joelmccreary:
another apology almost left his lips when she attempts to reassure him but he keeps it in, instead taking a deep breath so his words won’t fail him. he quirks a smile and holds it for appearance while the champagne lowers itself back to the general height of his abdomen. when she mentions her occupation, joel opens his mouth, almost letting the “oh shit” slip through the verbal barrier, but her shuts his jaw before he can say anything. “ i should have recognized, i’m sorry. ” he chuckles and shakes his head. he spent time at the bar and he saw her work, but he never bumped into a bartender at a party before. a bartender not on the other side of the bar that was. “ touché. everyone should be able to enjoy the party though. ” he smiles and takes a tiny sip from the champagne that has grown flat and lukewarm already. he grimaces and- yes- it’s a good front to the flinch that runs through his body at her question. he knows he plays it off well and he snorts, looks down at his ensemble and opens his arms to his sides. it’s not showing off, but it feels like it. as soon as he’s sure she’s seen enough of his shoddy outfit his arms draw back into a fold over his chest. “ i’m supposed to be homeless. doesn’t take much effort. ” supposed to be sounds strange in his ears and he wants to correct himself and say he is homeless, that he’s just here for the free food. but she offers the food and his eyes lights up in equal joy and surprise. “ really? ” the smile grows from a polite gesture to a genuine grin as he plucks a finger sandwich from the plate. “ i’ll pretend you didn’t almost stumble to your death if you ignore me being a dick and walking into you. these are great by the way, you sure they’re out of them? ” he holds up the nibbled sandwich before chowing down, his stomach happy about the additional dinner. “ so, uh- ” why he decides to continue the conversation is beyond even joel himself, but he clears his throat and gestures towards her. “ i hope working was okay? i’d think these people tip since it’s a big party. lame if they didn’t. ”
“It’s okay. There are a good number of bartenders working tonight. People don’t focus on us anyways.” They recalled seeing him at the bar as well. He didn’t appear nearly as nervous as he did now, but they supposed that they didn’t really get a chance to talk to him. The couldn’t blame him for having been flustered for running into them though, Amber probably would have reacted the same. Everyone should be able to enjoy the party. “That’s true. Maybe I’ll have a glass in a few. The champagne here is really good. They really went for the fancy stuff.” Her eyebrows furrowed lightly upon hearing what he was dressed up as homeless. It seemed a little insensitive in her opinion. Maybe she was overreacting, but she felt like it was light of a situation that was anything but. Especially in Queens. Plenty of people were one pay check away from being thrown to the streets. He didn’t seem to be the type of person who would do it out of ill intent though. She was quiet as he showed his costume, contemplating wether she should actually voice her opinion. He didn’t seem to be the type of person who would dress like that out of ill intent though. Maybe she should just give him the benefit of the doubt. “Interesting costume choice.” Amber didn’t mean to sound so short, but that was the best thing she could say without getting too deep on the issue. Some people just didn’t know the gravity of the situation, so they assumed that was simply the case. Amber noticed his smile turn into something more real at the mention of food, something she didn’t exactly expect. Maybe he was a real foodie. If that was the case then they were glad they offered. His counter managed to earn a small laugh from Amber. She nodded her head in agreement. “Deal. Yeah, I’m afraid these are the last of them. In this table at least. Isn’t there another one in the game room? Would you like to check that out?” The attempt to continue conversation was appreciated. She still had a while until she had to go back to work, so hopefully this would help the time not feel so eternal. “Yeah. It’s okay. I definitely get more tips at the bar I work at. They pay me better by the hour here though so I guess I can’t complain.” they shrugged before offering a smile at man. “How are you enjoying the party so far?”















