Before Me, Him

Chapter 65

     The following weeks it was all pretty much the same: classes, helping the student council, and learning the guitar. As my interest in music augmented, my interest in studying grew scarcer so, when December knocked on the door with its cold winter breeze, so did the exams.

     - This week is going to be terrible! – says Emily during lunchtime as she lays her head on the table. – I wanna go out shopping but I can't! It's so unfair!

     - We just have to bear it for two weeks Em, it's not that bad. – I say as I lean forwards to pet her blonde curls softly so they wouldn't be destroyed.

     - But I wanna go on dates and I can't! I hate university! – Emily starts pouting as Dean, who was beside her sighed.

     - It can't be helped baby but I promise when we're done with the exams I will take you anywhere you want but you have to do your best otherwise no dates! – Dean threatens kindly as I feel a shiver running down my spine to how cringe this scenario was. It was literally almost as if Emily was a four-year-old child and Dean was the mother in the relationship. Honestly, I don't know how to react to that.

     Those matters aside, I had Philip and Jacob sitting on the chairs by my side and somehow I couldn't feel more uncomfortable. This feeling was coming mostly from Jacob since we hadn't been alone or even close, for a matter of fact, ever since he decided to hug me in the middle of the night. Just thinking about it makes my heart start aching, I don't know why. I haven't been able to even talk to him normally but he hasn't made any special approach either so I guess I'm just overreacting.

     As I wondered to my thought I noticed that Mason was looking at our table since both his glasses and his head were in our direction. My guard immediately went up and I stared at him. This has been happening quite often, if Emily is in the room his attention will roll to her. It made me extremely uncomfortable so I just stare at him back as a way to warn him to stay away. Luckily I don't think he has made any moves yet so I'm not that concerned.

     My classes came to an end and I head towards my work. Since I have this job on Friday I cannot help in the council but the rest of the days I'm treated like a dog, making errands here and there, however, since I'm not a puppy I don't even get treats. The worst part of it all is that a month has passed since the incident but everyone still looks at me as if I was a wild beast ready to be unleashed at any second. "Shouldn't they have cooled off by now?" I question myself. I guess I will give them some more time and eventually everything will fall into place as it should.

     As I arrive at the bar I see my boss in a panic state. Everyone was walking around like cockroaches, extremely fast, busy, and lost. I go behind the balcony and touch Jeffrey's shoulder.

     - What's wrong? – I question him as he focuses his dark brown eyes on me. – If you keep on panicking like that you will get more greys.

     - The band that was supposed to come to sing today won't be able to. – he sits down on a chair. – They are all trying to find a replacement but it's on such short notice... No one is available.

     I look around and even though the bar wasn't that busy everyone was in a complete euphoria trying to find a solution. I looked at them as their faces were filled with concern and I knew I had to do something to help.

     - I have an idea. How about hosting a karaoke night instead? – I say as I pour some whisky into a glass and serve it to Jeffrey. – I'm pretty sure that after a couple of drinks they will start having fun.

     - That might not be a bad idea. – intervenes Lia, another waitress. – However, we still would need some instruments and people to play them.

     It was not long that we managed to find people that could play the piano, the drums, the bass, and the guitar. I called Josh and he agreed to lend some instruments for a generous sum of money. I felt like everything was setting into place and even the whole environment around the bar was a lot calmer.

     It was around ten pm when the dinner service was completed and the bar started to get crowded with customers. As we were expecting some of them left straight away once they heard that the band was not coming however the majority of people stayed. "It's a family business after all" I thought to myself as I placed a cup of black coffee on His table.

    - Anything else sir? – I question him politely but he just smiles and doesn't reply.

     - June! – Lia yells as she rushes towards me. – The boss drank too much so his wife took him home but we're fully packed and I have to leave thirty minutes earlier, do you mind closing the place? Jenny said she would pay you extra.

     - Sure, I don't mind. – I say as a bright smile appears on her beautiful face. Lia was such a pretty girl, her hair was dyed black and was completely straight. The small fringe she had complimented her almond-colored eyes and her extremely lively personality made every man look her way.

     "Well since I'm only leaving at two in the morning I should text Therese" I start typing a small message on my phone in order to warn her of my delay. "Alright sweetie, be safe! I'll ask someone to pick you up." She typed back to me however it's not like I needed someone to babysit me.

     The night came to an ending and, when two o'clock came by the customers started to leave the bar. Twenty minutes later I was alone in that big space. The night had gone quite well. Surprisingly, the customers enjoyed the Karaoke idea so the list to sing was full in a flash. "All that's well, ends well" I thought to myself as I finished sweeping the floor. I clean the tables and head towards the balcony. I count the money and close the cashier.

     Once I'm almost done the clock read a quarter for three in the morning. It was late. I look outside but the street was empty. "Did she forget?" I question myself as I thought about what Therese had written in the text message. My attention goes to several instruments placed on the small stage. "I should unplug them" I whisper when I am close enough to touch the electric guitar. My fingers run down the cords and I feel a sigh leave my lips unannounced.

     I go back to the balcony and take out a glass. I fill half of it with pure vodka and a bit of a lemon liquor and, without any resentment, I swallow it with a couple of gulps. My body needs an extra push otherwise I will never have the will within me to make any music. I place the glass in the sink and untie my hair however, as I was walking towards the stage I hear a noise coming from the kitchen.

     The bar is empty but why was there a sound? Am I imagining things?