16 Reasons Why

To the Bar

"What the actual fuck, Julie?!"

Julie starts to blush. "I, uh, I thought you were done changing..." she says, flustered.

"Well, I'm done now, but it sorta looks like you were watching me for a while."

"I wasn't!!"

"If you say so." I'm pretty sure she was watching me for a while. It's really creepy.

I walk out the door and out to the street. I'm wanting to get a car but I'm a little broke at the moment. I call over a taxi and tell him to take me to the nearest bar. Or was that a him... I have no idea, to be honest.

He drops me off after a few minutes and I hand him— or her— a twenty.

I walk into the bar and darkness surrounds me instantly. This is my kind of place. I walk up to the guard and show my ID.

"Fake ID?" he asks. Great. Another person thinks I'm younger than I am.

"Nope. I'm 21."

He stares at me for a minute, but finally lets me through.

I look around the bar. Not many people are here since it's still a bit early for most. I don't mind the time though. As long as it's dark, I'm fine.

I walk over to the bartender so I can get an apple martini.

From what I can see from the darkness of the bar, he is smoking hot. Where did he come from? When can I get one of him?

"Uh- I- uh- can I get an apple martini?" I ask. I'm glad its dark in here because my cheeks are burning.

"Sure, sweetie," he says with a wink.

I sit down at the bar and watch him make the drink. His movements are so swift and smooth. He sets it down in front of me.

"Thank you," I say.

"No problem, baby. It's my job." He stops for a second. "Where ya from? Haven't seen you around before."

"Oklahoma," I answer, rolling my eyes.

"From the look on your face, you've been trying to get out of there for a while."

"I sure have. I'm going to NYU now."

"Oh, really?"

"Yup."

"What's your name?"

"Hazel."

"Hazel what?"

"Hazel Reed."

"You look more like a Yolanda, actually."

I stare at him as my jaw drops. Does he know?

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I like to joke sometimes. Hazel suits you. It's like the color of your gorgeous eyes..."

"Oh- uh- uh- thank you," I stutter out and he chuckles a little. "What's your name, though?"

"Jack. Jack Hyatt."

"Oh. Nice."

"Yeah," he says and gestures to my drink, "you gonna drink that?"

I notice that I haven't drank any of it and take a sip.

I thought about it for a minute. Most people annoyed me when I have to talk to them, but it was different with Jack.

We talk for a while more until another customer comes up and asks for a drink. Jack makes the drink and comes back to me. "I think the bar is gonna start getting more busy about now."

He takes my glass and makes me another apple martini.

"Here," he says. He slips me the drink and a piece of paper. "My number."

"I'll text you."

I few more customers have come up to the bar requesting drinks.

Jack walks away and I sip my drink. I guess I will leave soon. I'm not much of a socializer and I can't dance very well.

I finish my drink and leave him a tip. I walk out of the bar.

My vision has gotten a bit fuzzy but I think I will be fine.

I call over a taxi. I stumble walking up to the car.

I get in and accidentally give the driver two twenty dollar bills. I tell him to take me to NYU.

When I get there I drowsily walk up to my dorm.

I walk in and collapse on my bed. Julie isn't there but maybe thats a good thing.

To be continued...

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