After much back and forth with Jamie, both boys were now on their way to a part of the city they rarely visited. Mia wasn’t joking when she said she worked pretty far. The boy in glasses had actually become pretty unwilling as soon as the GPS showed just how far they had to go, but Jamie was pretty good at convincing and here they were, on their way to downtown.

The sun wasn’t setting for two good hours yet, but the street they were on refused to acknowledge the natural lantern and every other building was brightly lit up in blinding, dancing lights.

“It’s almost as if it was December already.” Commented Jamie. “Don’t know about you, but I’m getting in the Christmas music mood.” He reached for the stereo.

“Don’t you dare.” Elias stopped his friend’s hand.

“You Grinch.” Pouted Jamie.

“It's still July.” Elias rolled his eyes. “I’ll let you play all the Christmas music you want after Thanksgiving.”

“Deal!” Jamie sat against his seat, a satisfied grin on his lips. Unlike that morning, he was now wearing a white v-neck shirt that nicely hugged his slim body. His legs were also mostly exposed from the sand-colored short pants he wore, oddly enough, these shorts being shorter than the skirts he usually wore.

It took them a while to find the rather hidden bar, but they managed to spot the glowing neon sign that read “Madame Moon” with the silhouette of a crescent moon next to the cursive typograpgy. The area around was a lot less lively than the mainstreet they had been on only minutes ago, but it was an inviting place nonetheless.

The entrance was warmly lit by welcoming door lamps that contrasted with the neon sign just a meter above them. To the sides of the door were long pots with thick green bushes that bloomed small purple flowers that complimented the brick color of the walls. The door itself was a rich varnished brown, interrupted over the top half by a stained glass of a starry sky. If it wasn’t by the sign with the place’s name, they would have mistaken it for an ordinary house.

Elias reached for the golden handle on the door, pushing it open and a bell signaling their entrance. Immediately they were enveloped in a candid atmosphere, the soft scent of a sort of floral essence and the humming of jazz music.

“Welcome!” They heard a familiar voice from the drinks bar that was to their right, calling for their attention before they could even take in the rest of the place. “Elly? Jamie?”

“Mia!” Jamie pushed past Elias and skipped to the bar, where he sat in the stool closest to where the girl was.

“Hey.” Elias waved, taking his time as he took an eyeful of the small bar they had walked into.

At the very bottom was a hall that led to the restrooms, and farther down what he guessed was the storage and employee lounge. On the left, next to the hall, was a small stage with a keyboard, an acoustic guitar, a cajon, a stool and a microphone stand that all fought for some decent space. The rest of the room, in front of the drink bar, were four boothlike tables against the wall and two circular tables with their respective three chairs in the remaining space. Along with the five stools along the bar, the place didn’t offer much occupancy.

“How did you guys find this place?” Mia asked as Elias took a seat next to Jamie, smiling at both of them. Her uniform was a simple long-sleeved white blouse, a black and wine colored vest over it.

“Internet.” Jamie once again lifted his phone. “Gotta say, I wasn’t expecting something so cozy.” He said, looking around.

“I know right?” Mia laughed. “Most of our clients are older people who’ve known of this place for ages.”

“How old is this place?” Elias asked, eyeing the stage.

“Not sure. From what I know, my boss is actually the daughter of the original owner.” She leaned closer. “Just between us, she isn’t that young either.” She whispered before pulling back. “But she’s an amazing lady.”

“Why do you have music on speakers if you have instruments over there?” Jamie pointed.

“Well, actually only one of us in staff knows how to play music." She shrugged. "Sometimes my boss will hire musicians but that’s only when clients rent out the place and stuff.” Mia explained.

“We can rent out the place!?” Jamie asked excitedly. “Elly we totally gotta rent it! Your birthday? Nah, you’re too much of a party pooper. Rent it for mine.”

“Sure, sure.” Laughed Elias.

Mia looked at the two boys she had seen almost a week ago. It had been clear to her that Jamie was the fashionable one, even when he only sported a simple white shirt. Elias on the other hand, made a point to wear those button shirts over his also white t-shirt. The look itself should have earned him quite a few negative points with the ladies, but there was something about him… Maybe his tall and toned physique helped, because even his nerdy glasses made the young man stand out as not just some nerd like some guys she’d met before.

“So, what can I serve you guys?” She asked.

“What’s the strongest thing you have? Elly here needs it.” Jamie, wrapped his arm over Elias’ shoulders, standing on his toes to reach.

“What? You’re gonna drive?” Elias eyed the boy leaning on him.

“Of course! I won’t drink a sip for your sake tonight!”

“How kind of you.” Elias exhaled a laugh.

