Let the Beat Drop (Finished)

Perci wandered around the restaurant, going from table to table to check on her customers. Some were pleasant to work with well others, not so much. Time seemed to fly slowly as she had collected receipts to drop them off at their respective tables. As soon as customers paid the bill she would be by to collect them before having another teammate clean the table off so that the next customers could take a seat there. A few minutes before her shift ended and she found herself still waiting on another customer to order their food. They wanted something healthy and though she had already given a suggestion the customer just couldn't seem to decide on what they wished to order. It wouldn't be long before the next server would be coming to replace her since it was almost time for her to clock out for the day. She had wandered over to the table, asking if they were ready to order, only for the customer to get snippy with her. It had only been twenty minutes since they had taken a seat and yet the customer acted like she had been waiting only five minutes or so.

She ended with an apology, before adding that they'd be getting a new server and it was a pleasure serving them this evening before leaning the new server in their care, thankful that she was leaving instead of having to put up with them any further. She removed her apron before putting it away before moving to the cash register to clock out. She then would slip outside the back door and head towards the school. Thoughts swirled in her mind, how she hadn't told Morana about the text thread. I mean the last thing she wanted to do was risk trouble to come from it. She texted Morana as she walked back, having planned on going straight home. A nightclub came into view the closer she walked towards it. She had a fake identification card, mostly so that they wouldn't be limited if they desired to drink even though minors weren't permitted for such luxury. Back at home, her grandparents had allowed her to drink small potions when in celebration, so it was difficult to resist even though it was against the law. She paused outside the nightclub, looking at it before slowly making her way towards the door, showing her identification card before being allowed inside.

The music played in the nightclub as she made her way passed people to head towards the counter. Aiden was leaning against the counter, he looked somewhat familiar but she wasn't sure where she had seen him from before, since it was possible he had come to her restaurant. She pushed the thought aside before moving next to him, waiting for the bartender to notice her so that she could order her drink.

Perci chose to be patient, knowing the bartender would get to her when they could. Besides the last thing she wanted to do was risk drawing attention to herself. Of course it was hard when Aiden had turned around and waved the bartender down while she was waiting for it to be her turn. Any chance of being next was lost when he ordered a refill before she got a chance to even order a drink yet. Aiden might have thought himself lucky, to steal the bartender's attention like that when she was waiting patiently for her turn. Of course when she thought it couldn't get any worse, it seemed to happen because Aiden's bragged about it later. "Whether I'm frequent at bars or not is my concerned. You must be really proud that you were able to get your refill before I could order." She whispered back to him. Finally the bartender was ready to take her order and she gave it to him.

The glass was set in front of her and she reached out to take a sip of it. Morana, I wish you were available to be with me... Work was dreadful today and somebody kept texting me for crap and it was clearly a wrong number and they wouldn't take my answer for it... She thought to herself, still annoyed that she might not hear the end of it with whom ever had texted her in the first place. The drink seemed to keep her mind calm, even though she was reminded of those frustrating things, unaware that the one who texted her was right next to her. The music played on and she couldn't help but attempt to ignore it as she allowed her thoughts to continue swirling. It didn't help that she was underage and had to worry about possibly being caught later, but for now, she knew that remaining calm would be key in avoiding attention being drawn to herself. Once more she lifted the drink to her lips for another sip, making sure to savor it.

Perci listened to the song, feeling somewhat forced since she wasn't exactly able to ignore it. She was in the middle of drinking when her phone vibrated, having turned it on because it had been off during her shift at work. She thought it had been from Morana, not from the wrong number from earlier. You have got to be kidding me.... You again? She thought to herself as she debated on how she would reply back to the message or if she would chose to wait till later. Instead she found herself texting him back. 'I think based on how you wrote me earlier, I'll be saver not answering that question.' She texted back before slipping her phone into her pocket, planning on ignoring it the rest of the night. Sorry Morana, we'll have to chat when I get home. I don't want to be checking my phone only to be disappointed in seeing that it wasn't from you. She thought to herself, lifting the glass to her lips she took another sip only to notice that it was empty.

You've got to be kidding me. She thought to herself before waving the bartender down exactly how Aiden had only moments earlier. Turns out he had taught her something useful, who knew. She handed her glass over, waiting for a refill before taking it back. I would change my number but it would just complicate things in the long run for me. Oh this really sucks. She thought to herself, savoring her drink once more, unaware Aiden was the person texting her in the first place. Had she known, she wouldn't have gotten a refill but left on the spot to avoid have further trouble with him. I think I should leave after this drink, the last thing I want to do is get drunk before I get home. She thought to herself, trying to make this last as long as possible. It wasn't like Morana would be available even though they share a dorm.

Perci felt the phone vibrate in her pocket and couldn't help but feel uneasy about who likely had sent her a text message back. Don't look at your phone, don't look at your phone, don't look at your phone.... She thought to herself, somewhat curious on what had been written this time. Knowing the person, they likely weren't going to give up on texting her anytime soon so the best thing to do would be to try and wait it out, see if they got bored and later losing her number. Thoughts continued to swirl in her mind, somewhat curious on how the hell that person got her number in the first place. Surely it wasn't just a lucky guess, right? Aiden had adjusted to face the bar fully and it took all of her effort to not react to it. For some reason she felt safer when he hadn't been looking at the bar as she had but now that he was, it almost seemed like his attention might be all on her.

