Hello! So here I come with a new story. I know I have not been updating the Oracle as I should, but I am going through some serious writing block this time.

This is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice, Arrow style. The story won't be the same, because even though Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite stories I want more passion in this one, plus I need to change a few things to make it work better for the characters.

This is an Alternate Universe, the story will be a long but not extremely so. I think I will try to do longer chapters instead.

I hope you enjoy!

The prejudice of the proud

Chapter 1. Past & present

It was rainy and late at night, his blue eyes traveled towards the cars clock it marked two in the morning with bright blue numbers. He was driving fast not minding the fact that it was raining. At that moment he felt on top of the world, forgetting the fact that he had just fought with his parents about dropping off Collage, forgetting the disappointed look on their faces.

Alcohol was buzzing through his veins, feeling the wind and rain hitting the side of his face and hand, which hanged outside of the window, the feeling of adrenaline drowning him.

The car's tires screeched in the wet pavement and him and his companions laughed and cheered out loud as the car slid on the road.

He normally didn't drive in the countryside of Starling City, but he had heard earlier in the party that there were empty fields that were surrounded by thick dense trees and that the cops rarely drove around the area. It was perfect for drifting around carelessly, to be completely reckless without repercussions. Not that he would have had any if he had been caught by a Police Officer at that moment, he thought with a smug smile.

"Ollie be careful!" he heard the soft young voice of Sara from the back seat of his sports car, she hadn't buckled her seatbelt on and her small frame had been sliding on the leather seat, he looked at her through the review mirror and thought she was beautiful. His eyes flashed towards the girl next to him in the passenger seat, she was pale and her face seemed preoccupied, Laurel.

He felt suddenly guilty at his previous thoughts over Sara her sister, he had been dating Laurel on and off for the last three years. He cared for her, loved her even, but for some reason his mind wasn't faithful, his body either. For a flash of a second he though maybe there was something wrong with him, but that train of thought abandon him when Tommy's laugh was audible over Sara's complaints.

"Oh chill Sara, Ollie knows what he is doing…"

"Of course I do…" he could hear that his voice was slightly slurred but confident, and his hand came towards the radio, turning the music up as he accelerated in the empty streets, going towards a corner, wanting to slide it smoothly like he had been doing all night long.

He would have seen it coming if it had been raining less, if he hadn't been drunk and careless. The two bright spotlights shone his car and blinded him, as they took the corner and a second later the loud crashing sound of metal against metal, and the screams of his friends deafened him.

He could feel the sudden pain around his neck when the seat belt tighten across his body as the vehicle spun in motion. Glass broke around him, in a shower of shimmering shards that cut his skin. His car hit a near by tree with and the airbags knocked him out before he hit his head against the steering wheel and then everything went dark.

His eyes opened as he sat up gasping for air, feeling his lungs compress with the heaviness of sad memories, still tasting the flavor of blood in his tongue and the absolute silence in his car when he had woken up later that night with the sound of sirens approaching.

A thin layer of sweat covered his body and it took him a little while to realize that he was sitting on his bed, five years after the accident that took his best friend's life.

He didn't realize he was crying until his hand came to his face and noticed wet cheeks. Even though time had passed, Oliver realized he never stopped feeling the pain or the guilt, not even after all he went through in the Island.

He blinked tiredly and turned to look at the clock on his nightstand, it marked 5 am; it was usual for nightmares to wake him up at this time either way, but he felt more affected now, he hadn't dreamed about that accident in months.

He got out of bed and headed towards his bathroom to get his day started.

He was happy to see Diggle later that morning at the Foundry. Diggle and him had become close friends these past few months, after he found out who the Arrow was, what he was doing to help the City. Diggle had been previously a soldier (and Oliver's current bodyguard), and he was happy to become part of the team after a slight freak-out.

"Oliver, what are you doing here so early?" Diggle asked as he approached him, he was holding two cups of coffee on both hands as he watched Oliver hit the dummy.

"I'm here early every morning" he answered without missing a beat, sounding breathless and his focus unwavering from his target.

"Yea, but today is your birthday man… don't you sleep in at least today?"

Oliver looked confused for a moment stopping on his track, mentally counting back to realize that in fact it was his birthday. Diggle pressed his lips to hide the bemused smirk on his face.

