One day at Eddie’s...
He was one of those was he, that believed in destiny and all of that crap. Ashling wasn’t a spiritual person, she was more of a questioner. Although she’d play along, the storm had just started and didn’t seem to want to ease up any time soon. “I suppose Barlow drew me back home, but why did it blow you in?” She was good at dodging things, her trick was to take something, twist it and throw it back to the original person. His wink wasn’t missed, the younger woman studied him again, in further depth. Her dark jade eyes were scrutinising, and some people would even go as far as to say that they could be unnerving. He seemed to be holding himself back from the drink, perhaps a past alcoholic. The womans lips curled upwards into a smile, still on her first glass which she was almost ignoring. The redhead herself wasn’t that big of a drinker, occasionally she’d indulge, but she’d soon decided that tonight wouldn’t be one of those nights.
“You didn’t catch it because I’m sure I didn’t throw it.” She’d lazily shake her head before offering her name. “Ashling, and you?”
Barlow’s felt like a place of opportunity for minimal period of time for Xavier. He felt like it was in the duty of his career to be the principal of Hemingway high school. After all, that’s what his original career goal is. As far as Xavier was concerned, he would stay in Barlow’s until he retired or got offered a better position somewhere else. He looked at the young woman as she threw a question right back at him. She was curious and he could tell. He liked the curiosity she had. It felt like she was being 100 percent genuine and Xavier decided to answer her question.
“Barlow’s had an opportunity in my career that I couldn't pass. I couldn't imagine leaving until I get offered a better job else where.”
She seemed to not be interested in her drink. Xavier knew a drinker right off the bat. He was a ‘recovering’ alcoholic. He knew the ins and outs of all the traits of someone who loves to indulge in liquor. She seemed that she was a casual drinker, would drink 1 or 2 but that’s the max. This didn't bother him as he was only trying to keep the conversation going to see if he still had the moves. He looked down at her drink and then at her as she stated that her name was Ashling. Xavier never heard about the name Ashling rushing through the halls he wanders to discover new things. He liked the name he felt it went well with her look.
“Ashling, wow such a beautiful name, mine is Xavier.”
He picked up the glass of his bourbon and finished the rest of the bourbon that was left. He let out a breath and asked for another as he was certain it would be his last. He heard a song playing in the background. It was familiar to him, as he had heard it 1000 times on the radio. It was the song Stay With Me by Sam Smith. Xavier liked the song it was one he felt hit home for him. He then looked at her with a smile and asked her ...
“I really enjoy this song Ashling. What kind of music do you like?”
