chapter two

I woke up with the realisation that it was a Tuesday and I had a crappy job with a grumpy boss. That meant me getting up from bed and facing today’s challenge with a smile on my face and stepping into the real world.

Okay ,that was deep .

‘’ ughh!!!!! I hate weekdays’’ I said to myself and got up from the soft bed where I could stay for eternity and went to take a shower . After showering, I got ready and went to face the real challenge with a chocolate donut in my hand .

Seriously, I could face any problem if I had chocolate donuts . Remind me to thank the person who discovered donuts whenever I go to heaven. 

I entered the cafe’ and started my job .Midway through ,I saw Andrew entering the cafe’ .

‘’To what do I owe the pleasure?’’ I asked Andrew when he reached the counter.

‘’I need a favour from you"

‘’Whatever you wish ,my lord!!’’ I said and did a curtsy , or tried to do it.

‘’Okay, I need two favours now. First, do not ever-like ever and I mean it-do the curtsy without seeing pride and prejudice first ,since you are so not good at it . Second, I need you to do a gig tomorrow since it is my birthday and my friends and I like your music a lot -do not worry about dad. I have told him that you will be on leave that day and will be doing a gig in a bar I have already booked and you will be paid. Of course , of course’’

‘’Hey, I know it's your birthday on Thursday , so, of course, I will do the gig ,but you will not pay me. Consider it my gift to you and that's final-NO BUTS’’

He gave me his full on famous Andrew smile and hugged me .

‘’So where am I doing?’’ I asked him the location so I could drive myself on time.

‘’ The DINER. I have reserved it all ,so it's an open party. Invite anyone ‘’

‘Great , I will be there . So regular for you?’ 

‘’You know me so well ,but add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to my caramel frappuccino along with-’’ 

‘’ a drizzle of chocolate syrup’’ we both said at the same time and I gave him a double thumbs up along with a wink and prepared his order.

*-*

‘’Thanks for your order, have a nice day’’ I said to the sweet girl and asked for the next customer.

‘’Hey , what can I get you mam?’’ I asked a girl with red hair in a messy braid and blue eyes who gave me mermaid vibes.

‘’Mango smoothie with ice cream and black coffee’’

‘’sure - is that Harry Williams?’’I asked as I saw someone looking like Harry with the same broad shoulders and curly hair .

‘’ keep it down , will you? I will get you an autograph later ,if you make it gave double scoop ice cream’’ she gives me a wink ,so I played along by giving her a double thumbs up.

‘’What a coincidence, right Claire?’ ’Harry asked after coming to the counter.

‘’Well, it hardly counts as a coincidence ,if you know where I work’’ I said .

‘’Wait- you two know each other?’’ the mermaid girl asks with eyes as wide as sausages.

‘’ well, I met her a few days back. Remember the girl I posted in my story singing a song , meet her, Claire‘’ he gestures towards me ,to which I do a curtsy.

‘’Okay , let's rewind to where I went , I want to make a good impression……. Hey, I am Rose , Harry’s manager and best friend. Pleasure to meet you’’ the girl , now Rose , said with a welcoming smile.

‘

​​​​​’Pleasure is all mine, so would you like anything else, Rose?’’I asked her.

‘’No thank you, I am leaving with my order. Harry will keep you company while he waits for his order. ‘’ she said.

I gave her her mango smoothie with a double scoop of ice cream and bid her adieu and prepared Harry’s black coffee .

‘’Here you go harry , need anything else?’’ I asked Harry, giving him his cup.

‘’Thank you, by the way , do you have any plans for tomorrow?’’

‘’Yes , I am doing a gig for Andrew’s birthday. Why?’’

‘’Ohh, I was looking for someone to show me around since I have been back after so long and wanted to explore’’

‘’Oh , I can do that some other time for you , if you want?’’

‘’Thanks , also ,Who is Andrew?’’

‘’He is my friend and the son of the owner ‘’

‘’Can you get me an invite for your gig?’’

‘’No need , it will be in THE DINER nearby and it's open to anyone, so you won’t need any invites’’ 

‘’Well , then see you tomorrow, goodbye , have a great night’’

‘’Goodbye, you too"

After saying goodbye , I got back to my work and finished my shift as fast as I could so I could practice for tomorrow's gig. On that note, I need to decide on an outfit with Justin's help. I finish my shift and leave for home ,sweet home tired and ready to drift into sleep.

*-*

I woke up the next morning with the anticipation of performing in a bar full of jolly people vibing to my music and new opportunities. Since I have no shift today, had I decided on a slow bath and asked Justin to take some croissants while I make myself some good old coffee.

Justin came after I got ready and we ate breakfast. After breakfast, Justin opened my wardrobe and we started deciding on a pretty-badass-but-not-so-bold-badass outfit. It took us longer than I imagined because Justin wanted boldness and I wanted baddie vibes or popstar kinda vibes.

"No justin, I will not wear this gold dress" I said, referring to the golden dress which could barely cover my body enough . It had these huge slits right below the upper portion and was up to my butt. You could totally see my butt if I bent forward.

