From Autumn to Winter: A Winterwidow College AU

Welcome to: Bad Decisions and Life Regrets

Natasha

So... I met him. I thought he was really cute when I first saw him. Maybe even kind of perfect. I still think he is. It's just... The beautiful eyes, the cheek bones, the perfect smile, the James Dean-esque look... I've seen it all before. I can't let that happen again. I know that everyone has a bad relationship at some point, but I can't relive that.

Now I'm walking to my job in the crisp, cool New York fall weather and regretting my life choices. I don't really have class in the morning tomorrow. I do have classes. Just not ones I need to go home early for. I actually have a job I have to go to for the night shift. I could just feel myself falling again. Getting lost in his carribean blue eyes. I know the feeling all too well.

I don't know what I was worried about. I didn't really know him. It's possible he's nothing like...Alexi. It's not like things would've gone anywhere. We just met. You don't just meet someone and have immediate feelings for them. That's not how life works. He obviously doesn't have feelings for me. He barely said a word to me the entire night. I thought I should quit while I was ahead, so I left.

If I'm being honest, life isn't going that great for me right now. I am really excited that I am doing what I love. I get to start dancing again this week. However...I haven't told my parents. They are away for their anniversary right now, and I have to tell them when they get back. I have no clue what anniversary this is for them, but apparently it's a big one. They're spending several weeks in The Hamptons. They're staying at an old friend's house while they are there. When they get back, I have to tell them that I'm staying at school a little longer. I have a feeling that they aren't going to be very happy about it.

On top of all of that, I recently lost the only person I thought I loved, I'm headed to my crappy bar-tending job, and blew off a seemingly nice guy. I don't really know what to do about all the seemingly endless problems in my life. Of course, I am in college. If there's any time associated with having a lot of problems, it's this one.

When I reach the bar, it's 12:01 a.m. Great. On top of all of this, I know I'm going to get yelled at for being a minute late.

Nicole, my ever so punctual boss struts out of the back room. She's in her mid-30s and in my opinion, is very good-looking. Nicole can be kind and she can be fun, but I'm pretty sure that she makes it a point not to bring any of that into the workplace. "Nice of you to show up, Natasha." says Nicole as she tosses my apron at me. Please, Nicole. I'm really not in the mood for this. "You're one to talk, Nickie. As far as I'm concerned, the two "sick" days you take off every week aren't being used for rest and recuperation. So... you want to tell me who you see instead of your husband every Tuesday and Wednesday? Or should I just ask him?"

Okay. Yeah. That was a little mean,and it probably isn't what she's doing. When I'm not around people I know and care about, I've been told that I'm a little sassy. Lucky for me, Nicole is most likely used to me by now. She just rolls her eyes, tosses her long, sleek, black hair over her shoulder, and continues. "Any more lip from you and I'll do what I'm supposed to do to people who lie about their age on the application form. We both know that I'm aware you aren't 21. I only keep you around because you're good at what you do. Now get to work."

"Yes ma'am." I say with a sarcastic tone as I tie my apron on. She rolls her eyes again and returns to the back room. I look up and notice that from the other end of the bar, the guy who bartends before me was looking at me with a smirk. "Do you need something Stephen?" I ask him, and he just laughs. Ugh. Philosophy majors. And this is just his pre-med school degree? Just...why?

"It's just nice to know I'm not the only one who lied about my age on the application." What? Stephen lied? He's a senior...but has been bar tending here for two years. He slings his messenger bag over his shoulder. "Is that why your cheekbones are so high? You fill them with lies?" I joke. He chuckles. I always poke fun at his cheek bones and he always pokes fun at my hair. "No, but keep guessing, Red. You'll figure it out some day." He slides past me and waves as he walks out the door.

I look out across the bar. There are just a couple customers. None of which are at the actual bar. Just seated at various tables around the place. I know I'm not supposed to drink on the job but no one is even here. It's a slow night, and I could really use a drink. I don't usually drink. In fact I've only done it a couple times in my life. However when I have, I've had a pretty strong tolerance to alcohol.

I pour one shot. I paid for it of course, and then I downed it. I don't really remember what kind of shot it was. All I know it that I must have had more than one. What can I say. It wasn't a smart choice, but it made the pain and problems go away for a bit. Or rather forgot about them. In fact, I forgot the rest of that night.