I don't usually do this, I swear.

[girl]

{Open}

Lexi shoved open the door to the bar. Five heads, which was about how many people were in there, looked up at her. Ten sets of eyes lingered instead of doing the polite thing and going back to their business. She mentally rolled her eyes, scowling, but managed to keep her physical appearance completely nonchalant. Lexi's large blue eyes didn't wander curiously around the bar, but instead stared ahead of her with confidence.

The gorgeous figure in a pair of short shorts and a tight t-shirt made her way across the bar towards the counter. Her golden skin and exciting colors she wore gleamed against the dull room, making her an automatic beacon. No, she'd not come into the bar to attract the attention of crusty old men and possible rapists. She'd come into the bar to escape.

"Can I get a water? With ice." Lexi asked the bartender politely, sliding up onto one of the nasty stools. A look of disgust flashed across her face, but she quickly ripped it off and shoved it back under a sweet smile and shining eyes. The bartender looked her over with a blank expression, grunted, then began fixing her water.

Why can't I go out for a nice, peaceful run for once? Lexi wondered with annoyance, taking a thirsty gulp from her drink after it had been handed to her. Some of the liquid escaped her from the corners of her mouth, making their daring escape down her cheeks and towards her chin. She exterminated them with a wipe of the back of her hand. There I was, innocently jogging down the street...

"Hey baby. Wanna go for a ride?!" Came a man's voice from behind Lexi. She stopped, mid-stride, and spun around to face her approachers. They were in a car, a red Mustang. Two guys, one blond, one brunette. They both wore black leather jackets and had spiked up hair. "Bad-ass" tattoos could been seen crawling up their necks. Your typical wannabe thugs. Despite that, they were attractive.

"Uhm, no thanks, I'm jogging." Lexi motioned to her clothes, noticing for the first time how her shirt was riding up and exposing her stomach. She quickly grabbed the edges and pulled it down, to the lustful snickers of the men. A defiant glare crossed her face.

"Obviously." The other guy commented. "Just hop in. There's only two seats, but you can have my lap." He pulled down his sunglasses to wink at her as the other guy cracked up. Lexi rolled her eyes. The other guy took it as his chance to make a comment.

"Either that, or you can sit on mine. You'd be a little higher than on his." This sent them both into peals of laughter. Lexi wanted to make them bleed.

"I'd sooner bed a pig." She commented harshly, sick of them already. It wasn't really their comments that made her snippidty. It was that they had bothered her in the middle of running. "Get lost." And with that, she began to sprint. The boys, still surprised, stayed on the curb for a moment before revving up their engine and speeding after her. Lexi had turned down an alley and made a few other forgettable turns before she'd found the bar. Yearning for water and a place to sit, she'd gone in.

The interested looks of the old men sitting around made her begin to second guess her decision to go in. Damn. Too late.

[Howl Roemer]

Howl had seen a female figure run passed the pub window. Only seconds later, she came through the door. A blond bombshell, beaded with sweat. She caught every eye of the men in the bar. Howl was by far, the youngest in the bar at that point. HIs friends had left only twenty minutes ago.

He watched, quite intreged. All other men watched her like she was a goddess. It was more what the men would do, not really her that he was watching for. He dropped his watch after a moment, No one seemed to take any move towards her.

Howl went back to his drink, taking a long swig of it. He glanced back to the girl. She looked like she now began to regret the choice of coming in so abruptly. The other sets of eyes still hadn't left her. He emptied his drink, then stood, walking to the bar. He left the epmty glass on the bar, then went back to where he had sat before.

HE lit a cigarette, taking a long drag, blowing the smoke into the already smoke filled air. HIs eyes fell back to the girl, and her doutful look. He relaxed more, his eyes dropping from her to the men watching once again.

How long can they wait?

