First Class ✈︎ Jack Harlow (BRIEF HIATUS)

Chapter Four

Not too long after, we arrived in the French Quarter. It's virtually impossible to navigate through the thick of Bourbon Street on a Friday, so we kindly thanked the driver and exited the car to walk the short remaining distance.

"I don't know about this Brie. I'm getting nervous."

"Jenna, you aren't even performing tonight."

"I know, but you know how awkward I get around other people."

"Every single one of us is there to get paid and go home - focus on your bag and keep it moving."

"I get that, but it's easier said than done. I just hope they're nice to me."

"You already know I will handle it if anything happens," Brie stated.

"I can handle myself. I just don't like confrontation. Especially unnecessary confrontation."

"The only people that would be rude are the ones that feel threatened by you. And you're already above them at that point. Most of the dancers are genuinely nice. Don't sweat it," Brie attempted to comfort me.

"I'm gonna need a stiff drink," I gulped as we approached the door. I shouldn't even be this nervous. I've been here plenty of times before. But there's a completely different vibe from going in knowing you're mixing drinks to knowing you're going to be on the stage.

Brie opened the door and I walked in behind her. I immediately noticed Mare behind the bar, setting up for tonight. I had trained her before I "quit" right before winter break just a few months ago. She caught my eye and waved frantically at me with a big smile.

"Jenny!" she yelled, calling me by my most hated nickname. I always brushed it off because I really like Mare, so I didn't mind as much.

"Mare baby!" I shouted back, jogging over to the bar. She hopped the bartop and came up and gave me a hug.

"You came to help this weekend? They said we were gonna be hella busy because of that Jack Harlow concert. Honestly, that would be badass if any of their team came here."

I laughed. "My girl, I wish I was bartending with you. Brie has somehow finally convinced me to dance tomorrow. I'm just here to watch and practice today and tonight."

Mare gasped and slapped me in the face. Kind of hard, but it was meant to be playful. "Get the fuck out. No. Fucking. Way. I don't believe it. Is she for real, Brie?" she yelled at Brie, who was walking towards us.

"Yeah, girl. You already know I was gonna get her one of these days. She kicked it with this fine ass white boy last night, now she's feeling herself," Brie laughed.

I smirked but my face was beet red with embarrassment. I hopped over the bartop to pour myself a drink.

"Is he gonna come see?!" Mare asked, excitedly.

I laughed. "I don't know! I'm gonna end up bailing out if I think about any of this too much."

I reached down and grabbed a highball glass, a lime slice, and a ginger beer from the mini fridge. I poured a double shot of Gosling's Black Seal Rum into the glass, floated it the rest of the way with ginger beer, and squeezed the lime over the top, dropping it into the glass.

"I don't think anybody makes a Dark n' Stormy better than you, Jenna." Mare acknowledged, admiring my favorite cocktail.

I grabbed a straw, stirred it, tasted it, threw the straw away, and chugged it.

"Get your ass over here!" Brie laughed. I hopped back over the bartop. "Can't take you anywhere."

"Trust me, I'm gonna be a lot more enjoyable in about 20 minutes. Mare, you better just keep them coming while I'm here."