Post by JC Keeton on Sept 15, 2021 23:37:53 GMT
JC Keeton, dressed in jeans and a blue plaid untucked button up with the sleeves rolled up, sat alone in a corner booth at Jaq's Karaoke Bar. Jaq's was their spot, he'd brought her there the first time on February 20th of 2020, the night she moved in with him and Max. It was just a little hole in the wall place that JC had never been to until that first night but he picked it because he knew how much she loved to sing. After that first night they became regulars and came back as often as they could during the next seven months because they both fell in love with the place. The staff all knew them by name and knew they liked to sit at the same table everytime because she could make requests to the DJ since it was right by the booth. It was unusually slow, maybe ten people besides staff in the whole bar as a blonde waitress approached JC's, she smiled widely once she recognized him. Her name tag read Misty.
Misty: Well look what the cat dragged in! Haven't seen you in here in almost a year.
JC sighed and nodded his head.
JC Keeton: Yeah it's been a minute.
Misty: You want me to go ahead and grab you a drink or do you want to wait until Dizz gets back?
He gave her a confused look.
JC Keeton: What do you mean until she gets back? Was she here?
Misty: Yeah.. maybe thirty minutes before you got here. When I saw her then I saw you I just assumed you were meeting each other. It was weird though, she never sat down and didn't speak. Just came in, walked around and then left. I wanted to hollar at her cause she's my girl but she was gone before I got the chance.
JC Keeton: Yeah that's been happening a lot lately.
As he spoke, from a distance, a set of dark eyes were fixated. No words were spoken, just watching, a small frown on the features of the one committing the act. Her focus was broken by someone random who nearly bumped into her, the simple glare given causing the person to back up, before they entered the bar and she walked away. Still puzzled, the patron couldn’t help voicing their confusion.
Patron: Huh.. guess she decided against coming in. Wonder what she was staring at though.. oh well.
Having caught a glimpse of the end of the exchange JC jumps up and rushes out of the bar almost running the patron over.
Patron: What is wrong with people today?
JC could see her crossing the street and ran towards the intersection but the light changed before he could cross. Not wanting her to get away without an explanation he began darting between cars causing horns to honk and breaks to be slammed on. The traffic commotion caused her to turn and see him standing in the middle causing traffic to back up. They locked eyes and there was no denying just who it was he was staring at for JC as he moved towards her. While she didn’t try to run anymore, she also didn’t move forward. She simply kept her eyes locked as he approached, her stance calm save for a nervous right hand slightly fiddling with her hoodie string before lowering. His pace slowed once he realized she wasn't going to run and he stopped in front of her. They just stood silently on the empty sidewalk staring at each other for what seemed like minutes before he spoke up.
JC Keeton: What are we doing?
His question was initially met with a small sigh and slightly averted gaze. After a little over a second though she looked back at him, still seeming a bit unsure.
Dizzie: Looks like we ain’t listening too well to whatchu said and are meeting just outside the spot.
Lowering her hoodie, she fully showed that while her hair was lighter in color now, it was definitely her. As frustrated as he was with the situation he couldn't help but let a slight smile peek through.
JC Keeton: I was there, according to Misty you were too before you pulled this disappearing act you've gotten so good at. I started seeing you all over the place a week ago. I thought I was losing my mind because you kept pulling this ninja shit. You've obviously been popping up in places where you know I'm gonna be for a reason. Why? And why do you keep running?
Dizzie: When you gotta say something and ain’t got the words for it yet, you don’t take a step back and see if you can work it out? Especially when it’s a lot?
She took a half step back after posing the question, crossing her arms across her chest before looking down.
Dizzie: I got reasons.. for everything, I just.. I guess even when it’s written, sent nowhere, practiced, it don’t prep you for the real thing. 也许这是一个错误。(Maybe this is a mistake.) Sorry.
A sigh followed her words as she uncrossed and lowered her arms, slightly shifting herself away. He inhales deeply, fearing his own frustration with the situation had upset her.
JC Keeton: You know what, I'm gonna stop asking questions that you're not ready to answer. I think I know why you left and it's because you found the ring I bought. I never should have done that because it was too soon and scared you away. I just knew how I felt and what I wanted and that was you. It also doesn't matter why you're back, if you eventually want to tell me that's great but I won't pressure you. The most important thing is that you are back and I'm standing here looking at you face to face which is something I never thought I'd get to do again.
The sincerity in his voice was written all over his face which was now covered by a wide smile. Seeing his smile brought a small one out of her as she nodded.
Dizzie: Yeah, that sounds good. Gimme a lil’ bit and I promise we’ll have that talk. I still need to get used to even being back around the states, let alone here.
She offered the tiniest of laughs, finally feeling okay enough to maintain eye contact. He nodded, resisting the urge to reach for her.
JC Keeton: Take your time, my number hasn't changed and you've already shown you know how to find me.
He laughed slightly as well.
JC Keeton: If you need anything I'm always here for you whether you're standing right in front of me, on the other side of the country, or halfway across the world.
Dizzie: You ain’t the hardest man to find so don’t be giving my detective skills too much credit.
Again she laughed, a little more playful than before.
Dizzie: I appreciate that.. but it does leave us with what we doing right now.. if anything, I mean.
JC Keeton: Well I mean we are right across from Jaq's and it's been a long time since I got to hear you sing "Motivation". Maybe after a few drinks and a couple songs you'll be a little more used to being back here and things will feel a bit more normal. No pressure though, if you wanna just go our separate ways tonight and we'll talk more later that's ok too. I don't want you to feel rushed or obligated just cause I asked.
