A Perfect Disaster

I was on my way to Mickey’s, a small bar I’ve been going to since I was 17, to meet my best friend Tiffany for lunch. I had called her and told her I had a lot to fill her in on. Since she said the same, we decided to get together. Tiffany had been my best friend since I was in 7th grade. She was there for me in some of the worst times, like when I went through my scene phase. Ouch, it hurts just to think about it. But in all seriousness, she was always there for me. Especially in one of the worst moments of my life, losing Jack. I was a wreck. I was staying with her, but since she only had one room, I slept on the couch. I never left the house. All I did was sleep, cry, eat, and listen to depressing music. But Tiffany was always by my side, helping me get a bit better each day. Eventually I got back on my feet, and finally took use of used the skills I acquired in the management classes I went to college for a while back by becoming a band manager. And that’s the job that I lost the other day. Which is why I’m meeting with Tiffany, to fill her in on everything. Kinda funny how that story just wrapped itself up in a small circle. Anyway, I was at the bar now and I walked in, to see Tiffany at a small booth waiting for me. I slid in the booth, throwing my purse next to me.
“Hey Tiff.” I sighed, smiling slightly. She took a sip of her what looked like a margarita before speaking.
“Damn Erin what happened to you?” She questioned, raising an eyebrow as she took another sip of her drink.
“Well that’s why I’m here, to tell you. What’re you drinking?” I was tapping my fingernails on the table, which was a very bad habit of mine.
“Margarita.” She was staring at my hands as I tapped a made up beat on the table, because she always hated it when I did that. I pulled my hand back inward and began to wring it out with the other, trying to find something else to do with it. I could never just sit still, and that bothered me a lot.
“Thought so. I need a beer.” I sighed as I cracked my knuckles and shook my hands out
“Okay I’ll order you one, on me. But cheer up, goddamn you’re 24, no need to be this sad. Save it for when you’re 40 with 3 kids and your vagina is all stretched out.” She took another sip of her drink as she smirked over at me. I laughed, saying ‘thank you’ in between.
After a beer and a half, Tiffany finishing only half of her large margarita, and a basket of fries, I managed to tell her what had happened to me a few days ago.
“Oh my god, wow that sucks.” She moved a piece of her naturally curly hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear.
“Yeah. I mean I’m not mad though, I’ll always love those boys with all my heart, but I need to find a new job. Like now.” I picked up my beer mug and took a harsh swallow.
“Wait, are you a tour manager or just a band manager?” She took another sip of that huge drink. I don’t know why she got it. Its far too big, and its only 4 in the afternoon.
“Well I’m qualified for both, but the job I just had I was a band manager. Why?” I questioned, pulling at ends of my hair. Another bad habit.
“Because I know this band that needs a tour manager. I’m friends with their merch guy and he told me a few weeks ago.”
“Oh really? What band?” I questioned, leaning in excitedly. I was so happy of the possibility getting a new job, especially as a tour manager. I mean being a band manager is fun, but nowhere near the fun of a tour manager. Tour managers get to travel with the band, see all their shows and the beautiful cities they go to. It’s the opportunity of a life time.
“Uh, I don’t know, I forgot their name. But I’ll tell him you’re interested.” She smiled, picking up a fry that was probably cold from the basket.
“Thank you Tiffany, you’re a lifesaver!” I exclaimed excitedly as I tapped my fingernails on the table again.
We talked about other small things we needed to catch up on over a new basket of fries, another beer, and Tiffany finally downing her margarita. I was a buzzed at the least, but all my motor skills were still intact. I could see straight, okay maybe a little blurred but whatever, hear fine, speech seemed alright, maybe a bit slurred, and I could walk in a straight line if I had too. My head did hurt though. Tiffany however, well lets say I was right on my speculation that it was far too early for that big margarita.
During our conversation, people came in and out the bar constantly. It was one of the most popular bars in Baltimore, and anyone who lived here for a good bit of their lives knew about it. But there was one guest that seemed to catch my eye. I’d be able to recognize that lanky figure from 10 miles away.
“Fuck. Is that-?” I managed to stammer out before Tiffany turned around in the booth we shared to look at what I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off of.
“No. No fucking way.” She said, her eyes wide as she stared.
“That’s Jack. Jack fucking Barakat.” I bit my lip as I turned toward Tiffany, who was still looking.
“Stop staring! He knows you and he most definitely knows me, you’ll draw attention.” I whisper yelled, pulling her by her arm back into the booth.
“Sorry,” she slurred slightly, her face in an awkward frown. “He just looks so… so…”
“Good? Hot? Yeah I know.” I replied, burying my face into my hands.
“I was gonna say different, but sure I guess.”
“Its the hair. The fact that it has blonde now.” I murmured from my hands.
“Yeah and he looks so much older, not cute little Jack I knew a while ago.” Her voice was kinda loud, even though I knew she was trying not to be. Poor drunk Tiffany. I picked my face up, huffing to blow wild strands of hair out of my face.
“Is this really the first time you’ve seen him since that night?” She questioned, leaning in toward me. I nodded.
“Damn, how? You’ve both been living in Baltimore ever since the break up.”
“I know but Baltimore is pretty big city, Tiff.” I moved my hair to one side, pulling nervously on my ends.
“Erin stop you’re breaking your hair.” Tiffany said absent mindedly, putting her head down on the table in her arms. I looked back over at Jack, something I shouldn’t have done. He was leaned against the bar, talking to a girl with dark hair. He then leaned in, and pecked her softly on the lips.
“Who is that?” I asked with a hint of jealousy in my voice, as my fingertips began to burn.
“Probably his girlfriend.” She replied, picking up her head to look.
“Holy shit Erin, she looks just like you.” She gasped, still looking at them.
“What? No she doesn’t.” I scoffed, rolling my eyes.
“Yeah, she does. Her hair is dark, she has tattoos-” I cut her off.
“And? Do you know how many dark haired girls have tattoos?! I could count at least six girls in this bar!” I exclaimed, taking a gulp of beer.
“Fine fine, but she looks like you. That should flatter you, he’s obviously still attracted to you if he’s dating your doppelganger.” She said blankly, picking up a fry and chewing on it.
“Whatever.” I grumbled, doing the same.
“Why do you wanna know who she is anyway, Erin? You jealous?” She had smirk plastered across her face.
“Me? Jealous? No!” I spat, narrowing my eyes at her.
“I have Flynn, and I’m very happy with that.” I added as I crossed my arms across my chest.
“Mhmm, whatever.” She put her head back down, lips still curled into a smirk.
I looked back over at him, which I regret more than looking the first time. His eyes were fixed on me, and his face looked upset. We made eye contact for a hot second, but he quickly looked back at what I presumed to be his girlfriend, and I quickly looked back to Tiffany.

