The Fuck

Hana drove us to the venue. We discussed various topics on the way, with Hana informing me about how they’d found the place.

“When Ava and I first moved here, we wanted to find a place where bands could play. The owner of The Fuck is the singer of an old-school punk band, and he’s really into the arts and supporting small people and shit, right? Cool dude. Anyway, it kind of became our spot and got us to feel a lot more comfortable after moving from NYC.”

I know we’ve progressed as a society and are more accepting of foreign concepts and adhering less and less to the walls strict ideologies construct around us… but a bar named The Fuck seems like we’ve gone too far. We have to have standards somewhere, right?

Anyway… the bar itself was actually pretty cool. Think biker bar, but sci-fi. Almost everything was wooden, but pulsing wires littered throughout the building. As Hana and I sipped some beer while we waited for everyone else, I saw as the wires began growing to make the building more modern looking. My assumption was when the building was acting as a bar, it leaned into the bar look; then, when acts performed, it transformed into something more fitting for a concert to take place in. The wires climbed and expanded, becoming rainbow LEDs, spotlights, and speakers.

I’d never heard of the headliner. Some band called Sadness Incarnate. Based on the name, I didn’t think they’d be becoming a playlist-topper anytime soon.

What’s even more baffling are the openers; was there levels to being unknown? If I’ve never heard of the header or the openers, what made the header so special? Did they simply take turns? Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great that artists are able to perform on stage for an audience, I just would like to understand the behind-the-scenes for choices like that.

Regardless, some opener called DieNow, MOM! was on when I saw the first of our party join us. Cait, dressed in a casual green shirt that showed just hints of midriff, paired with some tight and torn jeans. She paired it with some boots that gave her a few inches, so when she gave me a kiss on the cheek she barely even had to get on her tiptoes.

“Hey, cutie.” She giggled.

“Hey… also cutie.” I replied lamely. Sorry, but her being pretty and kissing me still made my brain get fried some.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Cait.” She held her hand out to Hana.

Hana looked at Cait with a strange look.

Cait frowned. “Something wrong?”

Hana shook her head. “Oh, sorry, sorry! It’s, ah… nothing. Nice to meet you, I’m Hana. I work with Michael.” She took Cait’s hand and shook it.

Cait smiled and turned her attention to me. “Is anyone else coming?”

I nodded. “Yeah, my roommates will be joining. I think they’ll be here in a little bit. Want me to get you a drink?”

Cait nodded. “Just a beer is fine. I have work tomorrow, so I don’t want to get too fucked up.”

Hana piped up. “Could you grab me one too?”

I gave a thumbs up and went to retrieve three more beers. I hope the girls didn’t mind cheap shit.

When I returned to the pair, they were laughing and getting along great. They thanked me before continuing their conversation. It seemed they were discussing work.

“I wish I was my own boss! Running a company seems stressful, though.” Hana said.

Cait shrugged. “I think it would be if I had employees, but since it’s just me I don’t have to, like, worry about being a good boss or anything. I’m really lucky to be able to do what I do, you know?”

Hana nodded. “Yeah, me and Michael are just lame-ass interns. Did you know they just gave us the option to use the elevators?”

Cait looked shocked. “What?! Isn’t that building, like, hundreds of floors tall?!”

Hana laughed. “That’s not even counting the underground floors!”

I let the girls get to know each other, occasionally piping in to make a joke or add some insight.

At a certain point, Cait had grabbed my arm and pulled it over her shoulder. I looked at her and she met my eyes, blushing slightly. “Is this okay?”

I nodded. “Of course!”

“I just saw some guys looking over here; I wanted to let them know that this girl is taken.” She giggled.

“Damn, so I’m still on the menu for these pervs.” Hana clicked her tongue. “Sucks to be single, eh?”

“You, single?! But you’re so pretty!” Cait balked. “I’d kill for that figure.”

“Girl, you’re in great shape.” Hana pointed out.

Cait huffed. “I’m skinny, sure, but you’re toned. That’s cool!”

Hana grinned. “Well, you gotta work for this. You could maybe join me at the gym sometime, you know!”

Cait put a finger to her lips in thought before nodding. “That would actually be nice! I’ve been meaning to get in shape, but I’ve been nervous since I had no one to go with.” She looked up at me, tugging at my arm on her shoulder. “You could come too.”

“You calling me fat?” I grinned, teasing.

“Mmm… maybe.” She poked my stomach and we laughed.

“I actually have been meaning to get in shape too, so I’d be down.” Little did they know that it was for the sake of being a criminal vigilante, but regardless. Also, seeing Hana and Cait in workout clothes/ sweaty would be hot.

“Hey, Michael! Hana!” I heard Ava call from behind us. We all turned to look, and I felt something shift in the air.

My roommates were all together, walking towards us. They all wore cute, casual clothing.

They stopped in their tracks suddenly.

Sara, Ava, and Kenzie looked shocked.

Kate looked pissed.

Cait tensed in my arm. “Fuck.”

-

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