The doors slammed ahead of him. It took him a second to realize that someone was walking towards him. Asking if he had a lighter. Nuko startled a little, if only because he was surprised anyone would approach him. He had a reputation of being a shitty sonofabitch to be aroundātoo much trouble to rub shoulders with at least. Besides, he didnāt look too good right now. Busted lip, grass-stained jeans. Looking like he dragged himself out of the gutters. But here she was. A girl. Brown-haired and bright-eyed. Unfamiliar to him, which was weird because they lived in a particularly small town. He made a humming noise of assent and stepped away from the wall, āYeah, sure.ā
Jae hadnāt responded yet. Maybe he wasnāt even planning to show up after all. Heād said he would, but now he wasnāt sure. Staying put outside beat wandering around inside. Bumping into familiar faces didnāt sound too appealing. Besides, it was damn stuffy in there. He didnāt doubt that thereād be drunk girls stumbling around in knife-like heels, clasped in tight-knit groupsā¦ screeching how this was their favorite song. He fished the bullet-shaped lighter from his pocket and held it out to her. But instead of handing it over, Nuko poised his thumb across the flicker. Ready to light it. If it was at all something strange to do for someone heād never met, he didnāt give any indication he cared.
A slight grin cracked across his lips, dragging the scar back and revealing teeth.
āSomeone already ruined yerā shirt in there, eh?ā
Even if he looked amused, he hadnāt laughed. This girlāshe was a stranger. The more he looked at her, the more he thought that she just didnāt seem the type to be around these parts. Heād been here long enough to know. She wasn't stumbling down the stairs with an entourage of girls in tow, head-thrown back; cackling. Sure, there was plenty of smokers in there, but he knew most of them. Probably gave them smokes at some point. Seemed like he was always outside of whatever event was happening. Close enough to feel the heat, but far enough not to be involved. If sheād been living here for awhile, he was sure he wouldāve seen her. Or at least heard about her from Jae. Maybe Jason... if they still talked. His tone come out in a lazy drawl.
āMānames Nuko.ā