Circles - Post Malone

Thirty Three

By 6 pm Dahlia, the twins, and Gina are getting ready to leave Sweet and Sour and head over to the bar Austin will be playing in tonight. "Sue is here. I saw her waiting by the front door," Gina says. Dahlia looks over at Ronny who has now passed out at the bar with half a beer still in his hand. The night shift will kick him out when they close. Fucking looser. Dahlia goes back behind the bar and takes the envelope she had marked 'For Sue' earlier. Then they all walk out. A woman with three kids all under ten is standing near the front door and smiles when she sees Dahlia. Dahlia hands the envelope over to her. "Thank you, Dahlia. Getting child support these last few months has been a God send," she says. Dahlia shrugs and pushes away one of the kids that try and hug her leg. "Man needs to pay his dues whether he is an alcoholic or not, Sue," Dahlia says. Sue gives her a sad smile and then turns and walks off with her three kids trailing behind her.

"They are so cute. I can't wait to have kids of my own someday. You will be the best aunt, Dahlia," Gina says. Dahlia rolls her eyes and heads for Austins Bar. "If you have children I will never speak to you again," Dahlia says, not meaning it but also - meaning it. Gina giggles and follows Dahlia along with the twins. Josh is waiting outside the bar and Gina runs off into his arms as soon as she sees him. Dahlia can't put her finger on it but she does not like him, there is just something off about him. After Gina has finished sucking his face he turns to Dahlia and smiles. "Did you have a good birthday?" he asks sweetly. Dahlia wants to snap at him but Gina is standing next to him with a pleading eye. "Sure. Best day of my fucking life."

Austin does not play for a while still but the bar is already busy and the doorman stops them as they try and enter. "Sorry guys we are at max capacity," he says. "What are you on? The show does not start for another hour and it's a big fucking bar," Dahlia complains. "I know how big the bar is and surprisingly I know what time the show starts too. I am telling you that I can't fit you in, there are so many people inside," the doorman says. "But we know the lead singer and it's her birthday," Gina chimes in pointing to Dahlia. "Everyone knows the lead singer it seems and happy birthday...still won't get you in," the doorman says. "What if one of the girls offers to blow you," Paris offers. "What the fuck is wrong with you?" Dahlia asks as she dials Austin's cell phone. "I am not interested in one of the girls," the doorman says letting his eyes linger over Paris' body. Dahlia grabs Paris and pulls him behind her body. "No sexual favors and make better life choices, Paris," Dahlia moans at both the doorman and Paris holding the phone to her ear as it rings.

"Hello, baby."

"We can't get in."

"Come around the side by the stage door. Don't let anyone see you though."

"How the fuck do you suggest we do that? Have you seen how busy it is out here? There are people everywhere."

"Stop your bullshit, come around the side."

"Fine," Dahlia says and then cuts the call. "Ok let's pack it in," she says and walks away from the front door. Gina, Josh, and the twins all complain after her. She ignores them and then ducks into the side alley. They all go quiet and follow her in. The side door is already open and an annoyed-looking Austin is waiting for them. He greets everyone as they enter and then grabs Dahlia's arm who is the last to enter and pulls her into what looks like a walk-in closet, pushing her up against the wall. "What the hell! What's wrong with you?" Dahlia moans. "No, no, baby - what's wrong with you?" he asks. Dahlia stops trying to wriggle out of his grasp and looks at him with a glare. "I know about your arrangement with Nessy and it fucking pisses me off," she says.

"It pisses you off? I thought it was kind of nice of me. She was very happy,"

"Oh great. You are such a fucking saint."

"Oh come on! Fine, I admit it took me by surprise and I liked it - call me self-centered if you want. But it's not like it's just her. I included all her friends."

"WHAT!"

"Fuck, keep it down," Austin says covering Dahlia's mouth, "why is this pissing you off so much anyway?" he asks then drops his hand. Dahlia glares at him. "Is that a serious question? You lost your shit at me going on a date but you can sleep around. We made a deal and you fucking broke it," Dahlia spits out. Austin looks at her with a frown as he takes in what she is saying. "Just one question...what did Nessy say this arrangement was?" Austin asks. Dahlia pushes Austin off her "she didn't need to say anything. I know what an arrangement is," she says then dusts her body where Austin's hands had been - for dramatic effect. The dirty bastard. "I am going to love making you apologize to me for this one," Austin says grabbing her arm and pulling her out of the closet and then down the passage toward the side of the stage.

He hides behind the side curtain and pulls Dahlia close to his own body in front of him then points to a table in the front row. Dahlia's eyes take a few seconds to get used to the dim bar lighting as she focuses on the table. Then she gasps, her mouth dropping open in shock. Nessy is seated at the table with three other women whom Dahlia suspects are her Friends. Each of them has a shirt with Austin's face on the front and '#1 FAN' printed on the back. They have flags and banners and are currently handing out stickers of Austin's face to anyone that walks near their table. "They even have a fan page and have fan club meetings," Austin whispers into Dahlia's ear. "The arrangement I made with her is that she and her friends get a reserved table in the front row at all my shows and if I ever make it big and play in stadiums they get pit tickets. I also had to sign a bunch of stuff and take photos with each of them...it was weird but made me feel really good that a bunch of people who don't even know me like the music I write," Austin whispers again into Dahlia's ear. They both stare for a while longer at the table, Nessy and her friends laughing and cheering as one of them shows the group a cape she made with Austin's face on it. They look like they have left all their problems at the door.

"See that one? The one with the long brown hair and the glasses," Austin whispers pointing at the girl. "Yeah," Dahlia answers. "Well, she cried when she met me and said that some of my songs had helped her through some pretty dark moments...I have never made anyone feel like that. Oh and that one," he says pointing to the girl sitting next to Nessy, "she used one of my songs as her wedding song," he says. Dahlia turns around in Austin's arms and looks up at him. She is so fucking proud of him. He deserves this.

"You will be big one day."

"You think so?"

"I know so."

"Now you sound like a fortune cookie..."