Happy New Years To Me - Jaurens [DISCONTINUED]

Chapter Four

"Another!" John heard from across the bar. He sighed, stress overcoming him. Hercules was there to help him, yet it still felt like the world was falling on him from the amount of work placed on his shoulders. He swiftly grabbed a mug while sliding a drink he had just filled across the counter.

"John maybe you should take a break, I could handle this by myself if you're getting too stressed," Hercules said, placing his hand on John's shoulder. "Or I could call Peggy, I'm sure she'd take over your shift if you-"

"No, I'm okay," John said shrugging. He pulled off his sweatshirt, tying it around his waist. He took his ponytail out, his curly hair pooling into his shoulders.

Hercules sighed before filling another cup. He could tell John was burnt out, but he didn't see any sense in arguing with him, especially since John was hellbent on spending all of New Year's Day in the crowded bar. Hercules heard the sound of John's ringtone, though John didn't seem to react. "Johnny, your phone is ringing."

"It's not important," John said, tucking a piece of his hair behind his ear.

"John, at least take a break to answer your phone," Hercules said with pleading eyes. "Please?" John sighed, pulling his phone out of his pocket, heading out of the back door to get away from the noise.

"Hello?" John asked, putting a hand on his hip.

"Uh hi. Is this Joan Lawrence?" John knit his brows in confusion, wondering who the hell was on the other line. He recognized the voice, though he had no idea who the person was that it belonged to.

"Well, my name is John Laurens. May I ask who this is?" John asked, leaning against the wall, staring at the concrete ground.

"I'm Thomas, I assume you know me since you put your number on my hand. Though I have no idea who you are," John's eyes widened in realization, the image of Thomas' sweet intoxicated smile coming to his mind. He blushed, remembering Thomas' flirtations from the night before.

"Well I'm the bartender you flirted with last night. You were pretty hammered, it doesn't surprise me that you don't remember," John chuckled.

"Are you at the bar right now?" Thomas asked. "Because if you are, m-maybe I could come there? I don't know."

"I am," John said, smiling. "You could come if you want, or don't. You probably wouldn't like me if you're sober, maybe you should get drunk first," John joked, hearing Thomas chuckle through the line. "Well, I'll be waiting. I'll be working all day, so feel free to stop in any time Thomas," John said before hanging up before Thomas could reply. He headed back into the bar, a smile on his face, a slight visible redness in his cheeks.

"Why do you look so happy?" Hercules asked, eyeing John with an eyebrow raised.

"Thomas called me, though he had no clue who I was," John said, continuing to tend to the costumers.

"Do you think you'll see him again?" Hercules asked, his face brightening seeing his friend actually happy and not stressed for once. John shrugged, smirking.

"Hopefully."