Chapter 7: The Hangout
"I see that things have not improved in your life Nicolle." A familiar voice stated. Nicolle looked up from her glass and saw the figure of a kind man, wiping the counter.
"Yeah you could say that. Why are you so interested anyway?" She inquired.
"Well I just don't like seeing people in pain that's all."
"Then I think being a bartender is the wrong occupation for you." She mumbled without any thought.
"I see." He answered, moving over to wipe another spot.
"Oh I'm sorry for that. I did not mean…"
"No you are absolutely right."
"What?"
"I never wanted to be this; no I wanted to become a psychologist, help people work out their problems."
"Well you kinda do that." Nicolle added trying to smile to improve the situation.
"If you want to look at it that way, then yeah I guess."
"Then see it is not so bad."
"You know your not so bad at making people feel better yourself." The bartender smirked. "By the way my name is Casey." He wiped his hand on his apron and then put it out for Nicolle to shake.
"Yes well I would tell you my name is Nicolle but you already know that." Nicolle smiled again.
"So Nicolle, are you doing anything tonight? Well after my shift, it should be about done in…" he looked to his watch, "Twenty minutes, if you do not mind waiting that long."
"Well actually I have a…"
"Let me guess a boyfriend. God! This always happens to me." He put his hands on his forehead, looking up at the ceiling. "I'm sorry, I should have known that."
"No…no…well I did have a boyfriend but I don't think that is going on anymore, he is part of the reason I am here to begin with. But no I would love to do something tonight."
"Really?"
"Yeah that would be great. I could use some time to get this shit off my mind."
"Well alright then…great." He smirked gazing at Nicolle. Nicolle gazed back. She really looked at him this time and could see his inner emotions through his eyes. They told so much. He looked sad, yet happy, she did not know which one to follow.
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Twenty Minutes later:
"Okay I'm ready, just let me get my coat and we are out of here." Casey stated, he waited for an answer and then walked around the corner to the back room and grabbed his coat. "Hey catch you later Scott, don't hurt yourself too much." He joked.
"Yeah later, I'll call you later." He shouted to Casey who was now walking with Nicolle out the door. Casey waved his hand to let Scott know that he heard him.
"So where are we going to go?" Nicolle questioned, standing in front of the passenger side door, waiting for Casey to unlock the doors.
"I don't know where ever you want to go. Oh you know what I know this great place where we can hang out, have a few drinks and just relax if you are interested."
Nicolle nodded her head. "Yeah sounds good to me." And she pulled on the handle, opening the door and stepping in. They rode around harmlessly chatting till they got to the hangout.
"Here we are then." Casey stated getting out of the car and hurrying over to the other side to open Nicolle's door.
"This looks like a house." Nicolle laughed.
"Yeah it's my place." He declared, taking her hand and leading her up the steps to the entry way. He unlocked the door. "Now would you mind just staying out here for just a minute?"
"Okay." Nicolle laughed with confusion.
"Great." And he ran into the house, closing the door behind him, and he scurried around the house picking anything up that looked like clutter and mess. Minutes later he returned to the door. "Sorry about that."
"No, no that's alright." And Nicolle stepped in taking in the surroundings, "Well nice place you have here. Ah you failed to pick that up." She stated, pointing to a bra that was laying over the banister of the second story steps. Casey cleared his throat and grabbed it putting it behind his back. Nicolle walked in further and turned left into the living area. There was a gigantic fireplace with a crackling fire inside. A massive reading nook and a very expensive couch
"Oh you can have a seat if you would like." Casey told Nicolle who was just looking in aw.
"This…this is beautiful."
"Well I do the best I can."
"And you manage this being a bartender, now I am really thinking I should become one." She laughed.
"Well I inherited the house as it were."
"Oh." Nicolle turned her attention to Casey. "Well it is lovely."
"Now please have a seat." He gestured to the couch.
"Very well then, thank you." And Nicolle walked over to the couch, sitting down. She was still looking around as she pulled off her sweater, to reveal her white and blue stripped blouse. Casey had run into the kitchen and put the water on for some coffee. After all Nicolle had had a lot to drink and did not want her drinking anymore. He returned holding something in his hand. Nicolle looked to him standing in the door way. He face was serious and his focus was on her.
"What is it?" She questioned a bit concerned.
"I have something I want to show you." He replied walking up to her, concealing the object between his chest and hands.
"Alright then what is it?" She repositioned herself on the couch so that she could get a better look at him. He walked passed her, and took a seat in the chair on the opposite side of the room.
"How am I supposed to see what it is, if you are seated over there?" Nicolle laughed.
"Shhhh." And he took his hands away from his chest. Suddenly a light reflecting object started floating in the air towards Nicolle.
"Wha…what is it?" Nicolle whispered with a bit of fear.
"It's a crystal nothing more. But if you turn it this way and look into it…" And he twisted his wrist, and when doing so the crystal turned in the same pattern. "…it will show you your dreams." He smirked as he looked to Nicolle's mesmerized expression. And suddenly all went blank!