Never Again

Chapter Nine

"Emerson!

"How about another round here, old boy?"

"Hi there, Emry! Call me later?"

My name is being called from every corner of the room, but I guess that's what happens when you own a bar— or, at least you unofficially do. Midnight Starlight was a bustling hotspot, back in the old days; it was full of life. The walls were lined with vinyl, the vintage jukebox always roaring with sound, and the atmosphere was always welcoming. Or, so I've been told. Today's another story, though. My boss— the legal owner— Cooley, had to sell all the old music and the jukebox to pay for this place, which is one step above a dump really: the wallpaper is now peeling, distasteful music blares out through an old stereo that I picked up (at a dump) and fixed, and the quality of people has gone down as well. However, the drinks have evolved, and since Cooley (I, really) have hired new people (hot girls and guys, to appeal to both sexes) the place has done better, ten-fold.

"Hey Devlin, I'll see you tonight?" He shakes his head yes, and we bump fists as I walk by. Gliding by the ever-full table of drunken old geezers, I drop off their third round of beers. "Last one guys," I say. "If I let you keep buying rounds you'll put me out of business!" They just laugh, knowing that I will gladly exchange their green for our beer.

"Emry!" I turn my head and find Bianca waving me over. Grinning, slightly excited and slightly annoyed, I meet her over at her regular corner booth. "Are you going to Nathan's party tonight?" I internally roll my eyes— she knows I am.

"Yes, Bee, I'm going." She lets out a tiny squeal and pats the ripped-leather seat beside her. I let out a sigh but sit anyways. She instantly latches her perfectly-manicured hand on my thigh, leaning in.

"Maybe we could have a little fun together? I know where Nate hides the good stuff." There is a mischievous glint in her eyes, and with a purposely-given view to her cleavage, I found myself saying yes. She claps her hands and purrs, "I can't wait." She throws some crumpled up bills in my lap and sashays off. Taking a moment to collect myself, I get up and divide the cash into the register and the rest into my pocket; one thing I've learned over the course of the past three years us that if you leave out a tip jar, you won't be getting any tips that night.

Out of now where, the doors of Starlight burst open. With the storm outside, the man at the door is hard to see.

Probably just some straggler looking for a dry roof.

Thunder claps and the man scurries in, making me laugh. Shrugging away the moment, I go to help a couple a few tables away. Jotting down their orders of two kegs and some breadsticks, I turn and am met with what looks like another bar fight. Letting out a large groan, I walk over, telling them to break it up. I see girls throwing their drinks on a poor chap on the floor.

"Girls, girls." They stop and look at me "Free refills at the bar, yea? On me," I say. Smiling instantly, they leave the scene, their dates following them.

Phew, I think. Kneeling, I put my hand on his back and say, "What'd you do mate, screw them all?" I laugh a little, trying to lighten the mood— that it, until the man looks up. My eyes grow wide as I take in the sight before me: the man that I assumed was a man is no man at all! Instead, I am met with the bluest eyes I have ever seen, surrounded by unruly, curly, red hair. Her hood is pulled far over her head, hiding her beauty; instead, it made her hair poof out from under it, making me smile. However, I am snapped back into reality when I hear hiccupping. Leaning in, I take the edge of her hood and slowly pull it back, releasing her red waterfall to cascade down her back. She peeks up at me, and I feel like I've been pierced.