"You forgot it was your birthday, didn't you?"

"I haven't celebrate a proper birthday in many years" he answered with a shrug, going back to hit the dummy with more strength now. Understanding as of why he was remembering the night Tommy died, now it all made more sense. His best friend had been a part of every birthday Oliver had ever had, ever since they had been 6 years old.

But not anymore… not thanks to him.

"Does your sister or Sara know that?"

"Know what?"

"That you don't celebrate your birthdays…"

Oliver turned to look at him and pressed him lips "They know I'm not the same person I was before the Island, which is good for me and for the rest of the humanity."

"If you say so, here have some coffee… you look like you haven't slept much" Diggle came closer to Oliver and extended him his cup, which Oliver took after a moment with a heavy sigh. His morning training was over, he knew he needed to get ready for QC and a boring day filled with meetings.

It took all day to convince Sara that he didn't want to go out clubbing that day. It took all day to convince Thea and his mother, they both had it in their mind it was a birthday to celebrate, after six months of returning from the dead, a changed man without his father but a legacy to fulfill.

After a lot of convincing the three of them had gone to watch a movie after a nice dinner Table Salt (per Moira's insistence). Even though he was far from normal, just a fragment of the boy he had been when his father took him on that boat, he felt alright that night, laughing at Thea's sass, feeling something new spread inside his chest at the smile his mother gave him.

Made him think… this could be alright, he could be better, make the City better, to make up all the horrible things he had caused to his family, he could make their Company better, he would do it for them.

Blue eyes stared out of the window, drops of water stuck to the glass as it drizzled outside. It was dark out, and the city lights twinkled in the night. He shouldn't be there, wasting time in a party when he was supposed to be saving the city. Loud music played in the background; and he turned around glazing at the people that surrounded him, chatting casually, laughing, and drinking, without a worry on the world that fell apart outside of their windows.

In his hand he was holding an untouched bottle of beer and he took a sharp breath to regain patience turning on his heels back to gaze outside instead.

"You know you could try to look like you are having fun, it's a party after all." Her voice was soft and amused, Oliver turned towards her and raised an eyebrow fixing his own blue eyes on hers, letting a soft grumble escape his lips.

"When you dragged me in here, I agreed to come… didn't agree to enjoy it." Her small hands came to wrap around his bicep, blue eyes fixing upon his drink.

"Ollie, you haven't even touched the drink I gave you thirty minutes ago." She looked at him with a slight pout and he smirked, bringing the bottle up to wet his lips lightly.

"For all you know Sara, this is my second or third bottle." She snorted and pulled him out of the corner he had been hiding for the past fifteen minutes, they both walked around the room in silence.

"We'd agreed that you will come out today and enjoy it, it's your birthday after all," he was quiet for a moment, blue eyes scanning the room.

"My birthday was last week." he mused low and she turned up to him giving him an exasperated look.

"Last week I let you be Oliver Queen the hermit, but I also told you that this weekend we are celebrating it… not everyday you turn 28," her smile broaden, illuminating her stunning features "plus you came back from the dead a few months ago, and I feel obligated as your friend to get you out, introduce you to a few new friends," He gazed down at her and grinned to his side.

"Sara you barely know anyone at this party, actually I'm pretty sure the person who owns the house… what was her name?"

"Charlotte"

"Right, I am pretty sure she doesn't know half of these people" Sara's grin appear to grow wider, like a cat that ate the canary.

"She didn't seem to mind me bringing you along, her eyes could barely blink at the sight of you." he gave her unimpressed look.

"Please don't tell me you brought me in here to play matchmaker. I'm not interested" She winced and brought her small hand towards her chest, faking shock.

"I would never do such thing." Oliver shook his head and they strolled their way towards the snack table, where she proceeded to pick a few carrots and dip them down in ranch.

Oliver was relieved that at least this party was more informal than the events he was going to be dragged to, being the new CEO of Queen Consolidated. He was happy to have convinced his friend that in fact he didn't care to go out to a fancy nightclub. He brought the bottle of beer up once again and this time gave it a hearty gulp, frowning at the warm taste of it as he put it down on the table.

