Cherries and Coffee

Pilot

Chapter 1

I opened the door to my apartment and was immediately hit with the sounds of my roommate slamming his drums. Why'd my best friend have to be a music major? I placed of groceries on the counter and walked into the kitchen.

"Ray, I'm back!" I shouted as I started to unpack the bags.

Suddenly, the drumming stopped and I could hear his door open. He ran into the kitchen and I immediately tossed him one of the water bottles I had just bought.

"Thanks man." He says before taking a long swig.

"Did you get the-"

I cut him off by throwing a box of mac and cheese at him.

"Nice dude, you're the best." He says, catching the box before putting it off to the side of the table.

I continue throwing him boxes of cereal and other snacks which he proceeds to catch and put them in the pantry next to the counter.

"Got any plans for tonight?" He asks while I put the remaining water bottles in the fridge.

"I was just gonna stay in and finish that essay I have to write." I shrug, closing the fridge.

"Not anymore you're not." He says, sitting on one of the stools by the counter. "We're going out."

I couldn't help but groan. His form of "going out" is hitting up multiple different clubs while getting absolutely wasted and dancing- horribly- to the local bands that play there. Not my version of fun.

"I'll pass."

"Jason it's a Saturday night. What kind of friend would I be if I let you stay inside doing homework all night?"

"A good one?" I state as I put the grocery bags back in the cabinet and start walking towards the couch.

Ray turns in the chair and crosses his arms. "You can do homework tomorrow. Let's go out and have fun!" He whines.

"No." I state, pulling out my phone and start to mindlessly scroll through instagram.

"Please." He says, getting up from the chair and plopping down on the couch next to me.

"No." I repeat, eyes still drawn to my phone screen.

I feel him shift to face me on the couch and then I feel his finger jabbing into my shoulder.

"Please." He pokes me.

We continue this back and forth of him poking me and me continuously saying no until I get annoyed, which I hate to admit doesn't take long.

"Fine." I grunt as I push him away from me and stand up from the couch.

"We leave at eight!" I hear him shout as I close the door to my bedroom.

I look at my alarm clock and see the red numbers displaying 7:00. Looks like I won't be getting any work done tonight. I sigh and walk into the bathroom. I didn't look too bad. My curly hair was falling into my eyes, I had some stubble growing in, and my eyes were only a little red. I splash some water onto my face and shave the stubble away. I comb my hair and push my hair over my forehead, using a little product to keep it in place. Just as I'm about to brush my teeth I hear Ray knock on the door.

"Are you almost done? I need to shower."

I roll my eyes and wet the toothbrush. "Yeah give me a minute." I reply as I start to brush my teeth.

One minute and many door knocks later, I open the door to Ray's room and then exit into my own. Our flat had a pretty weird set up. Two bedrooms with one bathroom in the middle of them with a conjoined living room and kitchen. Still better than the school dorms though.

I enter my bedroom and look at the clock again. 7:15. I sigh and open my closet, looking through the two decent shirts I own and choose a blue button down with a pair of khaki colored shorts. I slide on my gray vans, spray on some cologne, and wait for Ray in the living room. Pretty basic outfit, I'm aware but I hate shopping and really don't feel like trying tonight. I have no one to impress.

30 minutes later Ray bursts out of his room wearing a pair of black jeans, red vans, and some t-shirt for a band I've never heard of before. He flips his hair over his forehead and swings his keys around his finger. "Ready?"

I nod and we head out the door.

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15 minutes later we arrive at the first bar, McElroys. I've been here before, it's an average bar with a small dance floor and stage for when they have entertainment. We walk in and I'm greeted by the smell of vodka and sweat as we walk further into the venue. My eyes are drawn to Ray's friend Ryan frantically waving us over with his other friend Zach covering his face in embarrassment. I couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

"Hey man." Ryan says, patting Ray on the back as we get closer to them. "Just ordered us a round, Jason you joining us?" He asks.

I shake my head. "No, someone's gotta be the designated driver."

"That's what Uber's for my friend." Ryan says as the bartender delivers the shots.

I was never really a heavy drinker, guess I could never get into it. Don't get me wrong, I partied and drank a little here and there in high school, but I never enjoyed the feeling of being drunk. Now I really only drink on holidays.

"On the count of three." I hear Ryan say as the three get ready to take the shot.

"1"

"2"

"3!"

I hear them all say the last number in sync and they quickly down the liquid. I watch as they slam their glasses back down on the table and Zack shakes his head.

"Let's get lit!

An hour into the night and I'm sitting at the bar drinking a coke watching my friends humiliate themselves on the dance floor. I laugh as Ryan gets rejected by the third girl. Zack's trying to start a mosh pit- let me emphasize trying- and Ray's making out with some random chick. I take a sip of my coke as someone walks on the stage. Two guys walk onto the stage and start setting up a few amps and microphone stands. One of the bar employees starts plugging everything into the sound system and that's when I spot her.

She walked on the stage carrying a guitar and flipping her long black hair over her shoulder. Suddenly, this night didn't seem so bad.

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Thank you so much for reading. Chapter 2 should be out shortly.

Don't forget to vote!

xx