Choosing Between My Boyfriend and that Other Guy

Chapter 3

When I wake up the next morning I am a little disoriented to say the least.  It is still dark out, thanks to the marvelous gloomy weather, and there is no clock in the room so I have no idea what time it is.  And to be honest, I'm not a huge morning person.  

After two cups of coffee I finally feel sufficiently awake so I go upstairs to take a shower.  I slip on my black leggings and jean jacket with my boots, grab my purse and walk out the door, already unable to stand the god-awful house.  When the initial determination wears off, I realize I have absolutely no idea where the hell I am going.  I grab my phone to check if there are any places nearby where I could go but after maybe five minutes I realize it is useless. I just keep wandering not really sure what I am looking for.  

Eventually I stop at a coffee shop and take a seat outside to have a smoke. I grab one of the  menus on the table even though I know what I want, so someone will get that I want to order.  A girl who looks about my age,  walks out looking bored out of her mind.  "What would you like?" she asks me in a monotone voice.  I don't answer right away because I am in the middle of a drag so she looks up.  Immediately she groans "God I would kill for one of those" she says nodding at my cig.  

"You want one?" I ask her. 

"Can't my boss wants to fire me as is" she replies looking defeated.

"So? If you want I'll watch for you" I offer.  Why not? There is nothing else to do in this lifeless town. 

"Seriously?" she asks brightening up immediately.  

"Here" I hold out my lighter and pack, which she takes gratefully and grabs a seat.  I keep watch as promised and we just sit there.  After a few minutes she turns to me. 

"I'm Tara." she says. 

"Alex" 

"So where are you from?" she asks me.  I'm not surprised she can tell I don't live here.  It's a small everyone knows everyone kind of place.

"I live in Mountain Lake" I reply still not really looking at her. 

"You going to be here long?" she asks for whatever reason seeming genuinely curious.

"Two weeks" 

The conversation kind of dies, not that there was much of one.  And suddenly I feel the inexplicable urge to scream, so I do.  I had been pushing any thoughts of Matt out of my head all day but now they were all rushing back. I felt guilty for what I had done, but mostly I was still angry with Matt.  "You know what screw my job lets go" says Tara standing up and grabbing my hand, pulling me in some unknown direction while I am lost in my thoughts.  

Suddenly I realize I am in an all black room sitting on a couch with Tara looking at me expectantly.  

"Where are we?" I ask more annoyed than anything. 

"A room behind the bar" she says waving me off, "now tell me what happened." and for whatever reason I do. 

"I know exacly what you need" and without waiting for me to ask she tells me "a bonfire". 

"How the hell do you have a bonfire we are nowhere near a beach" 

"You aren't very creative are you?" she asks. To be honest I'm really not but the question still offeneds me. 

"Just tell me" I say now impatient. 

"No, you'll see" she says smiling wickedly before leading me away again.