Chapter 55
Juliana
I hear a squealing laugh and I know Tatyana is having fun. I look over at her and see she’s trying out some ridiculous new dance moves. Everyone around her is loving it. She dances to the music but at the same time, dances to her own beat. She spins around and finds me in the crowd, she dances her way over to me and bounces around me. I laugh and let loose with her. Dancing off-beat, singing along to the songs we know, and making up lyrics to other songs. After a break in music, we step back and head to the bathroom together.
“It’s getting late, should we start to head back to the apartment?” I ask while we wash our hands side by side. We’ve been here longer than the other night and I’m certainly getting tired but Tatyana seems to have gotten her second wind.
“It’s only 1:20 in the morning,” Tatyana says checking her watch. “Actually, there is a bar down the street that I want to check out.” I throw away my towel after drying my hands and fix my hair in the mirror.
“Sure, I think I’ve still got a little energy left in me.” I laugh and Tatyana gives a cheer. She’s been such a great support, I can muster the energy for another adventure.
“One last song?”
“Of course!” I hear Waterfalls begin to play and I give her a look. “TLC? This is perfect.” Tatyana laughs but nods, agreeing.
The door to the bathroom opens and a group of girls make their way in as we head out, they seem younger and make a comment about how “lame” this song is. Okay, the song might not be from my generation either but it’s still an amazing song. We make our way back onto the dance floor and dance our hearts out.
After the song finishes we say goodbye to the people we were dancing with and then exit the club. “Which way is this bar?”
“I think it’s that way,” she points down the street, I give her a look. “What? I’m not good with directions.” I gesture for her to lead the way. She loops her arm through mine and tugs me along.
“We better not get lost.”
“Relax, it’s on this street. I know that.” She pauses and looks around, squinting in the dark. “Well, maybe. I think.”
“T!” I give her arm a shake and she laughs.
“Look, it’s right here.”
“Oh, my gosh. I know this place,” I tell her, a smile growing on my face. She raises her eyebrows and I nod, excitedly. “Kurt took me here once. I always wanted to go again. His buddy Benny owns the place!”
I must sound too excited because Tatyana laughs happily. We make our way to the front entrance and she holds the door open for me. “My dear,” she says laughing.
“Thank you, kind sir,” I giggle in return.
“Welcome in!” A voice calls from behind the bar. And when we walk further into place, I spot Benny pouring drinks. There aren’t too many people in here, just like the night Kurt and I came but it’s a pretty good crowd for how late it is.
“Hey! Juliana!” Benny greets me when he looks up, finishing the drinks in front of him. “How have you been?”
“Hi, Benny! Craving those delicious chicken strips and fries,” I tell him, my mouth practically salivating thinking about them.
Benny chuckles. “Coming right up! Anything for your lovely friend?”
“Tatyana,” I say as an introduction.
“Hiiii.” Tatyana grins at him. “I heard about this place from some of my friends. I thought I was dragging Juli here when I told her about it but as soon as she saw the place she practically sprinted.” Tatyana teases me and I roll my eyes.
“Well, I’m glad somebody loves the place,” one of the patrons at the counter says gruffly. Benny chuckles.
“Just for that, I’m cutting you off,” Benny teases.
“Hey, I was just joking,” the man retorts with a humorous laugh. Benny shakes his head, chuckling.
“So, chicken strip basket for you and…?” Benny asks Tatyana.
“Two of those sounds good. And whatever you have on tap works for me.”
“Alright, let me pour your drinks and I’ll be right back with the food.” Benny turns back to the bar, grabbing our drinks. He places an ale in front of Tatyana and a Dr. Pepper in front of me. I’m impressed that he remembered. We thank him before he disappears into the kitchen.
I look around the bar, falling silent. The last time I was here was after a very long, chaotic but also great day. The party at Kurt’s place had been insane but it also brought us closer together.
“Hey, what’s going on in your head?” Tatyana asks after a few minutes of silence. She sips on her drink, slowing down for the evening and staring at me over the rim.
“Yeah,” I say but she narrows her eyes at me and I sigh. “It’s just that the last time I was here, I was with Kurt. It was right after that disastrous party but then we had so much fun here and when we got back home… remember I texted you that night?” I ask with an embarrassed chuckle.
“OMG, yes! That was the night you two made out!” Tatyana practically cheers and I have to shush her even though I’m giggling a bit.
“Yes, yes it was. And it was amazing,” I say, just for fun. “But it was also the night when he first admitted that he liked me, like really liked me.”
I sigh and shake my head. Tatyana lets me remain silent for a few seconds before she reaches over and squeezes my hand.
“You okay?”
