The busy evening ends with a closing shift at the café, as I spot mounds of coffee beans and sugar packets sprawled out on the counters. Sighing, exasperated, I check the clock, and it is nearing 5:30 PM—way past closing time for the overworked restaurant. After I finish wiping down tables and restocking, I pack my work bag to leave and shout a curt bye to Audrey before I lock the doors.
"Hey Cassie, are you busy tonight?" she comes up and asks as the sounds of jingling keys on the hefty lock rang over her.
"No, I don't have any classes or shifts scheduled tomorrow. Besides my pottery class at three—Why, what's up?" I respond, trying to seem full of energy.
"This jazz band I'm super into is playing at midnight tonight, and I bought two tickets at a discounted price; I was just wondering if maybe you'd like to come with me? All drinks on me." She flashes a desperate smile in hopes of a promising answer.
"Of course, I have nothing better to do anyway besides groceries. Where is it?"
"The Midnight Reverie," she replies.
"Oh, Aud, you're kidding; I was just there the other week. Who's playing?"
She giggles, "Somebody named Minnie the Moocher. It's super good stuff, Cassie, you just have to hear it. I'll pick you up at 10 - and wear something nice." she says, looking me up and down. I stare at my espresso-stained smocks and worn-down cargo in embarrassment.
She and I closed the café and dropped me off at my apartment, thanking me for taking up the chance to hang out with her. Audrey and I have worked with each other at her father's cafe in Brooklyn ever since freshman year at college together, and although we're complete opposites due to her shallow taste and personality, we get along pretty well. We weren't close, though; I think maybe twice she's shared a mildly intrusive secret with me, but it was always drunk and over the phone. Me? I never did. I know her favorite colors, and she knows my favorite books, but I like to keep the friendship at about that.
Think of Aud as a coworker I love getting shitfaced with. She was such an easy, casual person to be around since she'd just talk about meaningless things like her boyfriend or her new favorite radio stations. And I just met only her a couple of years ago, when we were both 20 and desperate for new friends in this busy city's catacombs.
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Murmurs Of Infliction
Fanfiction[ IN THE WORKS - AN OC x JOE GOLDBERG / YOU FANFICTION ] Your heart has forever been burdened with the feeling of longing, a desire that seems to be deeply rooted in the very essence of your being. Despite residing in a place that should be comfort...
