“Thanks. I used to teach yoga.” Telling her so, solidifies how much I miss that part of me.
Tequila throws in a commendable expression. “Really? That’s awesome. I’ve always wanted to learn yoga. My posture kind of sucks,” she says next to me, but I honestly don’t notice. Not even in the slightest.
Angel throws her towel over her shoulder, hiding her side braid. “If you ever want to teach here. Let me know. I think it’d be a great addition to the gym if we held yoga classes.”
My body stills at her suggestion. But there’s also a flicker of something inside me that threatens to release. I’m not entirely sure of what it is but it’s something.
“Like I said, let me know.” Angel winks then struts away high-fiving one of the others and Tequila’s expression softens as she hands me a protein bar.
“Cookies and cream.”
My attention darts to my newly rekindled brunette friend chewing her snack like it’s the best thing on earth. “What?”
“The protein bar.” Tequila swallows, holding one out for me to take. “It’s cookies and cream.”
“Oh. Thanks.” I take a bite and… yeah, that’s good.
“I have time before my class starts. Want to head to The Fallen Star for a quick lunch? It’s Jules’s bar. And she has the best Mediterranean bowls.”
“At a bar?” I chuckle.
“It’s not the type of bar you’re probably picturing. The guys say they only serve chick food there.” She rolls her eyes, and I smile.
Tequila rambles on more about The Fallen Star and I listen intently. I like being able to take in her personality. But as she continues, all I can do is watch in admiration because she speaks with such joy and happiness as if it was always so easy and normal. Even after what happened to us. I wonder if that’ll be me some day. If I can be the one who wakes up tucking it all away and smiling a genuine smile.
EIGHT
Danika
The Fallen Star has Jules written all over it even though I’ve only known her for like five seconds. But I can tell she poured her entire heart and soul into this place. There are stenciled stars lining the walls and on the ceiling, a moon with such incredible detail, looks like it can really shine at night. It resembles a painting almost.
The aura here is calming despite the intent of it, but it’s not a rowdy vibe. And from what I can tell, there are no over-the-top drunken customers. Unless that came later.
“Are you sure we’re even inside a bar?”
Tequila glances over at me with a sly grin. “Don’t let the womanly vibe trick you, this place can get pretty wild at night. But the guys take turns hanging out to watch and make sure nothing goes down. Tank usually.”
“Got it.”
When we approach the counter, a perky, energic woman with short blonde hair greets us. “Hey, T! What’s up?”
“Hi, Lucy. I want you to meet my friend, Danika.”
She winks. “I love your hair. Brings out those killer blue eyes of yours.” She pops off the tops of two beer bottles, setting them down in front of a couple.
My hair lays loose in waves over my shoulders, kinked from my prior ponytail. “Everyone you know is so nice,” I whisper to Tequila, a little taken aback at everyone’s politeness.
“I’m proud to call them my friends.” She smiles proudly and I study the affection in her expression.
“What can I get ya two?” Lucy leans her tall frame into her shoulders as her body rests on the counter, her light pink glossed lips reach her eyes.
“Two Mediterranean bowls and a lemonade please and whatever Danika wants to drink.”
“I’ll have the same… please,” I quickly add forgetting my manners.
“You got it. Coming right up.” She hustles through the back doors and Tequila sits down on one of the stools, me joining her in the empty one next to her.
The same couple, a few stools down from me, can’t keep their hands off each other and I stare in weird envy. I was in love once, but we were fresh out of high school, and it ended badly. After a year of seeing each other, he got a little too comfortable in talking down to me. Treating me like his toy or pet. There was a constant mental abuse and after months, thinking he could control me, I finally broke it off. But before that, there were plenty of fights between us because I wasn’t someone who would stand for such toxic behavior. I guess in the end, you can say I’m prone to the abuse.