“I’m getting there, I guess,” I say with a shrug.
Before we can say anything else, Benny comes back with two steaming baskets and slides them in front of us.
“Boom! Heaven in a basket.” His antics cheer me up and I laugh. Tatyana’s mouth hangs open as she stares at the deliciousness in front of her.
“This looks amazing,” is all she says before her mouth is full with steaming hot chicken. She chews with her mouth open, blowing the steam out as she chews. My eyes widen, impressed and a little scared.
“Wow,” Benny chuckles before turning his attention to me. “So how are you doing? How’s Kurt? I had expected to see you again but I figured Kurt would be with you,” Benny comments and I shove a fry into my mouth to give myself time to think of something to say.
When I swallow, Benny is still looking at me for a response. “I’m alright. We’re alright. We’ve both been pretty busy.” It’s a lame excuse and even worse response but Benny just nods his head.
“I get it,” he says. He stops and chuckles, looking around the bar. “Okay, well no, I can’t say that I get it. But I understand. Man, Kurt was having the time of his life with you here last time. He was practically glowing with you by his side. I almost vomited every time he looked at you or snuck kisses.” Benny pretends to gag and I blush but try to laugh to cover it up.
“Hey, it wasn’t that bad,” I protest, thinking back on that night. I don’t remember anything too showy. Kurt did act more into me that night and I loved it but it wasn’t overly affectionate.
Benny holds up his hands in surrender. “Not that there”s anything wrong with a little PDA but damn, that man is in love with you. I’ve been around for a bit and he’s had a couple of girlfriends, but you sweetie, you take the cake. I guess that’s why he made you his fiancée, huh?” Benny chuckles, grabbing a rag to wipe down the counter.
I sit, stunned by his comments. “I-I guess so,” I stutter, not wanting to leave the conversation with awkward silence.
“Good thing too, because it looks like you love him too,” Benny says, giving me a soft smile, a happy smile. The man from earlier waves at Benny from down the bar so Benny excuses himself, walking away from.
“Well that was interesting,” Tatyana comments and I jump a little, having completely forgotten that she was there.
“What are you talking about?” I ask, nonchalantly as I dig into my chicken basket.
“Oh nothing, just that everyone else can see that you two are in love with each other,” Tatyana hums before shoving another fry into her mouth.
“Does it really matter at this point?” I ask with a sigh, swirling a chicken around in a little cup of ranch.
Tatyana narrows her eyes at me. I know she wants to point out that I didn’t deny being in love but instead, she chomps down on some chicken.
“Tonight is about us girls,” she says eventually and I nod.
“To us, and our chicken!” I cheers her, tapping my chicken against hers.
“Don’t forget the fries,” Tatyana holds up a fry so I grab one too and we ‘cheers’ again.
We chat aimlessly while we eat and once we are done, Benny comes back over to us, collecting our empty baskets.
“Refills?” Benny asks and I can see Tatyana considering it, I laugh and shake my head.
“No, thank you. And thank you for the delicious chicken strips but I think it’s time we headed home.” I smile at him and he nods, his lips quirked up at the edges.
“Do you two need a ride?” He asks, looking around the bar.
“We should be fine. I’ll request a car.” I pull up a ride-share app on my phone and put in the request. “Five minute away,” I say, holding up the phone so Benny can see. He peers at my phone then nods his head approvingly.
“Here, drink some water while you wait.” Benny puts two glasses of water on the counter in front of us. I thank him and chug half of the water and gesture for Tatyana to do the same.
While we wait, Benny goes off to help other customers. The bar only has a few other patrons but they still require his attention. I twist in my stool, facing Tatyana. She finishes her water and sets it on the counter.
“He’s nice,” she says and I agree. “He really went to Law School?” Tatyana sounds a bit shocked which makes me chuckle. I had a similar reaction when I found out.
“Right? And made millions creating video games,” I tell her and her eyes widen.
“Man of many talents,” Tatyana says appreciatively and I agree again.
“Oope, the car is here. Let’s get going.” Tatyana and I slide off of our seats and head toward the front door. “Bye Benny! Thanks for everything!” I call out as we pull open the big front door.
“See ya!” Benny waves from behind the bar.
The ride back home isn’t too long and before we know it, the car is stopped in front of our apartment. I thank the driver, leaving a 5-star review then drag myself and Tatyana out of the car.
It takes us a little while to get up the stairs but once we do, we both fall onto the couch.
“Coffee tomorrow? 9?” Tatyana looks over at me practically glaring at me. I laugh, “Yeah, you’re right. Noon or one?” She gives me thumbs up then shushes me and pulls a blanket over herself. I curl up into a ball and fall asleep quickly.