The Professor

The strobes of the lights danced in a dizzying pattern across the ceiling as the club patrons cheered and yelled in excitement over their drinks, sweaty bodies pressed against her but she didn't care, not when the adrenaline pumping through her veins made her feel alive.

"Woah!" Gabrielle cheered wildly, bouncing rhythmically on her feet as she moved to the music. Her wild curls stuck to her dark skin, sweat beading along them and sliding down her face.

"You're sweaty," Maya shouted, pointing to her friend's gleaming chest but the girl simply grinned, tossing her head back and closing her eyes,

"Sweetheart, everyone inside this goddamn club is," Her best friend slurred and Maya giggled. Gabrielle had a point, she could feel perspiration already rolling behind her ears.

"I need to get a drink," Maya flapped her arms around, either Gabrielle didn't hear her or was too consumed in the music to notice what she'd said, Maya wasn't sure but she walked away from her and headed to the bar.

Her legs trembled with each step she took and she bumped into several people as she wove in and out between the crowd.

"Hey! Watch where the fuck you're going!"

Someone snarled at her before pushing her roughly to the side. She stumbled backward for a moment but regained her balance quickly before looking up to see who had pushed her.

"Sssorry," She slurred at the fuming man, giving him a wide grin to show how sincere he was.

But he only stalked past her, bumping his shoulder into her as he muttered, "Bitch."

Maya rolled her eyes at him and swiveled in the direction of the bar. She apologized, didn't she?

Why was he so fucking rude about it?

Deciding she wouldn't let some nameless jerk ruin her night, she hurried to the bar, relieved to find an empty stool there.

She slid onto it and leaned over the counter,

"Harrryyy!" Maya called out, her voice sounding more like a child whining than a grown woman. The bartender whipped around, his eyes widening in recognition once he spotted her,

"I was beginning to think you left already." He chuckled as he made his way toward her.

Maya made a disgusted face, "It's not even past eleven yet."

He laughed again at that, "Yeah yeah, alright then. What'll it be?" He asked, turning towards the fridge.

"My usual," She said, humming a little tune as she drummed her fingers on the marble countertop. She briefly wondered if Gabrielle might want a drink too and decided to order for her, "And two glasses of martini."

"Coming right up, princess," He smiled at her, taking out a bottle of vodka and a glass,

She rolled her eyes at the pet name but didn't call him on it as he poured her a generous amount of vodka and handed her the cup. She threw her head back and downed the entire glass, savoring the burning sensation traveling down her throat and settling in her stomach as the alcohol warmed her system. She ordered two more glasses, to the bartender's surprise, and finished them in one gulp.

A delirious smile rose on her lips and she winked at Harry, "Now, the party's just getting started."

"You're gonna get a nasty hangover tomorrow," He told her, blue eyes twinkling in amusement.

Maya simply scoffed and jumped down from the stool. Her legs felt like jelly as she wobbled, but she managed to stand upright. She grabbed her drink off the bar counter and grinned at the cute bartender,

"I'm having fun. It's worth it," She slurred, heading towards the dance floor,

Harry shook his head fondly, "Alright then...enjoy yourself."

She gave him another grin and disappeared into the throngs of dancing adults. The DJ was playing something fast and upbeat, and she moved her waist to the music,

Maybe if she hadn't decided to close her eyes at that moment then she would've seen the three figures bounding toward the exit, but she was too busy swaying to notice. So when she bumped harshly into what she swore was a wall and toppled over, she screamed.

Her head banged against the person's nose and she heard a grunt as they landed on the floor. She groaned in pain, blinking rapidly as she looked up and finally realized what, or rather who, she'd run into.

Dark eyes.

That was the first thing she noticed about the man. He had eyes so dark, one would think they were black if you didn't look closely. His pitch-black hair was swept across his forehead but fell softly across his eyes, which looked bored despite their beauty, there was a scowl as he looked at her and she frowned at him,

If anyone was going to be angry, then it should be her! Maya had no clue where the martini glasses had gone and she was sure the refund was going to come out of her pockets. Yet, this stranger was looking at her like she was dirt on his fine clothes.

"If you're done staring at me then I suggest you get up," His voice was sensually deep, causing a flurry of butterflies to erupt in her stomach, she couldn't help but shiver under his gaze,

"You have two seconds before I push you off of me." He said again but Maya couldn't stop staring at him,

It was almost like she was hypnotized.