The Only Hope for Me is You

How Did We End Up Talking in the First Place?

 Saturday mornings are meant to be peaceful affairs, with animated kid cartoons on the television and a lazy breakfasts being slowly consumed at the kitchen table. But my Saturday was not like that at all. It was seven thirty and I was late for work. I work full time at Blue Jay's, the local pub. And tonight they were hosting a local band, as they often do, which meant I had to spend my day setting up. Jay said they were a pretty big band but they started around here so they were coming back for old time sake, basically, it was going to be a long day.

I wiggled into a pair of black skinny jeans, a black collared shirt, and a red tie—my work uniform. I hated and loved it. It was cute, but the skinny jeans showed my disgusting thighs that I was working to lose and the shirt had a tendency to ride up and show my scars, both of which were unappreciated. I grabbed my purse and tossed some mascara and eyeliner into it so I could do makeup on the bus. Then ran out of my apartment before I could give in to my growling stomach. 36 hour fast. I had 12 more hours to go.

All Time Low's Break Your Little Heart started to come from my purse. Fuck, it's Jay.

 "Hello?"

"Ava where are you? We have a huge gig tonight, Joey's out sick and we need you to set up. You were supposed to get here at seven sharp. Where are you?"

"Sorry Jay, my alarm didn't go off and I—"

"I don't want excuses I want you to be here when I need you."

"I'm getting on the bus now Jay. I'll be there in fifteen" with that I hung up. Jay was mad but I knew he would get over it by the time I got there. That's what I loved about Jay, he could never stay mad at anyone, even though he's six feet of tattoos and piercings, and he's a complete teddy bear.

 As promised, I showed up at the bar fifteen minutes later and it was already bustling with people. Some were workers from Blue's, others I assumed, were workers for the band. I threw my coat on a bar stool and headed to the stage, a crowded wood rise with mics and amps everywhere, where Jay was ordering people around.

 "Hey, sorry I'm late so—"

"Ava great. I need you to take inventory at the bar, see what we have, what need, all that shit. It's going to huge, completely sold out," Jay chuckled "so make sure we have enough kay cupcake?"

"sounds great" I said and started my way to the bar. I liked working back there the best for these kind of events and I think Jay knew it. It didn't require great people skills, all you needed to know was how to tell margarita and tequila apart when spoken in a drunken slur. You didn't have to be huge and keep fans from rushing the stage, you didn't have to keep calm backstage, deal with huge stars or any of that. It was nice, calming. Just alcohol and music. Basically, the job fit me perfectly.

I was sorting through bottles upon bottles of alcohol throwing out the crappy stuff, adding new orders. I don't know how many people Jay was expecting, but I knew we'd have enough, Jay had problems with experimenting.

  

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After a few hours of cleaning tables and sweeping musty corners that seem to have never seen sunlight and getting rid of chipped shot glasses, people started to clear out for lunch and planned to come back around two so the band could warm up. I didn't leave. Instead I sat on the rim of the counter and put on my beats. Beats that I had scammed off some guy who liked me. His parents were loaded and he thought buying me overly expensive things would somehow make me fall for him, it didn't work, but the shit he bought was awesome. I turned my music up, laid down and closed my eyes and tried to forget the world.

A few minutes later there was a tap on my shoulder. I open one eye, keeping my headphones in. It was a guy about my age with dark hair and a stones t-shirt. He was cute. I took off the headphones.

 "I'm sober" He said very matter-o-factly.

"Well that's fun. So am I?" I laughed in confusion.

"Exactly," he smirked, "so that must change." He gestured to the bar behind the counter

"Oh! Yeah okay" I sat up to step off the counter and, lucky me, the counter was not as wide as I thought and I managed to slip and find myself on the floor. "Ow..."

 "Hey" the boy said as he quickly rushed around the counter to where I lay helpless on the floor.

"You alright?" its funny, he seemed genuinely concerned.

"Yeah, I'm—I'm fine" I mumbled as I began to stand.

"Loser. Here." He said as he offered me a hand which I gratefully took. With one hand he pulled me up with ease and the other found its way to my side and slowly found its way down to my waist. Before I knew what was really happening, I was against his chest and his hands were resting on my waist. God his eyes. Fuck what was I doing?  I took an abrupt, flustered step back.

 "So um alcohol?" I said turning towards the counter so that he couldn't see the red that I could feel rising in my cheeks.

 "Oh yeah. Here." He set down two thermoses on the counter and pushed one towards me. "That one's chamomile. Do with it what you like." I took the thermos into my hand. Should I be taking tea from totally strangers? Probably not. But for chamomile, an exception can be made.

"What's in yours?" I questioned. A devilish smirk appeared on his face.

"Espresso. Now pass the vodka."

"Vodka and espresso? Really?" I said laughing. He shrugged.

"Makes you feel like death but it tastes like love. What's your poison?"

"Chamomile and rum. A much less lethal combination might I say " I said mixing my drink.

"Poetic." He said taking a sip of his liquid death.

"Repulsive" I say taking a drink from my own. He chuckled.

"So I don't think I ever caught your name?" I added. But before he could answer, people began flooding in.

"Alright everyone! The band will be rehearsing. Sound and lighting crew this is your chance to get you shit together. Clean up crew, do your thing." Jay said making his rounds about the room. "Ava," he said coming up to me, "I'm sorry but I'm going to need you to go pick up the band's merch, okay?"

"Oh yeah sure" I set down my drink and grab my coat. I turn back to the mysterious man sitting at the bar. "I'll see you around?"

"Bye Ava" he smirked.

Hey guys. So what did you think? I'm still kinda new to fanfiction writing and all that but I think I like this story so far. So, leave comments and such, anything is welcome. Vote, share, all that jazz. I'll try to have another update later this week. Stay beautiful, keep it ugly. X0X0, sharpie thoughts

title credit to 5S0s- end up here