[girl]

Lexi subconsciously drummed her fingers against the counter, awkwardly keeping her eyes on the exhibit behind the bartender's head. There was beer, shot cups, towels, trophies, posters, and anything else that found it's way up there, including a strange contraption that didn't look too good. Her body urged her to swivel around and chew up the eyes that drilled the back of her head, but she managed to keep cool.

The bartender looked at her as though she'd done something wrong, watching Lexi from the corner of his eyes with a somewhat angry glare. Her skin crawled, and she gave in. Slowly, slowly, Lexi turned her head to peer around the room.

The sight of a boy not too old immediately caught her attention. He seemed interesting. What interested her more was that he was looking at her. She raised a brow, then moved on to the old men, who were also still looking. Frowning, Lexi turned back around, but not before glancing towards the boy again. Just as she was taking another sip of her water the door opened. Their heads turned, including hers this time.

In strode an older guy, probably in his thirties. His black hair was combed back to perfection, sleek with wax. He wore a sharp suit and held a brief case. Without even a glance at the other people in the bar he went to the counter and ordered a drink as though he and the bartender were old friends, although the bartender gave him the same weird expression he'd given Lexi. Lexi found herself wondering, What's he doing in here?

The man smiled pleasantly, carefully setting his briefcase on the counter. His attention then turned sharply to Lexi, when he asked,

"Have we met?" Lexi paused, then slowly shook her head, too stunned to speak.

[Howl Roemer]

Howl had caught the eye of the blond bombshell. She had glanced at him twice. Het gazed had left when a tall dark man strode in. Howl watched him now, cerious as he strode to the bar. The Man acted asthough he owned the bar, not looking at any one and ordering a drink like him and the bar man went way back.

The man sat near the bombshell, then said something. She didn't seem to respond. It was strange what a relitively good looking man could do to a girls complextion. He watched, taking another sip of his drink. Over the noice, he couldn't hear what the man had said, so a response wasn't something he could try to figure out. But there were basically only three options about this guy.

Howl flashed through the possibilities quickly.

A) This man was one who could buy any woman, with money or a flash of the gorgeous smile he was still hidding. But then again, he might just be the one that buys them only with money.

Option B. This guy was a creeper. Had seen the bombshell come in, followed her in, and was now making his move. Of course, if he was a creeper, his 'move' wouldn't be briliant and would most likely get him a slap or arrested.

But then again, he wasn't the worst looking middle aged man.

Last choice. He knew her. Then again, even if they did know eachother, a thirty-some-odd year old wouldn't look to good with bombshell there. That would get him arrested too.

Howl finished his drink well he thought about the situation, not watching them as he thought. So up he got. He walked to the bar slowly, glancing at bombshell and thirties every few steps. He stepped to the bar, standing now beside the blonde. He said down his glass and motioned to the bar tender. He didn't look over to the two well he stood there, but eyed the wall behind the counter.

[girl]

The man took her answer with a calm smile, angling his head just a bit so she received the perfect look from him. Feeling her heart flutter and her face heat, Lexi cleared her throat, glancing away to the left. There stood the boy, his cup on the counter, looking as though he was ordering another drink. She couldn't help but stare at his face for a few moments, before looking down into her lap where she moved her hands as well.

Oh god. I'm never coming into this bar again. She thought, wishing she had the courage to leave. But she didn't. She actually didn't want to. To her right was an older guy, obviously interested in her. Wasn't this what she'd always wanted? Sure, it was illegal, but Lexi was tired of the teenagers at Ryo who only knew how to play sports and have sex. She needed someone who could carry on a conversation with her without eying her body... though of course a glance or two every now and then was expected.

And then to her left stood a handsome guy probably around eighteen, by his looks, who hadn't looked at her yet. Is this world going crazy or what? Something made her want to talk to him, made her want him to walk her home and make sure no one else bothered her. The shape of his lips--

"Lexi?" The older man asked. Lexi's head shot up.

"How do you know my name?" She asked warily, subconsciously leaning away. The man smiled again, another one of those smiles.

