Journey to the Center of Attention

Bar Escapades

"APRIL!" Everyone at the bar greets.

"HI, EVERYBODY!" She shouts with a bright smile on her face, waving at everybody.

"Hey, April!" Preston greets, giving up his seat for April.

"Hey, April, what's your pleasure?" Matthew asks her.

"My pleasure? Lionel Richie on a waterbed." She casually responds and the entire bar erupts with laughter.

"Until then, two mojitos will have to do." She smiles.

"Two mojitos for the pretty little lady, coming up." He says.

"What about me?" Jackson asks them as he enters the bar.

"Jackson!" Somebody shouts.

"That's more like it."

"Shut the damn door!" Lexi yells at him.

Jackson slams the door in anger. He walks over to one of the stools at the bar and Matthew greets him.

"Hey, Jack. What's going on?"

"I am Jackson Avery. I'm hardworking, women find me desirable, and I'm good looking." He quietly tells himself.

"Boy, when the mask falls off, it really makes a thud." Matthew says.

"Oh, who am I kidding? My life is over." He groans, banging his head on the hard wood.

"Talk about your mixed emotions." Matthew says.

"Come on, April, sing something for us." Lexi says.

"Oh, yeah." Alex says.

"Come on, sing something for us." Preston says as Jackson groans loudly.

"Jackson, what's wrong?" Matthew asks.

"My April is popular." Jackson replies.

"Finally, he opened his eyes!"

"What's that supposed to mean, Matt?" Jackson demanded.

"That you're in love with your best friend, duh." Matthew says as he rolls his eyes. "After all, you just called her 'my April'. So what's the plan?"

"I don't know."

"Well, you better act fast because I heard that George's going to ask April something important, and he's coming to ask you for advice." Matthew warns, giving Jackson a beer.

"Ask me for advice?"

"Yes, and he's about six steps away from here." Matthew says as he makes himself scarce.

"Thanks for the beer." Jackson says.

"Anytime."

"Hey, Jackson. How's it going?" George greets.

"Couldn't be better. How's it going?" Jackson responds.

"Everything's awesome. So I need to ask you something important."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I want to take her on a romantic cruise to the Bahamas because I want to get to know her better."

"Romantic cruise? You want to go on a romantic cruise with April?"

"Yup."

"I uh- don't you think that you're moving a little to fast?"

"Not at all. So will you help me get her to go on a cruise with her?"

"Um-"

"Great. You are awesome." George tells him.