Midnight Magic

Finally 21

Seth's P.O.V.

Guess I have to work some party at the bar tonight. Hopefully this isn't like last night where some random chick throws up all over the front of my shirt. No better way to boost a guys self esteem, lemme tell ya. It really didn't help that she passed out in a puddle of her upchuck a few seconds later. Even the memory makes me shudder and want a shower. In any affect, I have this really weird feeling that things are looking up today, though that isn't much of a step, considering.

As I pull around the back of the bar, I glance at the clock on the dash. 3:15. Guess I'd better hurry and start setting up. Me and Jake are the only ones working the prep shift today since I got roped into covering for Patty and Jake for Austin. We mostly get along, except for Patty and Jake, of course. Dunno exactly what happened there, but I don't have enough fucks to give by stepping into their business.

Most of the people we work with are like that. Our boss, Leyla, is totally cool. Most nights she's out of town at her with her husband, taking her daughter, Reece, anywhere she wants to go. That might've made it sound like she's stuck up, but she's actually got stage 3 Leukemia, so she's just trying to live her life to the fullest. If I'm being honest, she's one of the most charming people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Only 13 and she's already a feisty little hellion.

Jake and I are halfway through setting up when 8 college girls came in here, asking if we wanted help setting up. Jake took the lead, saying "We don't actually open until 6:00 tonight and because of the bar being booked, you need an invite, ladies." The only red-head of the group stepped forward in on of the shortest black leather miniskirts I'd ever seen and a terribly ill-fitting sequined silver crop top paired with black heels and creamy skin. "We know what time it opens, we're the one's who booked this place for the party. To repeat my friends earlier statement, do you want some help?" Her tone was kind of bitchy and laced with sarcasm, but somehow still polite. Jake looked like he was about to put his foot in his mouth so I saved balls from the red-head's knee and stated quietly, "That'd be great, thanks."

Without another word, the girls dispersed and started setting things up the way they'd no doubt planned before-hand, adjusting mine and Jake's work as needed. They were bossy, but I didn't hold it against them, I like things a certain way too. One of these girls (the one with dirty blonde hair, black knee-high boots, a grey dress that fell mid-thigh, and a black leather jacket with nicely tanned skin) was achingly familiar from somewhere. It was bugging the hell out of me that I couldn't figure it out. Jake saved me from the torture without me having to say anything when he asked all the girls their names.

Chrissy. Where have I met her before, and why does she avoid eye contact with me? Maybe we went to the same party once in college... she would've been a sophomore when I graduated, at best. I dunno. Just gonna keep decorating, aka following the red-head, Sara's, orders.

When Sara deemed the decorations in order, we had about an hour until we opened for the party. Not knowing what else to do, I went out to my car for a small break before things got really busy. The back door opened after I was leaned against my hood, my hand running through my hair. I look up the stairs to the bar entrance and see Chrissy. Then it hits me. Chrissy was my sister's best friend in elementary school, they were completely inseparable (and occasionally pains in my ass) until Chrissy moved away. It shattered my sister's heart, and most of that heart left with Chrissy. That doesn't explain why she avoids eye contact with me, though.

Lost in thought, it took me longer than I'd like to admit to realize she'd said something to me. When I finally did notice, I couldn't remember what she'd said. She smiled a little, seeing how I hadn't been paying attention, and repeated herself. "Long time, no see, Seth. Whatever happened to that little boy I used to bother?" She blushed and refused to look at me longer than it took for her to speak. Her voice was so quiet, almost like she was afraid I would hear her. "That's kind of a long, boring story. I am, however, quite interested as to why you're avoiding looking at me." Chrissy turned a deeper shade of red that offset the color in her cheeks. She looked at her watch, speaking louder this time, "The party is gonna start soon, we should head in."