His

Chapter 1

"125...126...127...128...129...130"

I look down at the tip money in my hand from my shift and feel nothing but dread. 130 dollars in tips and it's barely enough to cover some of my living expenses. I can pay my phone bill and some groceries, but everything else will have to wait.

"Fuck." I frustratedly ran my fingers through my hair trying to figure out what went wrong tonight. I worked my ass off for 12 hours straight and this is all I get in return! I can't even survive two days on this. I was supposed to get an oil change for my car, but it has to once again be put off until I have enough money to do so. 

"Hey, Tally, are you done for the night?"

I see my boss, Frank coming over to where I am sitting. He can be a prick sometimes, but when no one is around, he is fairly nice to me. "Yeah, I'm done. Just counting my tips."

"What's the total?"

"130."

"Sorry, kid. You know how it is in this bar. There are good nights and some bad nights."

I have been working at this bar for more than a year and there have been more bad nights than good. On a normal day, I get nearly groped by men twice my age, I get countless drinks spilled on me at least once a night by a drunken obnoxious asshole and I have been called almost every name in the book, but I haven't quit. I can't afford it. With my salary and tips, I am barely making it.

"Yeah, I understand." I smile at Frank, noticing how tired he looks. It is 3:30 a.m. and the last alcoholics have just left. The other bartender left around 1, but I always choose to stay and help Frank clean up. 

5 months ago, some scumbags robbed the bar, taking every few valuable items and since then, I felt better keeping an eye on Frank.

"You'll do better tomorrow. I feel it in my bones."

"You feel it in your bones even if it's sunny and 70. I don't think I trust your bones anymore."

Frank laughed and patted my back. "When it comes to you, my bones are right. Now come on, let's get out of here. I will walk you to your car."

After shutting the lights off and locking up, we leave at the same time, heading in different directions.

When I get back to my tiny run down apartment, I quietly enter without waking my roommate, Kate. I make my way to the kitchen for something to eat and when I open the fridge, I see a ham sandwich in Saran Wrap with a sticky note next to it.

Hope work went well. Here's a snack. -K

Kate has always been the mother-type of the place. She is 5 years older than me but thinks of herself as my older sister. She gives me curfews and bedtimes (Which keeping in mind that I am two months away from 24 years old) and even lectures me when I make bad decision. I knew she meant well, but it drove me insane and I was slowly getting sick and tired of it.

I took my five inch heels off my aching feet and place them on the floor as I turn the TV on, lowering the volume. This was the only time of night that I had some peace and quiet besides when I am sleeping. As tired as I am, I just like to sit and reflect on another shit-show day while I eat.

I know my life isn't ideal, but I try to remain healthy and positive. I exercise three hours every morning at the gym a few miles down the road and make sure to drink the average amount of water and occasionally a glass or two of red wine, pending on what kind of mood I am in. 

There are days where I want to fully give up, but I push the negativity out of my head and keep going.

After I finished my sandwich and wine, I went to my room. Stripping off my beer-stained crop top and leggings, I feel my tiredness coming upon me. Working my ass off for shitty pay isn't what I saw for myself at 23 and a half years old, but then again, life has been throwing me for a loop for a long time. Surprise is never an element for me anymore.

*** 5 hours later: I woke up to the smell of perfume. I see Kate standing in a towel in my open closet. "What are you doing?"

"I need a shirt for work."

"You already have at least twenty blouses in your own closet, you have no reason to have to borrow one of mine."

"I know, but I want to change things up and borrow one of yours." She talks as if we wear the same size clothes. At 28 years old, her body is much different than mine. My clothes fit me since I am toned, but on her, she fills the clothing with curves and bigger breasts. A few seconds later, she pulls out a black sleeveless blouse with black lace in the front.

"Perfect." Perfect for her means finding a shirt that she knows makes her breast look good in her eyes. 

"I better get that back, Kate. You already borrowed two shirts of mine that you never returned." I mumbled as I roll over to go back to sleep. I try to never wake up before noon.

Unfortunately, Kate doesn't understand that method. Leaning on the doorframe, she sighs. "You look exhausted, Tal. How late did you work until last night?"

"3:30."

"How much did you make?"

"130."

"That's it?"

"It was a bad night."

"Well, whatever I make tonight, I will split with you."

Kate works at a high-end restaurant. Her tips are always more than mine, I've considered working there, but the manager is a guy I had a short relationship with a few years back and intimacy was something I wasn't doing. 

It didn't end well, and I would hate to be around him for twelve hours. While we dated, he always pressured me when I didn't want to do what he asked. After giving in two or three times, it felt extremely awkward with him, so I broke things off. Kate doesn't know and I would like to keep it that way. I don't need her starting a physical altercation with him and losing her job because of me.

"You don't have to, Kate. I'll be fine. Tonight will be better. Now, please let me sleep. I am beyond exhausted."

"Sleep well, my little Tally."

"Don't call me that, please."

She laughed. "Sorry, but it is funny. I made you lunch also. It is in the fridge."

"Thank you. Please leave now."

After she leaves, I fall back to sleep, peacefully.

My alarm goes off at noon and I roll over feeling like the few hours I had were simply not enough. Getting up, I put on a pair of yoga pants and sports bra, grabbing my bag and walked the short five minutes to the gym. No matter how tired I am, I never skip this. It seems to really set the tone for the day.

*** Three hours later: After I left the gym, I was sweating but with my increased energy, I quickly showered and ate the lunch that Kate made me. As I ate, I went through my phone and checked my Gmail. I don't have many friend, so my phone doesn't get any attention and I barely date since I have no time for it, so I have no potentials waiting for me. 

On my days that I am off, I usually sleep 95 percent of the day. Every now and then, Kate drags my butt out of bed to go shopping or to get our nails done. Besides that, I consider myself a total hermit. Which is fine with me, I have never been into having a social nor romantic life outside of work. I don't usually sleep around with anyone, considering the fact that I have only been with two guys (pretty pathetic it seems). Maybe I am meant to be a single, lonely woman.

When it gets closer to four, I finish getting ready in the bathroom. As a bartender who works mainly for tips, I still want to make some extra effort to do good. Tonight, it is a simple V-neck body con dress and a pair of black Converse to avoid killing my feet all night. I loosely curl my hair and apply a little makeup.

Taking one last glance, I grabbed my keys and got in my car. Tonight is going to be a very long night, I could just feel it.