She calls me darling

Chapter One

Evelyn's POV:

I'm sitting in my usual spot at Carmen's Bar, a quiet dimly lit space that isn't super popular but well known enough that they get business. I usually don't come on Tuesday nights, but tonight was the only night Annabelle and I were both free this week. I take a sip of my already half empty glass of red wine and glance down at my watch. I should've known she would be late. A band is setting up on stage, and I don't recognize them as the band thats usually here at the end of the week. I dig in my Prada over the shoulder purse and pull out my phone to text her, when a woman sits next to me. I look up to see Ann, flushed cheeks and slightly smudged lipstick. I smile, same old Annabelle, always up to the same shenanigans.

"Hey," I say. "I was beginning to think I was being stood up," I tease, taking in her short blonde bob and thick framed glasses. Her light pink lipstick smudged a bit in the corner, and as she smiles I notice some on her tooth as well. I give her a look she knows all too well, and she immediately grabs a compact mirror from her purse, wiping away the smudge with a baby pink hanky, and running her tongue across her teeth. She checks the mirror one more time before looking back at me. "Good?" she asks smiling so I can see her teeth. I nod, and she waves the bartender over. She orders a glass of whiskey and the bartender leaves to get it. She puts her coat behind her, finally getting settled and turns to face me.

"So," she says chuckling. "How are you?" she asks as the bartender sets her drink in front of her. He looks at me and I nod letting him know its okay to refill my glass.

"I'm alright," I say shrugging. She gives me a look that says 'cut the shit'. So I do. I relax my shoulders and look down.

"I guess..I don't know. I'm well health wise, physically–I could work harder..but I just have been..lonely..?" I say hesitantly trailing off. Her expressions softens, and I groan.

"Don't give me that look!! This is why I wasn't going to tell you..you're going to try and play match maker because you feel bad for 'poor lonely Evelyn'..I don't want to be pitied or just set up with someone because I want some rando to warm my bed..I want to meet someone naturally, someone where it just...clicks," I sigh..maybe i've had too much wine...nahhh 2 glasses isn't that much.. I think to myself, looking into the glass and swirling around the red liquid. Annabelle nods understandingly, and takes a sip of her whiskey as she listens intently.

"Have you tried online dating?" she asks curiously. I roll my eyes.

"Absolutely not..i've heard too many horror stories about those," a shudder runs down my spine at the thought. Annabelle just chuckles and takes another sip of her drink.

"Not all of them are bad you know," she replies, "My friend met her boyfriend on one and they've been together for two years now." she continues. I look at her skeptically, not entirely convinced. "Maybe. But I want something that feels genuine, something authentic. Not just some algorithm matching me with people based on my profile and their profile," I say with a sigh, taking another sip of wine. Annabelle just laughs softly.

"How will you find a genuine connection if you don't even try? You have to put yourself out there, not just sit here at the bar every Friday or Saturday night expecting Prince Charming to just saunter over to you," she teases, beckoning the bartender over to refill her glass.

"I do try! I just..I don't know. You know how I am with small talk, its so awkward. I hate awkward, it irritates me. And you know how I get when i'm irritated," I say chuckling causing a giggle to slip from her as well. She must sense my irritation, because her tone softens slightly.

"I know, I know," she says soothingly. "It can be tiring, but you can't expect to find the right person if you don;t put yourself out there. There are thousands of people on dating apps, maybe one of them is worth getting to know," she reasons, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

I take a second, considering her words, I know she has a point. However, the thought of signing up for a dating app and swiping through countless photos sounds more tiring than enjoyable.

"It's so much work," I groan throwing my head back with an ughhhh.

"Oh come on, Ev!! It is not that much work. You just create a profile,answer some questions, maybe upload some sexy selfies, and start swiping," she says, as if its the easiest thing ever. Annabelle's eyes sparkle suddenly as she looks towards the stage.

"What about the singer," she says nodding towards the woman swaying with the microphone stand on stage. I look over to where she's looking and see the singer, a woman with a short shaggy wolf cut falling in her eyes slightly. Shes wearing black ripped jeans and a thick green sweater with light purple stripes across the chest. She dances effortlessly with the mic stand, eyes closed completely in her own world on stage. Her voice fixed with both strength and fragility, like a rose with thorns. The sound envelopes the room, wrapping around the bar. Annabelle finishes her drink, and excuses herself to the bathroom. She winks at me as she walks by, walking through the dimly lit bar to the bathroom tucked in the back. I think about approaching the woman, shooting my shot. But as she comes closer into view..her face becomes familiar to me, but i'm not sure why. The wine is beginning to kick in and I start to regret having three pretty full glasses. Annabelle comes back from the bathroom and I tell her i'm going to step outside. I put my jacket on and grab my purse, setting a $20 bill on the counter under my glass, so the bartender doesn't think I left without paying. Ann stays put, aimlessly flirting with a guy a few stools away.

The cold hits me as soon as I step out of the warm bar. I lean against the rough brick building and dig a cigarette out of my purse. I put it between my lips as I move things around looking for a lighter. I hear the sounds of the bar as the door opens and closes and the singer from the band steps out. She pulls a square blue vape from her front jean pocket and nods at me as she takes a hit. She must notice me sift through my bag for a lighter because she steps closer to me holding out an old silver zippo lighter. I take it from her graciously, flicking it open and lighting the cigarette. I hand her the lighter back and mumble a soft thank you. She just nods, taking another hit, emitting a sweet smell.

"This tastes and smells so much better than that," she says jutting her chin towards the cigarette between my fingers. I raise my eyebrows, trying to come up with something to say.

"I've only ever smoked these..and well weed of course," I admit with a soft chuckle. She holds it out towards me, motioning for me to try it. I put the plastic to my lips and inhale tasting a berry-like flavor. I exhale, and nod.

"It is..smoother than I expected," I tell her as I hand it back to her. She just shrugs. I notice her shivering in just her sweater and jeans and ask her why she isn't wearing a coat.

"I don't have one," she says nonchalantly. Just as she's about to open the door, she turns towards me and smirks softly.

"Goodnight Ms. Parker," she tells me. And I realize where I recognized her from earlier. She was the new student in my advanced english class today...what was her name again? Oh my god. My student. I thought my student was hot..I took a hit of her vape-y thing or whatever!! Shit Evelyn. You done fucked up.