"You shouldn't have left it go warm" she said before popping a cherry tomato in her mouth, her eyes fixed suddenly in a spot of the room, going wide for a moment.

Oliver's brows met in the middle in confusion at Sara's expression, following her gaze he saw two women among the crowd. They popped out in their bright outfits he noticed; both of them were greeting Charlotte at the entrance of the house.

One was tall; and absolutely stunning, she was wearing a wine color dress that contrasted with her dark skin and black hair, eyes slanted and a small button nose, her smile was radiant, he noticed and his blue eyes travelled back to Sara and a smirk appeared on his face.

"Well, well… if I didn't know any better, I would believe you have been smitten" he murmured lowering himself to speak close to Sara's ear. She jumped slightly on her spot, cheeks going bright red and she gave him a side murderous look.

"This is not about me Ollie, and I thought we made it clear you don't know any better. I'm just glad you actually seemed to notice something, someone… I was beginning to get concerned that you had been replaced by a robot." his smile didn't disappear from his face as he turned back towards the new comers, his eyes now travelling towards the brunette's smaller companion.

She was shorter even with the tall heels she was wearing; she had fair skin and blonde hair that flowed down her shoulders in big messy waves. He could see from where he stood that her lips were bright red, same color than her dress, and his heart stopped when her gaze came up to meet his.

It was something that hadn't happened to him in years, his heart beating at such accelerated rate like it was now, just because of the brightness in her eyes and the beauty of the soft smile that had appeared on her face the moment she caught him looking.

He adverted his gaze immediately, a heavy feeling sinking on his stomach. He was suddenly craving the forsaking beer he had put down just a minute before. He fumbled around, eyes going towards the table, catching the clear bottle that held warm fizzy liquid, without another thought he picked it back up and gave another drink.

Trying to calm his feelings, his weird reaction to a stranger and the feeling that he had of knowing her from somewhere else, perhaps another life.

"Ollie you are smoldering again" Sara mused from his side.

"I'm not"

"They are coming our way" he heard Sara say in a gasp, and Oliver's eyes came down to meet them. Forcing himself to look towards Charlotte who he already knew and who was coming at them with a bright smile on her face.

"Sara, Oliver," Charlotte said in an excited tone, too excited perhaps Oliver thought, "This is my best friend Lissy and Nyssa, her roommate" she finished and her hand wrapped around the blonde's arm, pulling her forward.

"Pleasure to finally meet you Sara, Charlotte has told me so much about you" Sara shook her hand with a smile, and Oliver found himself unable to not gaze upon her and her happy tone.

Lissy, what kind of name was that either way?

"I can say the same thing Lissy" Sara said in a friendly tone.

"Oh please don't call me that," she muttered and then winced loudly, closing her eyes for a brief moment while shaking her head "I mean, you can call me that if you want. I'm always telling Charlotte and Nyssa to not call me that… it reminds me of my mother," she flinched again "which it's not a bad thing, not at all… my mom is great, just a little crazy" she shook nervously, her eyes flashing towards Oliver in complete mortification.

He was looking at her with an amused look and something that perhaps resembled a smile. He caught it before it flourished to a full-blown smile, and Felicity blinked and her cheeks turned a bright shade of red.

"I'm sorry, my nerves get the best of me when I meet gorgeous people… oh god Nyssa, make it stop" she pleaded to her friend and Nyssa laughed out loud, and Sara followed closely after. Charlotte was shaking her head slightly with a look of slight shock and embarrassment, and it took everything he had on him to not smile at this stranger's babble.

"You are cute" Sara said with a smirk "so what should I call you then?"

"Felicity, Lis… take your pick" she answered returning the smile.

Sara nodded and raised her hand towards Nyssa "So I take it you are Nyssa then…?" the tall woman gave Sara her most stunning smile.

"Yes," Nyssa gave a quick side look towards Oliver and her smile dimmed slightly "and I am guessing this is your boyfriend?"

"Oh no," Sara said with a snort and Oliver turned towards her rising a brow, almost looking offended "Ollie and I are just old friends."

Oliver smiled his most polite rehearsed smile "Oliver Queen, pleasure to meet you" he said softly, shaking Nyssa's hand to then turn towards Felicity.

