Spilt Coffee

Chapter 2

She felt better the next day, after a long shower, and a late night of her and Carmen salvaging everything in the box, she went into work much happier. The embarrassment had worn off and a sense of satisfaction had set in, especially when Carmen was telling their co-workers how badass she was when she punched Alex to the floor. "I know I was there to hold you back but it was too good, he deserved every bit of it." She shrugged. "I needed that punch. I think it was good closure y'know? As soon as I felt his nose snap, any love left for him left my body. I feel so refreshed." Their coworkers - Ben and Jack - clapped for her. "You know what will make you forget him even more? There's a party at Reed's house tonight, I know hanging with Reed with make you forget about Alex so fast-" Carmen dodged Avery's elbow that was aiming for her stomach. "Are you two coming? Carmen asked, distracting Avery. "Sorry, but we have our date tonight, watching bad romcoms for me, and I guess a few bad horrors for Jack." Jack wrapped his arm around Ben's waist, giving him a squeeze. Jack wasn't one for words, using his actions to show how he was feeling. He and Ben were perfect together and Ben loved to show using words. They had clicked as soon as Ben began working at the store, dating after a couple months of relentless flirting (If you asked Carmen or Avery they would call it torture).

"Just us then." Avery grinned, excited for the night.

The bell at the door rang and a man walked in, taking in the store. "Hi, Scott? 1 pm appointment?" He nodded and Avery led him to the back, Where they discussed tattoo ideas, and then got to work. It was a quiet day so everyone was chatting, waiting for their clients to come in. Scott was chatting with Carmen as Avery did a sleeve tattoo down his arm. He was telling Carmen about the origin of the tattoo idea. He had a partner the year before who had passed away from cancer, her name was Lilly so he was getting Lilly's wrapping up around his arm.

It took a while but finally, they were done. Avery wrapped it up, telling him how to keep it clean. "Thank you, this was fun, I enjoyed the company, was so distracted I could barely feel it!" "That may have been the numbing cream." "Either way this was fun, I'll see you guys around!" he left after paying, leaving the girls in a good mood. Ben and Jack had left earlier, with no clients they wanted to get their date started early. "Party?" "party."

The party was loud, you could hear the music from down the street. Carmen whooped in excitement in the passenger seat, Avery driving this time. Thankfully they knew the owner of the house so they didn't have to worry about a way home, they could sleep anywhere they wanted. They parked up, grabbing the chips and drinks in the back, and sought out Reed, who was dancing in the living room with two girls. "Reed!" they gained their attention and they gave them a big hug, before getting sent to the kitchen to drop off the food.

"Feeling better yet?" Carmen nudged Avery and she nudged her back, harder. "If I say yes, will you stop worrying about me and have a good time?" Carmen nodded. "Then yes, I am, Not thinking about stupid Alex, or that stupid waiter-" She gasped. "What!?" Carmen glanced around. "The waiter." She pointed in horror at the waiter who had spilled drinks on her the day before. The one in cahoots with Alex. The jerk. Jeremy. He was standing talking to another guy, drink in hand... "Oh shit! It is!" "Do you think Alex is here too?" The shock had worn off and she whipped her head around in panic, trying to catch a glimpse of his stupid face. "Na, Reed wouldn't let him in after what happened to you." Avery calmed down, knowing that Carmen was right, Reed would probably give Alex a piece of their mind if they ever saw him. "Should we go over?" Avery shook her head. "I came here to forget about him and Alex, let's go dance."

And they did, swaying, twirling in each other's arms, dancing with Reed and their friends, laughing and pointing out cute girls and guys. At some point Avery went back into the kitchen tripping over her feet in a drunk haze, trying to find more drinks for her friends. She turned into the kitchen and then suddenly felt the familiar feeling of cold liquid soaking into her clothes and running down her face. It took her a minute to register what had happened in her intoxicated state. Someone had spilled a drink on her.

"What. the fuck." She could feel the anger coming and the tears with it. "What the actual fuck!" She tried to brush the liquid off of her body, brushing the tears out of her eyes, muttering how could this possibly happen twice in two days. She focused her eyes to see who the fuck spilt it and lost it at the sight of the waiter. "Are you serious? Alex put you up to this again didn't he! Of course, he would." She threw her hands in the air in exasperation. "Why can't you mind your business and spill shit on somebody else huh!? In fact..." She grabbed the closest drink to her, unable to see what it was as the tears blinded her. She threw it at him, hitting him right in the face, which she thought was impressive considering how drunk she was. "What the hell! It was an accident!"

"Now you know how it feels, jerk." She stuck her tongue out, which felt extremely childish and embarrassing but she didn't care, she could be embarrassed when she woke up tomorrow sober, right now she needed to drink so much she felt numb to the drink still sliding down her hair and shoulder. And she did.

(1020 words)