Coffee this afternoon?
Received from: Zacky Baker at 11:26 a.m.

When I first opened the message, I was a little confused. How was Zacky texting me? But then I remember that Claire had given him my phone number and the confusion transformed into annoyance. This suggestion sounded suspiciously like a date, and Zacky knew how I felt about that.

I already told you I'm not going on a date with you
Sent to: Zacky Baker at 11:29 a.m.

It's not a date! Jeez. I'm just tired of sitting here with Jimmy, he's pissing me off
Received from: Zacky Baker at 11:30 a.m.

I rolled my eyes. Zacky always cited the drummer as the reason he wanted to go somewhere and do anything, and half the time I knew that was bullshit. Jimmy and Zacky didn't live together, and the taller man had a wife of his own to spend time with. But in the end, I agreed to get coffee with Zacky, telling him that I'd meet him when I closed the bookstore around three.

When three o'clock rolled around, I playfully shooed away the last few remaining patrons and locked up the bookstore, shoving the keys into my bag. Next, I pulled out a cigarette and lit it, sucking a drag before letting the smoke billow around my face.

"You know, smoking is bad for you," a deep voice said. I jumped a bit, fumbling my cigarette, and turned to face Zacky with a glare.

"You almost made me drop my cigarette!" I hissed. Zacky chuckled. "Wipe that smirk off your face."

"Oh, take a chill pill, Wowza," Zacky said. The smirk remained, although it's not like I expected it to disappear just because I'd said something. He nudged me gently, and it was hard not to smile just a bit. "So are you ready for that coffee?" he asked.

"Sure," I replied with a shrug. I looked around for a vehicle and when I didn't see one, I looked to Zacky with a confused expression. "Where's your car?"

"In an auto shop near Echo Park," he answered, rubbing the back of his neck. "The brakes are shitty, so I'm getting them replaced. I had Jimmy drop me off over here, and I was thinking that you could drive us to--"

"No," I interrupted. One of Zacky's eyebrows shot into his raven-black hair and I turned my gaze to my feet. "I uh, I don't drive. I mean, I have a license because Claire thought I needed one, but I don't drive."

Zacky didn't press the matter any further and I was glad. Zacky was a nice guy, and I didn't mind his company most of the time, but I wasn't ready to tell him the reason behind my fear of driving. Since we didn't have a ride, I decided to invite Zacky up to my apartment for coffee instead. I didn't particularly want him in my apartment, but I thought it would be rude to just send him away after making plans.

"You've got a nice place," Zacky commented, glancing around my kitchen. I purposely ignored him, busying myself with the coffee pot. He continued to talk, prattling on about my kitchen, oblivious to the fact that I wasn't listening to him at all.

"Do you take cream or sugar with your coffee?" I asked once we'd gotten our beverages. I fetched the sugar from the pantry and the creamer from the fridge.

"Just a little half-and-half," Zacky replied. I poured a small amount of the creamer into my cup before sliding it across my small kitchen table into Zacky's waiting hands. Once I had my coffee the way I liked it, I put the sugar away and took a seat across from Zacky. "So uh, why don't you drive?" Zacky asked, taking a sip from his mug.

I looked up from the tabletop and glared at him. "None of your business," I said curtly.

"Well I was just wondering because most people don't just not without a reason--" Zacky continued.

"And my reason is none of your business," I said again, my voice low. He hadn't been lying when he said he wasn't easily deterred and it was getting on my nerves.

"I like to drive," Zacky announced. His voice was tense now and he sounded nervous. "I like the control. I like being in charge of my own fate."

"There are other cars on the road, you're never in charge of your own fate," I mumbled. I took a long swig from my coffee out and then slid it away. "Listen, this was uh, fun, but I think it's time for you to leave now."

"Aww, but I just got here!" Zacky whined. He gestured at his mug. "I haven't even finished my coffee yet."

"Fine, finish it and then you can leave."

Zacky pouted. "You know, I'm starting to think you don't like having me around, Wowza."

I rolled my eyes at the sound of that infuriating nickname, but smiled lightly all the same. "Now what would give you that idea?"

. . .

