~Eel~

Some old song from the bad ass 80's was playing loud enough to be heard over the lively bar full of drunks, college students and singles hoping to hook up with someone.

Lance welcomed the sound of pool balls smacking into each other and the laughter of people sloshing their beer bottles as they embarked old stories and bad sex jokes.

He made his way to the bar and ordered a beer looking old and threatening enough to avoid the ID question. He was almost a regular by then and knew the bartender David well. Not in a friendly chit chat way, but a you-know-I-want-a-Budlight-and-I-know-you-want-a-tip-in-quarters kind of way.

As he sat David approached him on cue. Pulling out a Bud and sliding it to Lance. "Hey man. Glad you showed up. This bar is dead tonight."

"You want me to put a lamp shade on my head and do a dance on the bar?" Lance asked lamely before he took a long swig of his beer.

David laughed as he went back to cleaning a stack of shot glasses. "Just do your magic at the pool table. You know I'm betting on you."

"It ain't magic. It's skill."

"Whatever you say man." The blond bartender remarked looking around the bar. He smiled and at a man in his thirties with a ZZ Top beard, looking a little out of it as he matched Lance's slouched position on the bar counter. "I talked to that guy over there when he ordered a Coors and by his fifth bottle he told me about his gambling problem, the old shit. He'd be an easy target."

Lance frowned at the bearded man and gave David a threatening look. "Look, I'm not looking for a manager and I'm definitely not looking for a partner, so leave the pool playing to me. Got it?"

David backed away throwing his palms up to guard the verbal blows grinning at Lance. "Whoa man. Don't bite the hand that feeds. It was just a suggestion."

Lance sniffed and took another swig calming his nerves with the downing liquid.

David still gave him a serious look as he leaned back on the bar in front of him. "But don't forget that it's not just your money in jeopardy."

"Whatever."

Lance didn't let the bartender's words intimidate him because he knew how powerful he was and anyone who'd try to get him would regret it. He knew that and he liked that.

After his first bottle he found his first victim. A regular like him called Rocky because he looked and talked just like Stallone's character. Lance watched the older man make a shot and saw the 7 ball roll into the corner pocket smoothly. Lance leaned against the table and skipped the hello's. "How much?"

Rocky leaned into the cue ball and thrust the stick backward preparing for a shot. "I got fifty on me."

"Same here." Lance said patting his jacket pocket. "Want to make it interesting and throw it all in one game?"

The muscular man made another shot sinking the 8 ball and snorted at Lance's suggestion. "You got confidence, kid."

Lance grabbed a stick off the side wall and smirked. "You know why."

They both pulled out their fifties and slammed it on the table as a couple of stand byers placed their bets. The game was on and with Lance the game was always interesting.

* * * * * *

Dear Mom and Dad,

I can't wait for Thanksgiving. It's going to be so great seeing the family again. Although finding new excuses to avoid Uncle Ted's blond jokes is going to be exhausting! :)

It's been awhile since you guys have called or wrote but I guess you're so busy with getting ready for the holidays. I've been busy too. School's been strenuous and college searching is a priority on my list. When I get home we can look through them together.

I've also been doing a sort of after school program helping others get a full education. It's tough but I really think we're making a real effort. Track team tryouts are this Friday. I hope I'll make it this time since I'm in such better shape. Thank you Mr. Logan for that. ;)

Can't wait to see you two again.

Love you and miss you,

Katherine

Kitty sent the email and closed the laptop resting her hands on the warm surface. She couldn't help but smile on her made bed and empty room feeling on top of the world. Everything was falling into place as Thanksgiving was creeping up.

But first she had Halloween and tryouts and Lance to worry about.

* * * * * *

"Ick! Kurt, no way!"

"Please Keety? I promised him that you'll go wiv him."

Kitty slammed her locker shut and started for 6th period, letting Kurt chase after. "Maybe you should have asked me."

"That's what I'm doing ." Kurt smiled sheepishly.

Kitty groaned. "First of all he's not my type. He's like an eel!"

"But he likes you." Kurt pointed out hoping she'd be flattered.

"He's stalking me." She said lamely.

"Call eet devotion."

"Kurt." she warned.

He shut up for her to speak.

"Second of all I have a boyfriend which means no dating."

"Eetz not a date. Eetz just a friendly get together."

"But I hate him!"

"Then you don't have to worry about cheating on your boyfriend." Kurt said triumphantly.

"I don't want to spend the Halloween dance with Garry Frank handing me punch every ten minutes while he brags about his muscles." She said outside the classroom door.

"I'll give you twenty bucks."

"No!"

"Please! He's so big and the fuzzy dude is fragile."

"Maybe you should have thought about that before you pawned me off." Kitty lectured as she opened the door.

"But he had zee last Priest Wars issue. I couldn't let eet go."

"Ugh!" Kitty slammed the door in his face causing a couple of students already in the room to look up. She blushed a little as she retreated to her desk.

The nerve of the blue jerk for selling friends for cards. If only her boyfriend didn't destroy the school parking lot and have a restraining order issued against him. Then they could have celebrated the Halloween dance together.

She looked outside her window feeling her temper start to cool down a little. She wandered what Lance would say about this situation.