I Have Two Faces; Blurry is the One I'm Not

|one|

"Garrison, are you working tomorrow?" Nikki asks me, towel drying a few glasses as I sweep the floor.

I can't help but chuckle. "I work every day but Monday, Hall, so what do you think?" I lean on the broom handle, smirking at my best friend. "Of course I'm working. Granted, I wish I wasn't"

"-but money is money, yeah." She sets down the glass she was drying and takes her messy dark brown hair out of its bun, only to put it in a low ponytail. "I gotcha. I just get uncomfortable with all of the creeps that come in here and hit on us."

"Oh honey, tell me about it." I sigh, returning to my haphazard sweeping. I lazily push the dirt into a dustpan, dust flying up and landing on my combat boots. "They genuinely sicken me." I stomp off the dirt. "But I imagine it's worse for you, seeing as your engagement ring is definitely visible and they still do it."

The door to the bar swings open, and without looking up I'm already shouting, "Oi! We're closed for another half hour! You gotta go!"

Nikki chuckles.

"That'd be fine and dandy if I didn't own the bar, Sabby, but I think I'll stay."

I bring my gaze to the jovial face of The Gauntlet's owner and Nikki's fiancé, Austin Jistki. He runs a hand through his wild mop of bright red hair. "Oh, Austin. Hey." I pick up the broom and dustpan and bring them to their wall hooks behind the bar, my boots loudly slamming against the hardwood floor of the bar, the sound echoing. "You're early."

As I hang up the broom and dustpan, Nikki finishes what I was going to say. "Is everything alright?"

I turn around and Nikki is wrapped loosely in Austin's arms. He smiles softly. "Yeah. I just ran out of stuff to do at home."

"Cleaned out the fridge?"

"Done."

"Loaded the dishwasher?"

"Easiest part of the day."

I roll my eyes good naturedly and turn around, drawing my attention to the wall of liquor as the two lovebirds continue their verbal checklist. A restocking is in order.

"Austin, where's the notepad I use for orders?" I ask loudly, poking through the drawers behind the bar. "I can't find it and I need to make a list."

"It's, uh, check the one under the register."

"Thanks."

I find the notepad and a pen and look up to find Austin leaning Nikki against a support beam, the two of them unsuccessfully trying to keep their face-sucking quiet. "Get a room, guys, Christ."

I flinch at the word as I feel His presence suddenly draw itself out. "Not tonight," I think to myself, "please, I'm begging you."

That's when He speaks. "Then don't say that word."

"I forget sometimes. Sue me. I'm only human."

"I don't care." He hisses. And then, He is gone.

Fuck, I hate Him. I hate Blurry.

"Sabby, are you okay?" Nikki asks, Austin's arms around her waist, his head resting on her shoulder, her eyes clearly concerned.

"I, what? Yeah. Sorry, just zoned out. What'd you say?" I sputter, nervously twirling the pen in my fingers, my pulse quickening. The last thing I need to happen around these two is a Blurry episode.

"I asked what we needed." Austin says warily, eyeing me as if he was my father. "Are you sure you're good to work tonight?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Just tired. Work and school and all. I'll be good, I promise." As long as Blurry stays quiet, I think.

Austin and Nikki share a glance, but then return to their cuddling.

"Don't use that tone of thought with me," He warns, "or I'll pilot the meatsuit right out of here."

I inwardly roll my eyes. "If you like having a functioning meatsuit, then I suggest you let me do my job so that I can afford the upkeep."

He retreats again. "Thank you."

I return my attention to the alcohol and start listing what we need to restock on. We're out of Fireball, out of Skyy, Absolut, and Bowman's. Most of the bourbon is gone, but as far as this wall, everything looks good.

As I begin to scan the next wall, Austin calls my name. "Yeah?" I respond, my eyes grazing the rows of bottles.

"The Gauntlet is open." He laughs, flipping the switches that illuminate the neon signs as people start to slowly fill the bar.