The Gorgeous Ms. Independent

Chapter 2. Glaring

As I walked into Cosmo's I was relieved to see that it was almost empty with just a couple of morning drinkers.

I headed to the back to grab my card to clock in. As I did, I noticed that I was the only one working today untill 2:00PM. I sighed. I was used to the idea of being alone and I wasn't about to make it a huge deal whining over it.

I put my card back into it's pocket and headed to the front of the bar to get started on today's work.

Cosmo's was a large pub with wooden floors and walls. It had various pictures of the seaside and abstract pieces of art hanging from random places on the wall. I let out a sigh as I headed behind the bar.

I placed my purse under the bar and pulled my hair back. I grabbed my black apron from under the bar as well pulling it over my head and tied it around my waist. I rolled my eyes as I sadly remembered how short I was. Being 4'9 is one of the things I wished I could change about myself.

As I quickly blocked the negativity from my mind, I reached for the stool pushed under the bar and carefully climbed up and began to wipe down the counter.

My mind began to wonder as I imagined myself on stage playing my violin. I always dreamt about being a successful violinist. Ever since I was a little girl the thought was a comfort for me. As I absent-mindedly began to smile I heard my name being called.

"Dakotaaaa!!"

I quickly blinked my eyes to see Iris snapping her fingers in my face. "You're in la-la land again curly" she said as she began to sit on the stool infront of me.

"I wasn't in la-la land" I said calmly giving her a half smile.

Iris and I have been friends since grade school. Her bubbly personality always gave me peace of mind and she always would push me out of my comfort zone which I secretly enjoyed. She pushed her long platinum blonde hair out of her face as she reached into her purse.

"Here, you might wanna use these" she said popping her gum and placing eye drops infront of me.

I have her a look as to say what the fuck are you trying to say? she quickly caught on to my look and responded frantically.

"Curly, your eyes are blood shot red. No wonder this place is so dead, it's because you look like a zombie"

I snatched the eye drops from the counter as I sucked my teeth. "Iris..you know I'm not a morning person"

I undid the cap and leand my head back placing the drops in my eyes. I blinked several times for my eyes to adjust. Iris sighed. "Maybe we should just go shopping.. maybe doll you up a bit and who knows maybe you'll meet Mr. Right"

I slung the rag around my shoulder and gave Iris a stern look. "Iris love isn't my thing.. it's so confusing and it stings. I'd rather just be alone and besides I don't need a man to make me happy" Iris gave me a yeah whatever bitch type of look.

I quickly changed the subject.

"So what do you want to drink?"

Iris layed her head on the counter as she replied "rum and cola"

I nodded and began fixing her drink.
Iris looked like she was stressed. She had to be if she was at the bar this time of the day. I was trying to avoid the topic of relationships but her sad look made me blurt out the question.

"So... how are you and Dillon?" I said it almost as a whisper hoping she wouldn't hear me. But to my surprise Iris jumped to attention.

"Oh my god curly I thought you'd never ask!" I instantly regretted my question knowing that at this rate she wasn't going to shut up.

"Dillion is so boring! The spark is just gone. I really wanna break up with him but, I don't know how he would take it."

I nodded as I handed her her drink. She instantly gulped it down eager to tell me more about her apparently boring boyfriend.

"I don't know curly" she placed her glass down and sighed. "I just want a big strong alpha male who won't sit on the couch all day and will notice when I dress up.

I nodded giving her a notion that I understand. "Iris your only 23. You're still young. Your life is not over. She gave me a weak smile and replied with a soft "You're right curly."

I reached over and patted her hand in reassurance when the doors to the bar opened. Out stepped a tall sweaty man with a towel around his neck wearing basket ball shorts and a white T-shirt he had really huge muscles and a golden tan.

I cleared my throat as he approached the bar and sat two stools down from Iris. Iris glanced at him and her eyes widened. She quickly turned towards me her mouth in a oval shape.

"Oh my god curly my prayers have been answered" she grinned from ear to ear.

I smiled at her as I got off my stool and carried it to the man of the hour. I stepped up on my stool and placed my hands on the bar and asked "what would you like sir"

He glared at me and I glared back while waiting for a response. His eyes were a shade of lime green with a hint of golden. I cleared my throat in attempt to avoid anymore awkward silence. I was about to turn away when he replied "beer"

"Sure thing" I said as I turned around. I felt my eyebrows down and I couldn't help but think what the hell was this guys problem. When I turned back around to hand him his beer, I saw that Iris had scooted over beside him in attempt to start a conversation. I smiled in amusement as I handed the man his drink.

"You crack me up" I said as I eyed Iris. She gave me a cheeky smile and continued her conversation with the the werid angry man.

As time went by more people stopped into the bar and I continued to give drinks and I received tips while making small talk with my customers. Iris and her new friend talked for about an hour in a half.. well Iris did most of the talking. I never saw the guy make eye contact with her nor talk to her. Eventually Iris said her goodbye to me by giving me a wave and leaving with her new friend.

Deep down I felt happy for Iris. She diserved happiness and I was crossing my fingers that this guy didn't screw her over. With that sweet thought in my head 2:00PM had rolled around. I smiled to myself as I slipped off my my apron, clocked out and headed to my car to finally get home.