DREAMER

↛ Boze ↚

I was on a seemingly increasing downward spiral from here. My life was going down hill and fast.

I'd lost my job recently, I didn't think anything of it. The office I worked at was over staffed and in the short three months I'd been there I hadn't really established myself, so I went out in peace. I was eager to find new work but when that was everything but fruitful I'd quickly realised that this is where the spiral would begin.

Each passing day it got worse, dropped out of college, majoring in psychology, since I couldn't afford to pay my tuition I'd thrown away my coarse and knowledge down the drain.
So close to graduating, too.

To make it worse, we were weeks behind on rent so my boyfriend, Damien, rented out my spare room to some of his friends, two girls named Courtney and Olivia over the summer. I was suspicious that they and Damien had something going on but that was quickly put to rest after I learnt the two were dating. They were quiet, always confined to their room, they offend made a mess but they paid on time, so I couldn't complain.

And to add onto whatever little gleam of hope I had with family life, my parents hated me.
My brother not so much, but he was across the country and we didn't speak often.

But back to my parents, they were helping pay for my apartment but once they heard Damien, my boyfriend, had moved in they were more than displeased.
But when they'd heard I lost my job and place in school, it tipped them over the edge and into the shark infested waters below.

Leaving me alone.

I mean, at first it was great.
No responsibilities, no nagging parents or professors. Just plain and unjustifiable independence.

But then, the bills came. The fridge was empty, and the water was shut off.

We'd of surely died if we weren't given the eviction notice first. It was then we pulled our heads in.

Damien got a job working in the mines far out of town, whilst I helped my newfound domains with, what they call, 'independent sales'.

I'll admit, I was in a rougher than rough patch, but it was better than being starving and homeless.

I'd figured, since the girls were off today I'd do the same.

They invited me to come along with them to some fancy diner down the road but I declined. Free time was sparse and yet valuable.

I was walking down an unfamiliar street, 'Barton' I think.
I hadn't recognised any of the stores in this street since they were almost all family businesses especially since it was several streets passed my house, so I didn't generally take this way

However the bright colours and friendly passersby did give the street a loveable, wholesome feeling to it.

I passed boutique stores and flower shops along with some smaller retail joints before I passed a dark wooded building.
Out the front, held off the wall was a red neon sign.

'Bar in Barton' it read, at least I got the street name correct.

I quickly eyed the building, having large glass windows and doors which were quite clean along with the thick, rectangular wooden shape I thought it was quite inviting.

Although, pushing the doors open and passing the red neon 'open' sign, I was met with a rather empty room.

Only two other people sat in here aside from the bartender, but the did keep with the dark wood and red neon theme inside.

It was quite enticing, mirrored shelves behind the bar, the same dark wood covering the floors, walls and tables along with red stools.

It was quite pretty.

"Well hello there" a soft voice called from behind the bar.

I looked over, seeing a man cleaning a wineglass with an old rag.

"What can I get you?" He smiled, he seemed rather charming.

I openly walked over, smiling as I sat on the stool closest to him.

"What cha got?" I hummed, my arms resting on the black graphite bench top.

"Ha," He sniggered, "it's a bar, ma'm. I've got whatever it is you'd like." He hummed, swishing his long, brown hair from his cheeks.

"Well. What about apple juice?" I mocked, resting my hand under my chin.

"In the back." He nodded.

"Pineapple juice?"

"Yep."

"Orange juice?"

"A lot of kids come in here" he replied, I glanced around the vast room, in a sarcastic manner.

"Yeah, I see that" I mocked.

He gently chuckled before looking down to the glass he was still cleaning.

"Ice tea?" I asked, making him put down his glass and rag on either side of him.

Firmly placing his hands on either side of the table, he gave me a smug look.

"Long island and sweet. Yep." He uttered.
I ignored the alcoholic drink he'd mention, given I wasn't specific.

"Wine?"

"Dumb question."

"Right." I muttered, pressing my finger to my lips. "Hmm.. Coffee!"

"Ooh, I'm afraid you got me, there." He said, tilting his head slightly. "Although I can put in a special order. There's a barista next door." He muttered, still smiling as he picked up his glass and rag once more.

"I'll take you up on that offer." I smiled, straightening my posture.

He nodded, putting the glass and rag under the bar and lifting up a pen and paper.

"What will it be?"

"I'll have a mocha, two sugars." I smirked cheekily, turning in my seat.

"White or black?"

"Ohh. White."

"Your wish is my command" he joked, tearing off the piece of paper and putting it on the bar. "Name?" He said, handing me then pen and pointing to the paper.

I quickly sketched, 'Boze' with a little love heart at the end, then dropped the pen.

"Boze, Huh?" He said, looking to the paper.
I smiled, nodding before I heard him whisper
"Beautiful name."

"Uhuh, and you are, 'Mr. Bartender'?" I queried.

"I'm Wes, but Mr. Bartender is fine" he smiled, tucking the bit of paper away in his pant pocket.

"You too have a beautiful name." I muttered, seeing his cheeks twinge pink before i giggled. "Anyways, do you have a bathroom?"

"Down that hall, to your left" he pointed beside the bar.

"I'll be back." I smiled, hooping from the stool and following his directions.

The bathroom was also neat, a crystal white tiling all through the room, exception halfway up the walls where it turned to the same spruce wood as before.

I'd washed my hands before noticing my reflection in the pristine mirror.
I was smiling. I mean, I hadn't noticed. But I was smiling.