Avenues

Lil Avenue

Joyce

Once I walked into that bar the smoke and toxic smacked me in the face. It wasn't welcoming nor pleasant but it was part of the nightlife aspect of Chuckstan.

I groaned as I saw guys eyeing me like meat as I made my way to the bar. I occupied a stool far from others and ordered a platter of nachos. I was sure that I shouldn't mix alcohol with my sleeping beauty syndrome. It had to be dangerous plus I didn't enjoy the feeling or taste of alcohol.

I dazed off and was shoveling chips here and there I was too distracted to notice the presence that occupied a seat beside me until the person cleared their throat, causing me to jump. The guy chuckled. He looked young, early twenties. His hair was a muddy brown as it fell into his dark brown eyes, his cheek bones were chiseled but his cheeks were kind of chubby. Though he wore a long sleeve button up I could see a slight pinch of a tattoo across his wrist, there were letters in black ink.

"Can I help you?" I asked fully aware that there were many unoccupied seats away from me. Therefore the attitude was allowed.

"Who are you?" He asked and I raised an eyebrow.

"Excuse me?" I replied with a dumbstruck look on my face that happen to appear unintentionally.

"Chuckstan is pretty small, therefore everyone knows everyone. I don't know you. Now, who are you?" He repeated, and I continued eating my chips. I was debating whether or not I wanted to answer.

"Who are you?" I asked him.

"Jake." He answered and I shrugged. This bitter, over powering scent became visible and I sniffed him. He smelled toxic and disgusting.

"A beer please, and a few shots of tequila." Jake said as he pulled out a few crumpled bills and slapped them on the bar, the bartender gave him a nod and placed the drinks down. I looked at the alcohol, again disgusted, and turned away.

"Are you homeless or something?" I asked him and he turned to me with a raised eyebrow.

"Homeless. How did you know?" He asked.

"You look a little sloppy, you stink, and your bills were yanked from your pocket and crumbled. People usually use wallets." I pointed out and his cheeks turned a shade of red, but he looked slightly annoyed.

"Smart girl." He said and I blushed at the compliment but started shoveling food into my mouth again to hide my cheeks, not like it worked, but at least we had discontinued eye contact.

"You're an idiot." The statement slipped between my lips and was dangling in the air, we were both quiet, not making eye contact. Then he looked at me and my first instinct caused me to look at him.

"What?" He choked out.

"You're homeless at eighteen. You had to have done something. You're drinking when you don't have money to waste on such nonsense. You're getting drunk when you can prepare to go job searching. I mean there is so much you could do but instead you decided to ruin yourself, your image, and your life at an early age. What was it? Parents kick you out after you turned eighteen?" I replied bitterly. I felt a little guilty but that didn't last long.

"Rude much?" He mumbled, and I sighed.

"I'm just saying you could be doing something more important." I stated.

"Look you didn't go through what I went through." He snapped.

"Save the life story." I grumbled and then we sat there in silence.

I wonder why he didn't leave by now the moment was pretty awkward.

"Look princess, you got things handed to you on a silver platter, but not everyone gets that fairy tale." He said before downing the beverage, and leaving. I sat there chewing on my bottom lip.