She stretched her hand out quickly and when his wrapped around hers he noticed many things, the fact that her hand was cold and slightly sweaty, that she seemed to be trembling slightly, and that a jolt of energy ran through him, shocking him at the contact. The spark was such that he saw her pull her hand away quickly, a puzzled look appearing on her face as her bright blue eyes never stopped starring at him.

They both had felt it. He quickly told himself it had been static. The fact that this stranger was affecting him so made him weary. He didn't like not being in control on his feeling, of his reactions.

He didn't like that a babbling blonde with insecurity issues was getting the best of him, so he scolded his features and turned his eyes away from her, determined to not show anything but his well rehearsed cold front.

If Sara was smitten by Nyssa, this blonde… Felicity was most definitely taken by him, just like any other blonde girl her age who couldn't see a broken man for what it was.

The girls that surrounded him fell onto an easy conversation, that started with Nyssa's dojo and Sara promising to come and take some classes the week after, then they moved to other topics, good movies playing around and the music that the DJ was playing.

"Eric, the DJ is my cousin… he is pretty great" Charlotte said with a proud smile.

"He even got people dancing in the living room, I never see that happening" Felicity said with a grin, she seemed more relaxed now he noticed, and he fought the urgency to ask her if she wanted a drink.

A loud noise interrupted their talk and Oliver turned in complete alert towards his right and then felt himself relaxed when a few drunken voices started to speak alarmed. Charlotte breathed loudly and her smile disappeared from her face.

"I better go and check what they broke this time" she said slightly exasperated and Felicity shook her head with an apologetic smile.

"You should stop inviting Oswald and Rick to your parties Char… they are like teenagers, and surprisingly light weight for how much they drink on a weekly basis" Felicity said.

He found himself taking another sip of his warm beer and eyes traveled towards his friend, who for a moment gave him a concerned look, both of them probably remembering the same thing, the same night and the person he used to be.

For a moment all he wanted to do was claw himself out of that situation, of the memories, and that hellish party that reminded him of someone he had tried to forget for over five years.

"Talking about drinks… we should get ourselves some, what do you say?" Nyssa turned towards Felicity with a raised perfectly manicured brow and the blonde nodded, before giving Sara and Oliver a smile.

"Drinks are over there" Sara pointed behind her over by the bar, Nyssa was already walking away, hips swaying with each step being followed closely behind by a small blonde with waves that bounced freely behind her back, leaving them staring behind them in silence.

"I'm surprised you didn't offer to make her a drink… you know to wow her" Oliver mused low and Sara snorted loudly.

"Oliver, I mix drink for your club as my job. I don't want to do it while I'm trying to have fun. Plus… I don't want to be pushy" and the light frown on her brow told him that the last part was mostly it.

"Sara you are gorgeous, and that girl didn't even spare a glance at me… you have got this"

"Yea… well what if she doesn't like blondes?" she said quickly, blue eyes fixing on him and he gave her his best teasing smile.

"You mean you or me?" and Sara smiled back, more radiant.

"Well I meant you, I know you know you are hot, but Ollie you can get down your high horse for a moment" Sara said quickly, shaking her head "what if she is into a more exotic type of man…? or who knows, maybe she is not into buff dudes that are so tall, you know that is a thing, some girls like the lanky type"

"Okay" he said amused and laughed breathily "but I think she is just not into dudes, call it a feeling"

"You seem to have cheered up, anything to do with that blonde we just met?" Felicity said in a gush tone while Nyssa poured both of them a healthy glass of red wine.

"Which blonde?" Nyssa asked and extended the glass towards Felicity who took it and gave her an unwavering look.

"If you liked men, this comment of yours will work… but since you don't you know exactly which blonde I'm talking about." Nyssa laughed softly and turned slightly to look back at the pair who still stood by the snack's table.

"She seems fun," she said casually with a shrug.

"Just fun?"

"Well… I'm not even sure she is in the same page," Nyssa looked slightly guarded and Felicity nodded looking back at them, her eyes fixing on Oliver for a moment, looking down the width of his back, his brown leather jacket and dark washed jeans.

"Yes, well I'm no expert, but she seemed to be looking at you quite a lot… on the other hand, so did he—everyone always looks at you, because you are freaking gorgeous" Felicity commented looking back at her friend. Nyssa gave her a smile, she didn't grin often but when she did her face lit up from within.