"So I was thinking about going out with the girls again tonight, you wanna come?" Claire asked. The two of us were currently sitting in my living room, wasting away a lazy Sunday afternoon by watching a marathon of our favorite soap opera, General Hospital.

I looked away from the television. "That depends. We won't be going to another club, will we?"

Claire shook her head. "No, I think Leana said something about Jimmy wanting to do karaoke," she said.

"Oh, well if we're doing karaoke then I'm definitely in," I assured her, cracking a grin. I might not know these people very well, but I never passed up a chance to get up on stage - even the stage at a bar - and practice my singing.

"Awesome!" Claire cheered. "I'll let Val know you're gonna tag along."

. . .

I let out a yelp of shock when Claire nudged me, jarring the drink I had in my hand. "There's Zacky over there," she hissed in my ear. I rolled my eyes. Did she not think I could spot him on my own? And besides, we'd be joining them at the table here in a few minutes.

"Thanks for that, Captain Obvious," I said, and Claire pouted. I just chuckled. "I still don't understand why you want me and Zacky together so badly."

"Because you two would be cute together!" she exclaimed, throwing out her arms. "He's a sweet guy, Wren. I don't see why you don't give him a shot."

I rolled my eyes. How many times did I have to explain this to her? Yes, Zacky was a sweet man and I almost counted him as a friend, but I didn't want a relationship right now. Not a romantic one, anyway. And she could go on thinking it was because of Clark all she wanted. "Are you gonna come over there with me?" I asked, finishing off my beer.

"Yeah, just let me get a drink," Claire replied, digging in her purse for her ID. She looked up at me. "You want another one?" I shook my head and Claire quickly purchased a martini before we finally made our way over to the group sitting in the corner booth.

"Finally you guys get here!" Val said. She nudged Matt playfully in the ribs and he grunted, a slight smile playing on his face. "We've had to sit here and listen to these drunken idiots butcher some good songs for a good hour now."

"We have not been butchering any songs," Matt put in, sounding slightly offended.

"Oh please," Val said, rolling her eyes. "Elton John would be rolling in his grave if he'd heard you guys singing Piano Man just now."

"But Elton John isn't dead," Johnny pointed out.

"Exactly, that's how bad it was."

I couldn't help but laugh. "I'll sing something. Anybody wanna join me?" When nobody volunteered, I simply shrugged my shoulders. I preferred solo gigs anyway. Johnny handed me the book with the list of karaoke songs and I flipped through a couple of pages before settling on a song. I told the DJ the song I'd chosen and he handed me a microphone before starting the music.

"My baby, he don't talk sweet
He ain't got much to say
But he loves me, loves me, loves me
I know that he loves me anyway

And maybe he don't dress fine
But I don't really mind
'Cause every time he pulls me near
I just wanna cheer

Let's hear it for the boy
Let's give the boy a hand
Let's hear it for my baby
You know you gotta understand
Oh, maybe he's no Romeo
But he's my lovin' one-man show
Oh whoa, let's hear it for the boy

My baby may not be rich
He's watchin' every dime
But he loves me, loves me, loves me
We always have a real good tine
And maybe he sings off-key
But that's alright by me, yeah
'Cause what he does, he does so well
Makes me wanna ywll

Let's hear it for the boy
Let's give the boy a hand
Let's hear it for my baby
You know you gotta understand
Oh, maybe he's no Romeo
But he's my lovin' one-man show
Oh whoa, let's hear it for the boy

'Cause every time he pulls me near
I just wanna cheer

Let's hear it for the boy
Let's give the boy a hand
Let's hear it for my baby
You know you gotta understand
Oh, maybe he's no Romeo
But he's my lovin' one-man show
Oh whoa, let's hear it for the boy

Let's hear it for the boy (let's hear it for my man)
Let's hear it for the boy (let's hear it for my man)
Let's hear it for the boy
Let's hear it for my babe
Let's hear it for the boy (let's hear it for my man, yeah...)
Let's hear it for my babe
Let's hear it for the boy (pull yourself together)
Let's hear it for my babe
Let's hear it for the boy (whoa, let's hear it for the boy)
Let's hear it for my babe (let's hear it for my man)
Let's hear it for the boy
Let's hear it for my babe (let's hear it for my man)"

I left the stage to a smattering of applause and went back over to the table. "Damn Wren, why didn't you tell us you could sing?" Matt remarked. I felt myself turning a bit red.

