Lars and Sadie

Chapter Three

Sadie's POV

We both walk side by side as the stars twinkle above us. It's quiet between us, and I honestly don't mind it. I never minded the 'awkward' silences we both shared together. "So", Lars says.

He always hated awkward silences

"Since you're in town, I thought, 'why not take us out for drinks'-" He slightly leans towards me, "I'm paying by the way." I feel myself smirk, and joke,
"Good, cause I didn't bring my wallet." We continue walking, and we make it to the center of town in no time. Only a few buildings have their lights on, and we only pass a handful of people. "Where is everyone?" I look up at Lars, and he shrugs,
"No idea" I find it hard to believe he has no idea, but I just hold my rebuttal in and continue the trek to the bar. Finally, Lars stops and stands. "Here it is." I stop too, and look up at the busted sign as the lights flicker from it. It reads, 'The Salty Salty Salmon'. The image of the Salmon had swirls for eyes and bubbles coming out from its open mouth.

Interesting.

"Come on," he says, and opens the door for me. "Ladies first." I chuckle softly.
"Thank you, kind sir." I step inside and I am immediately hit with the smell of men, sweat, blood and other substances. All the men in here are loud and half of them are plastered. I begin to feel uncomfortable, but remember I have Lars to protect me.

This place is disgusting, though.

"Is something wrong?" Lars asks me as he steps inside with me. He must've read the disgust on my face. 
"It's just...smelly." He laughs, and I feel myself get embarrassed. I only recently turned twenty one, so I haven't been to many bars before.
"Sorry for laughing," He says, pretending to wipe a tear, "I just didn't expect that to be your only complaint!" I look around, and start to see all the health code violations and safety hazards in the bar. "Come on," He says once more, and ushers me to follow. I do, and he leads me to the bar. He effortlessly sits down on the bar stool, while I have to do a little hop to even get on top of it. Lars flags down the busy bartender. "Hey, Frank." He says, already being on a first name basis with this guy. He reaches his hand out to me, without saying a word. It clicks that he wants to see my ID. I reach in my back pocket and take out my wallet. Then, I give him my drivers license. He looks at it, and nods. Once he hands me it back, Lars speaks up, "I'll have the usual, and she'll have..." He turns to me, and I feel put on the spot, so I practically whisper,
"A rum and coke."
"She'll take a rum and coke." The bartender nods and begins making our drinks. It's silent between us, but the other customers and TVs drown out the awkwardness. "Hey Sadie?" I turn to Lars, "I have a question."
"What's up?" I prepare my self, not knowing what he could possibly ask me. The bartender hands us our drinks, and I glance at Lars drink. It looks like whiskey. I take a sip of my drink, and can't help but make a face.

This guy overpours.

Lars smirks at my face, but continues, "How have you been? Like...really been?" I lick my lips, and take another sip.
"I've been...okay. My friends have really helped me through the last two years. My anxiety was really taking over me. But I recently started going to therapy, which has helped a lot." Lars takes a swig of his drink,
"Therapy?" I nod, taking a sip once more.
"Yeah, she really has helped me with my thoughts, and ya know...stuff." I began feeling self aware that I was talking to Lars, so I felt myself becoming shy.
"I went to therapy too." He says, nonchalantly, taking another swig of his drink. "I honestly learned a lot while going there." He ushers the bartender that he would like another refill. I look at him,
"Are you still going?" Lars shakes his head, and at first he doesn't say anything, but holds his glass and messes with it in his hands.
"No...it's a long story." I nod, not wanting to bug him with questions. The bartender refills his drink and walks away to help another customer at the bar. "I talked to her about a lot of stuff, honestly. She was great." I nod once again, and finish my drink. My eyes wander, and find themselves in Lars eyes. They sparkle slightly, and I feel my heart ooze in my chest.