"I think you don't have anything to worry about, he was looking at me for two seconds, and the rest of the time he seemed to be looking at you" Felicity stood quiet for a second before she blurted out a laugh.

"Was that before or after I stuffed my foot in my mouth?"

"Oh it wasn't that bad, I have heard you say worst"

"Not helping… plus I don't really care who he was looking at, not really. He is Oliver Queen" Felicity muted taking a sip of her wine.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Nyssa asked, raising a brow.

"Oh Nyssa, you are not from here so you don't know that before his accident Oliver Queen was all over the news, always partying, always drunk… every weekend with a new girl"

"His accident…? You mean when he and his dad got lost in the Chinese sea?" Nyssa shook her head "that was over five years ago Lis, everyone grows in five years… god knows I did, and you did too if I remember correctly, you don't have black hair and are not wearing lot's of eyeliner anymore"

Felicity winced and shook her head looking at her friend reproachfully "Don't judge me for judging, you are supposed to be on my side" Nyssa laughed out loud.

"I'm on your side, I am kind of hoping you will climb that like a tree" the brunette mused, and Felicity felt her cheeks burning.

"Shhhh, someone could hear you Nyssa!" and Nyssa laughed again.

"What do you say if we go and dance a little?" Nyssa asked suddenly and Felicity started to open her mouth to complain when Nyssa continued "since you got me out of the gym to come here to the party"

"You know, unlike you and your perfection… some of us are very white, with two left feet, while you will look sexy and great in the dance floor (like we have established all the times we have gone out) I will make a fool of myself" Felicity said quickly and Nyssa looked unwavering, her free hand coming to grasp her friend's wrist and starting to pull her towards the Living room, where people where dancing.

"You are much better than you give yourself credit for, specially after a few drinks, so I recommend you start doing a better job at drinking"

Felicity pressed her lips together and after a moment nodded, eyes flicking towards Oliver Queen one last time, feeling her stomach move inside of her, hoping he wouldn't look at her dance like an idiot.

She had heard about Oliver Queen before, he had been plastered over every newspaper and magazine ever since she was 16 years old, he was not only the eldest son of one of the most powerful families in America, he also turned out to be extremely handsome and reckless.

She normally didn't feel attracted to the likes of him, guys with too much money that felt entitled to get away with shit most people couldn't. She in fact felt annoyance at him, people who could buy happiness when in return she had to work so hard for hers.

When she was young and bullied at school, for reasons she never understood back then. Being ahead on her classes and wanting to spend more time picking apart computers and reading, rather than on parting and playing seven minutes in heaven on a dark grungy generators closet.

She had found herself reading about Oliver Queen in the magazines. Craving acceptance from her peers she had imagined more than once, what it would be like if a handsome senior (or freshman at College) that looked like Oliver Queen, came on a fancy car and picked her up for the Winter Dance?

That would have showed all the mean popular girls, how cool she really was. Only remembering this ridiculous thought made her blush. So many years ago she had nurtured her crush for Oliver Queen, an image of a man, a boy, who she had created inside her head.

In her head he had been sweet, fun and even though not as book smart as she was he had courage, and wit. She knew back then that was not the man Oliver Queen was, he was a drunken mess in all the tabloids, and always had a different girl on his arm.

She lived in Las Vegas then, far away enough from him to make him an unreachable star. She had been annoyed she thought he was cute back then… her annoyance with herself had skyrocketed now, after meeting him in person. Standing just a few feet from him and not being able to stop fiddling around like a nervous lamb in front of a majestic tiger.

The man wasn't only too handsome for his own good, but he also had this powerful air and cold demeanor to his stance. He didn't look like the party animal she had thought he was; in fact he looked like he was miserable at that moment. With such bright blue guarded eyes, it made her want to crack the mystery that surrounded him.

Her body was moving, legs pacing, hips waving around as she took the last drop of wine on her cup, dancing close to her friend who had both eyes closed. It was a fun song, she had to admit, and it made her full brain relaxed. After placing both empty cups of wine in a near by flat surface, she imitated Nyssa and closed her eyes and let herself enjoy the music.

