Heartbreaker [h.s.]

Chapter Seven*

Listen to the song whenever you see the ****

Stress.

All I feel is stress.

All I've been doing is anxiously cleaning the apartment all day after yesterday's abysmal rehearsal. Even Eva was sick of me running around the place in a frenzy with the broom and mop...but I don't know any other way to work off this...energy. I am so fucking close to giving up on this whole thing with Shadow Pulse, but my stubborn self won't allow it. I'd always been taught to finish what you start even if it doesn't pan out the way you'd hoped.

That's one thing good ol' pops instilled in me that I pride myself on.

I am not a quitter. I refuse to give Harry that kinda power over me. Nor the satisfaction.

Once I'd made the place look like a fucking model apartment I begrudgingly dig through my closet to find something to wear. All of my jeans are dirty and anything worth while wearing is extremely provocative. I locate one of my favorite dresses; a skin tight black dress that sits right about mid thigh, thin straps and a fully open back. It's not anything too flashy so it should suffice for a dive bar with a leather bomber jacket thrown over. I slick my hair back quickly, and throw on some mascara and my signature red lip. If I'm going to endure the guys, I might as well torture them with what they can't have.

Louis texted me the address of the bar and it looks like a shit hole. Not that I expected it to be someplace nice, it is them.

I almost suggested the one close by that Eva took me to, but I figured the devil incarnate would have a conniption if a suggestion came from me. I don't imagine the bartender Eva and I bonded with would enjoy his sour mood anyways.

Walking up to The Thirsty Dog, I get myself prepared for a night of drinking with the guys, something I'd been hoping I could avoid. I know I need to bond with them so our chemistry on stage flows the way it needs to, but fuck, I hate being around Harry. He's such a miserable sack of shit. Hopefully I can get in a few drinks, a few laughs, and then go home to Iggy. The door creaks open and I enter into a smoke filled room, dim grungy lighting, and bass vibrating the walls.

It fucking smells like garbage.

Louis's slender figure is easily spotted bouncing up and down with a shot glass raised in the air. Alcohol dribbles down his chin and a goofy smile is plastered to his face. He's most likely wasted already, which means he's going to be a lot to handle tonight. I push through groups of people to get to the bar top in desperate need of a drink to calm nerves.  A blonde woman slides into my view with a sweet smile, "Hey cutie, what can I get you?"

"Top shelf tequila and lime please. Oh, and a Heineken."

"Coming up!" She grabs a bottle of Don Julio and squeezes a lime wedge along with it, dropping the rind into the rocks glass. "Thank you!" I waste no time throwing the glass back, needing something in my system after not just yesterday's, but today's abysmal practice. The burn of the alcohol coats my tongue and then my throat, warming me from the inside out.
But of course, my peace is swiftly shattered, "I see the princess finally left her apartment. Didn't know you were capable of socializing."