Worth Something

One

Evie's POV

"James, I can't tonight. You know I have work," my phone rested between my neck and my shoulder as I slipped some money into my purse.

"Well, I'll see you there then," he said abruptly, confusing me with what he was saying.

"What do you mean? If you're coming to the restaurant to sit by yourself, not buy anything and just give me tips, I'll kick you out," I earned a laugh from James.

"No, I'll bring the boys with me so you can finally meet them. You've been putting off meeting them for a year now, Evie."

"Not exactly! I know Sam, is that not enough for you?" I zipped up my bag and put it over my shoulder.

"You've barely spoken three words. They mean a lot to me, even when they're being twats, and you can't do anything about it if we come to you."

"I can if I assign you with another bartender. Now, I'm heading off, bye."

I left my apartment and took the stairs down to the car park. I got in my little Ford Fiesta and began driving to work. I work in a little bar called 'The Kings Head', south from my apartment.

However, what James does for a living is completely different. He's in a band, although he's my best friend I don't really listen to that sort of music. I'm a ballet dancer, so rock music doesn't really appeal to me. Or, 'metal', as he'd call it.

In a weeks time, I've got an audition to dance in Swan Lake, which I'm looking forward to. I've worked really hard to get to the point where I can audition safely for this, after all, I've been dancing all my life.

I pulled into work, and parked my car. I went inside and was greeted by my co-worker, Stefan. "Hey, Evie," he smiled across the room from me. I rolled my eyes knowing this was going to be yet another attempt to ask me out on a date.

I walked towards him behind the bar, and took my jacket and bag off and put them in a cupboard. "Your boobs look good," he glared at my chest. My top was a bit more low cut than usual today.

"Don't they always?" I chuckled, strapping my apron around my waist. The dress code at our bar is all black, which is great since my hair is even dyed black.

I started taking chairs down and pushing them under the table, while Stefan and two other of my co-workers started setting tables. "Hey where's Abbie?" I asked, Abbie was one of the friends I'd met at work. Everyone just shrugged and continued what they were doing.

I turned around the open sign on the door as we waited for the first customers to come in. The time was around 8pm, meaning loads of men and women were going to start packing themselves in here and getting drunk.

After a while I finally saw James and four other lads burst through the door. I recognised Sam, but no one else. However, one of them caught my eye. His hair was a light brown colour, and messy.

James came over to the bar with a smirk placed on his face, I mirrored that smirk. "Hello, waitress can we get four pints each, please?" He waved around his money like an idiot.

"Why yes of course sir, if you'd like to take a seat and I'll bring it right over to you," I started preparing the drinks.

As part of my job, we don't usually deliver the drinks to the table but I knew James wanted me to meet the lads.

I brought them over on a tray, and set them down for each. I pulled up a chair whilst my co-workers weren't looking and sat on it back to front.

"So, I'm the wonderful Evie I'm sure James has told you lots about," I joked the guys laughing along with me.

"And I'm the wonderful Danny, which I'd be very concerned if James told you about," one of them said. The rest of them introduced themselves, except one.

James hit the one who didn't introduce himself on the shoulder. "I'm Ben," he sighed, giving the death glare to him. James whispered something to him, but his face remained unamused.

"As lovely as it is to meet you all, I've got to continue with my shift," I got up and leant over, my chest flashed right in front of them. I forgot about the low cut top.

Ben seemed to just chuckle to himself. "You need to pull your top up a bit, love." I felt embarrassed and tucked the chair away before returning to behind the bar.

I knew from the way the guys were looking back at me that they were beginning to form an opinion about me. I noticed Ben kept looking at me from behind the bar.

"Someone catching your eye?" Stefan broke my few second eye contact with Ben. I jumped in fright and even saw Ben snicker to himself. I turned around to face Stefan.

"Oh what's it to you?" I hit his arm.

"So, do you know them?" He started filling a glass with wine.

"I know two of them, the others I've just met."

"Well, I noticed the one you're staring at. He looks like bad news, I'd keep away if I was you," the smug little bastard said handing a woman her drink.

"I think I'll be the judge of that, Stefan. Trying to act like a nice guy won't get me to sleep with you, so just fuck off," I said coldly and walked off. Usually I'd joke about Stefan's weak attempts, but him telling me not to speak to random guys is ridiculous.

James came and walked up to the bar and smiled at me. "So, what do they think of me?"

"Well, they think you have a very nice chest," he laughed as I shot him an evil eye.

"Is that it?"

"No, Ben kept talking about you. He thinks you're funny and really good looking, which is all true of course but-"

"So he thinks I'm good looking?" I beamed.

"Evie, no. You can't have him. He has commitment issues, he cheats on his partners a lot. He's great fun and everything, but he will break your heart Evie. Besides, he's one of my best mates so he's off limits."

I furrowed my eyebrows and pouted my lip in a disappointed look. "But that doesn't mean you can't be friends with him! After all, I wanted you guys to meet and everything so why not?"

"Yeah, sure. Why not..."