Artists Stick Together

Chapter 1

Jazza and James sat across from each other on the couch waiting for Jaiden to get ready to go out.

"This was such a good idea James we get to buy Jaiden her first drink. Wonder how she'll handle it?" Jazza whispered his eyes full of glee.

Jaiden hustled down the stairs dressed in a lilac purple cotton sweater, wash skinny jeans and Converse sneakers. She went over to Ari's bird cage and began talking to her.

"Hi Ari! Who's my baby? We're going to go out for a few hours ok? We'll be back real soon I promise." She started making kissy noises at the bird. The boys started chuckling silently behind her trying not to make fun of her.

"What? Ari's been my baby before we knew each other!"

"Ok bird whisperer, let's go." James said wrapping his arm around Jaiden.

They walked to the garage and pulled out of the driveway disappearing down the road.

*at bar*

The car pulled into the small parking lot for a few moments they remained in the car, looking at the bridge below. The setting sun cascaded over the rushing water beautifully capturing their sight. After a few minutes of staring at the scenery they climbed out of the car and walked into the bar.

A girl no older than eighteen sat a the bar, her head hanging down, staring at her whiskey. Jazza, James, and Jaiden exchanged looks but decided not to intervene. They sat down at the booth across from the girl and tried to pay no mind to her. A tall, handsome waiter approached the table his brown hair tied in a ponytail.

"What can I get you folks tonight?" He asked.

"I'll take a whisky."

"Tequila please."

"Um I'll take a... Sunset Rum?" Jaiden ordered nervously. James and Jazza looked at each other, their eyes wide. The waiter chuckled and said

"Ah a new drinker I see. How about we start you off with something a bit litter?"

Jaiden nodded handing the menus back to the waiter. He collected the menus and turned off into the kitchen. The guys were still giggling with their heads in their hands.

"What?" Jaiden snapped.

"Nothing Jay. Nothing at all." Jazza said. Jaiden slumped down in the booth and waited for her mystery drink.

"So what do you think is up with that girl over there? She's definitely not old enough to be in here." James whispered jerking his head towards her.

"Probably knows someone here or something." Jaiden assumed.

"I don't know I'm getting a weird vibe from the waiter." Jazza whispered, leaning over the table. They just shrugged it off and moved onto other subjects but that pit remained in his stomach all night.

The waiter came back with a small glass cup of wine with a little lime slice perched on top. Jaiden mixed her drink around and hesitantly took a sip her eyes brightening immediately.

"Wow! This is amazing! Thank you.... Jacob?" She read off his name tag.

"My pleasure miss." He replied putting on hand behind his back the other carrying the silver platter. A shiver ran down Jazza's spine as the waiter took Jaiden out of the booth and into a room across from the kitchen.

The waiter led Jaiden into a small dimly lit room and pulled her close making her uncomfortable.

"You remind me of someone. Someone ... special." He said in a mellow tone. Jaiden began to back away but he pulled her in again closer this time.

"Here's my card... just in case you want some... fun." He chuckled and let Jaiden out of the room.

"Are you ok? What did he want?" The guys asked.

"He.. he uh just wanted to check the um check balance was right." Jaiden stuttered fiddling around with the card in her pocket.

"Ok... are you guys ready?" James asked with a hint of concern still lingering in his tone.

James grabbed his coat as they all walked out of the bar.