"What do you mean no?" 

"I mean no ,NO , you know the word that means refusal?"

"I know what no means but why are you refusing this dress?"

"because it's bold and showing too much, DUH!!!"

"Then why did you buy it first?"

"I didn't buy it ,arsehole , did you , last new year, ring any bells?" 

"Even if I did , you could have refused to keep it or burn it if you didn't want to wear it anytime soon."

"Well, I did refuse it when you gave it at first, but then you snatched it and kept it in my closet, giving me a glare . Also, who said I didn't try burning it ? I tried but you came and destroyed my hard work by making me promise not to kill your so hard-called precious dress."

he gasped dramatically, with his hand on his chest.

"there there" I pated on his back .

"So ,what do you want to wear then?"

"I could always wear my black ripped jeans and leather jacket with black combat boots ?"I ripped him a shrug.

"Why didn't you say it earlier? You just wasted my time. "

"Are you sure I didn't say it the moment we opened the closet while you were so consumed with the dress?"

"Okay, sorry , then what are you waiting for ? Get dressed?"

"Okay, jackass"

I took my clothes and changed into one and did a twirl for Justin.

"Add some black nail paint and leave your hair open curled "curled, Justin said with his finger grazing his chin .

He totally could be a fashion designer in a parallel universe. That boy knew more about fashion than me.

I did my hair and put on the nail paint as Justin said .

"What do you think ?" I asked him once I did a recheck after being fully ready.

"Kick it, baby"

We both chuckled at that . 

"Too bad , I can't see you kicking it though," he made a sad face .

"You could always come and be my plus one?" 

"I can?"

"Of course , if you don't want to be my plus one ,you could still come. It's open to anyone."

"And miss all the fun backstage?"

"There is no backstage ,idiot. "

"Really, damn there should be one. "

"So, you coming or not?" I asked him, picking my guitar up, and we both sat in my car and I drove to THE DINER.

*-*

"

Woah, they all really love you Claire", Justin says ,raising his brows at me.

The moment we entered the bar it was already half full and the party hadn't even started yet . When I opened the door , some people smiled at me like I was a celebrity or something, which is strange in a good way. Now that I am thinking, they are about some of the people who always attend my gig in the café. Some are my evergreen customers . 

"is there something on my face ?" I asked Justin. 

"Apart from some eyeshadow and lipgloss, not really"

"Well, let's wish Andrew a birthday first, then arrange the instruments ."

"Lead the way."

We both went on a search patrol for the birthday boy and we finally found him talking to some people holding something. 

"wait, ARE THOS DRUMS?" I ask as I see a guy holding asked a drum.

"Hey Claire, yes I invited them , they will be giving you background music for the party", Andrew said .

"Really.., hey I am Claire ,I will be singing , pleasure to meet you". I introduced myself to the guys.

They all said their hies and hellos and went to arrange their instruments on the stage.

"So sorry Andrew .. I forgot Happy BIRTHDAY !!!! "I and Justin wished him .

"Thanks guys"

"Well, I will be taking the stage now , this is Andrew , Justin. Justin met Andrew, my friend. " I introduced them and before going , I whispered in Andrew Andrew's ear and ,"don't let him drink vodka, he gets really tipsy way too fast "Andrew I got a thumbs-up from andrew.

I went to the stage and got my guitar and started singing some songs full of start and rock . I see many people dancing ,even Justin Andrew doing some really bad dance moves along with Andrew. I searched for Harry but I cannot locate him from here.

*-*

After 4 songs , when I am on my last song. I see Harry vibing in the corner , nodding his head to the music . 

Our eyes met for a second and he had this huge smile which was mirroring my own. I finished my song with a bang .

"Thats it for tonight everybody and HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW" I shout and everybody starts wishing him birthday.

I got off stage and went to Harry .

"So, what do you think?" I asked him with a smirk on my face.

"That was really good. No wonder the bar was filled when I got there."

"Thanks "

I said and saw Justin coming to me . He probably did not see Harry since he says,"Hey Claire , where is Mr Hotpants? ,did he stand you up said Since I can not see him, don't worry. I am here for you. I will be your light. " 

I muttered some profanities and many colourful words under my breath and hit Justin on the head and said," He is standing beside me ,idiot." 

"No, he isn't , I have- he turns when I push him to face harry.

"Oh hii, I,umm, I was just telling Claire that she was totally on fire tonight. Do you think so. Look I mean she looks so hot tonight ,don’t you just want to kick it ,huh? Looking at her , I could totally do it Claire if I were straight, don't you think so, that Claire is a hot woman?"

I swear to god , Justin has lost his fucking mind. That idiot has no idea what he is muttering under his breath and does not stop his rambling even after me clearing my throat too many times , even harry is blushing. 

God, why me?

"Justin, you need to pee, ASAP" I said .

"What, no ?"

"You seriously want to , trust me?"

"how can you know? You don't have a bladder, so you cannot know when I need to pee?"

"Just a minute " I said to Harry and pushed Justin to the bathroom with a glare to keep his mouth shut. For now . 

*-*