Anywhere But Here

Chapter Four

"Give her a Ranch AMF!" Riley yelled into Kyles' ear, who was leaning down and hovering over the table with a pen and notepad in his hands. It was ten thirty on a Friday night and Riley insisted on bringing Ione to Saddle Ranch, his and Kyles' work, for a night of food and drinks. Even though she had been cramped in a seated position on the bus for seven and a half hours, Riley wanted her first night in Los Angeles to be memorable, to a certain extent. Being her first night of freedom, it was only right for Riley to present her with a great time; something Kyle did for him when he moved out.

"A Ranch AMF?" Ione repeated, loud enough for the both boys to hear her over the blasting music and cheers of people taking shots at the bar. Kyle grinned, "it was Rileys' first drink when I brought him here." Riley nodded and handed him the menus', "true story, you'll love it."

Ione sighed and placed her elbows on the table, intertwining her fingers and resting her chin on top. Her eyes stared across the table at Riley, who was mumbling something into Kyles' ear causing his cheeks to fluster a shade of red.

After Kyle scurried off with a wide grin plastered on his face, stopping in between tables to chat with friends and laugh at a drunk or two, Riley faced forward and placed his hands on the table. "What?" he said with a slight chuckle, noticing the way Ione was watching him. Ione shrugged, "nothing, you guys seem so natural."

"This is natural," he said leaning slightly across the table so she could hear him clearly between the distractions. Ione nodded and let her hands fall into her lip, "for you," she mumbled. It's not that Ione didn't like Saddle Ranch, she found the place interesting; however, although people weren't taking notice to her, being consumed in alcohol and food; she felt she stood out like a sore thumb.

The bar and grill was crowded and to say they were over their maximum capacity wasn't over exaggerating. With hardly any walking space and available tables, Ione was amazed Riley was able to reserve them a table that wasn't connected to another or big gathering. The table they were sitting at was just off to the right hand side against the wall and open window, where they could feel the nights chill breezing in.

Ione eyed different groups and couples sprung around the bar talking with beverages in hand. The guys in the bar were dressed casually while the girls she observed were dressed like they were attending Club DV8 (not that she had been there of course, but only knew from photos Riley showed her).

"You just need to get used to it," Riley said placing his hand over her right one and massaging the side of her wrist with his thumb. Ione sighed, "it's just..."

"Different," he finished tugging his lips into a grin, "don't worry too much." Ione pulled her hand away from his and rolled her eyes; as if she could worry less. "I was just like you when I got here," he added.

"Then what happened?" she asked crossed her arms over the table top. "A Ranch AMF happened," Kyle chuckled holding a tray in the air with two beverages on top. Iones' eyes widened, bulging at the sight of the giant carafe being placed in front of her. "You want me to drink this?"

Riley grinned and took a gulp from the red straw of his, savoring the taste and taking another gulp. Kyle laughed and placed his hand on Iones' shoulder, gripping her blade, "don't look too terrified, people are really going to know you're not from here."

"I'm pretty sure it's already obvious," Ione mumbled sliding the carafe closer to her and pinching the straw in between her index finger and thumb. Riley swallowed and looking up at Kyle, "she's a light weight, that's why she's afraid of drinking." Ione looked up and frowned, letting go of the straw, "I'm not afraid of drinking."

Riley tilted his head to the side then took another slow slip, "sure about that?" Ione nodded then looked up at Kyle, "I'm definitely not." Kyle nodded and rocked back on his heels, "I'm sure you're not."