Once I had finished taking a shower, putting on make-up, and straightening my hair, I had waddled into my closet to find something to wear. I ended up with a black skirt that went just a bit above my knees, a long, cotton tank-top that matched it, along with black flats with silky bows for my shoes.
“Might as well watch T.V. till Danni comes,” I mumbled.
I walked over to the couch that I had lied in all day, and quickly averted to the fluffy, one-cushioned couch instead. Pressing the ‘on’ button, CSI was playing. I never really was interested in that show, but either way, there was nothing else to do.
After thirty minutes of CSI—without me getting the chance to see who the murderer was, the doorbell rang. It rang twice more impatiently.
“Coming, Danni!”
Speeding to the door, I yanked it open and Danielle hugged me tight. “Hey!” I greeted her happily.
“I’m so excited! Are you ready to go?” Danni asked as she wobbled in her blue pumps.
“Yeah, ‘course.”
*
The pub was packed, but we still decided to go inside. It was extremely noisy and you could barely walk through the multiple crowds gathered. The smell of sweat and sour beer filled my noise and it scrunched up. Some rather desperate men and women were looking around, trying to find someone to hook up with, although I shouldn't of been talking. The rest were talking amongst themselves, or gathered around at the bar.
"I'm going to get someone to talk to," Danni said, and walked around until a guy approached her.
“I’m going to get a drink,” I told her as she went--even though she didn't listen and scooted off to the bar. “Miller,” I told the bartender and held out my I.D.
“Two bucks,” she replied plainly and I handed her the money while she handed me the mug and my I.D.
I chugged some down my throat and swallowed the bittersweet liquid—it almost tasted like melted aluminum, but I didn’t care. Beer might’ve tasted terrible, but it was relaxing. Drinking some more, I heard some guy's voice.
“Hi,” someone said who was apparently sitting next to me.
“Err, hi,” I greeted him while looking at the half-empty mug.
“I’m Eric,” he replied and looked at me.
“I’m Mari,” I smiled to him and picked at my skirt.
“Nice to meet you,” Eric told me as he looked at the counter.
“You too.”
"So... what brings you here, Mari?"
"My friend--she was dumped. Though, it looks like she doesn't mind much anymore," I replied, and pointed my thumb to her with the guy who talked with her.
He grinned and said, "Perfect place to get over your ex."
Laughing, I smiled at him, "I know. It's a great place--for Danni, at least." Immediately, Jimmy came to mind, and my heart sunk. His face soaked up my thoughts and I frowned. Jimmy needed me to help him and there I was, trying to flirt with another guy--although failing, of course. No. He betrayed you, I thought, defending myself against my conscience. But... he was always there for you, even if he did cheat on you, and smoke--exactly! He was completely untruthful. Jimmy doesn't need me, how about he gets one of the girls he hooked up with to help him quit?
“So, are you in college?” he inquired randomly; interrupting my thoughts.
“Actually, no, I’m out. I’m working as an assistant for this magazine company, and I write stories part time. What about you?”
“That sounds fun. What type of stories? And yeah, I'm almost done. It's my last semester right now."
“Pfft. Hardly,” I replied with a grin. “I write mostly short stories; they really only get published to Junior High reading hardcovers."
"Either way, it's really cool."
"Thanks," I smiled and looked at him. "What's your major?"
"Oh, I major in psychology, actually," Eric responded.
"You're going to be a psychologist?"
"Yeah, I love to help people."
"Really?" I wondered aloud, idiotically. Of course he does, stupid, he just said that.
Eric laughed and nodded. “Yeah, totally. Hey… um, do you have a watch or the time?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Oh, I just was wondering what time it was. I can’t leave my little sister with the babysitter for long,” Eric explained and sighed. “She’s with her a lot since I’m in college.”
“Why… is she visiting you?”
“No, it’s nothing. Do you have the time?” Eric asked again.
“Yeah, yeah, let me check my phone—nine ten.”
“Crap,” he muttered and looked at me. “It was really nice meeting you; I hope we can hang out again.”
“Yeah… don’t you want my number?” I wondered out loud.
“Oh, definitely,” Eric answered and held out his cell once I handed him mine. We exchanged cell numbers and then returned our phones. “See you again?”
“I guess.”
“Cool,” he said and gave me a hug. “Bye, Mari.”
“Bye.”
Once Eric was out of the club, I took my seat at the bar again. So much for a one-night-stand, I thought, annoyed. Jimmy's face drowned my mind, and I took a deep breath. His smile, his laugh, his hugs, his lips, all came to mind as I could feel, hear and see each memory. No, stop it. He cheated on you. He smoked marijuana behind your back. He... held you when you were sad. He made you laugh whenever you needed to, and stayed up all night with you. No, he... loves you. But, he did too much... I sighed loudly out of frustration and looked at the bartender.
“Get me a beer.”