As they ordered some snacks and began drinking, water or juice for Jamie, more clients started arriving, and other girls joined Mia as waitresses. Mia hadn’t joked when she said most of their clients were older people, and they eyed the young boys at the drinking bar from time to time.

“You two just became the center of attention. Since most clients are regulars, they find it interesting to see such young blood around.” Mia whispered to them and giggled.

Jamie smiled and waved at the ladies that shamelessly stared at them, causing them to giggle amongst themselves. Elias on the contrary hunched on himself as if trying to disappear. His friend behind the bar patted his arm comfortably, and smiled at him when he looked up to face her.

“Long day?” She asked.

“Long week.” He clarified.

“He’ll be fine.” Jamie shimmed in. “Not drunk yet, bud?”

“I haven’t been drinking that much.” Elias wrapped his arm over Jamie’s shoulder, pulling him down to rub a vicious fist to the smaller boy’s head. “And you know I don’t really like to drink.”

“Ow ow ow that hurts!” Complained Jamie until Elias finally let him go.

“How about something mild? Or sweet? How about a piña-colada?” Mia suggested when another client who was ready to order called for her. “Think about it. Be right back.”

“Come on, Elly. Just try to enjoy yourself. Let loose!” Jamie rotated his shoulders and then wigged his arms in front of himself.

“I’m trying.” Elias said with a faint smile, taking a sip from his still unfinished black russian, which he had accepted since it had coffee, but maybe he had been too ambitious with the vodka…

All of the sudden, cheers were heard from behind them.

“Woo! That’s what we came here for!”

“Knock their socks off sweety!”

“Show these old geezers how it’s done!”

Elias and Jamie turned to the source of the commotion, a girl shyly waved at the clients from the stage at the corner as she took the guitar and strapped it over her shoulder. She was clearly tall, her bosom long waves of raven black highlighted with flashy green strikes. Her smile was small but radiant, and when she sat on the stool before the mic, the room grew silent at once.

“Good evening everyone.” She said with a voice like ocean waves, tranquility washing over the crowd. “Today I had a hard time deciding on what to sing for you all, since I want everyone to enjoy their time at our humble bar, but the girls on the back insisted that I play a specific song so…” She laughed nervously. “I promise that I’m not singing out of personal experience or anything.”

She plucked a few notes into the guitar and began singing.

Soon the crowd started to sway in their seats. The ladies who had been staring at the boys with wide eyes, now closed them as they took in the girl’s beautiful voice. And when she reached the chorus, the gentle waves that washed over them before, pushed them with much more strength.

“When you lay down at night! I hope you sleep alright! Cause you said this, then did that! Took my heart, gave it back! So, how do you expect me to… Be happy for you?” She sang with such raw emotion that it sent chills down every spectator’s spine.

Jamie in particular found himself unable to look away even when the song had ended and they all had clapped for the girl. Everyone was now returning to chat with their companions as the girl continued strumming her guitar rhythmically as background music.

“-mie. Hey, Jamie.” Elias shook his friend awake from his trance.

“Oh, what?” Asked the dazed boy.

“You there?” Elias pressed his finger against Jamie’s forehead.

“Y-Yeah?”

“Oh no… I know that look.” Elias gasped, his wrist falling.

“W-What look?” Jamie laughed nervously. Elias only sighed.

“So, did you guys enjoy Citara’s singing?” Asked Mia as she neared them again. “Another one?” She asked Elias especifically.

“A margarita this time, go low on the tequila please.” He begged. “Your friend is really good, had everyone gapping for a while. Just look at this guy.” Elias pointed to the guy at his side, still looking at the stage.

“She has that effect on people.” Mia laughed. “She’s the loveliest girl you’ll ever meet.”

“I’m sure my little sister would argue that.”

“You have a little sister?” The barista asked curiously.

“The cutest ten-year old you’ll meet unless you get on her bad side.”

While Elias continued to gush about his sister, Jamie was still looking at the girl that he now knew was named Citara. His hands had become sweaty, and he could feel his heart racing in his chest. Just what was wrong with him? Just a week ago he had his heart broken! Was he really in such a hurry to go through the same suffering again?

Citara looked up, meeting eyes with the boy who had been staring at her for the past few minutes now. Jamie gasped and turned away, hiding behind Elias who paid him no mind.

Their eyes had met…

He wondered if she was still looking in his direction, if she had thought he was weird. Maybe she hadn’t even noticed him, but he was sure she had looked into his eyes as he had been drawn by her emerald greens.

Wrapping his arm over Jamie’s shoulders, Elias offered his drink. “I’ll allow you a sip, but just a sip.”

Jamie let out a sigh of relief, taking up Elias' offer.

That’s right, he was here for Elias. No more girls, not now.

Not now.