They danced a couple songs; a few guys that they didn't know came by and danced around them a few minutes before giving up any attempt to catch their attention.

"You guys seem to know how to have fun" she heard to the side and when she turned she couldn't help but to smile at Sara, who was as petite as her.

"I give all the credit to Nyssa" Felicity half yelled and Sara nodded, smiling to the side, blue eyes flashing towards the brunette.

"Mind if I join in?" she asked, and Felicity noticed she didn't seem embarrassed, but her eyes looked a bit guarded.

"I thought you were not going to come, was beginning to worry you didn't know how to have fun" Nyssa pondered; her voice full of flirtation and Felicity felt all of the sudden like an outsider. Sara's cheeks turned bright red

"Well, I guess I just have to prove you wrong then" Sara said back without missing a beat, and Felicity cleared her throat.

"I think that's my queue," she said hastily and both pairs of eyes fixed on her "As Nyssa pointed out earlier I might be a decent dancer… with two cups of wine in me, and since I have only had one, I will spare myself the ridicule and go and get me a new drink"

Felicity's eyes fixed on her friend who nodded briefly, and feeling a bit more relaxed she left the dance floor. It didn't take her long to get her new refilled cup of wine, and after dogging a few drunken guys she found herself looking for something, someone in between the crowd.

It didn't take long to find him brooding on a corner of the room, eyes fixed on the window. She felt herself getting nervous with every step she took, but she had found some courage in her drink and couldn't help but to be curious about this man.

"The city is beautiful at night… specially when it's raining, I like that all the lights reflect on the wet pavement" she said when she was close enough for him to hear her; his face turned slightly, his expression unreadable. He didn't answer her, his eyes moving back towards the window.

"So… did you know Charlotte, before the party I mean?" Felicity pressed on, ignoring the way her stomach seemed to be flipping at his apparent disinterest in her company.

"No, Sara just introduced us, I really don't know anyone in here" he said, she nodded quickly taking a quick short breath, gathering strength from within, trying to ignore the fact that her subconscious was yelling at her that he sounded annoyed, and her company was obviously not welcomed.

"Oh, it's nice of you to come with her without knowing many people here… or anyone at all, same goes for Nyssa" Felicity said and that caught his attention, his eyes went to the dance floor where the brunette and Sara danced, and then his blue eyes came down to meet hers.

"Sometimes we have to do things for our friends" he said in a quiet tone.

"So… do you dance..?" Felicity asked, she almost couldn't recognize her voice and hated the fact that it sounded so high pitch and squeaky. His eyes didn't wavered from her and uncomfortable silence hanged over them. She felt herself flush under his gaze.

"Not if I can help it" he said simply and she felt a wave of disappointment and annoyance run through her, quickly being replaced by embarrassment of rejection. She shifted the weight around and took another sip of her wine.

"Right… Well I guess I better go, Nyssa is probably wondering why I haven't come back" she said quickly, finding herself getting more and more irritated at his cold expression.

Felicity hadn't been rejected like this in many years, in fact she hardly ever felt attracted to someone hard enough to put herself out there so blatantly, it made his rejecting her feel that more bitter in her tongue.

Her heart contracted inside her chest like a raisin when she finally made her way through the crowd towards the dance floor, being pulled from her path by Charlotte, who was very good at distracting her from her thoughts, dancing and Oliver Queen.

He didn't know how much time it had passed; his thoughts were lost somewhere far away from that hellhole he was at. His phone buzzed and he was relieved to see that it was Diggle, letting him know that everything was fine and he was going home for the night.

'Ok, see you tomorrow Diggle' he wrote back quickly and sighed, turning his head to the side; a soft crack came from his neck. He was tensed all over; his neck felt stiff and sore.

"Well that doesn't sound good, maybe you should go to get a massage, you are rich after all" a voice came from his side and he smiled though his eyes didn't come apart from the window.

"What are you doing here?" his voice was soft.

"Came to check up on you, to make sure you hadn't ditch me in here" she sing songed and Oliver laughed softly.

