As I gave myself one final glance in the mirror, I ran my hands through my shaggy black hair; desperately trying to get it to retain some kind of shape but it refused to cooperate, just like it always did. The freshly buzzed sides were just an extension of that frustration, less hair, less problems. My short beard was neatly trimmed for once, rather than its usual unkempt state, thanks to my mom’s nagging. Giving up on my hair, I tugged at my shirt, unable to avoid noticing how average my physique looked even in the nice clothes I’d dug out for tonight. Just another twenty-something engineering student staring back at me, lacking even the height that separated some of the more mundane college kids I'd met.
My phone buzzed with a text from my friend Alexis telling me to hurry up because she was waiting outside. I glanced around my childhood bedroom one last time to make sure I wasn’t forgetting anything for this big night out. Wallet, phone, keys...all set. Taking a deep breath, I headed for the door. It was just a birthday celebration at Alexis's favorite local bar, but it still felt like a milestone marking the end of college and the chaotic uncertainty of adulthood ahead. Still, a night of drinks and laughs with my best friend was the perfect way to kick things off.
I jogged down the stairs and out the front door where Alexis was parked at the curb in her beat up ’93 Skyline. She rolled down the window and whistled at me in mock enthusiasm.
“Looking sharp birthday boy! Let’s get going, it’s not every day that someone gets to celebrate graduating and turning 21!” she called out with a laugh.
She made it sound like those two things were much more closely related than they were. I graduated last month, but she’d insisted on waiting until today so she could “show me how to really party.” It’s not like she hadn’t dragged me to a few house parties over the last several years.
As I settled into the passenger seat, the memories of the first time I met Alexis surged to the forefront of my mind. It had been my first day in college and she had accidentally bumped into me as I frantically tried to make my way across the campus.
My mouth had gone dry from the sight of the stunning woman who had just knocked me on my ass. Her pale skin seemed to perfectly complimented the long copper hair that practically flowed from her head. Especially brushed as it had been to one side, revealing that the other side had been completely shaved to match the style at the time. Piercing blue eyes met my dull brown eyes, and a light blush dusted her cheeks as she knelt and extended a hand to me, offering to help me up. Not that my mind was processing that, I was still in a daze from her lithe figure. Her breasts seemed to be pushing the poor shirt depicting some Death Metal band to its breaking point.
Shaking myself from my stupor, I had done what any self-respecting engineering student would do. I scrambled to my feet and practically sprinted away, only glancing back one to take in the confused look on her face.
Of course, if that had been the end of it, I probably wouldn’t be here with her right now. I’m still not particularly sure how she knew what class I was taking, but when I walked out of ‘Introduction to Computer Science’ class, there she was. A bright smile on her lips as she hurried up to me, before practically dragging me to a local coffee shop saying that it was ‘the least she could do’ after knocking me down.
That was when I had found out that she was already a junior in college, also studying computer science. Ever since then, she had pretty much been stuck to my side, though she never gave an explanation as to why she liked me so much. Our relationship had been purely platonic throughout the years, not that I was surprised there either, she was way too attractive for someone like me. Though, I had never seen nor heard anything about her dating-life.
“Earth to Jace!” Alexis practically shouted, breaking me from my musings. “Have you heard a single word I’ve said?”
Scratching my cheek to hide the blush I felt crawling across my face, I shook my head, “Sorry Lex, I kind of zoned out for a minute. My mind took me on a trip down memory lane.”
Alexis reached across the front seat and poked my cheek without taking her eyes off the road, “Uh-huh, and what were you thinking about?” She asked, not bothering to hide the amusement in her voice as she asked. “It couldn’t possibly have been about that time I knocked you on your ass, right?”
I coughed into my hand desperately trying to hide the blush I felt practically burning my cheeks. It was like the girl always knew what I was thinking, it was more than a little unnerving at times.
“So... Where did you say we were going again?” I asked, desperate to change the subject. She was never going to let me live down running away from her that day.
