3

I drag the humid rag over the counter, cleaning the stains that -at some point in the evening- started being part of the decoration of the wooden surface along with the few empty glasses Tammy, my co-worker, kept gathering next to the beer tap. 

I hate being behind the bar right after Tammy because of this.

She throws the empty metallic tray before both of her elbows rest on the counter. It doesn't take her long to move them back up, just as soon as she realizes I've been cleaning up what she didn't.

—I swear if one more asshole touches my ass... 

—Kick him —I shrug—. Isn't that why you've been boxing?

—That's why I started —she corrects me—. The reason why I'm still going though...

—Oh, your boxing crush —I nod—. Gotcha. 

Tammy is still standing there. Probably waiting for me to go on and ask her a thousand questions about that crush she has talked about non-stop. 

—And that's it? You aren't going to ask if there's something new?

—No —I answer, moving to the beer tap so I can start picking the empty glasses up—. It's not like you need me to ask anyway. 

—You're right —she laughs—. He might come with his friends tonight —I nod, she already told me this earlier today.

And just like she told me, her group of friends show up half an hour later, when we are about to close. It's not a big group, and they don't look like the people I'm used to seeing Tammy surrounded by. They look... normal.  Don't get me wrong, Tammy is great, but her friends have always been the type of people you would love to kick for being too loud next to you. Yes. Definitely that type.

She's laughing and talking to two girls, while the other guy is just looking at his phone. And, right at the same time I'm eyeing them, Tammy spots me and waves at me to join them. I don't really want to, but she insists.

"Take any change you can to meet new people. Get out of your comfort zone" I roll my eyes when that phrase pops up in my mind. I'm annoyed, but at the same time, that dude wasn't wrong. How am I supposed to meet new people if I keep closing doors? 

And since the pub flirting didn't work two days ago, I should stick to meeting people that are friends with my friends -or coworkers in this case.

I look around, and confirm there aren't a lot of customers left before I start walking to the table where Tammy is more than comfortable now. She just sat right next to the blonde girl like she isn't on her shift at this exact moment. I'm about to turn around and go back to the counter, but Tammy's warning gaze just tells me she'll be a pain in the ass if I end up doing that.

—Guys, this is y/n —she introduces me to her friends as soon as I reach the table.

Everyone there greets me and assures me Tammy has talked a lot about me. And that makes me feel bad instantly, for the thought I had earlier of her not being totally my friend -at least, I don't think we've been around enough to be considered as such. They all introduce themselves: Melanie is the blonde girl with a white charming smile -and by her accent, I'd assume she isn't from here, maybe Boston-, Lucas is the blond guy who only lifts his gaze from his phone to look at Tammy every once in a while, and Jungsoo is the asian girl, brunette short shoulder length hair, that welcomes me to the conversation, although it's the first time she's ever seen me. 

They tell me both Soo and Lucas met Tammy in one of those kickboxing classes, and Tammy met Soo's boyfriend when she got that butterfly tattoo she got on her shoulder, while Melanie was already friends with Soo because they both went to the same college. And just that way, the conversation swifts to a topic I don't like and that reminds me why I'm working in a shitty bar this late into the night. 

—Fine Arts —I try to suppress the usual annoyed tone that comes with it.

—Really? —Soo asks surprised— My brother also studied that degree, but he wasn't lucky finding a job he liked.

Well, at least he was lucky enough to find a job and quit only because he didn't like it.

—He started working with my boyfriend on a business he opened, and just stayed there —she mentions—. Have you ever considered doing something on your own?

I know the question is genuine, I know she's just being curious since she found someone who was just as unlucky as her brother. But unlike him, I don't have the resources of opening anything on my own. Imagine thinking I had them, but I'm still working here by choice? I'd kick myself to death if I ever did something like that.

—No —I shake my head—. I'm sure there will be something out there for me sooner or later. I have the gift of patience, so...

And that's probably why I still haven't found a proper job as a designer. Fuck, even a simple job in an art gallery would make it for me. At the end of the day, it's what I studied for. 

Soo moves her hand up, moving her locks away from her face, and I can't help but notice a familiar tattoo on her wrist. But before I can think too much about it, I see her pointing at me before asking:

—Are you working next weekend? 

—Hmm no.

Which always translated to me as: waking up at three in the afternoon, doing the laundry, maybe grocery shopping... Adult things, basically.

—We rented a cabin —she sips her beer before looking at me again—. It's Melanie's birthday, and we usually go to Lake Seneca to celebrate it.

What does that have to do with me?

—Tammy is coming, too. And a few other friends —she continues—. My brother's ex-girlfriend was supposed to come, so now we have space left. If you want to join us...

—I don't know —I doubt—. We just met and it's your birthday —I point to Melanie—. Having a stranger around...

—That's how we all started —she shrugs—. Also you're Tammy's friend, so you're fine. The more we are, the better. We all were strangers at some point.

—If it's fine for you.

Melanie nods right away, assuring everything is fine and I shouldn't be worrying. Soo talks again, trying to comfort me when she realizes I'm still not totally convinced.

—My brother is in a similar situation. He started going out with us not that long ago.

The difference is he is your brother. While I've just learnt today I'm close friends with Tammy. 

In one of those trips my eyes make all over the bar, I spot one customer waiting in the counter, resting both of his arms on the surface while he's looking around for either of us. Warning everyone that I'm going back to work, I start heading there. 

While I'm busy with the customer, I hear the door opening and closing almost instantly. And that only causes me to beg people stop coming.

It's late. They all should be going to sleep. I want to go back home and let the mattress absorb me. But doesn't seem like that's what Tammy wants me to do, when she waves at me again once the customer leaves.