Zac & Lila

What's the best way to forget someone? Work. Nonstop. Yeah, that doesn't mean you're having a good old time getting cheers from the old timers and tips, right and left. Not at that old roadhouse.

Lots of lifting. Cases of beer, pop..even ice.

Was it already the 4th?

I didn't have time to think what Zac might be up, too. Wasn't like we roamed in each other's circles.

I really didn't have the cash to grocery shop. Yeah, I ate what scraps that didn't look too disgusting. Nothing worse than swallowing a dead cigarette someone left in a Jack and Coke. Gotta watch out for those cigarettes.

So there I was, all by my lonesome with a bunch of old farts, looking at me, as if was cheap entertainment.

Really, the roadhouse could use some decent help. I'd cleaned up one, too many tables. My arms were tired, and the sweat that trickled down my neck had turned cold.

"Hey." I thought I heard from behind me. If that kid Zac had found me, I was going to be so pissed. I gritted hard, thinking I'd punch him in the face.

But when I turned, it wasn't him.

"When do you ...get off?" His words left me with a big question mark. All I could do was stare into his face.

I shook my head, no. I couldn't get mixed up with Gil, again. I'd only done that little errand for Dara. And look where it got me? With the likes of Zac. Who I was doubting every second I actually did anything with him, other than sleep.

I went to put the tray of dirty dishes away. It was dark in the roadhouse, but the lights of reality were on, in the kitchen. It was humid and nasty, but he followed me.

"What do you want?" I drew a frown as I looked him over. This wasn't a place for him. But then again, looks were always deceiving.

"I've been thinking about you." He was even lipped. His dark eyes got to me, thinking he was the most sincere person I'd seen in a long time. But then again, maybe I needed sleep.

"Why?" I finally managed, but a laugh came over me. "What do you want?"

"Let me buy you, dinner."

"Seriously?" Maybe I was drunk on laughter. But even my shoulder blades ached. I really needed to take a load off. I looked down at my scuffed boots. I yawned. No way, could I stay awake for anything. I looked back at the dark room. Twangy country tunes went on as if the party just started.

"I dunno." I really didn't have a reason to be hanging around this late. "Sure." I gave in, or maybe he heard my stomach growling.