“Oh, come on! We’re going to ‘Once Upon a Pint’” she whined, “It’s only my favorite bar ever! Where else would be better to celebrate your birthday?”
“Right, right, sorry. I’ve just been feeling a little air-headed today.”
She snuck a glance over at me, that I barely caught in my peripheral vision. I’d been catching her doing that a lot lately, almost like she was waiting for something.
I barely caught her muttered response, “Air-headed, huh?” before she whipped the car into a parking lot and loudly changing the topic, “We’re here! Time to get you fucked up!”
As I got out of the car, I took a good look at the small building we’d arrived at. The bar’s exterior certainly didn’t look like much – just a small, brick building tucked away down a dim side street, the parking lot itself was equally unimpressive, looking like it could fit perhaps 10 cars. The brick walls were faded and covered in graffiti, with a weathered wooden door and narrow windows that were obscured by dark curtains.
A battered neon sign reading “Once Upon a Pint” flickered erratically over the door, with a stylized beer mug that looked straight out of a medieval tavern. As we got closer, I noticed that the windows were so grimy that it was impossible to see anything inside.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Alexis strode right up to the door without hesitation and pulled it open, the sound of lively chatter and glasses clinking drifting out into the night from within. She gestured eagerly for me to follow.
“Of course, a place like this would be your favorite bar,” I teased her as I walked past, trying to keep myself from feeling nervous at entering my first bar.
“And just what’s that supposed to mean?” She asked, raising her voice to be heard of the cacophony of noises that greeted us within the establishment.
I looked at her incredulously, “You know damn well what I mean! You’ve practically got a fetish for run-down hole-in-the-wall places like this,” I teased with a smirk on my face. Rather than respond, Alexis punched me in the arm as she pushed past me into the bar and practically dragged me in by my hand.
As my eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself standing in a cozy, if dimly lit, space that looked straight out of a medieval Gothic castle. Thick wooden beams crossed the ceiling, decorated with ornate iron chandeliers that bathed the space in a soft flickering glow clearly emulating candlelight.
The walls were lined with antique tapestries depicting scenes of knights, dragons, and mystical creatures intertwined with winding floral designs. Across from the sturdy oak bar, a large stone fireplace housed a crackling fire, adding warmth and the pleasant aroma of burning cedar.
Despite the old-world decor, the place had a lively energy. Most of the tables and booths were full of patrons chatting animatedly over pints of beer or elaborate cocktails. A low hum of conversation pervaded the space, alongside the occasional crackle from the fire.
Alexis threaded her way through the crowded room like she owned the place, exchanging enthusiastic greetings with various patrons and staff. I stayed close behind, amazed that this cozy neighborhood hideaway had such an authentic medieval tavern feel right in the heart of the city.
As she approached the bar, she raised her hand in the air and shouted, “Hey Dev, can I get to of the house meads?”
The bartender, Dev I assumed, a short but incredibly bulky looking man with a beard that would make most men jealous raised a hand in response. Taking that as a yes, Alexis and I worked our way towards the end of the bar and found a pair of open seats.
“So, you want to rethink your comment on this place?” Alexis grinned at me as we got settled in.
“Fine, fine, I’m sorry, this place is incredible. I’m surprised there’s not more hipsters flitting around the place honestly. Seems like it would be right up their alleys.” I replied waving my hand as if it would push away the topic.
Before she could reply, Dev approached with two steins of mead in his hands, each nearly overflowing with the golden liquid. “Alexis, my dear, looking lovely as ever,” the bartender greeted as he set the glasses down, “and I see you’ve finally got company?” He finished with a raised eyebrow looking back and forth between her and I.
“Devon, this is my friend Jace. Not only is he twenty-one today, but he graduated from college last month!” She practically gushed in response. She always said she was proud of me finishing ahead of the curve, but it still threw me for a loop every time.
