He likes her, he loves her.

She’s blasting the song ‘but not tonight’ by Depeche Mode, bopping her head, shoulders shifting side to side, humming along to the lyrics. Eliot stands in the doorway of her bedroom sipping a glass of white wine.

“The night is young, Brookey. We are young. We are young and single. Need I give you more reason to live it up and party like it’s-”

“19-fucking-99, she says.

“I know you know. I know you know because I told you so, Brooke.”

“I’m so glad you’re coming with me, Eli. God, I don’t know if he’ll be there or not, but I have this feeling he will and I’m not gonna know what to do with myself when I see him.”

“Ahhh. Let’s not even waste our breath on the guy, okay? You’re gonna be so busy dancing and having fun, you won’t even notice him watching you from across the room, realizing what a complete moron he is for cheating on you in the first place, ” he says, putting his arms around her from behind, hugging her tightly.

An hour later, and she’s had more tequila shots than she can remember. She’s standing by the bar smoking a clove, rambling on to the bartender. The bartender is wearing a tight-black sleeveless shirt with the words, ‘Free drinks don’t come easy’ and his hair is spiked up and bleached at the front. He is gorgeous, he is to-die-for, a total babe. He’s almost identical to Brad Pitt, except for the fact that he has a tan, a real tan, and he’s probably the gay looking version of Mr.Pitt.

“You’re hot. You are incredibly, oh my- sexy. Did anyone ever...tell...you that?”

“Well, not in those words, no.”

“Ah, you’re cocky, aren’t you? Are you gay? Because, I think...because I find really overly amazingly hot men to be- when you’re that perfect looking and your shirt is tighter than mine, you’re gay. You are gaaahhhhhy.”

“Find another bartender, if you can, you drunk bitch.”

She bursts into laughter and it’s like a witch’s evil cackle and Eliot takes notice but can’t seem to get rid of Jamie, even though he repeatedly told her that he’s only here for Brooke. Jamie’s holding his hands as they dance, moving in closer to him, leaning in for that kiss. Eli pulls back and says to her, “I’m sorry but I can’t.”

She shrugs and pretends that she doesn’t care but she is bothered by it and a minute later, she’s walking away into the arms of a guy that is more likely to kiss her and make out with her and take total advantage of the situation- the security. It is 3am and the crowd isn’t dying out but only seems to get bigger and he’s looking around for him and feels relieved when he doesn’t see him anywhere, but she’s totally wasted, and he’d feel like a jerk to confess his love for her. Eli approaches Brooke and sits by her at the bar. He places his hand on hers and she turn to him and exhales the cigarette in his face.

“That’s how much I loooooooove you, Eli. Eli-ot. Do you know what rhymes with Eli-ot?”

“Let me guess...idiot, perhaps?”

“Ah! Hah. You’re so wise and smart and bright and bright. You make Einstein look like, like...”

“Let’s go home, Brooke.”

As they're walking out of the club, Brooke manages to knock over and spill two drinks, Eliot is threatened to get into a fight with a guy who's biceps are bigger than both of Eliots arms combined together and when they reach the car, she's already passed out. Her head is resting on his shoulder and he's looking at her and he's thinking, she's even more beautiful when she's asleep, and he feels content knowing she's there with him...even if it just for tonight.

Posted: 4:19 p.m. EST September 20, 2005 by irmaris fernandez