A short start of a series to come, following the hypnotic romance of a Catholic hot-head, and a calm, collected Wiccan. This "chapter" specifically is light, but is meant to start opening a door.
Without further ado:
*****
Yuuup. Halloween again, and I still didn't have plans. Harley... best to avoid that mess of crazy. I could hang out with Janet, but knowing her she'd be going home with a guy. Or maybe a few. And probably some girls too. Maria? Nah, she's probably hanging out with a bunch of other vets, just like every holiday. Fuck it, the bar. They've probably got some sort of special deal.
"Hey Nat? You home?" No answer. Whatever, she's probably still at work. "I'm heading out, okay? If you need me, Call Jimmy down at the Wild Card."
I locked the door, adjusted my leather jacket, and smiled to myself, thinking after a few drinks, I could vandalize some shit. "I aim to misbehave."
---
"What!? You have the balls to RAISE the price of beer!?" I stated more than I asked.
Jimmy sighed, "I don't make the rules Philly, you know that. If you got a complaint-"
"What, leave it in the box!? Craig's been out for days!"
"Not my problem, you buying or not?"
"Fine." I glared, sitting down at my usual stool, "Just one beer, I'll be going to a better bar after that."
"Happ-"
"Don't even, Jimmy."
He sighed, and slid over a beer. Buzz light. Great, off brand and shitty for double the cost. Where am I, the Super Bowl?
Then, as what I should be used to at this point, a woman sat next to me. Looked late twenties, maybe 28. Blonde hair, busty, curvaceous. I usually preferred lean girls, but she made it work. She was in a witch costume, and... drinking water? Bad joke, primed and ready for launch, "Thought that stuff was supposed to melt you."
She smiled, "I don't drink, is all."
"You're drinking right now, it's just water." I smiled myself, before I realized, "Wait, wait, wait, you came to a bar... but you don't drink?"
"Well, I came for other reasons. It is Halloween after all."
"What's that got to do with a rinky dink bar like this?"
She smiled. That smile of hers was oddly comforting. "The Wild Card... such a fitting name. You've seen all casts of character here, am I right Phillicia?"
"Woah, back up. You're sending some serious creep vibes. How'd you know my name?"
She smiled. I loved when she smiled, "Wiccans have their ways, Miss McCallus. It's All Hallow's Eve, the veil between worlds is thin, why don't you have an open mind?"
"Cause every time I do, someone fucks with it, Nora!" What? Wait a minute, "What the hell...?" I stared at her. Nora. That was her name, but how did I know it?
She smiled. I never wanted it to stop. "Oh, honeybee," that sent a flutter in my heart. I wanted to get angry, "But don't you like when people do? When a smart girl comes along, and just Takes Over?"
"Back off, weirdo. You're giving me stalker vibes, and I have enough confusion in my life. This same kind of thing happens to me about once a month, so I'd appreciate it if you would kindly Fuck Off!"