"She wants to do Broadway, didn't you know?" Claire put in. No Claire, be quiet. "She performs in the community theater, and I think they've got a show coming up in about a month. They're doing Rock of Ages!"

"She's really good," Zacky said, tipping a beer in my direction. He grinned at me, but I only frowned back. I wasn't shy about my singing, but Matt was a professional vocalist. And I didn't want them to interfere and use their connections to get me an part or anything like because if I ever got to Broadway, I wanted it to be on my own merit and talent.

"I'm gonna go get a drink," I practically shouted. I looked to Claire. "Come with me?"

"No, you stay here, I'll escort Wren to the bar," Zacky offered, his grin growing. Deciding not to wait for him - or whoever the hell was coming with me - I got to my feet and walked over to the bar.

"Bud Light Platinum, please," I said to the bartender. He nodded and walked away just as Zacky came up to the bar.

"You know it's rude to just walk off when someone's talking to you," he panted. I glared at him from the corner of my eye. "Hey calm down, I was just kidding! You need to take a chill pill, Wowza."

I slammed my palms on the countertop. Maybe it was my lack of sleep lately, or maybe it was the stress of the upcoming show, but I'd had more than enough of Zacky's attempts at flirting tonight. "No, what I need is for you to leave me the hell alone," I shouted. "And stop calling me that. My name is Wren."

Zacky's mouth settled in a flat line. "Hey, I was just trying to have fun, there's no need to get fucking snippy," he replied.

"Alright ladies and gentlemen, it's time for strobelight dancing!" I heard the DJ say over the intercom.

"Shit," I muttered to myself.

"Hey, are you listening to me?" Zacky yelled. He must've continued to talk while I was listening to the loudspeaker and thought I was ignoring him. Technically I was ignoring him, but not to be rude.

"I've got to go," I said, pushing away from the bar. I hated to leave so suddenly - especially without telling Claire - but I didn't particularly feel like having an episode in a crowded karaoke bar.

I felt a hand on my wrist and knew it was Zacky. I opened my mouth to give him an earful about manhandling me just because he was angry, but the look on his face was one of worry, not frustration or anger. "What's wrong?" he shouted over the din of the music that had begun to play. Strobe lights began flashing soon afterwards, and I squeezed my eyes shut. "I'm sorry for snapping at you, I just--"

"It's okay," I told him, waving him off. "I just...I need to go." I glanced down at my hand, which had started to twitch. "Zack I needtogo...."

"I can't understand anything you're saying," I heard Zacky's voice say. He sounded far away. I was aware of trying to talk, but the words coming out of my mouth were nothing more than unintelligible mumbling and I knew I was having a focal seizure. I moved to sit in a chair but stumbled, and felt my vision go black as I fell to the floor.

When I came to a bit later, I was laying on the floor of the club in Zacky's arms, with everyone else gathered around us. Seeing the worried look on Claire's face I asked, "I had a seizure, didn't I?"

"But why was she mumbling?" Zacky asked. I was acutely aware of his hand splayed against the small of my back, but it felt strangely comforting. "And her hand was twitching."

"I had a complex focal seizure first," I explained to him, and to everyone else as well. "And then it turned into a secondary generalized, and from there a tonic clonic, which is what most people associate with seizures. But I'm okay now, so there's no need to worry."

"I still think we should get you home," Claire fretted. She locked eyes with Zacky over my head. "You wanna help me get her into the car? She might be a little wobbly."

"Yeah, sure." Zacky gently helped me to my feet, and I leaned on him for support as we walked out to the car. He placed me in the passenger seat and went to shut the door, but I stopped him.

"Zack," I said. He paused. "Thanks for that. I'm sorry if I freaked you out, though."

Zacky waved it off, smiling. "It's alright," he assured me. "That's what friends are for, right?"

"Right," I said, smiling. "I'll see you later. Tell the others I had fun, too."

"Will do," Zacky promised, and then he shut the door.

Notes