Panic Attack - H.S. AU

Chapter Twelve

-Valerie-

I gave Harry my best shot, but apparently it wasn't good enough. I wasn't going to cry over him or beg for his attention.

After all, I still had Zayn even though I was being terribly unfaithful to him lately.  Anyway, I still had my best friend and I still had my job—A job that I both enjoyed and absolutely loathed at the same time. Unfortunately, my mini vacation from it came to an end and it was time to return to late nights listening to the complaints of middle-aged men and naïve little girls.

As odd as it sounds, their complaints were often similar. "Why won't anyone love me for who I am?" "Why do I always get cheated on?" "Will I ever fall in love?"

I never understood why they all thought I was some sort of expert on love, but I'm pretty sure they only assumed I had all the answers because I provided them with the substance that made them temporarily forget their questions.

Louis leaned over to me and whispered, "I spy a new customer."

I raised an eyebrow at him in confusion and in response he slightly tilted his head, pointing to a young man seated on the stool on my far right. I didn't even notice him walk in. I was too busy trying to impress a group of first-time drinkers so that they'd hopefully recommend us to their friends.

I couldn't make out the man's face, but it was definitely odd for regulars to isolate themselves in a corner without a drink in front of them. This had to be his first time here.

"We could use another regular." Louis winked at me.

I playfully rolled my eyes at him and sarcastically said, "Sure, I'll just use my precious charm that no man can turn away."

"Atta girl!" Louis cheered as he patted my back.

As I made my way over to the mysterious man, my heart dropped when I realized who it was.

"Harry?" I unintentionally said aloud.

As soon as he looked up, I crouched down behind the bar, hoping he hadn't seen me, but of course that didn't work out too well thanks to Louis.

"Hey wait a minute I know you," Louis said casually. "You're Valerie's friend right?"

"Excuse me?" Harry said, acting as if he didn't know me.

"Valerie, get off the floor. It's filthy."

I tried to give Louis every kind of sign I could think of to let him know that I didn't want to see Harry, but he only smiled at me and helped me off the floor.

As I stood to my feet, I gave him a dirty look.

"You've got to be kidding me," Harry failed to keep to himself.

I glared at him and just as I was about to say something, a hefty middle aged man with a bushy mustache called me over. "Hey beautiful, I could use another drink!"

I faked a smile as I scooted passed Louis to get closer to him. "What'll it be?" I asked him.

"Whiskey, sweetheart." He licked his lips and chuckled.

I hid my disgust with a smile and poured him a glass of his precious whiskey. I then slid it over to him, but he shook his head and said, "That's all you gorgeous."

I'd dealt with guys like him every night so for the most part I knew how to handle myself. "I would love to share a drink, but I'm on the clock."

"Oh c'mon I won't tell," He urged.

I refused again, but by the look on the man's face I had a feeling he was not okay with being rejected. He looked down at his glass and then in a quick motion threw the drink in my face.