One of the teenagers stops him

"Hey, mate! Don't I know you from somewhere?"

Adam was stopped in his tracks by the shrill voice of a teenage girl from the group of teenagers. He turned round to face her, trying not to look too anxious or annoyed. She stood up from her seat and strode over to Adam. She was a skinny girl with mousy brown hair that had a pink streak dyed through it. Her make-up was heavy, and she wore a crop top and mini skirt.

"I'm not sure you do," Adam replied politely, hoping she'd leave it at that.

"You've got a sister, right?" The girl persisted. Her friends were watching them intently, whispering amongst themselves.

"I do, but I imagine she's a fair bit older than you. How old are you anyway?"

"Old enough," the girl retorted with a sneer. "Why you asking anyway? Do I look like a child?"

Adam tried not to grimace. He'd never been the best at dealing with confrontation, and this was heading in that direction.

"Oi, Maisie!" One of the boys called over. "Is that bloke bothering you?"

"Nah," Maisie called back, "he's alright. He was just saying I was fit."

"What?" Adam said flustered.

The table of teenagers sniggered, and Maisie turned back to Adam. "You do think I'm fit, don't you?"

This felt like a trap. He was sure that whatever he might say, Maisie would take it the wrong way. Adam wished the ground would swallow him whole.

"Yes, but I've got a girlfriend," he said weakly, hoping that would appease her.

Maisie's expression soured and the teens behind her burst out laughing.

"Ooh, big man's got a girlfriend!" One of the boys taunted.

"I don't think your girlfriend would like you looking at other girls," Maisie said accusingly, folding her arms. Her breasts were pushed together by the movement and Adam couldn't help but notice. He tore his eyes away and felt a blush creep across his cheeks. Unfortunately, Maisie saw the movement and smirked.

"And you're still looking!" She laughed, pointing an accusing finger. "You wishing she was as hot as me, don't ya?"

"I, um..."

"What's the matter?" Maisie said, stepping closer. She was clearly enjoying humiliating him. "Cat got your tongue?"

Adam could feel the sweat begin to prickle under his arms and on his brow. The situation had completely spiralled out of control. He looked over Maisie's shoulder and could see the rest of her group laughing. The rest of the pub must be staring too.

"Are you going to buy me a drink then, since I'm so hot and all?" Maisie asked.

Adam's brain stalled. He heard himself say "Sure," and saw Maisie's lips curve up into a victorious grin. He couldn't believe what was happening. The situation was beyond his control.

Adam walked towards the bar with Maisie following behind him. He felt her arm slip around his waist and her body press up against his side. Her friends whooped and whistled, cheering her on.

As they reached the bar, Zoe gave Adam a questioning look. He shrugged in response and gestured at the empty glass he was carrying.

"What can I get for you?" She asked, looking to Maisie.

"A bottle of Smirnoff Ice," Maisie replied.

"Ok. And are you having another stout, Adam?"

Adam nodded, trying to avoid making eye contact. Zoe seemed to pick up on his discomfort and smiled sympathetically. She went to fetch their drinks and Maisie gave Adam's waist a squeeze.

"If you've got a girlfriend," Maisie said quietly, "why's she not here?"

Adam's eyes snapped to meet hers. She stared back with a smirk on her face. He had been so caught up in the anxiety of the situation he had totally forgotten about Helen's game. He gazed into Maisie's dark brown eyes, searching for any sign that she might be his girlfriend.

"Well?" Maisie pressed, raising her eyebrows.

Adam swallowed, trying to moisten his suddenly dry throat. If he asked the question and Maisie responded with anything other than a reference to violet, he'd look like a complete idiot.

"She's just... Um... A bit busy today," Adam said, cursing his inability to string together a coherent sentence. "But, look... erm... What's your favourite colour?"