Worth Something

Nineteen

Just as I was stepping up to my car, my phone started buzzing, it was Leah. I picked up the phone as soon as I could, and climbed into my car.

"Oh my god! Evie!" She sounded cheerful. I waited for her to spill as to why she was so happy.

"So you know my uncle, the one who runs the dance studio?"

"Yeah."

"Well, his friend is one of the teachers for Swan Lake. When he heard the news about how badly we performed, he spoke to her about it, and guess what. We get to re-audition!" She beamed.

I was so excited to hear her news. Judging on the fact that dance means everything to me, I couldn't believe we'd have a second chance.

"Oh my god! Leah that's great! When is it?" I asked, turning the key in my car.

"Next Tuesday, at 4pm. It's being held in the same place as last time. We can't afford to screw this up Evie, so we need to practice hard until then. And no more drinking, we need to focus."

With all that being said, we ended the call and agreed to meet up at the bar during my work hours. I'd always managed to get Stefan to fill in for me when I needed a break anyway.

While I was driving home, I couldn't stop thinking about Ben. He looked gutted when I just left him with all those harsh words.

The truth was, Ben would always be more than a one night stand. But he's bad news, and I need to let loose and have fun a little more. Besides, right now dance is my priority.

Finding out we have a second chance at the audition was something I couldn't take for granted. I needed it to be perfect this time, and remember how hard I'd worked for it.

When I was home, I got in the shower and cleaned up, then got ready for work. I set out to the pub, and got the tables set and ready as per usual.

Leah came in a little while after opening and I sat at a table with her while we squealed about the upcoming opportunity. "What would we do without him, right?" She smiled, referring to her uncle.

"Um, Evie? Table 6 needs wiping up," Stefan tapped on my shoulder, but I showed him away for a minute.

It popped into my mind that James wanted to ask her something. "Oh yeah, Leah?" I asked, twiddling my thumbs.

"Yeah?" She looked at me confused.

"James was wondering why you stood him up last night. He woke up and you were gone," I said, and Leah immediately face palmed followed by a series of her saying 'Oh my god'.

"I thought he was going to leave when I got up, and my uncle texted and asked me to call him, so I left. I didn't want to disturb him! Especially if he thought last night was a mistake."

I patted her on the shoulder, "Oh Leah. He's not that type of guy, I promise. You might want to go round his later, and apologise."

"You're right. Well, I might as well do that now since you're busy with work. Bye Evie," she gave me a hug and left.

I started to wipe up table 6 before Stefan decided to impale me. Soon enough a rather familiar face walked into the bar, the age old classic, Ben.

Well, Ben and Danny. Stefan and I looked at each other as they walked in, knowing there would be trouble. I continued to wipe the table, only for Ben to sit right at it.

I didn't look up, and just my way back over to the bar, where Danny was standing. He ordered drinks, but I knew he wasn't done yet. "You really fucked him over this time, Evie."

"Excuse me?"

"Telling him he meant nothing to you on that night, that's really low. Even I wouldn't say that," he picked up the glasses.

"Then maybe he shouldn't have been a little cunt about the whole Cameron thing. And told me that he wouldn't have fucked me if he knew I was a virgin. And the countless other things that he's done," I walked away from Danny and into the kitchens.

I sighed and brushed my fingers through my hair, Stefan came in after me. "Why do they have to be here, Stef?" He started to cradle me. I decided to just let all those bottled up feelings out to Stefan, in the hope of making me feel better.

"I don't want to face him, Stefan. I wish I'd never met them! Why is James friends with them in the first place?" I slid down against the tiled wall, and sat on the floor.

"I wish they didn't exist."