1. WES 6 years ago

1

WES 6 years ago

It's been a long week at work and I'm with my two best friends, one of whom happens to be my cousin, Jay, hanging out at a local Magnolia Point bar. There are a couple other watering holes in the area, but this place has a younger feel. Sometimes that feel is too young , given the students at Magnolia Point University like to come here, but since Jay and Maverick are younger than me, that's also likely why we usually end up here.

Every Thursday night there's karaoke, which is always good for a laugh. You'd never catch me on stage, but I like to poke fun at everyone that does get up there. Typically, they're drunk enough to think they can sing, or they're drunk enough not to care.

Tonight is a little different, though, as three new girls take the stage. They all appear rather young, so I have to assume they've just begun college here in Magnolia Point.This is the only establishment that allows underage students in with the understanding they're here to karaoke and they have to leave once the kitchen closes.

I normally brush the young ones aside, but something about this brown-haired girl captures me at first sight. She's full of life as she gets on stage with her friends, laughing and giggling, obviously having a great time with each other, not caring about the rest of us.

The beauty takes the mic and says, "I heard when you're the new girl in town you get hazed by being forced to sing karaoke. I'm not really sure who this will hurt worse though. I've just enrolled in the university here in Magnolia Point and I've found the greatest friends and I'm excited to be here in town. But I'm warning everybody I don't sing. I definitely don't sing well, but I'm down for a good time and I guess that's what we're here for tonight."

The three of us watch her intently, and then Jay elbows me. "She looks like your type, Wes. Down for a good time and can't sing. This might be a match made in heaven."

"Did you not hear her?" I ask as I roll my eyes. "She also said she's new to town and new to the college, which probably makes her eighteen years old."

"What's wrong with that? It's not like you could be her dad or anything," Maverick jokes.

I lean forward pinning them both with a dirty look as I ask, "Don't you remember?"

"What?" Maverick responds.

"Don't you remember Jay's heartbreak? His high school sweetheart dumped him publicly after realizing he wasn't going to be her meal ticket out of here. That's what all teenagers are looking for. I'll pass on dealing with that shit."

Like my younger cousin, I enjoy living in a small town. We were raised in Magnolia Point, and I have no need to go anywhere else because I've got a good job, and a great family right here.

The only downfall of staying is that it's hard to meet anyone new when it's only college kids coming in and out of town. That's exactly what they are, kids. Yes, this woman is beautiful, and she caught my eye when she walked in, but she's young and I definitely won't put myself in a spot where I'm vulnerable to let her humiliate me or break my heart.

"That was five years ago. You're not looking to get married anyway so what's the problem? She's fun. You're fun," Jay pushes.

"How do you know she's fun? You don't even know her. You only know what she's telling you right now and we all know girls say what they want you to hear until they think they got you. Then they flip the script."

"Who hurt you?" Maverick laughs at his own ridiculous joke, pointing at Jay, a known romance book enthusiast. "Don't you think this guy would know all about love and how to get a girl with all the stuff he read?"

Jay responds good-naturedly, "Yeah, I'm just trying to get you guys to fall in line."

I shake my head, sighing as I watch her bounce around on stage. "I'm good. She might be a good time, but I can't let myself get tangled up."

The music to Thank You, Next by Ariana Grande begins, and the opening lyrics sung are awful, the sound coming from that beautiful mouth making me want to reach for some earplugs.

We laugh together as the bar patrons let out boos and catcalls at the same time.Then Maverick says, "Oh my god dude, she's awful."

"But what an interesting song choice," Jay responds, and I eye the two of them as she belts out the lines. After a moment Jay explains, "The song is about finding herself after a string of heartbreaks."

"It sounds like she's taking from one and moving onto the next unsuspecting fool," I retort, annoyed that they think they can change my mind.

"You're just looking for a reason not to talk to her," Jay says without looking at me.

I shake my head but continue to watch her. The more she carries on singing, laughing and having a great time, the more the enthusiasm radiates from her. Sunshine and rainbows are what come to mind, nothing seems to phase her. She's entirely focused on having fun with her friends and she doesn't care about what people are thinking about her at this moment.

The song goes on, and when she hits the chorus, the bar joins in with her, singing along, clapping and having a great time. It's incredible how quickly she's swayed them, dancing like nobody is watching her and singing like nobody can hear. It's like she's home alone in the shower.

And suddenly I'm looking at her in a completely different way. I want her home in my shower.

"Wes, are you okay?"

"Yeah," I reply sharply, startled from my daydream. "Why?"

"Oh, I don't know," Jay answers knowingly. "You look like you're ready to grab her and run outta here with her over your shoulder."

"She's got my attention," I reply flippantly, rolling my shoulders in an attempt to ease the tenseness.

Maverick and Jay chuckle then Mavericks retorts,"Dude, I thought she was too young?"

"Eh, maybe I made a rash decision earlier."

"There he is! So go talk to her, what would it hurt?"

I stare at her thoughtfully. Would it hurt to start a conversation?

At this moment I can't even remember why I'm so against relationships.

My parents have an amazing marriage and for some unknown reason that scares me. Maybe it's because I don't think I could ever live up to my dad, or my uncle, for that matter. Jay's parents are just as in love as mine are, even after all these years, and I don't believe I'll ever have that same feeling. I don't know if I have what it takes to be a good boyfriend, and after watching what my cousin's ex, Christina, did to him, I don't want to take the chance.