The Waiting Game

Chapter Two - Where Did The Time Go?

If Adrien has learned anything from working at Blue Note it's that good lighting can hide anything. The only lights in the club are the three that point to the stage, two at each end of the bar and one very dim light at the entrance. Adrien finds that the people who sit in the darker corners always want to be left alone with their pity. The people who sat in the lights were always merry and their laughter filled all the corners of the club. Adrien liked to watch those people, the ones who weren't afraid to show their happiness. Those people created a bubble around themselves that slowly grew bigger until it enveloped the whole club, giving off a merry vibe. People sitting around them would smile when they smiled, workers would be nicer to them.

Except the bubble didn't reach the far corners of the sad folk, they weren't invovled. Maybe they simply didn't choose to be. The lighting hid their grief well, as no one dared bother them.

"Hey Adrien, when you get a minute can you take the trash to the bin out back?" Noah asked him. Noah is the manager of Blue Note. His bald head and strong arms normally frighten angered or demanding customers away, sometimes he'll get mistaken for the bouncer. But all the workers know that he has a heart of gold. But he won't take crap from those who dish it out. Adrien normally steers clear of him unless it's important.

"Sure thing," Adrien chirped. "Have you had any people asking for a job for Christmas time?" 

Noah let out a sigh that basically said 'I am so close to giving up'. "I've only had two people and both are not qualified. I wish I could help but they don't have the skills for anything here." 

"I'm sure you'll figure it out," Adrien reassured him. 

Noah gave Adrien a pat on the back (more like a hard slap but Adrien stayed silent) and walked away. When he was out of sight Adrien rubbed his tingly shoulder and turned his attention back to the young man singing My Chemical Romance on the stage. Like most of the people who walked in, this man had musical talent. Occasionally you also get the comedian, or the travelling band, or the loner who thinks they can sing. Adrien has learned to block out unwanted things, thanks to the latter. 

'Marinette loved My Chemical Romance.'

Damn those impulsive thoughts about her! But he couldn't help it, his heart ached for her still, even after five years. Most of the time he felt confused and hurt by Marinette's actions the following morning. But he also felt a strong love for her, a love so strong it outweighed the negative emotions. And he also kind of understood her, in a weird way. She left because she was afraid of having her heart broken by someone she trusts, which he understood, sort of. 

Adrien let his head rest against his fist as he stared at the singer, who was half-way through their rendition of Teenagers (which he couldn't help but tap his foot along to). Although thinking about Marinette gave him slight heartache, it was a good way to pass the time. He liked to think about how on a good day she would sing in the shower. Her voice would echo through their apartment, and she wasn't a terrible singer. He also liked how she would dot the I in her name with a small heart for everything! Or how she would bring back stray animals and bring them back to full health before giving them to an animal shelter. 

"Excuse me?" Adrien looked at the tall, unusually skinny woman that took a seat at one of the bar stools. Her bright red nails grazed the wooden table separating her and Adrien. Whenever Adrien sees a customer more than three times he gives them a nickname, this woman was Vampire. Her cheekbones were so sharp it sent chills down Adrien's spine. "Can I get a water?" Her voice was cold and playful at the same time.

Adrien grabbed a water from the mini fridge and passed it to the woman. "Could I also get a side of you~" The woman winked. 

This was nothing new to Adrien, being flirted with by women who acted younger than their age. He had grown use to it. "The side meals are on the menu, and I am not on it." He said curtly. The woman bit her lower lip in frustration and walked away with her water firmly grasped in her hand. This woman hasn't been the first, but she won't be the last. Adrien felt Noah's presence next to him and he knew what was coming.