Dawn

Chapter 1

Athena

I was always good at hiding; it came second nature to me. Maybe it was learned, or maybe it was just a skill I was born with; but nonetheless, it has helped me throughout my trials and tribulations. That's what is roaming across my mind as the uber driver makes a sharp left turn onto Monroe Avenue. The street is rather empty for a Thursday night, but that's why me and my friends love the small dive bar that lives nestled in one of the corners. We used to come here all the time in college; it was a secret place where we would order rounds of whiskey sours and gossip about roommates and boyfriends until one of us inevitably got too drunk to make it home alone. Somewhere along the years, those weekly hangouts dwindled down, constricted by jobs and families, but that made the few times we were able to meet up even more special.

The uber driver pulls up slowly in front of the bar, Kelcey's, and I jump out saying my quick thanks. The bar was inside an old brick exterior with windows so covered in muck that you could only see silhouettes inside. There was a two door entry, and as soon as you made it within the first, the smell of stale beer and old wood became potent. As I opened the second door, the sounds of old classic rock came flooding into my ears as well as the laughs and howls of the dozens of people inside.

Kelcey's attracted an odd group of individuals. There were groups of burley bikers sitting at the bar cackling with the young female bartender, while a few young students stood re-racking the pool table. There were a few women throwing darts, taking shots left and right– the sight gave me deep nostalgia. Every table was full–not a unique occurrence of Kelcey's; it was always the place to find a few shady characters when needed, but Kelcey's was a safe space–no deals to go bad, everyone behaved.

As I round the corner near the bar I see my friends laughing at the booth on the far left–the one that had served us for years. The tables in the back were filled with gang bangers, drug dealers and a few strippers coming in from the place around the corner. As I said, Kelcey's was an odd place.

"Athena! Get your ass over here and give me a hug!" The call knocks me out of my thoughts and over to the table where my friend, Hannah, is standing on the bench waving her arms frantically while my two other friends, Ben and Hunter, cover their eyes and try to yank her back down. I run over and wrap my arms around her pulling her as close as I can. Hannah's lilac scent always calmed me down and reminded me of happier times.

"Hannah, oh my god, I have missed you so much I actually thought I might go crazy if I didn't see you." I said while pulling back and taking a good look at her.

"I have that effect on people." Hannah says, smirking. She gives me a once over, whistling to herself, "Damn babe, you look hot as hell."

I can't help but scoff although I do feel pretty tonight. I have my favorite black miniskirt on with a white top that has slightly capped shoulders. I threw a cropped leather jacket over and finished the look with some chunky black boots. The look made me feel hot and like a badass–definitely the look for Kelcey's.

"Does that make us trash?" Ben's voice suddenly comes into play.

"I was thinking the same thing." Hunter adds while taking a slug of his beer.

I squeeze into the booth next to Hunter and give him a quick hug before leaning over and hugging Ben. "It's been way too long. Seriously! It's been months!" I say while leaning over and stealing Ben's drink. "Ugh rum and coke? How old are you?"

"Don't hate on a classic." Ben says as he shrugs. Ben works as an assistant district attorney, yet he drinks like a college kid. When he first got his job he was afraid to come back to Kelcey's because of the crowd, but strangely enough, the bar had an unspoken 'leave them alone' rule. It never made sense to me, but I decided not to think too much into it if it meant Ben could still come.