SCARLETT WATCHED CALEB and the rest of his band set up for their show which would start in approximately ten minutes. She didn't have the chance to answer because the rest of his friends came over, telling him it was time. She felt relieved. Relieved because as much as she knew that she didn't have to tell him anything, she knew she would because, for some reason unknown to her, she felt comfortable with him.
The question he'd asked had come as a surprise and it made Scarlett recall one of her worst memories.
Gina was having another one of her heartbreak episodes as she realized her boyfriend, John, had left her home with all his belongings in tow.
The room they shared was disorganized and looked like a tornado had passed through it. John was in a rush.
"Scarlett!" The woman yelled as she reached for her favorite bottle of bourbon. "Get down here right now!"
Scarlett had been home for the last hour or so since her school ended around two in the afternoon. She was already aware of what was happening.
"Yeah, mom?"
"John left baby." Tears began to stream from the woman's face. "He left me and he's never coming back." Sixteen-year-old Scarlett immediately got on the couch with her mom and wrapped her arms around her.
"I'm sorry mom." What else could she say?
Scarlett felt as though in the last six years, she had used up every half-hearted apology and sympathetic response that she had in her.She had run out of things to tell her mother. "I'm so sorry." Was followed by violent sobs and chugs of bourbon. Gina was dealing with her pain the only way she could.
Gina needed help with her consumption. Her daughter had tried multiple times to get her off of it and it had worked fine when she was happy.
She'd replace the bourbon with juice and it wouldn't be a hassle because she had a distraction. Love was her distraction.
But every time it would end, she was right back to staring at the bottom of a bottle. Scarlett was sad to say, but she had given up. She couldn't help her mom if she didn't want to be helped and she wasn't old enough to force her into rehab.
"Why do they always leave me, baby?" Her words were punctuated by the salty tears coating her cheeks.
"Good evening people of Rick's Bar! How are y'all doin' tonight?" The guy standing behind the main microphone said with a big smile, his guitar hanging from his shoulder. Cheers and claps were heard from the surprisingly large crowd. It was around 10:30 p.m."We are Four Roses!"
Another slew of cheers and screams erupted from the crowd which surprisingly made Scarlett smile. It was clear they were well loved so she was ready to see if they were any good. As she scanned her eyes over the boys, she was met with Caleb looking straight at her.
He looked good up there. In his element and when he smirked and winked at her, she couldn't help but blush.
This should be good.
They went on to play five of their most popular songs which everyone ate up. Scarlett was happy to say that they were amazing. Their sound was unique and Nate, who was the lead singer, had a great voice. But what she didn't expect, was for Caleb to sing.
"What's up guys," he smiles as his lips grace the microphone "as you know, I'm Caleb." The crowd, especially the girls, cheered passionately. "I'm going to end our set tonight with a cover of one of my favorite songs."
The sound of prerecorded piano keys begin to play and when the saxophone started to sound, Scarlett knew what song he was about to sing. It was a song she listened to regularly and loved a lot. In terms of bands, The 1975 was her favorite.
"And irony's okay, I suppose. Culture is to blame. You try and mask your pain in the most postmodern way."
Scarlett was quite shocked to hear how butter-smooth Caleb's voice was. It was like he was meant to sing the song.
And maybe this was in her head, or because he was looking directly at her when he sang but she felt like he was singing to her.
"I'm sure that you're not just another girl."
He looked away, closed his eyes and sang into his mic.
"Why can't we be friends, when we are lovers? 'Cause it always ends with us hating each other."
It seemed to be almost immediate that the song had come to and end and Scarlett couldn't believe how engrossed in it she was.
People clapped, they wooed, they cheered as loudly as they could.
The band was popular for a reason.
"Shots!" One of Caleb's bandmates had come to the bar and the rest followed. They were all smiles, the rush of performing was evident with their behavior.
"Of?"
"What are we drinking boys?" Caleb's bandmate turned to ask and they settled on tequila. "Take a shot with us," the guy she'd come to know as George looked at her waiting for her name.
"Scarlett," but Caleb gave it instead. Scarlett smiled.
"I don't drink." She responds as she poured them a few shots and when they went to pay, she let them know that it was on the house per request from Rick.