As if to confirm her worries, she glanced over to see him looking at her before she looked away from him once more, unaware that he had only barely turned his attention towards her, choosing to assume he likely had been doing so the whole time. His question had caught her by surprise, she looked back at him, giving him the are you serious look. "What, am I not allowed to be here alone or something? Besides maybe I'm waiting for somebody." She bluffed, curious on how he would react to it. It wasn't anything personal, she just didn't normally talk to anybody at the bars if she managed to go there, hell most of the time Morana would be with her, but this time she had come alone. It didn't help that her thoughts were previously on the person that had texted her when they appeared to be trying to get a hold of somebody else.

"It just seemed like something worth going to after I finished work." She explained, figuring there was no harm in admitting it to him. She sipped more from her glass, pausing when she heard his question. "Not often." She admitted, finding it more as a treat over something to do often. The text continued lingering in her mind and she pulled her phone out of her pocket to peek at it being huffing at the reply. "As if...." She mumbled before texting back, 'Find a different number to bother....' Her hand tightened on her phone as she debated on adding more to it or not. She glanced back at her drink to see it was empty. Well isn't this just peachy. She thought to herself before pushing the glass away from herself. She knew it was time to leave, the last thing she wanted to do was risk being found by the one texting her, unaware that Aiden was right there.

Perci ignored Aiden as he shifted to pull out his wallet, too focused on her cell phone as if staring at it would ensure no more text messages from this person. She was pulled from her thoughts when she heard his comment, it made sense since she had shoved the glass away but she hadn't yet left the counter. "Is that your way of hinting you want to pay?" She asked, slipping her hand into her pocket to retrieve her wallet before pulling some cash out to pay for her drinks. She would then slip her wallet back in her pocket, sighing in relief that she hadn't gotten a new text message yet. She moved away from the bar, only barely noticing that he was looking right at her. "I wasn't serious." She answered, thinking maybe he had thought her comment to be. Hopefully not because she had already paid for her drinks and even if he had been offering the answer still would have been no because she only allowed Morana to buy her things. The music had changed once more and she found herself lingering a little bit longer. What could she say, it was a good song after all.

Perci couldn't help but flinch slightly when Aiden had asked why he would buy anything for her. Maybe it was his tone but the fact he had said it gave her reason to not further give him conversation. The last thing she wanted to do was bother the shit out of him. Tension wasn't on her to due list and if she could avoid it, then she would. She couldn't help but smile slightly when he had turned away from her, having peeked at her phone she saw that she had no new messages. She wasn't paying attention to him until she heard a snap of the photo and saw his phone was aimed right at her. The nerve, how dare he take that photo of me! She thought to herself, somewhat annoyed as she watched him walk towards the entrance of the bar. Her phone vibrated and out of everything that stranger could send to her, it was her own photo. What? How'd he... Wait, was that him? Oh my god, if I had known I wouldn't have stood next to him at the bar. I wouldn't have even come in here.... She thought to herself, sighing slightly as she debated on what the hell she would do about it.

Did he know it was me when we first started talking? I mean he took my picture so he must have thought so. She thought to herself before taking a breath. I guess if I want something done, I'm better off just mentioning it. The worst that can happen is that I caused trouble for myself. Should I text Morana? Warn her I might have trouble? No, I don't want to worry her. She thought to herself, glancing at her cell phone once more before she looked around the nightclub before heading towards the entrance. To her relief he was still there. She ran towards him before moving to stand in front of him. "Bother somebody else besides me and delete my photo right now!" She demanded, having to huff before adding, "If I had known you were the one spamming me I wouldn't have stopped at the nightclub tonight." She answered, annoyed that he had her photo on his phone. She clung to her phone in case he decided to do something that would require her to reach out for assistance.

Perci rolled her eyes back at Aiden. "I already told you that you had the wrong number, take a hint." She countered back at him. The way he spoke to her, it reminded her of why she felt wary earlier, now he just proved it. Aiden took a step towards her, it took a lot of effort to stay in her spot, determined to encourage him to delete her photo off of his phone once and for all. Standing over her, it was a struggle to feel brave when he was towering over her like this. Typical. She thought to herself as she looked up at him. What? Did he just black mail me? That jerk. She thought to herself as she stared back him, giving the are you serious, look. As much as I don't want the school finding out I was in a nightclub, I don't want to do what he says. I should have gone home and told Morana about this. She thought to herself, slipping her cell phone in her pocket.

Aiden turned away from her before walking away. She stared at him, debating on her options here until she saw him exit. She slowly followed at him, noticing his arms stretched upon his head as he waited at the edge of the sidewalk for what was most likely some form of transportation. Despite it being a crazy action, she was content with walking home, even though walking was double the amount of time. She flinched when she heard his comment. Is that so? She thought to herself, being pulled from her thoughts when she heard his reasoning for why she should go with him. As much as she wanted to counter, he had a point, but then again, his reasoning isn't the only method a girl like her could get into trouble either. It wasn't exactly a good idea to get in a vehicle with a stranger either. "I suppose your claiming I'm safest with you then?" She whispered, not really caring if he heard her or not.

He flagged down a taxi, once it came to a stop Aiden reached out to open the back door before allowing her to get in first. If she felt wary about getting in with him before, she certainly felt it when he threatened her. "Shut up." She whispered, slipping into the taxi, moving onto the other side so that he could have his side and the middle all to himself. "So in other words, you do plan on taking me home with you. I mean it isn't like you know where I live." She whispered, hoping that was the case, she was still in her formal attire after all.