Brad didn't look at Tristan again. He sat at the bar - not drinking, he had made a promise - and watched a small brunette girl a few stools away from him. She sat with her friend, the two of them smiling and having fun.
He looked back at his soda. Brad was a little jealous of the way some people had best friends. They could tell them anything without the fear of being put down, and Brad really wanted that.
"Look, look," Brad heard a girl whisper. He didn't look up, just listened.
"That's the one who was watching you before," she said.
Brad looked up and saw the girls talking. The blond girl was smirking at her friend and the small brunette glared at her and whispered in her ear. Brad was imagining that she probably said something along the lines of "You're so loud."
Brad caught the eye of the brown-eyed girl and stood up. He walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Hey," he said softly.
"Hi," she replied. Out of the corner of his eye Brad could see her friend grin knowingly.
"Can I steal you away for a sec?" Brad asked.
"Yeah, sure," she replied.
They walked over to an empty table, and Brad pulled out her chair for her.
"Such a gentleman," she stated.
"I want to be nice," Brad responded. "What's your name?"
"I'm Caroline," she replied.
"I'm Brad," he said. "Nice to meet you."
"Call me Carrie, actually," she said.
"Okay, Carrie," Brad said
"You don't seem like you've had anything to drink - why not?" Carrie asked.
"I made a promise to my friends that I wouldn't."
Carrie laughed. "Are you the designated driver or something?"
"No," Brad replied with a chuckle, "my friends just don't want me drinking, even though I'll be of age in three months."
"Well that kinda sucks," Carrie replied. "I could get you something if you want."
"You're not eighteen, are you?"
"Do I look eighteen?" She laughed. "I've just been here a lot...and the bartender just wants to get paid."
"No, I don't want to make Tristan mad or anything," Brad replied.
"Aww, you're so cute. I understand though."
"Talk to me again in three months and I'll take you here and buy us both drinks," Brad suggested.
"I don't think you want to go on a date with me, Brad," Carrie responded.
"Why wouldn't I? You're very pretty."
"I think you don't like me," Carrie stated.
"Of course I like you! You're very sweet - why would I not?"
"No Brad, I think you don't like me."
Brad looked confused. Carrie explained herself.
"You haven't been flirting - not really," Carrie said. "You're forcing yourself to. You're not genuine right now, Brad, and I think you've got someone else on your mind."
"I don't have a girlfriend or anything," Brad replied. "I would never cheat on someone - if that's what you're implying."
"Of course not, Brad," Carrie reassured. "Did somebody say something to you? You seem a little desperate."