"I like you," the other band mate Jack said. "You're cool, Scarlett. Boys, pool!" A few moments later, Caleb was the only one left while Scarlett stood with the bartop separating them.
"What did we think?" Caleb asked genuinely curious.
With a grin, she looked at the golden-haired boy. "You're no Matty but you did your thing up there. You're really talented."
He laughed as he placed his hands together and bowed his head slightly. "The compliment of all compliments. Thanks love."
Ignoring how that, 'love' made her feel, she chuckled and asked him about the history of Four Roses. "So when did you guys start the band?"
"Um, well we've had this band since we were thirteen," he chuckled. "But we didn't take it seriously until we were out of high school and we got a record deal with an indie label after a show we played at some run-down club."
"Wow."
"Yeah." He chuckled. "It was crazy how quickly everything happened. I was set to go off to university but I couldn't just ignore my dream when it was right there for the taking."
"I don't blame you," Scarlett replies while wiping the spilt alcohol on the bar top. "You guys were clearly meant to play together."
"And I wouldn't want it to be any other way."
"I bet." Caleb's lips curl up; he was enjoying his talk with Scarlett and he couldn't help but look at her she was so beautiful to him. "What?" She asks upon noticing him stare. She could feel the heat rush to her cheeks, blood staining them- making it known she felt nervous with his stare. But luckily, the lighting was kind and hid that from him.
With a nod, he bites his bottom lip softly. "Nothing."
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Scarlett left from behind the bar and headed to the back to let Rick know she was heading home. She had finished counting how much money she made in tips and it came up to a total of, $319 dollars. A good night, Scarlett grinned.
Finally making it into Ricks' office, she let him know she had done all she needed to and to her surprise, he handed her paycheck and wished her a good night.
As she walked out, she saw a few stragglers around the bar. People who were too drunk to drive and were waiting for cabs. Among those people was a certain bass player with perfect hair. "You're still here." She spoke surprised. She thought he'd left a while ago.
"Had to walk George out and wait for his girlfriend to come and get him," he said, remembering what a drunk mess his friend was. "And I thought we could finish up our conversation from earlier."
Hesitantly Scarlett nodded and they both walked out and were hit with the seaside air and a cool breeze that made their hair dance.
They walked silently for a few minutes with no set direction. Both of them basking in the peace that surrounded them.
"How'd you end up working in a bar?" He asked breaking the silence.
"Funny story actually. So, I was out with my best friend Jen and her cousin since they needed a designated driver to take them home after. We were supposed to go to a club but it turned out the bouncer Jen was dating gave her the wrong date and wasn't there to let us in and we ended up at Rick's. He had fired someone for stealing and I overheard. Asked for the job and got it." It was a bit quiet between them. "I guess it isn't that funny." She said, realizing that it didn't sound all that interesting when spoken aloud. A few seconds of deafening silence and Caleb asked the question he wanted an answer to.
"Who scarred you from love?" She stopped and faced him. His hazel eyes were glowing under the moonlight.
"My mother." She took a seat on the curb and he followed her actions.
"Your mom?"
She nodded.
"My dad left us when I was seven to be with his girlfriend who he had gotten pregnant. I obviously didn't know all of that then. All I knew was that daddy didn't love mommy anymore and he left. I guess he didn't love me anymore either, but that's not the point.
"My mom mourned his absence for three years and then she met her first boyfriend after her divorce, Patrick. Patrick was this rich guy with a trust fund and words sweeter than honey.
"He and my mom dated for a few weeks at first, and when she found out he was cheating, she tried ending things with him but he didn't want to let her go. He sweet-talked the hell out of her until she forgave him and took him back.
"That lasted another month or so before I found my mom heartbroken on the couch. That was only the beginning.
"By the time I was a sophomore in high school, my mom had experienced more heartbreak than I ever thought possible. She became an alcoholic because that was the first thing she craved. As her heart shattered, her throat burned from liquor.
"She landed herself in the hospital my junior year and then died of alcohol poisoning."
"I'm so sorry," Caleb said sympathetically.
"It's fine. I'm a lot better now." Scarlett lied.
"So her death is why you're scared of love?"