"Because we really do know each other. You must have forgotten..." he glanced sharply towards the bartender, who's back was turned. A moment later a roll of money was tucked into one of her hands, done with quick precision, obviously practiced. Lexi allowed her gaze to drift to the boy beside her, wondering if he'd seen.

"I, uh..." she began, but was hushed by the man. He rested a heavy hand on her shoulder, making her skin crawl.

"C'mon. I'll take you home." He pulled her chair away from the bar, giving her room to climb off, and then offered his arm with a gentle smile. Lexi wanted to kick him where it hurt and run. But another part of her softly encouraged, "Sure, go ahead. Let him make things better for you. He can support you. You're going to flunk high school anyways. Run away with this dashing youn-- middle-aged man who will make all of your wildest dreams come true."

Lexi froze.

[Howl Roemer]

Howl, had listened closely. There really was no doubt. This guy was a creep. He was a good looking man, with a face that wouldn't easily be forgotten, so she did not know him well or at all. There was a very large likeliness that this wouldn't end well. But this guy was thirty something, and Howl had no idea what he looked like under the shirt, scraggly or strong? Who knew.

But would he really just let her walk into something bad, a situation like what this was appearing to be. He knew her name now, he could talk to her, like he knew her, like she had come in with him. It would get thirty something to possibly leave her be, or get him hit, most likely very hard.

Howl turned, looking at the man, then to Lexi. "You want me to get you another drink Lex?" he asked, putting his arm around her waist, hoping she would understand, and wouldn't hit him.

[girl]

Lexi shuddered as the boy beside her slipped his arm around her waist. She turned slowly to him, the hand holding the money opening, dropping it to the floor. Stunned gratitude showed on her face as she nodded stupidly, her pulse spiking higher than it had already been. The thirty-year-old frowned at the boy, not noticing the dropped money. He turned the the bar keeper, snatching his drink away angrily and gulping it down.

Lexi turned her face towards the guy with his arm around her, wondering how he knew her name. A timid smirk found it's way to her lips as she took him in with her eyes. Her finger began to trace the rim of her cup.

"Something besides water." Her voice came out confident, her attention shooting towards the man for a moment, before going back to the boy.

[Howl Roemer]

By the reaction Lexi gave him, she must have understood what he was doing. He glanced over Lexi's shoulder to the other man. He seemed undermind and upset. Howl couldn't help but smile. Howl turned now, leaning against the bar, on his elbows. He glanced at Lexi, around the bar, then back to her.

Howl stood up again. He leaned in close to Lexi. "I'm Howl, by the way." He then Leaned back against the bar. It was something she'd need to know for now.

He glanced to the older man again, then Back to Lexi. "Anything you want. I have all the money in the world to spend on you." he said, sounding triumphant adn pleased with himself.

[girl]

A surprised yet happily satisfied blush struck Lexi's cheeks. Knowing the man was watching, she batted her eyes at Howl a few times before he looked away. After an evil glance towards the man she shifted her weight, moving a bit closer.

"Uh, I'll take a coke." Her voice had picked up. "No ice." Lexi slammed her elbow onto the counter, resting her cheek on it with her face turned towards Howl, not wanting to even glimpse the man from her peripheral vision. She caught his eyes, mouthing, Thank you.

[Howl Roemer]

Howl glanced to the older man, then back to Lexi, catching her batting her eyes. He smiled crookedly, watching her shift towards him. He shifted slightly, moving in slightly closer. She mouthed thank you, and he winked back playfully. He turned his head, looking passed the man, to the bartender. "Two cokes. No Ice." he said quickly.

The bar-man reacted quickly, bringing them the cokes in a few short moments. He picked up both glasses, carrying them to where he had sat before. He motioned to the seats with a fick of his head. He smiled back at her, then continued on forewards to the table. He set down the glasses, one across from where he took his seat.

He smiled once again, at Lexi, dashingly.

