The Bar - H.S🍒

Strangers In The Night

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Somehow Erin's friends managed to get her out of her cosy and comfy house to sit in a dimly lit, sticky floored bar.

It's not that she didn't like a night out. She liked it as much as the next person but she'd had a tough week at work, and just wanted to chill. Her friends had other ideas though.

Dragging her ass up stairs to change into her best outfit and to get dolled up.

"It's Friday! No one should be moping at home on a Friday Erin!" Liza announced.
They'd already had a couple drinks before hitting the bars so their inhibitions were lowered. 

"What about children and the elderly? Should they be out at clubs and bars?" Erin cockily replied. She'd found a loophole.

Liza just laughed it off. Carrying on the conversation with Becca and Loz, their two other friends.

Erin sipped on her drink as her eyes scanned around the dark and musky room, until they landed on a guy stood at the bar.

He was propped up by his elbow which allowed her to see his ring covered hand. The other in his jacket pocket, but she could see he had tattoos that disappeared underneath his sleeve.

He looked so familiar but yet she couldn't quite place him. Maybe it was the drinks and countless number of shots she'd had.

He seemed to be in deep conversation with the guy in front of him. That was until he focused his gaze on her.

Erin quickly looked elsewhere but glanced back again and saw he had a smirk on his face, she couldn't help but smile. It was bugging her that she couldn't figure out where she knew him from though.

"Erin who are you looking at?" Becca brought her back.

"Sorry what?!" she exclaimed. All eyes were on her as they waited for her answer.

"You were staring. Who is it? Omg you like someone!"

"Fuck sake! No I don't, I just thought I recognised someone that's all."

"Hmm... sure thing. Speaking of liking someone... You should totally meet someone. Even if it's just a one night stand type of thing. You haven't been with anyone since Finn and that was well over a year ago Erin!"

The enthusiasm in Becca's voice was irritating.

Erin could see Loz and Liza nodding in agreement. She knew they meant well but meeting someone just wasn't on her agenda right now. Even if it was just for sex.

She hadn't been with anyone since Finn. But right now she didn't want to think about him. Or ever again if she could help it.

"Loz isn't with anyone and you never give them this lecture!" she was deflecting.

They just sighed.

"Yeah but Loz isn't as picky as you. We know you Erin. You meet one guy and focus everything on him and then when it goes wrong you hide away. We only do it because we care." Liza's tone was now a lot softer. She was trying to sympathise.

"Yeah I know. I love you all I really do but sometimes it's like I'm a kid and you're my babysitters. Leave me be okay. I'm happy as I am." Erin replied sternly but there was no ill intent to her words. She just wanted them to focus on something else.

Things with Finn were complicated. Much more than Erin's friends knew. There's a lot Erin left unsaid when they broke up.

"I'm gonna get another round guys." Erin offered. It was a way to get away from the conversation. Of course they knew that but they let her go anyway.

Erin loved them dearly, they'd all been through so much together and she wouldn't be without them. But right now it was suffocating.

She collected as many of their glasses from the table and took them back to the bar. She had worked in a bar a couple years back, so knew how tedious it was to collect the glasses at the end of the night. Plus, she knew the owners of this bar pretty well so wanted to be helpful.

"Erin you know you don't have to do that right! You want the same old rubbish? Cherry Wine?" Roger beamed at her.

On first glance, Roger seemed scary as hell. He was really tall, with a huge build. Clearly he works out regularly and keeps fit. He definitely has that "bouncer" look but she always assumed that comes with the job.

"First of all its not rubbish. Second of all... yes please!"

While she waited, she scanned the bar once again. Only to feel someone standing next to her.

It was him. The tattooed stranger. Well, maybe he was a stranger. She wasn't quite sure still.

He was tapping his fingers against the bar as he waited. She watched his fingers dance across the dark wood. His rings were probably making sound but she couldn't hear it over the music.

"Hi." He noticed her staring again.

That voice. Where have I heard that voice before?

"Hey." she replied. Trying to place him in her mind.

"Are you okay? You look confused." His voice was laced with concern. He probably thought she was just drunk but Erin didn't care. She had to know who he was.

"I'm really sorry but do I know you? You look so familiar?" she had now turned her body to face him. The determination to solve this puzzle taking over.

"Uh I don't think so."

His reply was short. Interesting. He seemed like such a talker when I saw him earlier. Maybe he's actually really shy.

"Sorry you just look like someone I know." She laughed it off. Just as Roger brought the drinks over.

"Hey Rog, I'll have the same again and I'm buying these too." he gestured to the drinks that had been handed to her.

He called Roger, Rog. So he knows him well. I've never seen him here before though. Or have I? Aah who the hell is this guy?!

"Wait... why would you do that?" Erin was even more confused now.

"Because I'm a gentleman." He smirked before swiping his card to pay.

Erin was stood in place. Not knowing how to react. She went to say thank you but before she could, he'd walked back over to his friend.

Erin looked over at Roger who was smirking. But was then called over to take someone else's order.

What the heck was that?

Reluctantly she made her way back over to the table. Where all three of her friends were glaring at her.

"What? What'd I do now?!" she cried.

"Erin Rose Chester! Do you have any idea who you were just talking to?!" Becca was whisper shouting but it was loud enough to hear over the music.

"Wait no! It confused me because he looked super familiar but when I asked he said no! Why who is he?" Erin exclaimed, plonking her body down in defeat.

"Erin. How drunk are you?! That's Harry Styles!" Liza was beaming from ear to ear.

No way! There's no way I just spoke to THE Harry Styles as if he was some random in a bar.

I guess it would explain why she recognised him. The drinks probably clouding her judgement.

Erin looked back over to where he was stood.

He caught Erin's gaze and smirked once again, watching for her reaction.
She smiled back and mouthed out a thank you. He smiled before going back to talking with his friend.

"Well shit."

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