"Partly. I watched my mom go from a vibrant young woman to this over-aged, stressed, hurt person. She placed herself in relationships because she felt that's where her identity lied. I watched and decided I would never, could never.
"Mostly because my mother and I were the same. And I'm afraid that if I make myself vulnerable for some guy, he will have the power to break me. So rather than give anyone the opportunity to hurt me, I keep my distance."
Caleb sat silently as he listened to the story of the beautiful girl with hair the color of the night sky. Of course she wouldn't want to be open to love; she wasn't showed what real love is.
Absentmindedly, he reached over and placed his hand over hers and she flinched away."Sorry." He said immediately.
She laughed it off, "Don't apologize. I'm very much damaged, I know."
"Have you tried?"
"To what? Get in a relationship?" She scoffed. "Nope and I don't think I want to start now."
"Of course." He replied.
"What about you? You into the love thing?" Something about the way she said it made him laugh.
"The love thing? Yes, I guess you can say that. Haven't been in a relationship in seven months or so though."
"What happened? Did you get tired of her or what?" Scarlett joked.
"Um no, she cheated on me."
"Sorry..." Scarlett dragged out awkwardly. "I didn't-."
"You didn't know. It's alright. Yup, my ex cheated on me for a few months of our relationship and when I found out, she ended things which was a bit ironic but whatever."
"What a bitch," Scarlett remarks as her fully tattooed left arm raises up so she can run her hand through her hair. Caleb nodded with a small smile.
"Just means she wasn't the one for me."
Those words made Scarlett's eyes widen, "Like what, your soulmate? Please don't tell me you believe in soulmates."
"Couldn't."
"Isn't that so much pressure? Like," she visibly shuddered. "I could never. I'm perfectly content with the casuality of sex with whomever I want."
"That could change," Caleb said as he looked up at the sky.
"Doubt it," Scarlett responded. "I'm selfish with my feelings. I don't want to get hurt. So I don't put myself in situations to get hurt."
Caleb nods. He understood where she stood and why, he didn't want to push so instead, he asked about her tattoos and they talked about that for a while. For Scarlett, she was just enjoying talking to someone who was a great listener. Caleb just wanted to bring up anything so they wouldn't have to stop but, unfortunately for him, Scarlett suddenly began to yawn.
About 15 minutes later, the Scarlett got up and dusted off her light-washed jeans. "Time to go," she extended her hand over to the boy with sun for hair and he gladly held on to her to stand up as well.
He walked her home and on the way, they talked about music. Scarlett liked that she could talk to him without it being a task. She could say that she genuinely enjoyed his company.
Caleb on the other hand was thinking about how much he'd like to kiss the girl he walked side by side with. When she spoke about things she liked, her face visibly brightened and it was like he got lost in her.
It was almost like they'd known each other for a while with the level of comfortability they shared.
Caleb couldn't get enough, so when they got to where she lived he internally sighed. And he was disappointed.
"This is me," she spoke with a light smile. She couldn't wait to get in and soak in the tub. She would miss Caleb. He really made her laugh and he listened but there was no way they'd see each other again. So she thought.
"So it seems." The reluctance in his voice was clear, but not to Scarlett.
"Thank you for walking me home Caleb. That was very sweet of you." She said, and for about fifteen seconds the pair just looked at each other. Both thinking opposite things but both completely entranced with each other.
With smiles on their faces, the two of them didn't realize it, but they changed. Something about each of them was different. Better.
"Ok..." Scarlett says as she puts her key into the door. "Bye," and as she twists the knob, his voice stops her. When she turns to face him, his eyes were on his watch. "Yes?"
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH, 2019 | 12:01 A.M.
_________
When she turns to face him, his eyes were on his watch. "What's up?" He looks to her.
"Let me make you dinner today," He cut in, his voice slightly shaky because he knew it was a risk.
She scoffed, "Caleb, I'm not loo-"
"I didn't say that. Dinner, as new friends. That's it." He interrupted her rejection.
She hesitated as she thought it over. She liked him as a person, but she didn't want anything to ruin that. "Just friends?"
He raised his hands in surrender, " I swear, just friends."
He smiled almost as if she couldn't get any more perfect but he knew behind the wall of deep rooted trauma, perfection was all she could ever be. At least to him.
"Ok."