Dress

My One and Only

"Don't even think about. Let's go, we're done." Bryan spoke with a sharpness and while Q wanted to tell his friend to fuck of, he knew he was right.

"Whaaat?!" Brian asked shrugging it off. "It's just a drink dude. Come on, just let me live," Brian said chugging down the rest of his beer.

Standing to his feet, Bryan took out his wallet and threw some cash down on the table. "Let's go," he repeated, heading towards the door.

"Alright, Alright.. always bustin my balls man," Brian shoved his hands in his pockets and mumbled under his breathe following behind his friend.
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The sweet aroma of vanilla and patchouli danced under her nose as she stood out front,  looking through the window of a small little building off the main drag of Duval Street, named "Atmos Inspire." A band was currently playing a beautiful acoustic version of Madonna's "Like a Prayer" and she instantly smiled.  Maren was 9 when she and her mother would dance around the living room to this song.

Excited to see what was awaiting her inside, she walked through the front door to a beautiful, cozy looking lounge.  String lights were dangling from the ceiling, providing a beautiful glowy atmosphere. It was very reminiscent of her favorite spot in the city, Haven. "Wow, really can't seem to get away from New York either apparently" she smiled to herself.

Settled in to a beautiful plush maroon armchair, Maren ordered a specialty cocktail and relaxed as she glanced around the room. On the small end table next to her, she noticed the lounge was hiring for a Social Media/Marketing /PR consultant. Intrigued, she went to grab for the placard but was interrupted by the waitress bringing her cocktail.  Maren noticed someone  was about to take the stage. He was a tall guy probably in his 20s with long blonde hair. He was very much the surfer type, so the poetry he read aloud came as a slight surprise. Maren always loved people telling their stories. She found incredible inspiration in knowing she wasn't alone in the world, that there were other feeling the same way she does sometimes. That everyone is just trying their best. It wasn't long before Maren found herself headed towards the stage, speaking with the pink  player off towards the side. 'Poetic' she thought as she waited her turn, 'That first night Brian heard me sing. I guess this is kinda like my goodbye
Once the clapping ended for the small, timid brunette who just finished reading a poem, Maren took the stage and adjusted the microphone stand.

"Hi, I'm Maren," her voice cracked as she began to sing...

Little voices in my head
Secret keeping, stop the bleeding
Lost a little weight because I wasn't eating
All the songs that I can't listen to, to tell the truth
Loving you was young, and wild, and free
Loving you was cool, and hot, and sweet
Loving you was sunshine, safe and sound
A good place to let down my defenses
But loving you had consequences

Hesitation, awkward conversation
Running on low expectation
Every siren that I was ignoring
I'm payin' for it

ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Loving you was dumb, dark and cheap
Loving you will still take shots at me
Found loving you was sunshine, but then it poured
And I lost so much more than my senses
'Cause loving you had consequences

There wasn't much of a crowd since it was the middle of the week, but the sound of whistles and clapping for her performance made her blush. For the first time in a while, she felt some relief.  Heading to the Keys might just have been the best thing Maren has done for herself in a while.

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"What was the point of you bringing me down here if you aren't gonna let me try to forget about the bullshit? I don't need you busting my balls either. Let me fucking be the 'Q' playboy everyone thinks I am?" Brian stewed in silence for a little while before his pent up frustrations boiled over. He became slightly animated, shrugging his arms in annoyance.