Chapter 2 - Whiskey On The Rocks
The air is hot and heavy with moisture when I wake up. But I don't have to look outside to know its raining. A summer storm is coming this way. It said in the weather report last week, after a slow burn I guess it's finally here.. that means big waves! But dangerous conditions ah well, what's life without a little risk.
After a few blissful moments of silence I lift myself out of bed starting my daily routine. A breakfast of fresh fruit and croissants are a welcomed treat to the start of another long day. Free time is quickly taken up and the grind starts, my classes are off for today due to weather conditions so that means a day shift in the bar. I can map out my day already – screaming kids, hungover grumpy parents and maybe a few stray pets! But in typical fashion, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love this new lease of life I've been given and I'm making sure to soak up every minute of it.
With that in mind I stroll over to the bar letting the rain cleanse my skin, the sand smells luscious coupled with salty sea air. I take my time this morning, dragging my bare feet through the lagoon and up onto the sand, quickly dusting them off before I reach the bar.
When I arrive inside it's surprisingly tidy in comparison to last night's mayhem and it's empty other than one lonely person standing crookedly at the bar.
"Are you alright?" I ask the person who's now hunched over. He wears a dark grey beanie and dark glasses. A white patterned shirt adorns his torso and khaki coloured shorts hang loosely from his skinny frame. He just grumbles and taps incessantly at his smart phone.
I look up from my duties at the bar and see him still tapping his phone, it's more like smacking it now. Being a dutiful bar maid I pour him a pint glass of water and place it in front of him, catching his attention.
"....thanks." He slides the dark glasses down his thin nose, showing me a red puffy set of green eyes.
"Rough night?" I make conversation, he looks like he needs it.
"You've got no idea. I feel like shite." The rough thickness in his voice doesn't hide the Irish drawl that makes him easy pickings around here, I'm surprised he's alone.
"Ah, don't go blaming the drink now will you! You should know your limits..." I fish, waiting for a name; he just looks quizzically at me raising an eyebrow over the glasses that are now back protecting his eyes.
"I recognise you.." he hums, coughing over his words and for a minute I think he's about to throw up but he composes himself and goes back to the conversation
"Yeah, I do. Surfer girl?" Oh Christ.
"You're the drunken ass tourist who knocked me over last night and I ran into yesterday! Thanks buddy! I was about to feel sorry for you for being so hungover too!" I laugh with a splash of seriousness thrown in.
He laughs but grimaces;
"Don't make me laugh my stomach won't be able to take it.. But I'm sorry for knocking you over anyway...?" It's his turn to fish but I hold my own
"I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours?" I joke
"Danny."
"Nice to meet you Danny, I'm Faith." He takes my extended hand shaking it quickly, while taking a glug of water from the glass in his free hand.
"You too love! Can I have a whisky by any chance?"
I'm taken aback by his request;
"What's that look for?" he chuckles
"You're hungover and asking for a whisky? That's stupid! Do you need a doctor?" I laugh but, this guy seems pretty stupid to be ordering anything alcoholic right now.
"The only cure for too much alcohol is more! Now come on, I'm a paying customer babes"
Babes.. I cringe at that but don't mention it. Reluctantly I hand the whisky on ice to him and it goes down in one swift gulp. He doesn't even flinch! I'd be dead.
I think it's a delayed reaction, his face goes from satisfied to a complete loss of colour apart from a green tinge in less than 2.5 seconds. He launches into the nearest bathroom throwing up loudly. Gross.
He comes out looking a lot better than before but still worse for wear;
"You were right. It was stupid. Ugh.."
"I have a habit of that. I'd sip the water carefully for the next hour and then see if you can stomach any food." My sane words of feminine advice works a treat and the colour in his face returns somewhat, but with the paleness of his Irish skin it's hard to tell.
"Thank you. So, Faith? What's the story huh?" He smiles, me? I'm utterly confused at that unusual phrase
"What?" He laughs shaking his head
"What's up with you? Are you okay? What's going on?" He throws normal meanings of the phrase my way and I catch on.
"You're a complete stranger, why should I tell you anything?"
"Oh come on, can you see anyone else to talk to around here? You said an hour and I can have food? I'm not confident in my ability to walk anywhere so here is my only option!" he smiles titling his head in question.
"Fine, I've worked here two and a half years. Australian national, grew up in Perth, moved to Sidney to work on Bondi it's amazing. I love the water and all things natural! Surfing is my passion; it's in my blood I'm at my happiest and most free when I'm out there. It's like flying without a parachute dangerous but exhilarating and I get great views!" I find myself grinning from ear to ear, matching the man in front of me.
"It's fuckin' great to hear someone speak with that much passion! I love that.." he muses nodding at me with a smile on his face. I must admit I'm a little surprised by his reaction.
"Haha, I'm pretty unremarkable but thanks! How about you?"
His brow furrows and I'm shot another questioning head tilt;
"Er, I'm the lead singer of a band back in England. Taking a sabbatical right now though. Over Christmas and new year..."
"That's great. I don't suppose I've heard much of you, I'm sorry if I was supposed to? I'm not much of a TV or Radio person... being an outdoors girl and all that." I laugh nervously, hoping I hadn't offended him.
He takes his glasses off to glance at the elaborate watch on his wrist and rubs his stomach a couple times.
"Hmm hours up. I'm starved. Where's good to go for food around here..." he asks, putting his glasses back on quickly as wave of people fill the bar.
"Just down the beach, a place called Shark Fin Diner. Tell them I recommended you and they'll give you half price entrées! It's a little pricey but they do killer oysters!" I grin which he returns happily.
"Mega! Thank you! See you around Faith!"
"Don't sweat it! Bye Danny!"
Another chapter down, sorry it's not too detailed but they've got to meet properly sometime eh? :) Let me know!! xx
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Chasing Faith. DISCONTINUED
Novela JuvenilHave you heard of the girl with the sun on her skin, who can make flowers grow with her light from within, and she runs through the world leaving life in her wake, with blossoms all lining the path that she takes. Faith is a book of secrets filled...