Jack's POV

“Phoebe you're so cute.” I laughed as I leaned into kiss my girlfriend, Phoebe Dykstra. She scrunched her nose, pecking my lips softly.
“Not as cute as you baby.” She giggled, batting her eyelashes. I smiled, taking a sip of the beer sitting next to me. I decided to scan the bar, just to see who was around, checking for familiar faces. Which I shouldn’t have done, because I saw a face far too familiar. My ex girlfriend, Erin Watts. She was the last real relationship I had, the last person I was in love with. She was sitting in a booth with her best friend Tiffany, sipping on a mug of beer. She looked good, her hair looked longer and thicker, her frame still fairly small. She was pulling on the ends of her hair, a bad habit she always had. She had a tattoo now, a half sleeve which really suited her. She looked hot. Hotter than she was before. I shook myself, trying to shake those thoughts away as well. I had a girlfriend, who was sitting right in front of me. And I’m sure with the way she looked now, she had a boyfriend. I looked back at Phoebe, who was doing something on her phone. Damn, she looks a lot like Erin. I wonder if I did that on purpose without even realizing it till now. I stirred up small talk with Phoebe, trying to get my mind off of Erin. During our conversation, I managed to sneak another look at her. Her arms were crossed across her chest, her face in a pout. This made me smile, she was so cute when she was upset. I shook myself yet again, I shouldn’t be thinking about her that way. I found myself staring at her for a while, and I was a bit upset that we were no longer together. I mean she looked amazing now, but I did really love her. Her blue eyes darted quickly in my direction, looking straight at me. We made eye contact. ‘Fuck.’ I thought to myself, before looking back at Phoebe. She was still messing with her phone.
“Phoebs?” I hummed quietly, as she broke her attention from the small screen.
“Mhmm?” She replied, smiling up at me.
“I love you.” I said blankly, smiling back at her.
“I love you too, Jacky.” She reached up and kissed me on the cheek, then she laced her hand with mine. I looked out my peripheral vision to see Erin harshly gulping down her beer. I sighed.

Notes

Soo we met Tiffany... and Jack and Erin have seen each other for the first time in about four years, which is kinda weird considering they've both remained in Baltimore. But they're obviously still attracted to each other... hmm I wonder where that's gonna go... but yeah! I tried to spice this up, because my first chapter was really boring. Hopefully this is enough spice for ya! Tell me what you think? :)