"Wouldn't dare, would never hear the end of it"

"You bet your ass you wouldn't" Sara said and gave a drink to her beer "but really what are you still doing here? You look miserable Ollie"

"I'm miserable" he said with a grin and Sara pouted "really, I know I am not what you are used to from me, I know you want me to let lose, but believe me… this is as far as I can take it right now"

"Can you at least talk to some people? It makes me feel terrible you are here because of me and I'm there having fun while you are here brooding"

"I don't brood, and I'm happy that you are happy" he said and his eyes fixed on hers, trying to convey how truthful that statement was for him Sara was a part of his old life, of someone that no longer existed. But she was his friend, she had been there through all the hardship that came from losing Tommy, she had been there when he had returned.

He was happy to share this time with her, to see her have fun like he wouldn't be able to do with Tommy.

"Ollie you brood a lot, loosen up… why don't you just dance one song?" Sara added, her face was red and glowy from exercise.

"I don't dance… ever," he said with absolute resolution and Sara pouted dropping her hand from his arm "plus you are dancing with the only girl I might make an exception for," a soft smile appeared on his face, softening his hard features.

"She is something special…" Sara mused "What about her friend, Felicity? She is pretty, quite cute with her ramblings… and smart"

"Sara…" Oliver brought his hand towards his face, pinching the bridge of his nose with two of his fingers. He was tired of having to keep this façade, to interact with people he didn't know. And he didn't have time to deal with a young twenty year old.

"She is tolerable, perhaps. I'm not into the whole blonde party girl any more… if I was my old self and was drunk out of my mind I might ask Felicity for a dance, but you and I both know I'm not that guy anymore. I'm pretty content in here… now go and dance with Nyssa, stop wasting your time with me, I will be leaving soon either way"

Sara smiled and nodded; they both talked for a little time before she turned on her heels and disappeared in the crowd, lost in between drunken bodies towards the dance floor where he guessed Nyssa awaited. Oliver's smile dropped as soon as his friend was out of sight, and after adjusting his jacket and checking his wristwatch he made his way out of the party.

When he opened the door that led him to the hallway of the apartment building he was shocked to see Felicity in there. Her watery eyes came to meet his and she was shocked to see him there.

"Felicity…" he wanted to ask if she was okay, she straighten up, her jaw coming up high and she stared him down, looking at him coldly.

"Oliver" she said, and her bottom lip trembled ever so slightly. He raised one brow, confused as of why the change of her demeanor, when just half an hour before she had ask him for a dance.

"Are you alright?" he couldn't help himself from asking; his eyes fixing up on her redden ones. She smiled to the side, but the gesture didn't reach her eyes.

"Yes, people are smoking inside and it gives me allergies so I came outside to get some fresh air, tried the balcony first but there was a couple in there getting busy" she tightened her lips "so I take you are leaving? I wish I could leave too, I have to work tomorrow" and closed her eyes as if scolding herself for speaking, and she opened her eyes the cold expression was back on.

"You work tomorrow, on a Saturday?" he was suddenly curious as of what she did for work.

"Well, yes… I have to run to company wide update during the weekend since most computers will be unoccupied. No one comes to work to Merlyn Global on the weekends except for us IT people… and occasionally some of the research folk. But not tomorrow, tomorrow is down day for everyone, except for me… and Paul"

Oliver's head cocked to the side and a peak of interest appeared on his face.

"You are an IT specialist at Merlyn Global?"

"You sound surprised" and she sounded defiant.

"No, I just… you look young that's all" he said after a moment, knowing well that Malcom Merlyn had stiff rules about not hiring but the best for his company.

"And a blonde party girl" she completed and her voice sounded cold, his previous conversation with Sara flashed inside his head and he felt ashamed, though this didn't show in his expression.

"I…" he started but she put her hand up.

"Please, you wouldn't be the first person to assume that because I'm blonde and talk a lot" she shrugged and he swallowed hard, remembering all the other things he had said too.

There was a small moment of silence in between both of them and he found himself missing the way she had smiled at him before.

"Well I will let you be on your way, goodbye Mr. Queen" she said distantly and without another word she push the door open and went inside.

He found himself unable to shake Felicity Smoak from his thoughts for the rest of the night, and the fact that she wasn't the party girl he had assumed she was.

0000

So, what did you think? I know it's all about first impressions, and our two lovelies didn't have the best first meeting in here.

I hope you enjoyed it, please leave comments, likes and kudos!

I will be creating an image for this story later this week!