INK AND SHADOWS [???]

The weekend finally arrived, and the city buzzed with life as night fell.

Jay and his friends were gearing up for their usual outing to the nightclub.

The pounding bass and flashing lights promised a night of carefree fun, drinks, and escape.

Meanwhile, Hara stood before her mirror, adjusting the straps of her sleek black dress. The excitement bubbling inside her was undeniable.

She told herself she was just going out to have fun, but deep down, she knew the real reason—Jay.

Every time she met him, her heart raced. She couldn't explain it, but the thought of seeing him made her feel alive.

Tonight, she didn't care if he didn't know her true self.

The nightclub version of Hara was confident, bold, and free, a stark contrast to the quiet nerd she was at school.

The nightclub was in full swing when Hara arrived. The pulsating lights painted the room in vibrant colors as bodies swayed to the music.

She spotted Jay on the dance floor, his movements loose from the drinks he'd already consumed.

Taking a deep breath, she joined the crowd, her gaze locked on him.

Jay noticed her almost immediately. She moved with a confidence that was magnetic, her dark green hair framing her face as she swayed to the music.

His drunken haze only amplified her allure. He moved closer, his eyes scanning her figure.

The dress she wore clung to her in all the right places, and his gaze lingered on the hint of cleavage where a small heart-shaped birthmark peeked out.

Hara smirked as their eyes met. She leaned in, her movements deliberate, seducing him with every sway of her hips.

Jay swallowed hard, his mind a whirl of arousal and curiosity.

Unable to resist, he leaned closer and murmured into her ear, "Wanna go out and get some air?"

Hara nodded, her heart pounding.

Together, they made their way outside, the cool night air a stark contrast to the heat inside. The streetlights cast a soft glow over them as they leaned against the wall.

Jay looked at her, his gaze intense. Without thinking, he leaned in, and their lips met in a wild, passionate kiss.

Hara's hands tangled in his hair as his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer.

As their lips moved together, Jay's mind flashed with familiarity—the warmth of her lips, the coolness of her tongue piercing, and that scent.

It tugged at something buried deep in his memory. But he was too drunk and too caught up in the moment to dwell on it.

Jay couldn't hold back any longer. The temptation of Hara's offer, the way she looked at him with those inviting eyes, the soft curves of her body...

It was all too much for him to control himself.

"You're driving me crazy, girl," he rasped, his voice strained with desire.

His hand slip up her thighs, pushing her dress up a little bit.

He leaned in, capturing her lips in searing kiss. It was wild and desperate, a clash of teeth and tongues as he poured all his pent-up hunger into it.

One hand tangled in her hair, tugging tightly as he angled her head to deepen the kiss. The other hand slid around to grip her body, pulling her flush against him.

He could feel every inch of her soft body pressed against his hard, muscular frame.

His heart hammered in his chest as he lost himself in the taste of her, the feel of her, the scent of her.

They finally pulled away, both breathless.

Then, both of them laughed at each other.

"You are crazy" Hara said

"No, we are crazy" Jay added up as he looked at her.

Jay reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, offering one to Hara.

She took it, and they lit up together, the smoke curling into the night sky.

"You're something else," Jay said, his voice low and raspy.

He took a drag and exhaled slowly. "I've been thinking... how about we be there for each other? You know, when we're lonely or in need. Just..."

"Friends?"

Hara blinked, surprised by his proposition. She played it cool, tilting her head as if considering his words.

"You think I'm that easy?" she teased, her voice light but with an edge of boldness.

"So, you wanted to be friends with someone you met at the nightclub?" she added as she took a long drag and exhaled towards him.

Jay smirked, clearly enjoying the challenge. "I just thought you'd be fun to have around," he said, his tone teasing but laced with sincerity.

Hara shrugged, taking another drag of her cigarette.

"Maybe. But you'll have to work for it."

Jay chuckled, shaking his head. "You're full of surprises."

"And you don't even know my name, dude"

"Same goes to you, you keep calling me dude... I have a gorgeous name you know?"

After finishing their cigarettes, Jay offered her a ride.

"Wanna take a spin through the city again?" he asked, his voice casual, but his eyes hopeful.

Hara hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Why not?"

They sped through the city, the cool wind whipping past them as the neon lights blurred into streaks of color.

Hara clung to him, her heart pounding—not just from the speed, but from the sheer thrill of being with him like this.

As her heart still pounding, the scent of him making her drive into the ecstasy.

"This is so crazy" She told herself.

Eventually, Jay pulled up near the bus stop she had directed him to last time.

He turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Sure you don't want me to take you all the way home?"

Hara shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "This is fine. Thanks for the ride."

"Well... Hey, you can call me... Jay"

As he started to turn away, she leaned in, pressing a light kiss to his neck. Her red lipstick left a perfect mark against his skin.

"Goodbye, Jay," she said softly, her voice dripping with seduction.

Jay froze for a moment, his mind racing as she stepped away.

"Asther" Hara said and winked at him

She waved and disappeared into the night, leaving him sitting there, stunned.

He touched his neck where her lips had been, a slow, frustrated groan escaping him.

"Damn," he muttered, shaking his head as he revved the engine and sped off into the night, trying—and failing—to get her out of his mind.