When I Knew You - jtk

one

It was freezing outside of the bar where Juniper stood next to her life-long best friend, Allison. Alli and Juniper, or June as she was most commonly known as, met in second grade and they were instantly friends despite not having pretty much anything in common.

June shivered, pulling her leather jacket closer to her body, "Remind me why we're here again?"

Allison was dressed in a pink dress that complimented every curve just right, matched with strappy heels. Her hair had been curled and was cascaded over her shoulders like a perfectly styled blonde waterfall. Although it was May and winter was dying fast, June wondered how she wasn't freezing.

June had kept it casual, not wanting to draw attention to herself even though that was pretty much impossible when her best friend had always stood out in a crowd. June wore tight black jeans, an over sized tee shirt that she got at a thrift store and her trusty leather jacket. If anyone looked at the two women, they'd most likely do a double take and wonder how either of them stumbled upon the other.

Alli beamed at her friend, "There's a band playing here tonight and that cute guitarist I met at the coffee shop told me he'd be playing with them! That's why! Plus, drinks are half off tonight."

June shook her head but couldn't help smiling at Alli's excitement.

"Mmm," June hummed as they moved closer in the line, "That explains waiting in line on a Tuesday night."

"You need to get out more Juni," Alli said as Juniper rolled her eyes, "I'm surprised I don't drag you out of your dungeon more often."

June stifled a laugh, "Because that's not how introverts work Al."

They had finally reached the front of the line and the bouncer didn't even bother asking them for identification, as his eyes fixated on Allison's figure, absentmindedly letting them through.

As soon as they entered the building, June was met with the hazy tint of smoke and the strong smell of multiple bodies. She had been to this bar before, not having many selections in this small town so she wasn't shocked by the atmosphere. A set of four indie-looking men stood on the stage and Alli rushed to get closer. June laughed, watching her go and taking a seat on a bar stool, waving down the bartender.

"Make me something fruity with a high alcohol content," June said and the bartender smiled and nodded, "I've got just the thing."

As the bartender got to the work, June looked around the bar. A collection of different kind of people flooded the place but she could definitely find Allison out of them all. She smirked as she watched a guy already talking to her. Alli's eyes, however, never left the guy on stage that June could only assume was the guitar player from the coffee shop.

June always thought it was so interesting that even though she spent years in this town, growing up, she still could barely recognize anyone that lived here too. She didn't ever let herself get to know anyone other than Allison and even that was an anxiety inducing experience for her back in second grade. June jumped suddenly as a set of hands hit the wooden bar top next to her. She turned and watched a curly-headed guy smile so largely at the bartender that she had to fight off laughter.

His eyes gleamed and he basically shouted, "Bartender! Get me a salty dog please!"

June's drink was slid to her and the bartender cracked a smile at the stranger next to her.

"Hey Josh! I didn't know you were back in town," the bartender said and gave "Josh" a handshake.

"Out for the semester! Jake told me about his little gig so obviously I needed to show up."