. A few seconds later, he extended an arm with the bottle in palm. A flash of surprise crossed her expression. "But... how?" She asked, before shaking her head. "Nevermind. That doesn't matter." What matters is that he had the liquor and was offering the bottle to her. "Orange juice?" She suggested. That was her usual mix combination, anyway. Part of her wondered if it was a good idea, but the other part didn't want to turn him or free drinks down.

[Rhys Freeman]

His smirk only grew at her confusion.  If only she knew the things he could pull out of his pocket.  Or other places..  The dirty thought flitted across his mind and he had to stop himself from thinking that way.  Too soon, not that he'd mind showing her whatever she wanted at some point.  

She seemed to drop it quickly, deciding she didn't want an answer and he was glad for it.  He had a dozen or so lined up, most of them cheesy, and it was for the best they just move on.  "Orange juice?" He repeated, wrinkling his nose a little down at her.  With a little grenadine that might be decent, but no way was he getting an OJ and grenadine from the bar without being looked at suspiciously.  Not there.  "Whatever you want."  He rolled his shoulder and took a step back.  "I'm Rhys.."  He offered, cocking his head to the side.  "Before I get yer drink I need to know yer name.  Yah know, in case I lose you."  

[Carleigh Davidson]

Her eyes lingered by his pockets a moment later. It didn't make any sense! That's when Carleigh decided that sometimes, some things were better off left unspoken. Unexplained. She wasn't even how he could explain what happened.

She nodded, not noticing the wrinkle of his nose. It was a basic drink; nothing complicated. Something sweet to chase the coconut rum down. Then again, could something complex be expected from a teenage girl, whose exposure to alcohol was minimal? Carleigh rarely ventured outside of the small bubble she knew, so OJ and Malibu it was. "Or if you want to choose something, it doesn't really matter to me." She added.

Setting her glass on a bare spot on a table, the blonde's gaze went up to meet his eyes, again. She couldn't stop stealing glances. "Carleigh." She introduced herself, her lips curling up into a smile. "You plan on losing me so soon?" Carleigh feigned a pout, crossing her now free arms. She was just having fun and was sure that was obvious.

[Rhys Freeman]

Carleigh.  It was a cutesy sorta name, and it fit her well with her long blond hair.  "Baby I plan on keeping you around as long as you'll let me." He assured as smoothly as possible.  "Gimme a minute."  Rhys drummed on the table before turning and heading to get them some drinks.  It took a few minutes but he found her waiting for him, an orange juice for her and a coke for himself. He gave her a smile before pulling another bottle from his pocket for his own drink.

"How many drinks do you need to get on the dance floor?" He asked, tilting his head t the side and bringing his jack and coke to his lips, taking a sip.  He was pretty sure she wouldn't need many, if any, to go out and dance.  She looked like the fun sort, and he was ready to feel her body against his.  The night was still young enough that if he needed to hit on someone after her, it might not be too late.

[Carleigh Davidson]

The pout faded back into a smile, letting her arms fall back to her side. It took Carleigh a moment to realize that she didn't know his name, still. The gorgeous stranger who could pull booze from seemingly out of nowhere. "Well, since you seem alright..." Carleigh trailed off, a grin breaking through her composure. "I should learn your name as well."

She waited patiently, standing in the same spot. "Thank you." Carleigh said to him before mixing her new drink together. Much better than water, of course. She took a sip of the tropical drink before answering "None," with the same, bubbly smile most people attributed to the blonde. "Might have been cheaper for you to go that route, not that I'm complaining."

Another sip. Definitely no complaints against free drinks. She was already an outgoing girl who didn't need liquid confidence to loosen up. "You up to a face tempo song?" Carleigh asked, gesturing with her head towards an empty space on the dance floor.

[Rhys Freeman]

Rhys gave a nod at her appreciation and then smiled.  "Prob'ly, I just wanted a drink an' figured I'd be nice enough to give you one, too." He said, playing it off like it was just a nice gesture, when it was really an obvious tactic to impress the pretty girl.  Still it was nice to know that she wouldn't need drinks to get out there.  Most girls who came didn't need drinks, and the ones who did came prepared, at least in his experience.  It wasn't the hardest thing in the world to sneak booze in, and it was even easier to get tanked before coming out.

Rhys rolled his shoulders, deciding now would be as good a time as any to get out there.  The more dancing and drinking, the less actual talking needed to happen.  "I might be."  He took a sip of his drink and reached to put an arm around Carleigh, bringing her out towards the dance floor.  "It's Rhys, by the way." He offered, not getting too handsy yet.  There was time for that.  He turned so he could face her, drink still in hand.  "So now you know what to call me."  Or yell out in bed later, He thought perversely to himself, but was wise enough to keep that in his mind, where it belonged.