Well, we are getting really close to the end. It's been a journey that's for sure.
Jacob
The bar is packed. It's a Friday night in late May which means all the college aged students are partying after their finals. I've barely had a chance to breathe at all tonight. I'm tired and sick of pouring drinks.
"How 'bout that drink?" a voice on voice on my left shouts out. I turn and see Katerina. At first all I can do is stare. I gave up hope on her when she didn't come in after a couple weeks. "What? You don't remember me?"
I take the few steps over to where she stands and look her in the eyes. "How could I forget?" She smiles and waits for me to continue. "Alright, you've got me. What do you want to drink?"
"Strawberry Daiquiri."
I quickly begin to mix her drink up for her. Out of the corner of my eye I watch as she continuously convinces guys to get out of her face. They come up to talk to her and then they just walk off looking confused. "Here you go," I say as I slide it in front of her."
"You Americans are so odd," she smiles as she drinks.
"Why's that?"
"The drinking age sucks."
"Agreed," I admit. "But I'm legal so it doesn't really matter anymore."
"I don't have to be legal. I'm a very persuasive person," she looks me in the eye and suddenly I'm picturing her kissing my bare chest. The image disappears just as quickly as it came. I know for a fact that wasn't my own though. I decide it's better for me to play along.
"You're a beautiful person too."
"Are you flirting with me?" she says with a wink.
"That depends."
"On what?"
"Is it working?"
"It just might be," she replies.
"Well then, yes. I am flirting."
"You've got customers waiting," she laughs. I turn around and sure enough there's a line forming.
"I'll be right back." As I help out the many customers I think about how I will manage to get her number without actually having to follow through on anything with her. I have no desire to act out the thoughts she put in my head. Hell, I still think about kissing Nessie every night before bed.
When I finish with the line, I walk back to where Katerina perches. Her drink is empty and she gives me a look as if to say I need to bring another one. I do as she wants because the last thing I need is to mess this up.
I end up bringing her a third and fourth as well. By the time the bar closes, Katerina is plastered. She can't even stand on her own. "Jacob!" she shouts when I come to help her. "Will you take me home?"
"Yeah. I called for a taxi already," I reply as I lift her off the bar stool. I carry her out into the rain. The taxi comes around the corner and stops in front of us. I gently place her into the backseat and go to the other side. "Where do you live?"
It takes a few attempts for me to understand her address, but we eventually are speeding down the roads toward her house. "Thish ish very nice of you, Jacob," she says as she puts her hand on my upper leg. I squirm away from her touch. She moves her hand a little lower with a giggle.
When we pull up at her apartment complex, I carry her all the way to her room. I tuck her in and set out a glass of water with aspirin. She is already passed out so I can leave with no interference. When I am safely out of earshot, I pull out my phone.
"Did you get the number?" Bella asks as soon as she picks up.
"I got better," I reply. "I got an address."