Hi everyone. This is my VERY FIRST fanfiction story. I'm nervous and excited. So please, feel free to give some good, hearty criticism. Thanks :) First chapter is short, but only because I felt that it was a good place to end it. I'm sure the others will be a little more lengthy. ;)
She closed her trench coat tightly as she skipped out of the cab and onto the curbside of Pandora Avenue and 31st Street. Fixing her soft brown curls and using her index finger to dry the last of her tears from her face, she decided to end her call with her best friend Cece, knowing that she needed to be by herself to think.
"Okay Cece, I know he's awful. I get he's a selfish, naive, scared little boy who obviously only cares about himself; but it's Spencer. It's 6 years that I'm going to try to drink away in one night. I'm going to that small bar on Pandora, Clydes? When you're done with your shoot you can meet me here." she said, pulling open the door and instantly regretting it. It was only 7pm! Why was everyone in LA drinking at this small bar?
"I know Jess. Just... Don't dwell too much. Especially not until I get there. I don't want someone to take advantage of you while you're vulnerable. Because that would mean that I have to kill somebody." she hissed.
Jess rolled her eyes at the threat. She was in a sassy mood. An emotional mood obviously, but one that was contagious. Cece mirrored her attitude perfectly.
"Okay Cece. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Have a good shoot!" she exclaimed, giving it all the excitement she had and quickly pressing the end button. She knew Cece would forgive her. She just wanted time alone, to process what had happened with her soon-to-be ex-boyfriend, Spencer.
She gave practically no attention to the fact that she was completely naked under her trench coat as she pushed through the crowd of men and women to get the the bar. She searched for at least one bar stool, thinking that her and Cece would be able to get their own booth later after it died down.
Just to her luck, a man and woman stood up and grabbed their coats and drinks as they left to find a booth, leaving an opportunity for her to grab the seat before someone else. As she pushed herself onto the seat, she fixed the coat, making sure nothing was 'hanging out.' She was barely seen by the bartender, who mixed and stirred a variation of drinks before catching her eye.
Jess took in the sight of the bartender, eying him carefully and noting every detail. He was handsome, absolutely, but in a way she never thought she'd be attracted to. He hadn't shaved in about a week, which left a perfect amount of scruff on his face. He had unkempt hair and wore very casual clothing, a dark pair of jeans and a red and black plaid shirt. The bartender definitely had a certain type of sexiness that Jess could appreciate. He suddenly realized she had been staring at him and barked out, "Sorry! I'll be right with ya!"
The boom of his voice made her jump, causing her to smooth her coat down again. While she was still recovering from his bellowing voice, another man sat in the bar stool next to her, lightly placing his hand on her shoulder as he sat.
"Hi," he said quietly. He smiled at her, a charming smile indeed, and itched behind his ear. She could tell her was nervous, and she found it endearing. She pushed up her glasses and smiled back, replying with a soft, "Hello."
"I'm Cal. Short for Calvin." That smile wasn't the only thing that was charming. He was clean shaven, wore a black button up and had clearly styled his bronzed colored hair.
"I'm Jess. Short for Jessica Day." she stopped in her tracks and retreated her smile when she realized she gave her last name. Damn, it had been a long time since she had done this whole flirting thing. She was rather positive she wasn't supposed to just give her last name out to strangers. "Just kidding. It's Jessica... Night?" she said.
"You're lying. Don't be scared, I won't bite. I will, however, offer to buy you a drink Miss Jessica Day." he saw the look on her face and laughed. "Okay, Jessica Night." he said.
She laughed halfheartedly. "Alright, alright. I would love a pink wine." As she said it, she felt her stomach turn. She wasn't sure if she was ready for this. Flirting and what was soon to come after it. Cal seemed like a nice guy, but she just didn't feel right. She knew she was right to feel that way when he leaned into her ear and whispered, "You sure are beautiful, Tess. And pink wine is a wonderful choice. It matches the color of your rosy cheeks." He slid his knuckles across her face like she was a fragile doll.
She hadn't even noticed that he was slurring his words. But she was wishing she had noticed the second he sat down.
Nick watched Cal from the other side of the bar while opening up a couple of Heinekens for some customers. He shook his head back and forth and let out a heavy sigh. Creepy Cal. That's what Big Bob always called him. Because he never failed to make a woman uncomfortable with his, what he believed to be, compliments. Nick knew he had to get over to them soon and at least check on this poor girl.
He had noticed her as soon as she walked into his bar. Her blue eyes pretty much lit up the room, even as they hid under her swollen lids from crying. Her beautiful brunette curls hung loosely around her shoulders and her deliciously red lips pouted when she noticed there was no where to sit.
He heard her say her name was Jess, and it seemed to fit her perfectly. Even though she was obviously in pain from the look on her face, her clothes and body language said something completely different. She wore a long trench coat, which obviously covered up a dress or skirt, and red pumps. Her black, thick-rimmed glasses sat on her nose. Caroline had a pair just like hers.
He instantly wanted to slap himself, cringing at his own thought. Caroline. Jesus. It had been 6 months already, damn it. But Caroline, his ex, was still lingering in his mind even to this day. He looked back to the trench coat stranger and couldn't help but compare her to his blonde hair, brown eyed heart crushing ex-girlfriend.
Caroline was beautiful...But this stranger...Jess. She was something else entirely. She was unlike any other girl he's ever been interested in, dated, or even seen, roaming around his bar.
While he watched her, he saw Cal slowly pick his hand up off his thigh, and bring it to her face. He watched as her eyes widened with what seemed like panic.
Nick sighed once more. I can't watch Cal demolish this poor girl, he thought as he set down the beer glass he was wiping down. He threw the towel over his shoulder and put his game face on. Determined, he began to walk over to Creepy Cal, and the beautiful stranger.