His suggestion easily had her smirking, a simple nod in response before she started walking. Stopping at the corner, she looked back.
Dizzie: Well.. whatchu waiting for? Let’s go.
He smiled before catching up to her. As tempted as he was to take her hand as they crossed the street he refrained and the scene faded.
Misty: Well look what the cat dragged in! Haven't seen you in here in almost a year.
JC sighed and nodded his head.
JC Keeton: Yeah it's been a minute.
Misty: You want me to go ahead and grab you a drink or do you want to wait until Dizz gets back?
He gave her a confused look.
JC Keeton: What do you mean until she gets back? Was she here?
Misty: Yeah.. maybe thirty minutes before you got here. When I saw her then I saw you I just assumed you were meeting each other. It was weird though, she never sat down and didn't speak. Just came in, walked around and then left. I wanted to hollar at her cause she's my girl but she was gone before I got the chance.
JC Keeton: Yeah that's been happening a lot lately.
As he spoke, from a distance, a set of dark eyes were fixated. No words were spoken, just watching, a small frown on the features of the one committing the act. Her focus was broken by someone random who nearly bumped into her, the simple glare given causing the person to back up, before they entered the bar and she walked away. Still puzzled, the patron couldn’t help voicing their confusion.
Patron: Huh.. guess she decided against coming in. Wonder what she was staring at though.. oh well.
Having caught a glimpse of the end of the exchange JC jumps up and rushes out of the bar almost running the patron over.
Patron: What is wrong with people today?
JC could see her crossing the street and ran towards the intersection but the light changed before he could cross. Not wanting her to get away without an explanation he began darting between cars causing horns to honk and breaks to be slammed on. The traffic commotion caused her to turn and see him standing in the middle causing traffic to back up. They locked eyes and there was no denying just who it was he was staring at for JC as he moved towards her. While she didn’t try to run anymore, she also didn’t move forward. She simply kept her eyes locked as he approached, her stance calm save for a nervous right hand slightly fiddling with her hoodie string before lowering. His pace slowed once he realized she wasn't going to run and he stopped in front of her. They just stood silently on the empty sidewalk staring at each other for what seemed like minutes before he spoke up.
JC Keeton: What are we doing?
His question was initially met with a small sigh and slightly averted gaze. After a little over a second though she looked back at him, still seeming a bit unsure.
Dizzie: Looks like we ain’t listening too well to whatchu said and are meeting just outside the spot.
Lowering her hoodie, she fully showed that while her hair was lighter in color now, it was definitely her. As frustrated as he was with the situation he couldn't help but let a slight smile peek through.
JC Keeton: I was there, according to Misty you were too before you pulled this disappearing act you've gotten so good at. I started seeing you all over the place a week ago. I thought I was losing my mind because you kept pulling this ninja shit. You've obviously been popping up in places where you know I'm gonna be for a reason. Why? And why do you keep running?
Dizzie: When you gotta say something and ain’t got the words for it yet, you don’t take a step back and see if you can work it out? Especially when it’s a lot?
She took a half step back after posing the question, crossing her arms across her chest before looking down.
Dizzie: I got reasons.. for everything, I just.. I guess even when it’s written, sent nowhere, practiced, it don’t prep you for the real thing. 也许这是一个错误。(Maybe this is a mistake.) Sorry.
A sigh followed her words as she uncrossed and lowered her arms, slightly shifting herself away. He inhales deeply, fearing his own frustration with the situation had upset her.
JC Keeton: You know what, I'm gonna stop asking questions that you're not ready to answer. I think I know why you left and it's because you found the ring I bought. I never should have done that because it was too soon and scared you away. I just knew how I felt and what I wanted and that was you. It also doesn't matter why you're back, if you eventually want to tell me that's great but I won't pressure you. The most important thing is that you are back and I'm standing here looking at you face to face which is something I never thought I'd get to do again.
The sincerity in his voice was written all over his face which was now covered by a wide smile. Seeing his smile brought a small one out of her as she nodded.
Dizzie: Yeah, that sounds good. Gimme a lil’ bit and I promise we’ll have that talk. I still need to get used to even being back around the states, let alone here.
She offered the tiniest of laughs, finally feeling okay enough to maintain eye contact. He nodded, resisting the urge to reach for her.
JC Keeton: Take your time, my number hasn't changed and you've already shown you know how to find me.
He laughed slightly as well.
JC Keeton: If you need anything I'm always here for you whether you're standing right in front of me, on the other side of the country, or halfway across the world.
Dizzie: You ain’t the hardest man to find so don’t be giving my detective skills too much credit.
Again she laughed, a little more playful than before.
Dizzie: I appreciate that.. but it does leave us with what we doing right now.. if anything, I mean.
JC Keeton: Well I mean we are right across from Jaq's and it's been a long time since I got to hear you sing "Motivation". Maybe after a few drinks and a couple songs you'll be a little more used to being back here and things will feel a bit more normal. No pressure though, if you wanna just go our separate ways tonight and we'll talk more later that's ok too. I don't want you to feel rushed or obligated just cause I asked.
His suggestion easily had her smirking, a simple nod in response before she started walking. Stopping at the corner, she looked back.
Dizzie: Well.. whatchu waiting for? Let’s go.
He smiled before catching up to her. As tempted as he was to take her hand as they crossed the street he refrained and the scene faded.