Page 6 of Lost & Found

I felt like a major letdown after I dropped out of school, causing the financial board to yank my scholarship early and Daddy had to pay a lot more than expected just so I could figure out that I didn’t want to do it anymore. I never wanted to fail my parents after all they've done for me. I was going through some major life hiccups that made me feel worse, even though my dad said it was okay.

I applied for a couple of places to work over the Summer but nothing ever stuck. I now have to find a place of my own, and a job, so I can get out and prove to my parents and myself that I'm better than the path that I unpremeditatedly fell down.

I don’t know what I’m doing but I’m going to figure it out...just not right now.

I walk into the Grizzly and see that it’s packed. I look around for a few moments to see if I spot Jae but it’s no use.

The Grizzly is a dance bar sculpted from red oak wood and red brick. In the middle is a dance floor surrounded by a dimly lit bar on the left that stretches to the back of the building. And to the right are pool and foosball tables which are next to a stage where karaoke is optional. Sometimes a live band will play on stage, but tonight it’s a local DJ.

I assume Jaelynn is late so I walk over to the bar and see Juniper, a girl I went to school with. We didn’t know each other too well but she’s friends with Jaelynn and she happens to be the bartender tonight.

“Hey, Holl. What can I get ya?” Her small smile curls as she pours a draft from a beer faucet.

“I’ll take a blue moon please, extra oranges.” I lean against the bar between two people I don’t recognize.

“Got ya, sweets. Coming right up.”

“Thanks Juniper. Hey, by chance are you guys hiring?” She dips down to grab a glass from the freezer.

“No, right now we’re fully staffed but I heard that Willows is hiring,” she mentions before she turns from me to fulfill drink orders.

I turn in my seat while I wait for my beer to see if Jae has walked in and lo and behold, there she is walking through the doors right as my eyes swing that way.

“Jae!” I shout as I wave my hand in the air. The people next to me act as if I’ve invaded their space so I jump off the counter and run in her direction, telling Juniper I’ll be right back.

She sees me almost instantly and greets me with a big hug.

“Late to your own party,” I quip.

“Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be?” She laughs as we link arms and walk back toward the bar.

At the same time, Juniper slides me the blue moon.

“One for me, June?” Jaelynn asks as she settles into the free barstool next to me.

“So, how does it feel being twenty-six? Tell me all about it.” I poke at her as we wait.

“Honestly, no different than twenty-five, but I’m declaring a more bad-ass year.” She pulls her ponytail tighter in its hold, a smile wide on her face and her eyes bright in the lighting of the bar.

“How so?” I take a sip of my beer, watching her scan the room.

“Well, for one. I’m newly single and ready to mingle. And two, I’m not giving a fuck this year.”

“You didn’t give a fuck last year then either,” I deadpan, taking one of my orange slices from the rim of my glass and squeezing it into my beer. I take a gulp and let the smooth liquid run down my throat.

“To-may-to, to-mah-to.” She giggles as she picks up the glass Juniper just slid in front of her.

She picks it up to take a sip, my best friend in all of her tall, tan, and blonde glory. Her hazel eyes gleam as she gulps down her drink. She’s dressed head to toe in sequins and glitter. From her mini crop top to her short skirt and her boots. Everything shines on her. She’s a disco ball while I sport a whole lot of black and fishnet. And as different as we are from one another, we somehow have a pretty seamless friendship. The only thing we have in common is the kind of beer we like and sometimes the men. Otherwise, complete opposites and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Before I know it, a crowd starts to form around the birthday girl. I almost forgot that she invited everyone here. Of course, I’d only get her for a few minutes before everyone else flocks in. She’s swarmed in her chair by guys and girls in a matter of seconds, proving how much more popular she is than I ever was. I only had a few people in my corner. Of course I had Jaelynn, and Jax—until I didn’t—and more recently…

“Hey, babe.” A pair of arms wraps around my waist where I stand at the bar. I don’t flinch though, because I recognize the voice.

I turn to see Liam standing behind me with a drunken glaze glittering in his eyes. Already wasted.Great.

I frown at the thought but then decide it’s not the battle I want to fight today. It’s a party after all, but I already know I’m going to have to be the one to get him home tonight which means this will have been my first and only beer.

“Hey. How long have you been here for?” I hadn’t even realized he was going to come; Jae doesn’t even like him that much. But then I hear a ruckus over the music near the pool tables and see that his whole friend group is here.Double great.

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