One
“I just dont understand some people. They take and take and flip shit when you’re done giving,” I quickly rant through the phone, “Am I the crazy one? Literally Steph, am I nuts?”
My best friend Steph’s snort is heard through the phone, “No, you’re not the crazy one. It’s that prick’s fault. He’s the one that takes and takes and never gave in return.”
“Girl, let me call you back in a bit,” I say hastily, “I cannot find my damn heels.”
“Your lucky ones? Text me when you find them babes!” After that, the phone clicks off signaling she hung up first.
Where the hell did I put you you little luck givers.
Today I have a big interview, one I can’t miss. Ironically, my lucky shoes are about to make me late. I’m interviewing for my dream job today to become a middle school teacher.
I know I know, it’s not the most glamorous job in the world, but it’s the most rewarding and my dream. I’ve wanted to be a teacher ever since I saw the passionate glint in my mom’s eyes when she taught.
I’ve been volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club nearby to get some experience and I have loved every second, but bills must be paid and being a waitress just does not cut it anymore.
As all these thoughts are racing through my brain, I catch sight of my lucky shoes, I hurry to put them on and check my outfit one last time. Looking back through the mirror at me is the most professional version of myself I’ve seen yet. In my cream blouse, sage green slacks, and my floral print wedge booties, I feel ready to take on the world.
Stepping out of my apartment, I feel the sun on my back as I turn the key to lock my door. I check my dainty watch and see I still have time for coffee. Self high five. .
Once settled in the car, I grab my phone and dial Stephanie back.
“Hey babes, I’m heading to get coffee then making my way to the school.”
After confirming the shoe sighting, she helps me with practice interview questions on the way to my usual coffee shop.
Pulling up, I turn the car off and slide out of the seat. Inside, I let the aroma of coffee calm my nerves as our conversation takes a goofy excited turn to our night out planned.
I order my usual and pay. Stepping to the side, I continue my chat with Steph.
“Im thinking our usual spots tonight, we’ll do a mini bar crawl to celebrate,” Steph says excitedly.
“Or drown my sorrows.”
“Impossible. You’re going to get the job Isa, I know it.”
We continue our talk as I grab my now ready coffee, iced goodness in a cup. Mm.
As I turn to make my way towards the door I collide with a new wall?
I look up and notice I’ve just dumped my beautiful coffee all over this equally beautiful stranger.
“Oh my god. I am so sorry,” I start rambling before turning my attention back to the questioning woman on the other line, “Steph let me call you back.”
Before she can say bye, my phone is hung up and jammed into my back pocket.
I look up at the now annoyed man, “I am so sorry sir, I should’ve watched where I was going. I-“
“Yes you should have, but nothing we can do about it now.”
I’m taken aback by his aggravated tone, “Can i pay to dry clean it?”
“Yes, in fact I insist you pay to clean this mess up.”
How rude. If I wasnt in a rush to get somewhere…
I smile sheepishly before grabbing a napkin and pen off the counter and scribbling my information down.
I thrust the paper into his damp chest, “Here. My name and number so you can text me the dry cleaning bill. I can venmo you or whatever app you use, bye.”
Racing to the door, I look back and give a small, embarrassed wave, barely turning back around before face planting into the door. What is up with me today?
Shaking the clumsiness from my limbs, I get into the car and pull out, heading to my interview.
“It was so great to meet you, I look forward to hearing back!” I say enthusiastically, shaking the principal’s hand.
She looks at me, smiling warmly, before she leads me out.
“Isabella, we’ll be in touch soon.”
With that, I exit the building and head back to my car. Once inside, I do a little victory dance, not even sure if I’ll get hired, but knowing I crushed it.
I call Steph about our plans and head back to my apartment to do some cleaning before our girls night.
Cleaning is not my favorite task, but if needed, I’m the clean bee. Buzzing through my apartment, I manage to clean everything within an hour with only a load of laundry left in the washer.
Looking around, I’m satisifed with the state of things and head to the shower. Setting up my shower playlist, I undress and hop in.
After a lengthy 45 minute shower, I step out and head to my closet, ready to pick out my outfit for a night on the town.
I settle on my black lacy floral corset top and dark skinny jeans. Looking through my lineup of shoes, I choose my bright red flats, knowing I’m saving my feet in the future.
I go back to the bathroom to blow dry and loosely curl my hair before putting on light makeup, finished with bright red lipstick. I smack my lips together, give myself a wink, and head back to the living room. I sit on the cozy love seat and flip the tv on, choosing to watch How I Met Your Mother for the 12th time and laze about until I hear Steph knock on my door more times than necessary.
