Hi, guys!
This is the shortest chapter so far, but it was definitely the most fun to write. I just love writing Chase for some reason. He's hilarious is his own special way x3
I WOULD have posted this an hour ago, but the document manager is currently being a serious beotch. D:[ Let's hope it learns some manners soon. (I had to write this twice, and the footnote three times. ~grumbles~)
Well, enjoy!
The crisp evening air invaded the warm bar as the door swung open. A bell jingled, alerting everyone to her presence.
Angela quietly made her way to the bar counter and sat down at a stool. She traced the lines in the wood and sighed. Kasey was right; she was being a child. She should go back right now and apolagi-
"Hey. Angela, right? You ordering or what?"
Angela glanced up and saw peach-head frowning down at her in the dim light. His violet eyes were annoyed. What was his name again? She didn't care much at the moment. "Hi, Charlie."
He crossed his arms and glared. "It's Chase."
She waved her hand in front of her face, dismissive, and rolled her eyes. "Same difference."
"What do you want?" Chase snapped. Angela returned his icy stare with a fiery look of defiance.
"Gimmie a beer."
He turned, fished around for a glass. "Any kind in particular?"
"Surprise me."
"Whatever." It was in front of her in about five seconds flat, the foam oozing over the sides. She took a swig, washed a quarter of it down in one gulp.
"Way to hold your beer."
"I know my limits."
"I'm sure you do." Innocent words, but a mocking tone.
She glared at him and slammed her hand down on the counter, leaned forward. "What the hell's that 'sposed to mean, peaches-for-brains! ?"
He smirked, didn't answer. Angie grumbled and slowly sat back down. She took another swig.
The glass hit the counter a bit harder this time.
"So, what brings you to the bar, oh-sober one?" Chase asked, voice oozing with sarcasm and disinterest. He obviously got paid to say things like that, though it seemed he threw in the sarcasm on his own accord, free of charge.
Angela slumped over and buried her face in her folded arms. "I got into a fight with Kasey."
"Ah, yes. Kasey." Chase chuckled. "Only Maya's will competes with his. He thinks I'm trying to steal Molly away from him..." He rolled his eyes dramatically. "As if."
Angela sat up and glared at him with all the fire she could muster.
"...No offense," Chase added, his eyes dancing and amused."So why aren't you apologizing instead of drinking the night away?"
"I have my reasons."
"Pride?"
"I'll take all I can get."
Chase shrugged. "Eh, makes sense."
Angela brought the glass to her lips again. Empty already. She asked for more; Chase obliged.
The bar got a few degrees warmer. Pleasantly.
"Molly and Melody prolly' think I'm some kinda' jerk-face now," Angela muttered, eyes downcast. "They're going to hate me. Kasey especially."
"Don't be so sure," said Chase. He leaned forward, rested his chin on his upright arm. "Hate's a strong word." His eyes got distant as he added, "Family should stick together."
"I guess sticking together is harder than I thought."
"Don't we know it."
Angela's glass was emptied and refilled and emptied and refilled as she sat at the bar that night, Chase as her only real company. That Kathy girl was tending to other patrons, along with Hayden, her dad. Hours passed, and the warmth wasn't so pleasant now. With every sip, she found herself more and more emotional, more open with this person, who was practically a complete stranger. Angela didn't like it. Somehow, she managed to stop herself and mewed, "I... I think I'm totally tanked." The words struck her as funny for some reason. She giggled a bit.
"No..." Chase rolled his eyes, took her glass, put it in the sink to be washed later. "I'd bet anyone five bucks you can't even stand."
"I'd take that butt-I mean bet."
"Go ahead and try."
She tried.
She latched a shaky hand to the counter and planted her feet firmly on the ground. She slid to down the floor - the minor impact made her feel like lead. If it wasn't for the seat in front of her, she would've fallen face first. She landed on her knees. Then she pulled herself back up, held onto the counter for support.
"Way to go."
"I don't need any more wise-ass comments, wise-ass."
"Thanks for the compliment - I guess I am pretty wise." Damn that straight face of his, that bored expression.
"Shut up," she growled.
"Oh, and by the way, you've yet to pay for your drinks."
She fumbled around for her wallet, pulled out a twenty. He gave her the change, minus five dollars.
"You tryin' to swindle me?" Angela slurred.
"No-p-e," Chase replied, popped the "p", feigned innocence on his face. "We made a bet and you lost."
"Damn you. Damn you, peach-head."
"It's closing time now. Nice seeing you. We've enjoyed your patronage."
