Chapter 2

Blue Brass Bar is the name of the building before me. I pull out a piece of paper to double check. Sure enough this is the place. I take in a deep breath in hopes of getting out the nervous jitters before knocking on the door. I take a step closer to the bar but I get a strange feeling someone's watching me. I turn around to see a blonde haired boy in plaid pants and vest staring at me.

"You must be Akari. Kathy's told us a great deal about you. She forgot to mention one thing though," he smiles and walks towards me. His blue eyes reflect the ocean around us and his hair dances playfully in the breeze.

"What's that?" I ask curiously.

"She forgot to tell me how beautiful you are." He leans in and his fingers brush the side of my face and I take a step back. My cheeks quickly start burning and I frantically try to find something to say.

"Thanks," I mumble and he chuckles quietly.

"It's alright. My name's Gill. My father is the mayor of this little seaside town. I hope to see you again." He smiles before grabbing my hand and kissing it. I stand in confusion as he walks away whistling while his hands dig into his pockets.

The sound of a door opening catches my attention and I turn around to see a busty blonde standing in the doorway. "AKARI!" She squeals and pulls me into a tight hug. I wiggle around trying to escape so I can catch my breath. She lets go of me and starts bouncing up and down.

"I'm so excited you're here! I hope you didn't get lost. Come inside! Daddy's waiting for you," she grabs my arm and pulls me inside. A very tall man is standing behind the counter and I instantly recognize him. "Uncle Hayden!" I say happily and run over to give my uncle a big hug.

"Akari, you've grown up! I remember when you were just a little girl."

"She's not so little anymore," Kathy elbows me in the side and smiles. "Let me take your bags and show you to your room. I'm sure you're ready to unpack. I also have to fill you in on some things." She grabs my rucksack off my back and ushers me towards a door behind the counter. I follow her down a small hallway and into an empty room. A twin bed sits under a window with a dresser on the opposite wall.

"Sorry it's so empty. It's the guest room and we barely get any," she tosses the bag onto the bed and gestures for me to sit down. "So I'm sure you've heard you'll be working with us while you're here. I'll show you the ropes tonight. I'll have to introduce you to some people who are usuals here so you can get well acquainted with them. Oh yeah and a few people you might remember come here too. You remember Owen right?"

I rummage through my memories in hopes of remembering who Owen is. "Not really," I say honestly.

"Seriously? You always made him cry when you refused to let him play with us. Your dad would always get mad and yell at us for being mean," she waves her hand around as she laughs at the memory. "He's nothing like that now. I must say puberty did a really good job if you ask me."

I keep my comments to myself in hopes of not laughing. "What time does the bar open anyways?"

"An hour so you better start getting ready now. You'll have to meet Chase too. He's the chef on weekends and he makes amazing food," she heads towards the door and closes it leaving me to get ready.

The bar was ready to open in less than ten minutes. Kathy was checking over herself in a nearby mirror while I fidgeted with a piece of paper and pencil. I started doodling the blue haired boy from earlier. Something about him was mysterious and fascinating. I never did catch his name.

I crumple up the piece of paper and drop the pencil angrily on the counter. I turn to look at the peach haired chef casually washing some fruit in the sink. He eyes me questioningly as I continue crumpling the drawing. I decide to give him a stern look and he smiles, continuing to clean the fruit.

"Are you excited?" Kathy enters the kitchen and leaps onto the counter. She notices the paper in my hand and curiously reaches for it. I shove it into my pocket and nod my head. "Yeah. I don't see why I wouldn't be?"

"It'll be hard at first but you'll get the hang of it. By the end of Summer you'll be a drink serving pro." She winks before hopping off the counter and goes into the dining hall. She unlocks the door and waits patiently beside me. After waiting twenty minutes two young men come inside. The first one is extremely tall and muscles poke out from a tiny black shirt. The second boy I recognize instantly.

Kathy skips happily towards them and starts chatting away with the muscular boy. She waves me over to the table and I hesitantly make my way over. "Akari, this is Owen," she smiles towards Owen and he looks me over as if trying to remember.

"Wow, Akari, you look different than I remembered," he says. I feel myself blushing and my eyes shift over towards the other boy. His blue hair is poking out beneath his bandana and his foot is pressed against the table. He's leaning back in his chair rolling his eyes as Kathy and Owen chat loudly.

I decide to swallow my nervousness and take his order. "Hey, can I get you something to drink?" I place a smile on my face in hopes he'll forget about earlier.

"I didn't know you were going to work here," he says. "If so, I would have avoided this place."

I stare at him trying to keep myself in order. It's my first night and I will not beat up a customer. "I'm sorry that I'm an inconvenience for you, but if you do not wish to drink anything, I do believe there's a no loitering policy," I smile towards him and he chuckles.

"I don't drink unless on occasions and I'm in here every night because my best friend loves to drink. Sorry, Newbie, I'm not going anywhere," he smiles devilishly at me and I feel my cheeks burning with anger.

"Akari, I forgot to introduce you. That's Luke," she stands next to me, a smile still plastered on her face.

"We've met," Luke says looking rather bored.

She looks at me curiously and I whisper I'll tell her later. "Well since you're the only ones here, drinks on the house!" Kathy sings while grabbing my wrist and pulling me into the kitchen. She releases my wrist and turns to face me. "Don't tell anyone this, promise?" She says seriously.

"I promise."

"I like Owen," she mumbles.

"Oh? I would never have guessed," I say sarcastically. I hear a small laugh and see Chase covering his mouth. Kathy looks at me, her face twisted, "Is it that obvious?" She almost whines. I nod my head and she looks almost sad. "He probably knows," she crosses her arms over her chest and her lips pucker into a pout.

"I'm sure if he didn't like you back he wouldn't talk to you. Most likely avoid you if he had no interest," I say encouragingly.

"I hope so, but I'm surprised you didn't recognize Luke."

"I don't remember having anyone with that name as a friend when I was a child."

"Which is weird. I won't go into details. It's best you find out for yourself," she pats my shoulder and grabs the drinks for the boys. "I'll bring Owen his drink and you take the banana shake to Luke."

I'm tempted to put some hot sauce in his banana shake but think better of myself. He may be a jerk but I won't stoop to his level. I happily bring Luke his shake and set it down in front of him, waiting for him to take a drink. He eyes over his drink before slouching in his chair. "I don't want this one," he looks at me when he says this.

"What's wrong with it?" I ask confused.

"You always get the banana shake," Kathy says also confused.

"Something seems different about it today," he eyes it over one more time before pushing it towards me.

"What would you prefer then," I say through gritted teeth.

"What would you recommend?"

"Well I'm not familiar with the menu yet."

"Good then I'll have water." He has on an evil grin and I feel myself hating him more and more.

"Coming right up," I say. This time I don't think I can hold back the hot sauce.