Finding Myself

Chapter 9

    A bar.  A f*****g bar?  Of course it's a bar.  Not that I hate bars, just not fun memories.  Think it's been a year since I've last stepped in one.  No time like the present I guess.  I finally get enough energy to get out of my seat and out the car.

    "Jesus.  Literally took you 5 minutes to get out of my car.  Thought it would take you longer tho," says Skylar.  She walks closer to me and pats me on the back, a little too hard.  "Now, you better bring your ass so we can have some fun.  Miss. Madison is inside, keeping an eye on those fuckers at the bar".  Sky grabs my arm and basically drags me into the bar.

    As soon as I saw what the inside looks like, I knew somethings looked familiar.  this was the bar I went to a year ago, where s**t went south.

*Flashback*

    Why did he want to meet at a bar?  We usually go to the movies or Leslie's.  I checked my phone and see that it's 11:43pm and no sign of my man.  I almost put my phone away when I get a text.

    -Hey baby.  When you get here, let me know.  I'm inside at the  bar waiting for my honeybun.  Can't wait to see you.  Your jockie

    I smirk to myself as I put my phone into my pocket.  Walking towards the bar, something in my stomach told me to go back to the car.  I ignored it and kept going.  the bar allowed people 16 and up on Friday nights, with 16-17 year olds wearing purple bands and 18-20 wearing red bands.  Everyone else wears blue bands.  When I make it in, all I could think is WOW.  The place looks so cool in the inside.  I always wanted to come, but I wasn't old enough yet until now.  My jockie said that he'll be at the bar, but I don't see him.  After some more searching, I see that he was on the dance floor, dancing.  He was dancing with someone, but I wasn't worried because I trust my boy.  Wanting to scare him, I make my way to him so I can hide behind him for a jump scare.

    "Where's your date tonight handsome?," the chick who's dancing with my man asks.

    "Not sure yet, but don't focus on that.  By the time she gets here, she won't know anything has happened.  So, you game or what?," he tells her.  At this moment, all I felt was betrayal.  What is this, his other personality or something?  This person in front of me is not the love of my life at all.  This guy was a douchebag.  Still being behind him, I waited for him and his dance partner to turn around.  When they both turn my way, his eyes went wide when he sees me.  "Starlight, when did you..."  I slapped him across the face before he could finish.

    "What the hell and why?  You know what, doesn't matter.  I have no idea how long this has been happening or who with, but I'm done."   

*Flashback ends*

    I snap out of thoughts to realize that Sky had left my side and was now sitting at the bar.  Without a second thought, I make my way over so I'm not alone.  But, I regretted that choice as soon as I get there.

    "Holy s**t, I would know that face anywhere," says the bartender.

    "B, you know him?," asks Sky.

    "Of course we know each other.  Last time we met, she was crying buckets, remember short-stuff?," he asks me.

*Flashback*

    Man, I can't believe this s**t.  If he was gonna cheat, why invite me out here then.  He probably planned for me to find out too.  I make my way to the bar and have a seat to calm my thoughts and feelings down.  Something gets pushed into my hand.  There was a beer bottle in front of me now.

    "Here you go short-stuff.  I know it ain't legal for you yet, especially because the color of your band.  But, you look like you gonna need it," the bartender tells me.  With nothing to lose right now, I take a sip of my first ever beer.  Eww.  It does not taste right at all, but I'll keep drinking it.  "Yo.  Slow down a bit.  Don't wanna get fired for getting a minor drunk on my watch.  What's your name kid?"

    "I'm Berta.  Or Birdy.  Or whatever.  Just not Boobear.  Not Boobear anymore," I tell him as I took another long sip of my beer.  "So, should I call you Mr. Bartender or do you have a real name?"

    "You can call me Richie.  Only you tho." 

*Flashback ends*

    "Richie, the bartender," I say after my flashback.

    "I knew you would remember me.  I mean, I got a face that is hard to forget once you've seen it," Richie says, fixing his hair.

    "Hold on, I need a moment," Sky tells me.  After a minute, she continues.  "Why the f**k did I not know about this new friend?  I know what happened here that night, but not all the details I guess."

    "It was not so important at the time and I forgot about it after having my first and last beer.  So, let's just drop it for now.  We got a job to do."  Mads decides that now is the right time to pop up.

    "Where the hell were you guys this whole time?  I couldn't find you guys.  Jenny and her crew have been spotted near the dance floor with Frank and others."  She then looks at me with sad eyes.

    "Son of a b***h.  Short-stuff, does that mean that you-know-who is here too?  Cuz if he is, I'll kill him,"  Richie huffed before looking for something.  "I know I got a bat back here somewhere."

    "Richie, no.  It doesn't matter now.  However, if you want to help us out, we wouldn't mind an extra helper," Mads says with a smirk.  I look at Richie's face and he formed a smirk on his face as well.

    "Honey, I was signed on when I saw that face of his.  And after seeing the girl that he is with now, it's gonna be fun".  Richie looked around the bar for someone.  "Hey Jamie, bring that sexy ass here."  

    Soon, another bartender walks towards us.  He was so good looking.  Calling him a sexy ass is an understatement.  If he was compared to a celebrity, he would be Chris Pratt when he was in Guardian of the Galaxy, just with bright blue eyes and darker hair.  Besides the celebrity thing, he looks familiar.  When he is  finally in front of us, my mouth flew open.  Holy s**t.  It's the guy I bumped into earlier.

    "We meet again, little lady," he then smiles at me.  My cheeks got redder at the statement.  Meeting each other again indeed.