"Shuddup!"
She staggered out of the bar, into the night. As the door swung closed, the warm light and the talking vanished. It reappeared momentarily as someone else exited the bar behind her. Angela turned to see who it was. It was Chase.
"I gave you the freaking money. Leave me the hell alone." Anyone hearing this conversation will think I'm a pimp.
"Touchy, touchy," Chase scolded. He shook his head. "Are you going to be able to make it home by yourself?"
No. "Yes."
"Are you sure?"
No. "Yes."
Chase sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Even if you think that, I should probably escort you or something... Can't have your blood on my hands when you're mugged or hurt on your lonesome way home."
She was appalled, a look of horror on her face. "What possessed you to say that?"
He shrugged. "I'unno. It happens."
"Well, dun' I feel safe now," she drawled. "You're morbid."
"I calls 'em like I sees 'em."
She tried to speed-walk away from him, somehow ended up sprawled out on the ground. He pulled her to her feet. "See what I mean now?"
Yes. "No."
They walked mostly in silence as Chase led Angela home. He knew the way because he passed there when he went to his own house. Soon, they were at her doorstep.
"Well, here you are, home sweet home, all that good stuff," Chase said quickly, pushed her forward. "Don't do any stupid things while you're this drunk, like prank calling or playing with matches."
"Thanks 'fer the suggestions."
"... You're terrible."
"Touché."
"Goodnight."
"'Night."
And then he was gone, disappeared down the path and into the black.
She stood there for a brief moment, silent. Then: "Freaking. Cross-dressing. Jerk." Cute too, but only on the outside. Angela fished around both pockets for her key, did not find it. Panic set in. Then she was bricked, remembered where she'd put it.
"Oh... Duh," she slurred with a laugh. She took off her shoe, shook it out. Her key fell to the onto the porch with a clatter. A trusty place to hide your keys in the city - no one would steal these lame boots, only Nikes or Converse. She picked up the key and fumbled with the lock for about a minute before she got the key in the hole. She pushed the door open and in she went.
Suddenly, exhaustion swamped her, suffocated her, shoved her down the hall, through her door, and onto the bed without changing, taking off her shoes, anything. Within seconds, she was asleep.
oOoOo
With sleep comes dreams, and with drunkenness comes oddness. The two weren't such a great mix.
Angela dreamed an odd dream that night.
She was laying in the middle of a grassy field, wearing her boots and a knee-length yellow sun dress dress she did not own, but now desperately wanted to. She was looking up at a bight, vibrant blue sky. Birds flew high in the sky and chirped cheerful melodies.
One by one, yellow flowers sprouted around her and bloomed. She could actually hear the quiet pop! as each appeared, could hear the earth breathing and moving.
It was a beautiful sound that made her smile.
Melody, Molly, and Kasey appeared a few feet away, grinned at her. The two girls wore flowing blue gowns, and Kasey wore a fuchsia suit. They all joined her on the ground, staring at the sky. Melody giggled and put a yellow daisy in her aunt's hair. Angela let her eyes close, feeling totally at peace.
Then everything changed.
The the flowers sank back into the ground. The grass pulled back and vanished. The sky turned gray and cloudy, and a single blackbird passed overhead. Molly, Kasey, and Melody slowly began to fade away. Angela opened her mouth to call them back, couldn't make a sound. Not a peep. She tried to grasp Melody's hand. Her fingers went right through. Melody looked scared.
Suddenly, she was in New York.
She was lying in the middle of a four way intersection, still in her dress and boots. She was surrounded by buildings and honking cars, each and every one of them at a standstill. Nothing in the square of the intersection moved except Angela.
Until Angela sat up.
She was face-to-fender with the largest bus she'd ever seen.
oOoOo
Angela awoke in the middle of the night, pillow soaked with salty tears.
Awright! After an eternity of stalling, the Goddess Quest will be introduced next chapter! ~fireworks and cheering~
And Operation: Reading project - total success! I was the first person to turn it in. Cheyahh. FELLOW EIGHTH GRADERS, BOW DOWN TO YOUR SUPERIOR! MUAHAHAHAahem.
Thanks to Paramore for being the musical inspiration for this chapter. I'd still be sitting here scratching my head without their help. HAILEY WILLIAMS FTW! I listened to Misery Business for the whole drunk-scene, and The Only Exceptionfor the dream sequence. LET'S GIVE IT UP FOR PARAMORE! /end psychotic fandomness
See you next chapter. ;)