is this a good idea?

It's too loud. 

She can still feel the remnants of alcohol in her veins, can smell the scent of sweaty bodies in the air, the flashing light, blinding. 

It's suddenly become too much. 

(Or not enough because she can't tell the difference at this point) 

It's the island of gods but all she wants is to cry, drink, hurl and start all over again. 

Trying not to trip and stumble with the crowd around her is easier said than done. 

(The alcohol certainly didn't help) 

Before she can fall flat on her face and making fun of herself, a hand has already grip her waist, fingers splayed wide beneath her ribcage. 

Goosebumps start dancing on her spine, realizing with the rainbow crop top she's wearing, leaving her midriff bare is certainly giving her a certain advantage right about now. 

If this any other night, she probably will grind down on who ever has their fingers on her waist right now, stealing few kisses here and there before she lose her nerve and come back to her hotel, alone. 

It's not like she's thinking about the possibility. She does. It will be easy anyway, many people come to Bali to have fun and let loose. 

"You're okay?" If it's not for the fact that she's basically pressed down on the guy, she's pretty sure she won't hear him. His voice is low and perfect and god damn it, even if she can't see the guy's face right now she's pretty sure he's a catch. Too bad she's too damn tired today. 

"Yeah!" She replied, turning around-the hand automatically let her go. 

The light is too blinding that she can't see the guy's face clearly, but from his broad shoulder, the muscle that is visible from his sleevesless top he sure seem attractive. "Thank you!"

She doesn't know if he can even hear her at this point, but he nods like it's a given. 

Not even a few feet away, she's already stumbling again. Shit. 

"Need a hand?" It's the same guy again, already standing near her. How does he move so fast? 

"I'm fine," She snaps feeling embarrassed. He doesn't seem like a creep but who knows? She's halfway across the world what does she know anyway? 

"Look, this may sound creepy but do you need to get out of here?"

She bites her lips, contemplating. But it doesn't need too much time because the crowd start to move again so she nods her assent. 

Without a word, the guy hold her hand dragging her down through the crowd easily. There are times where she almost lose him and he end up have to pull her close, his touch burns at her waist. It's distracting. He's distracting. 

After minutes of trying to get around, they finally able to come out, the streets quiet while she can still hear the music blaring through the clubs around the street. 

Letting Bali night air soothe her skin, she let out a breath. She can feel her head is clearer already. 

"Hey."

Oh right. The sleeveless guy. Underneath the street light she can see his features much better. Shaggy brown hair, his skin fair combined with blazing green eyes, the guy is certainly is good looking. 

"Hey."

The guy looks at her, concerned, "First day? The time difference sure is a dozzy."

She shook her head. It's her third day here, already memorizing the street near her hotel, the  cafe, the bar and the beach club that littered around the neighborhood. 

"Oh?"

"I just don't feel like it." She answer briskly, pointing at the club general directions. "Need some fresh air."

The guy hum thoughtfully, "Do you want to go somewhere else?"

She tilted her head, "Where?"

They end up in a nearby convenience store, sitting at the sparse metal chair, nursing the cheap can coffee they just bought. 

It should be weird, being with this guy that she just met, but it's not-seminyak street that seem to bustling with life is now quiet, apart from some nearby club that still open. 

"How long have you've been here?" The guy ask, curious. His fingers tapping lightly on the table top, seeming to follow a tune that he can only understand. It's endearing, actually. 

She realizes quickly how much he can't seem to stop moving around, legs bouncing arms flailing. He certainly fits the club scene, the high energy of this place, the whole island. 

"Three days."

The guy brighten, "Me too! What places you've gone too?"

It's not like she have nothing too be ashamed of, but it does feel kinda shameful to admit that she's only been around seminyak, enjoying the beaches and drinking her way through it. 

Bali is certainly beautiful, from the small glimpse she get to see. The island is alive and bursting with colors, the culture seem to be rich and intricately woven together. 

Olivia probably already have a detailed itinerary at hand, ready to drag her to experience all the island get to offer. 

But her best friend is halfway across the world, and she's here alone with a stranger drinking coffee instead of cocktails. 

"Around." She finally settles. 

"This place do makes you feel overwhelmed huh?" The guy continues without missing a beat. "I feel like I discover something new everyday."

She nods, like she understand what he's talking about. "It is beautiful."

"What brings you here?"

"What brings you here?" She shoot back. 

The guy laugh. He have a nice laugh. "Honestly? A lot of things happening and I said fuck it. Bali seem like a good idea."

She snort, because it sound like what happens with her too. What are the odds? 

"But I kinda regret it now," The guy continues. "It doesn't feel the same without my boys."

"Your boys?"

The guy looks bashful, "My band. Everytime I discovered something new, I kinda expect them to be reacting next to me. It seem selfish to have all of this beauty and not share it."

Maybe it's the sincerity of his tone, maybe it's the way she can relate to his sentiment perfectly but she end up telling him about Josh, how she meets Josh freshmen year of college, how Josh helps her through her mom diagnosis, the cancer that finally took her away last year. 

She end up graduating without her mom seeing her with her diploma, Josh helping her through all of it. 

She find him kissing another girl, and when being confronted about it, Josh didn't took the blame and decided to put it on her, calling her needy, makes all of it seem like her fault for being self centered for years after all the things that happened with her mother. 

So impulsively she bought a ticket halfway across the world to here, where nobody will know Natasha Hale and being someone new that is fun and adventurous instead of the boring needy one that Josh seem to saw on her.

"He's a fucking asshole," The guy retorts after she finish her story. Honestly, she really needs to stop referring to him as the guy, spilling half her life story and she didn't even know the guy fucking name. 

Seeming to read her mind, the guy continue. "Is it too late to know your name though. Or you can offer a fake one I don't care. Being nobody and all in this new place right? It's just weird reffering you as the cute girl from the bar."

Ignoring his last stament she contemplates about it. After listening to her for god knows how long he actually deserves her name, the name that is her own, the one that has been bestowed on her. 

But maybe Josh is right, that she is boring and a coward, so she says the one name that come to mind, "Rose."

"Nice to meet you Rose." The guy grins, offering his hand. She accept it. "I'm Daniel."

Daniel, she doesn't think it's his real name either but she's not gonna call him out on it when she's doing the same glance at his phone. 

"Hey, you told me that you haven't gone to any place in here right?"

She nods, already wondering what Daniel have in mind. 

"It's already near 3 AM, how about you're stay a little longer while we try to catch the sunrise?"

She frowned, "There are literally so many beach nearby. It doesn't even take a minute to walk there."

Daniel grin turn mischievous, "Hey there's many to offer beside the beaches you know. Don't you want to be adventurous, Rose?"

She shook her head but she can feel a small smile graze her lips. "Okay. What do you have in mind?"