Fins

[Zabriel†]

((Continued from Into the Abyss))

Julia arrived at Shooters and chained her bike to a rack outside. She strolled in and nodded at the bartender. They knew each other pretty well. She was a regular at Shooters, and they had gotten to talking a few times. She sat down at the bar and ordered a Temple Black. It was her signature drink. Technically it was called a Roy Rogers, but so few people knew who he was anymore that it became a Shirley Temple Black, but Julia and the bartender both agreed that that sounded dumb, so they dropped the Shirley and let it be.

"How's life treating you Fins?"

She smiled and played with the straw in her drink, "Same as ever Charlie, school is school, the fam is stressing me out, and everybody in my class is freaking out about Senior Prom. How is it possible to spend an entire month planning out what you want to wear to a stupid dance?"

Charlie laughed a little as she sipped her drink. It was surprising how well they got along. Charlie was a tall, rough-looking Mexican man and she was a young girl who was about to graduate from high-school. One wouldn't think they'd have much in common, but the way they talked, it seemed as if they had known each other for a very long time.

"I remember my Prom, sort of anyhow. It was a long time ago. Wasn't really all that special. I'd hate to be going to one now though, given all the shitty music kids listen to today. I remember back when I thought boy bands were the end of the world, but since 50 Cent went mainstream I kind of miss them."

She laughed at the sadness of that statement. It was too true. She idly stirred her drink and glanced around the place looking for somebody to challenge. There didn't seem to be anybody who wasn't playing a game, so she waited with Charlie, talking and enjoying her drink.

"Hope you get a challenge soon Fins, I'm looking forward to seeing you work."

She smiled and nodded. She loved her little nickname. Charlie had given it to her over a year ago. He called her that after seeing her play a few times and hearing a boy that she'd beaten call her a Shark. It had stuck pretty well. She cast another glance at the door, hoping to see a potential challenger walk in within the next few minutes. She really wanted to put somebody in their place.