“You look sexy babes,” Steph shouts my way as I wrap my arms around her.
“Me?! Look at you,” I give her a once over approvingly.
Steph chose to wear a mid thigh length silver dress with blue sneakers that match her bold eyeshadow.
We admire each other a little more in the kitchen as we pop open a bottle of Moscato and start to pregame, waiting for the uber. A glass and a half each has us feeling good and ready right when the driver pulls up outside.
On the drive, the driver does great as a temporary dj, sensing our slight buzz. We hop out of the car once we get there and take in the scenery.
We have arrived at our first location, a small shot bar that only has standing room. We enter and surprisingly, there isn’t a long line. We each get a pickle back before waving bye to Sean, the bartender, and heading to our next destination.
This is my favorite bar in town, it’s cute and chill, the perfect place to sit and unwind from the weirdest morning I’ve had in a long time.
We take a seat and each order a chilton before flying into conversation. With the amount of alcohol we’ve both consumed, while not a lot, has gotten us tipsy.
After 20 good minutes of all-over-the-place conversation, were left giggling until Steph kicks me softly under the table.
“Dont look, but there is a total 10 coming our way and his eyes are on you missy.”
It takes everything in me not to crane my neck to look at the man she’s describing, until he’s sat at our table.
I am gobsmacked, “Are you following me?”
I study him as I proverbially pounce, finding him looking confused, until realization hits.
“You. You’re the one that spilled your sticky drink on me this morning.”
I roll my eyes, “Oh puh-lease. Who stands that close to someone they don’t even know?”
He looks surprised by my reaction as Steph giggles across the table.
To give her context I turn and say, “This is why I had to say bye this morning in a rush. This douche stood right behind me and-“
“I was not standing right behind you, I was a good five feet away. You just weren’t paying attention to where you were going,” he says pointedly, an eyebrow raised in silent challenge.
I stare, baffled at this stranger, before waving my hand in his direction, “You sir, may go. We’re trying to have fun.”
“Have a good night ladies,” he raises his glass with a nod before standing and disappearing into the small crowd that had formed at the door.
After the interaction, I feel ready to go to our final place tonight. I finish my drink, stand, hold out my hand for my best friend to grab, and head down the street to the club on the corner.
After waiting 10 minutes in line, we find ourselves waltzing into the loud club. It is a packed night, full of lively people dancing on the overflowing dance floor. We skirt the edges to get to the bar at the back, looking for a particular bartender.
“Colin!!! Youre here!” I shout over the thumping bass.
“Ladies, I didn’t think you’d make it,” Colin gives his mega-watt smirk at our current state.
Steph, Colin, and I have known each other since middle school. We have been pretty inseparable since, staying close to our familial roots.
Colin pours us some shots, a surprise concoction he thought up earlier tonight, then each a chilton in plastic cups.
We sat at the bar, chatting with our other best friend, before the beat got to me and I needed to dance.
I grabbed Steph’s hand, asked Colin to protect our drinks, and lead her to the dance floor.
It took us a minute to feel the beat before Steph turned her back to me and started grinding on my front.
We’re not into each other that way, but love to tease anyone who will watch. We continue our normal routine before I spin her around then turn my back on her. We let loose to the rhythm and dance for a good 30 minutes before we need refreshments.
Steph grabs my hand and leads us back to Colin, who smirks at our show he obviously enjoyed.
“Always nice to see you girls getting along this way,” he says smoothly as he brings our drinks from behind the bar.
Colin has mentioned numerous times that this little dance number we have always attracts the attention of many onlookers. Turning around, I notice a handsome man walking towards us.
Upon arrival, he offers to get us more drinks, which we accept, then asks Steph to dance. She looks at me, as though asking for approval to disappear for a little. I nod and giggle, watching the man whisk her away to the dance floor.
“I’m glad she wore flats, her feet are still going to kill her in the morning,” I say, turning back to Colin.
He nods and we continue to talk. While we’re talking about my interview, I feel a tap on my shoulder.
Spinning around, I am once again baffled.
“What the hell? You are totally following me mister.” I say to the tall handsome man standing behind me.
“I am not following you. Remeber, I left the other bar before you.”
“Oh yeah,” is all I can manage as the stranger takes the seat Steph was just in.
“The real question is, are you following me?”
“Pfffft why would I follow you. You were a douche this morning, I would not pursue you after that exchange.”
He leaned on the bar and caught Colin’s attention, except that Colin was already looking at him.
“You want your usual, Mr. Rivers?” Colin asked.
I turned my attention to Colin, hiking my thumb towards the stranger, “Colin, you know this guy?”
He nods before elaborating that this is in fact his boss, the owner of the club.