[girl]

Lexi's breath caught in her throat at Howl's smile, her heart skipping a beat and then picking up. As she made her way to teh table her mind began to spin, wondering when the last time she'd been around a guy like him had been. Never. Most the guys she dated were popular preps, jerks who wanted her body, obedience, and to be her prince. Lexi wasn't looking for that kind of guy. Howl had a dark appearance, holding mystery. She found herself fantasizing about the two of them as she took a seat.

"Thank you." She finally said aloud, after snapping out of "it". She lifted the coke to her lips, but not before giving him cheers. A triumphant smile slithered across her lips as the man at the bar glanced around, saw there were no more women, and left. Her grip on her cup tighetened as she wondered if Howl would leave now that the guy was gone.

Avoiding eye contact, Lexi studied the napkin holder, saying,

"What a douche."

[Howl Roemer]

Howl smiled back at Lexi's smile, though her eyes seemed to avoid him. He took a sip of his own drink, then set the glass on the table.

"Alot worse come in this dingy place." Howl added on after. And it was true. This bar tended to fill with creeps. That generally kept women out and stopped females from working there too. Would any want to work in a place where the whole day was spent with old, want some ass guys.

Howl looked around the bar, noticing the guy at the bar had vacated the place. He then looked back to Lexi, eying her. "How did you end up in here any ways? you just burst in." he asked, rather curious. Most avoid this place at all cost. Thats why Howl was there so often. It was quiet enough to think, and no one said a thing to him.

[girl]

"Well..."

Lexi cleared her throat indignantly, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. She could just tell him. Some guys were bothering me and I, being stupid, ran into this...safe house.

She almost snorted out loud. Her day almost seemed as if it were her goal to run into as many jerks as she could and see what the worst thing that could happen to her was. The idea brought a slight smile.

No, she couldn't tell him. Then again she didn't want to lie to him. He's just saved her ass, he had a right to know the situation. ...I'll tell him another time, if there is another time. She glanced towards Howl. And if I have my way there will be.

"Obviously I was out running." Lexi motioned to her clothes with a flick of her eyes. "Then I happened to pass by here and decided to pop in for some water. Not to mention there were some girls headed towards me that I didn't want to meet." She took a long drink from her coke, exhaling under her breath, "Some sluts."

Hoping she'd pulled it off, Lexi set her coke down, now changing her aura by avoiding everything in the room except Howl's big brown eyes.

[Howl Roemer]

Lexi looked like she was running through some thoughts before so spoke. It made him curious about what she was thinking about. He couldn't help but smile when she called the mentioned girls sluts. She hadn't really come off as some one to say things like that out loud. He watched her every move as she spoke, mesmerized.

Howl slouched back comfortably on the bench. He ran his fingers through his dark hair, then took a swig from his coke. "Not many people chose this place to escape." he said, glancing around the room, his eyes falling back to Lexi.

He leaned in towards Lexi a bit.

The earlier situation that she was in with that man made her curious. He said he knew her, and knew her name, yet she appeared not to know him.

"Did you know that guy?" he asked cautiously.

[girl]

Lexi gave Howl a sideways smile when he spoke of her escape route. Not many people stand up for some random girl either. She thought approvingly, casting a long glance towards the bartender.

"No." She answered frankly, shrugging her shoulders. She ran her finger around the lip of her cup. "Some bastard who thought he could buy some in here." She said with an evil smirk, pleased that he'd left empty handed. Her dark attitude left as quick as it had come, and she took another sip, almost is if she were swallowing down her spite. Some people in the world are simply pathetic. There's not much we can do for them except wave as they pass by and then avoid eye contact.

Lexi ran a hand across her stomach, the dampness of her shirt bothering her skin. Do I smell like sweat?! She suddenly wondered. Her sweat never really smelled that bad, and she had put on deodorant before she'd left her house. Her blue eyes pinning Howl, watching his face closely for any signs of disgust.