“Oh, is that so lad?” The big man looked askance at me, though I’m fairly certain I could see the faint traces of amusement under his behemoth of a beard. Seeing my nod in response, he continued, “In that case, this round’s on me!” before reaching across the bar and smacking a meaty hand on my shoulder.
Damn, that’s gonna leave a bruise. He’s a beefy boy. The thought brought a smile to my face, which Dev seemed to take as my thanks, before he turned and went back to helping other patrons.
Taking a long sip of her mead, Alexis turned and looked at me, “So Jacey,” she paused to take another sip and I knew I was in trouble. Alexis only called me Jacey when she was up to something. The look on my face must have given me away though, because she immediately started up again, “Calm down, it’s nothing bad, if you’re that worried you should start drinking now.” Though she winked as she finished.
Already on alert, I did just that, gulping down a rather large amount of my mead. Whatever she was planning would probably be far easier if I was at least buzzed for it. She was prone to coming up with crazy plans, usually of the occult variety. I was pretty sure she was at least partially convinced she was a witch or something as often her plans tended to involve some variation of divination or the like. Although, and not that I would ever say it to her face, I loved that quirkiness about her. It was always adorable to watch her get so into whatever her latest scheme was.
Before she said anything else, Alexis flagged down the bartender and requested another round. That taken care of, she turned to me, a familiar glint in her eye. “So Jacey, I have an itsy-bitsy favor to ask of you for your birthday…”
I raised an eyebrow, waiting for the follow-up. “What kind of favor?”
She gave me an innocent look in response to my tone. “Well, I’ve been reading up on this divination ritual, and it requires a tiny sample of blood from someone close to the caster. Totally harmless! Just one little prick of your finger.”
“Seriously, Lex? You want my blood?” I asked incredulously.
“Come on, it’s just a drop! Here...” She pulled out a small needle and sterile wipe from her bag.
I hesitated, then sighed and relented with a chuckle. This was definitely right up her alley. “Fine, but this better not curse me or something.” I held my hand out for her to take.
She beamed and quickly pricked my finger, before squeezing it to draw a tiny bead of blood which she deftly caught in a small vial. “Thanks Jacey, I knew I could count on you!” She slipped the vial back into her bag. “Now let’s get back to celebrating your big day!”
I just shook my head and laughed. Typical Lex, but I was a little proud that I had guessed what she had in mind.
Alexis had clearly not been joking when she said she was going to try and get me fucked up tonight, as round after round of mead made its way over to us.
“Damn, you’re gonna end up having to carry me out of here if you keep this up Lexi.” I mumbled as another round of mead was placed in front of us. Somehow, Alexis still seemed mostly sober, almost as if she had switched to water at some point in secret. But I knew her better than that, the girl could just drink.
“Who says that’s not the plan.” Alexis responded with a sly smirk on her face. “So, what do you think you’re going to down now that you’re out of college?” She asked so quickly that I questioned whether she had even made the first comment.
Taken aback by the abrupt shift from celebrations to a serious conversation, I willed my brain to get back on track, “I dunno yet, I was thinking of trying to apply to a mix of internships and entry-level positions at some smaller software companies. I’ve always heard that sometimes it’s far easier to get your foot in the door at those kinds of companies.”
She nodded along as I spoke, though, the question brought up one of my own that I had been wondering for a while, “Hey, what have you been doing since you graduated? It’s been like a year, and I don’t think you’ve ever told me.”
A mysterious smile crossed her face as she cryptically said, “You may find out soon enough.”
By the time we called it quits, I was well and truly blitzed, I don’t think she had pushed me that hard to drink in a very long time. But honestly, it was kind of nice to just relax and hang out, venting some of the long-held stress that school and life had built up.
As I trailed Alexis out of the bar, I couldn’t keep my eyes from gravitating to her ass. Tonight, just like every other night, her pants looked painted on, and they definitely accentuated the lovely curves. I’d once had the pleasure of witnessing her entire workout routine and I was pretty damned surprised to see that the majority of it was legs. Worth it.