Meet You in the Stars

“This is the last performance of the night. Remember to tip her if you like her, here’s Violet!” Mandy said into the microphone and I smiled as I passed her on my way up to the platform that was meant to be a stage. I had been in Huntington beach for a little over two weeks and was finally able to get on stage without scanning the whole room looking for the one face I never wanted to see again.

I situated myself behind the microphone and checked my guitar to make sure it was still tuned correctly. Once satisfied, I looked out at the crowd and pulled the microphone stand closer to me.

“I’m gonna do one of my favorite songs for you guys tonight, it’s called Seize the Day.” I cleared my throat and started strumming my guitar.

Seize the day or die regretting the time you lost, it’s empty and cold without you here too many people to ache over

My eyes travelled over the people sitting all around the bar. Sometimes it made me so nervous to feel all the eyes on me, but I fought through that fear. It warmed my heart to see so many people nodding along and some even singing along with the music. I wasn’t good at many things at all, so it made me feel good to know I could at least do this.

I stand here alone, falling away from you no chance to get back home. I finished the song to loud applause from the crowded bar.

“Thanks everyone!” I smiled and tried to hide the fact that my hands were shaking as I grabbed my stuff and walked off stage. Performing was such an adrenaline rush. Plus there was always that little bit of fear.

I stashed my guitar in the back room then went back out to the bar to grab a bottle of water. I had just settled onto a bar stool when someone sat next to me. I didn’t look up. I was so used to guys coming up to hit on me after I got off stage and I always tried to politely ignore them.

“I really liked that song you just sang, what was the name of it again?”

I took a drink of water before I answered, “Seize the Day.” I finally decided to look at the guy since he wanted to talk music. I almost fell off the barstool when I realized who he was.

“Surprise!” he said excitedly when he saw the dumbfounded expression on my face.

“I cannot believe I just sang Seize the Day in front of The fucking Rev.” The man next to me chuckled and took a drink from the beer bottle in front of him.

“Can I buy you a drink?” he asked and I had to remind myself how to breathe. I didn’t want to go into full fangirl mode in the middle of the bar. I nodded and he waved the bartender over.
“I’ll have a jack and coke, please,” I told him. I usually didn’t drink anything that strong, but I needed it to calm my nerves.

“So..Violet, right?”

“Actually, no. My name is really Avery.”

“Now that fits you better. You don’t look like a Violet,” he stated and took a sip of his drink.

“And what exactly do Violet’s look like?” I asked with a laugh.

“Strippers,” he said matter-of-factly. A very unflattering sound somewhere between a snort and a giggle escaped through my lips and I immediately felt my cheeks flush. Damn that was embarrassing.

“You can call me Jimmy, but I also answer to knife master.” He made some kind of crazy kung fu like move and managed to flip his stool over. He landed on his back on the floor.

“Hey knife master, you alright down there?” I asked and he raised both arms to give me two thumbs up.

The song changed to something I didn’t recognize and Jimmy immediately shot up off the floor. He held his hand out towards me and I involuntarily flinched away.

“Didn’t mean to scare ya, want to dance?” he asked, hand still extended.

“I’d love to, but I can’t dance.”

“Sure you can, just follow me.” I gave in and slid my hand into his and let him pull me over to the dance floor where several other people were dancing.

Jimmy immediately pulled me to him and started us in a waltz-like dance that the music was way too fast for.

“People are staring!” I said and then he dipped me low enough that my shoulder length hair brushed the floor.

“That’s all part of the fun.” He released me and started doing the running man. I doubled over in laughter, he looked ridiculous.

“Dance with me, Avery!” he shouted and then switched to doing the robot. I felt so stupid, but I joined him anyway. I loosened up as the minutes passed and I lost count of how many dumb dance moves we did. I couldn’t remember the last time I had really let loose and had fun.

“I need to cool off,” I said when the current song ended. Jimmy nodded and led me back over to the bar.

“Two beers!” he called to the bartender who nodded and turned to grab two bottles to give us.

I took a long drink of my beer, thinking about how crazy it was that I just danced with Jimmy Sullivan. It was absolutely insane.

“Thanks for making me dance, I needed to have a little fun,” I said.

“Surely a beautiful girl like you has plenty of fun,” Jimmy said, frowning slightly when I shook my head.

“That’s just not right, come with me I’ll show you fun!” he pulled a wad of bills from his pocket and tossed them on the bar before turning to me again.

"I don't know about that," I said nervously. Sure, I was a huge fan of his band, but I didn't really know him. I didn't like the idea of running off into the night with a complete stranger, no matter how famous they were.

"Just trust me." He held out his hand and for the second time that night I took it, wondering what sort of shenanigans he was going to get me into next.

Notes