one shots

shorty swing my way [29]

november 1999
friday
6:54 pm

I stepped into the café, bundled up in a heavy jacket with a scarf around my neck. A live band played music that was smooth but groovy. It was open mic night, and I was set to meet Ashley here to hangout and watch the local talent. I spotted her at our usual table, looking towards the stage that was set in the center of the entire café as I approached.

"Hey!" she beamed as soon as she caught sight of me. She stood as I began taking off my jacket. "Hey," I greeted before we brought each other in for a hug.

"How's your week been?" she asked as I put my jacket and purse on the back of the tall chair before sitting down.
"Pretty good," I nodded with a sigh as she sat back down as well.
"That's good. Did you ever figure out what was going on with your bank accounts?" she inquired.
"Yeah, problem solved," I smiled.
"That's great," she nodded before a waitress approached with two mugs.

"Uh, I'm sorry. We didn't order these," Ashley shook her head with slightly furrowed eyebrows.
"They're compliments of the gentleman sitting over there," she nodded toward the array of booths that were lined against the wall that I was facing.

Instantly, I spotted DeAndré wearing a smirk on his face. I instantly rolled my eyes as Ashley turned around to see who the waitress was referring to. When she faced me once more, her jaw was dropped before the corners of her lips were turning up into a smile.

"Look who it is," she teased me in a sing-songy tone before grabbing the disposable coffee stirrers that every table came with and stirring the hot chocolate in her mug.
"Girl, he must really want you, if he's buying hot cocoa. You ain't even said more than two words to him," she smirked.
I simply shrugged before grabbing a stirrer as well.
"I think you should go over there," she nodded.

"Uh, no," I immediately shut down the thought.
"Why not? At least thank him for the hot cocoa," she folded her arms.
"I came here to hang with my friend, not find a man," I shook my head.
"Well, what if we did both, at the same time?" she insisted.
"What do you mean?" my eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Follow my lead," she smirked before standing up.
"What in the hell are you doing?" my eyes widened as she grabbed her coat and purse from the back of her chair along with her mug of hot chocolate.

"I'm not going over there, Ash. I'm letting you know right now," I was stern with my words.
"For someone who called dibs, you sure aren't acting like it," she tilted her head.
"Because I already told you, the first time. . . I'm not interested," I said.
"We'll see about that," she smirked before making her way over toward DeAndré.

I simply shook my head as a person got on the microphone and announced the start of open mic night.

"Welcome to The Factory's Open Mic Night. How y'all doin'?" Xavier, a guy who was usually waiting tables or at the cash register when I came in, spoke into a microphone.
Everyone began cheering and soon, the first act was brought on.

I sipped on my hot chocolate, briefly glancing over at the booth that was occupied by Ashley and DeAndré. She was talking, and he eventually laughed. It wasn't one of those half-ass chuckles either. It was a genuine laugh that came from the gut. He said something in response, his smile stuck onto his face as he pointed at her. She then nodded her head in my direction before catching my gaze. Knowing that D's eyes would soon follow, I quickly glanced back at the stage.

There was a girl singing a song she wrote, playing guitar with her eyes closed. After a moment, I took another sip of my hot cocoa before looking up to find both Ashley and D staring at me. Ashley smiled and motioned me over, mouthing a silent "come on!"