Fast Car

Chapter One • Trouvaille

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    The only thing worse than having to lie to someone that's had one too many drinks is going to a place where you'll be with those people all night long. Because convincing someone to go along with something when they tend to blurt the truth isn't exactly an easy task, especially when getting caught for your lies could kill  your entire reputation. But sometimes, the thrill of the moment is worth it in the end, which is why I agreed to make a fake ID and sneak into a spring break bar in the first place.

    It was the spring break of my senior year now, and we had all agreed to sneak into at least one "adult only" area before the end of the school year. Of course, the other seven months of my year were filled with late night studies and work, so now was my only time to complete the senior challenge before graduation, since the last two months would be booked with studying for finals.

    I had gotten the ID from a drug store about a mile out of town, where my older cousin, Chandler, worked. He had been the one to explain the whole process to me, as well as the likelihood  of getting caught, which had pretty big chances, and finally went through with giving it to me - after excessive pleading.

    But now, as I stood outside of the bar, I couldn't help but shudder at the thought of getting caught, and therefore throwing away my entire future. It's too late to turn back now, I tried to tell myself, but the voice was pushed aside by the endless possibilities of what could happen tonight.

    As I began walking closer to the door, I started to think about how crowded it would be with all of these people in there - reeking of alcohol and sweat - and prayed that I wouldn't have a panic attack. I finally swallowed my fear and quickly entered the area, knowing if I waited any longer I would end up backing out.

    When I walked through the door, my eyes scanned over the fairly large area. It was decorated with beach balls, tiki bars, and beach lanterns. The DJ in the front had his music blaring, and the entire place was filled with flashing lights that moved all about. Adults young and old sat at the bars and high-seated tables, talking and laughing while they downed their drinks.

    I sighed and looked for anyone I might recognize from school, but found no one, so I resorted to a stool at the bar and debated ordering a simple drink or not. After all, one couldn't hurt, right? As long as I stuck with only one, I would be fine, so I started scanning the menu for a cheap and weak drink.

    "Why.. Heellllooo theeerre preetty laadddy." An older man said, stumbling over to the open space next to me, remaining standing.

    I smiled awkwardly and looked around the bar, trying to find anyone I might recognize, but had no such luck. So I pulled my phone out the back pocket of my jeans and clicked the power button, then checked my messages hoping maybe he'd go away. He didn't.

    "Sir, may I help you?" The bartender asked, and his gaze shifted from my chest to her. He whistled.

    "Caaan I-I gettt mee aannd thiiss heere laaddyyy a driinnkk?" He stuttered out, seeming to have had his maximum amount of alcohol.

    I turned my head to the young woman and smiled, adding that I wouldn't like anything, then telling the man I wasn't here to drink and keeping him quiet with, "thank you for the offer though, sir."

    He turned on his heel and stumbled away, back to his table, and took his seat. He was with a group of five or so other men, all hollering and flirting with girls way too young for them... And probably their kids. I turned away from them and made eye contact with the bartender again.