One & Only

✍ F i v e

O'Malley's was dimly lit, dozens of people already scattered throughout the entire bar. The techno music blasting through the giant speakers on either side of the stage practically shook the entire building. However, the sweaty bodies on the dance floor didn't seem to mind. I actually look pretty decent tonight. Audrey let me borrow her white mini dress and fishtailed my long, brown hair. She stands next to me, on her tip toes, scanning the crowd. When she finds who she's looking for, her eyes light up and she let's out a squeal of delight. 

"Oh my god, S! Look how hot Roy looks tonight!" She exclaims, pointing to the strawberry blonde boy sitting at the bar. His plaid shirt is unbuttoned at the top, and his shaggy hair is pulled back into a man bun. Which he can surprisingly pull off extremely well. In front of him is a glass filled to the top with ice, a brown liquid filling it up halfway. Audrey yanks up the top of her tight, gold dress before taking me by the hand and dragging me towards the bar. She comes up behind him, gives him a quick peck on the cheek, and sits down on the glossy, red chair to his right. An older man comes up from behind the counter. 

"Vhat vill it be for ju?" He speaks with a heavy german accent, simultaneously chomping on a piece of gum. It's mint. I can smell it from here. 

"Hi! Uh, can I have a manhattan please? With an extra cherry." She bats her long lashes at him, to which he replies by staring back with a blank face. He points a meaty finger at me, still standing behind Roy and Audrey. 

"Vhat about ju?" 

"Just give me your strongest drink." I reply with a sweet smile. He turns his back to us, grabbing glasses and various bottles. I swiftly turn around when microphone feedback echoes throughout the entire bar. A tall, lanky boy appears on stage. He taps the microphone twice.

"Testing, testing. Eh-hem, okay people! We're about to kick off the start of Open Mic night!" The bartender comes up behind me and clears his throat, sliding over Audrey's manhattan along with a bright red drink. Inside the glass is a pink mini umbrella, three raspberries pierced on it. I bring the drink to my mouth, taking a small sip. It doesn't even taste like alcohol. 

"Are you sure this is your strongest drink?" I ask the bartender as he cleans a glass with a rag. He just laughs in response, walking over to the newest customers at the bar. When I turn back around to face the stage, I find that the lanky boy has been replaced with a light haired girl and her guitar. Audrey whispers something in Roy's ear, causing him to nod and pick up his drink. She takes his arm and walks towards a couch in the corner of the room, just after looking back over her shoulder to wink at me. I take a seat at the bar, only now realizing that I've been standing the whole time. No one is sitting on either side of me. The closest person to me is three chairs to my left, and is face down on the counter. I think she's sleeping? I take another big gulp from my drink, tasting mixtures of apple, strawberry, and other fruits. I chug the drink, slam it down on the counter, and order another. It's gonna be a long night. 

Seven terrible performances later, Audrey and Roy are full on dry humping on a couch. And I'm on my 4th drink of the night. I feel like I'm on a tilt-a-whirl. The bartender was right, those things are strong. I stumble out of my chair, drink in hand, and make my way to the dance floor. People of all ages are holding their drinks in the air as they grind their sweaty bodies onto one another. I laugh out loud, a little buzzed. The lanky boy makes his way back onto the stage, probably to announce the end of the performances. I let out a loud "WHOOOO" and stumble backwards a little before catching myself. Now that I look at him, lanky boy isn't all that bad looking. Sure, he's wearing dorky glasses and his hair is a curly mess, but it kinda turns me on. I giggle again. Lanky boy begins to talk as I take a long sip from my drink. The red liquid burns as it runs down my throat and spreads through my chest.