Doomed to Fail

Voice of an Angel

Lefu happily hummed to herself all the way to Armando's. They pulled up and Clark paid the taxi driver. Lefu practically bounced on her feet as she walked. The whole news team cheered when they arrived. Lefu waved a shy hello, blushing from the attention she received. It looked like everyone had started drinking. Lefu took a seat at a booth and Clark slipped in across from her.

"I don't know everyone," she whispered in a panic. Clark laughed and pointed out everyone and introducing who was happily drinking, clinking glasses. Lefu nodded, absorbing the information.

"So, basically, everyone was looking for an excuse to go drinking together," she exclaimed happily. Clark sighed and shook his head.

"Basically, yes. Don't take it to heart. Enjoy it," he told her gently, as if he were trying to spare her feelings. Lefu nodded happily, oblivious to what she was supposed to feel sad about. The editor came over, clapping Lefu on the back and slipping her a drink.

"What are you doing with nothing in your hands? Drink up! You'll need it to sing! Every new person is supposed to sing with us! It's a tradition!" The editor exclaimed happily. The room cheered in response as a few guys rolled out a karaoke machine. Young teenagers were already singing on it.

"Are you sure I should? I never sang before..." She said doubtfully. Clark laughed.

"Just do it. They won't let you off the hook that easily," he encouraged. Lefu pouted and chugged her drink nervously. Another reporter put down a shot in front of her.

"A toast to the newbie!" Everyone lifted their shots. Lefu hurriedly grabbed her shot and clinked glasses with Clark and downed that too. That's when she spotted Bruce coming over from the bar with a couple of drinks in hand. He handed her one and slipped in next to her, his arm resting on top of the seat.

"Well, hello beautiful. How are you this fine evening?" Bruce asked smoothly. Lefu awkwardly smiled and shrugged.

"Drinking, I guess?" She replied as a question when she meant to say it as a statement. Clark tapped Lefu's hand to get her attention.

"Watch how much you drink. It could make you sick or you can get drunk," Clark told her gently. Lefu nodded and Bruce laughed.

"She'll be fine. I'll take care of her," Bruce said smoothly. Lefu moved a strand of hair that fell into her face behind her ear. Her bracelet caught his eye.

"Is that a paracord survival bracelet?" Bruce cradled her wrist in his hands. Lefu tilted her head in question.

"I guess that's the name. It's my birthday present. Clark gave it to me today," she said happily, smiling at Clark and sipped at her drink. Bruce smirked at Clark and chuckled.

"Birthday huh? Happy birthday. If I'd known that, I would have treated you," Bruce said. The editor came by interrupting them.

"Come on Lefu! Time to sing!" Everyone started to cheer for her to get up there. Bruce got up to let Lefu get out of the booth. Lefu blushed and chugged the rest of her drink then got up and shyly went up towards the front where the machine was. The kids there ignored her and where flipping through the songs. The group was yelling for them to let her on and one of the kids rounded on her.

"What are you going to sing grandma? I don't want to listen to your shitty drunken songs," he snarled. Lefu glared and snatched the microphone away from the boy and strode on stage. A song was playing that they picked out already. Lefu took a deep breath and sang.

"And so I cry sometimes when I'm lying in bed just to get it all out, what's in my head and I-I-i am feeling... a little peculiar....