Underage Drinking (Liam)

"I'm gonna be late, I'm gonna be late!" Thought Jade as she ran through the streets of the Backlights in her waitress outfit. It passed through her head over and over again as she zoomed by, trying to make it to her gig as fast as possible. It had been a couple days since she last sang onstage. She sang offstage a lot, mind you, but it was to be able to shine in those few opportunities that she could do it in front of others. To boot, it wasn't uncommon that she had to rush to the Silver Iris, the bar she usually sang in, while still wearing her waitress uniform. Her boss at the cafe wasn't exactly a very nice person and doesn't let her leave till her shift is over down to the second, which inevitably meant that Jade only had about 40 minutes to make it from one job to the next.

She finally made it however, and after sneaking in through the backdoor, as going in as a waitress would cause both confusion and embarrasment, she went to the changing rooms. She usually left her red performing dress there if it wasn't dirty, since it was the only place she performed in (at least for the moment, Jade hoped). As she was changing, she heard a banging on her door, something which made her jump, as she was semi-naked. It was Michael, the owner of the bar, who asked "Jade! Is that you? You're late again! Hurry up, the stage's already waiting for you." The burly man told her before going back to the main area.



"Yes, Mike!" She replied, getting changed faster and clumsier than before. Nonetheless, she finally got the outfit on; the red dress that made her look stunning. She had already done her hair on her way there, so she was all set. She ran towards the stage, almost tripping on her heels and before being visible to the spectators, awaited her call. Mike, having heard the thumping of her footsteps, took the microphone that was behind the counter at his bar where he worked, and proclaimed to the crowd: "Ladies and gentlemen, please, welcome the lovely Jade Bennet to the stage!" Her cue given, she took center stage, but because of the lights, she couldn't really see the crowd all that well. Was it small like usual? Hopefully more people will arrive soon, she thought. Despite that, she grabbed the microphoned with grace and, with the accompaniment of a prerecorded piano, she started singing a beautiful tune.

Her song was over way too soon for Jade's own liking. She enjoyed singing so much that time passed far faster than she would honestly like. Still, once the piano hit its last note, she knew it was time to step offstage, something she disliked very much, yet she felt fulfilled for having given a great performance. For the longest time, she'd been singing her own songs but, since the crowd at the Iris always made requests for famous songs, she resigned to singing those straight from the get go, while still longing to utilize her own original content once again. For now, she could only captivate her audience using her voice.

Once offstage, Mike beckoned Jade over with his hand. He didn't seem all too worried, but it was clear that it was something important regardless. Once behind the bar counter, Mike told her "See that guy?" He pointed "The guy with the red hair"

"Yeah... what about him?" Jade nodded.

"He's a kid. Underage. Not supposed to be here." Mike told her, with a slight New Yorkean accent. Was New York still a city? She didn't know, but that's what he sounded like. Jade didn't know what to say anyways, as this rarely ever happened. And by "rarely ever" she meant "never". Usually the security guard is flawless, but Jade had to admit, this guy didn't seem like a kid at all. He seemed older than she was even.

"Well... he doesn't seem to be causing any trouble." Jade tried to reason with Mike, as she knew he could get rough with the customers.

"I know, and that's why I'm telling you this. He seems like a good kid, he's staying pretty calm and he seemed to enjoy your act as well, but I'm not gonna risk getting the bar in trouble just 'cause some kid wants booze." He grumbled. Jade was overflowing with happiness.
He enjoyed her singing? Jade tried to contain her excitement, but in vain, as she couldn't helpt but let an "eep" slip past her lips as she heard it."Calm down will ya? Now, I need him outta 'ere, but I don't wanna make a scene, so could you do me a-" As Mike was about to ask Jade to talk to the guy, she had already started making her way over there, eager to meet someone that enjoyed her art. Oh, yeah, and to kick him out I guess, Jade thought.

She approached the table in which the red haired guy was sitting on while carrying a plate of chips that was on the bar counter, pressumably what he ordered. After taking a seat on one of the empty chairs next to him, she left the chips on the table and asked with a face of total serenity, trying to not seem threatening and make him think that he's gonna be kicked out with aggression, she asked: "So what're you doing here, kid? You're not supposed to be here are you?" with genuine curiosity in her tone.

"Not your typical Irishman then, huh?" She said, clearly in an innocent joking manner. She noticed him divert the topic a little bit, but she decided to roll with the conversation as it went. "It's not the glasses, trust me. You look mature enough for your age as it is." Jade said amidst a chuckle, not knowning his exact age. She took a chip from the plate absentmindedly while crossing her legs, being wary not to be too revealing, since she was wearing a dress.

She turned her head and pointed towards the bar over her left shoulder with her right index finger. "It was my boss Mike that noticed you hanging about. He has an eye for this sorta stuff. It IS his job after all."



She turned back towards the boy and smiled warmly, trying to seem like the good cop as opposed to Mike, inciting trust. "Unfortunately, we don't do delivery... buuuuuuuuuuuut I'm pretty sure I could convince him of making an exception. You know, for a fan" She said with a wink. "My name is Jade. What's yours?"

"Ah, trying to get an autograph for free, are we?" She said with a playful smile, reaching for his hand with a delicate mannerism. It was honestly quite flattering and he had a way with words that she didn't seem to find in many. Truly, a charmer by nature. "Well, I'm sure a grown up such as yourself should have no problem paying for the tab. You need an ID for it." Not really, but he didn't have to know that. She was toying with him a little. Putting strangers into uncomfortable positions was funny, buy only if it's lighthearted stuff like this. He seemed charismatic enough, "let's see him slip out of this one" she thought.

She fixated on something that he said a little. "When you make it big". She looked bit her lower lip with slight apprehension.
" "When" huh? You... you really think I have it in me?" She asked with genuine curiosity. Hearing a total stranger have faith in her skills was invigorating. She felt warm inside, it was like if suddenly all her effort was worth it.