"Lisa?" Amanda's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I had been staring at the bar counter, my hands still resting on the shaker like I'd forgotten what it was for.
"Back to what you were doing," she said gently, nudging my elbow with hers. "Let's finish this masterpiece."
I gave a small laugh, my cheeks warming as I turned back to the drink. I held the shaker firmly, then strained the mixture into a tall glass filled with fresh ice. The liquid flowed out like a ribbon of sunlight; gold and minty green. I added a splash of soda water, watching the bubbles rise and dance.
Then, carefully, I picked up a stem of fresh mint and a thin slice of lime. I placed them on the rim just right, like Amanda had taught me.
I stepped back and took it all in. It wasn't just a drink; it felt like a tiny victory. My hands had made that.
"Looks great!" Amanda said, peeking over my shoulder. Her eyes lit up as she took a little sip. She smacked her lips and gave me a playful wink. "Not bad. Tastes good already. I love it."
I took a sip too, and my face lit up with a smile I couldn't hide. The cold mint, the fresh lime; it danced on my tongue. I had done it. My first cocktail, and it was actually good.
Amanda gave me a proud pat on the back. "Not bad for a first try! You're going to be a natural at this."
Just then, the warm scent of roasted meat floated through the air. I turned and saw Harris serving some at the far corner of the bar. My stomach growled, but before I could say anything, Nora walked up to us with a tray full of empty glasses.
"Amanda, can you do me a favor?" she asked, a bit breathless. "Serve some Tequila to table three? They've been waiting for a while."
Amanda nodded and straightened her apron. "Got it! Anything special they ordered?"
"Just the usual shots. But suggest the house special; it's a new blend. I think they'll love it," Nora said before rushing off again.
Amanda turned to me. "Okay, Lisa. Let's talk tequila. It's not just about pouring drinks; it's about the experience."
I nodded, leaning in closer to catch every word she said.
She pointed at the tequila bottles lined up neatly on the shelf, each one with its own unique label.
"This is our tequila collection. From blanco to añejo. Each one has its own personality."
"Añejo?" I asked, curious. "What does that mean?"
"It's Spanish," Amanda said, then chuckled. "Honestly, I don't know what it means either. But it tastes amazing."
I smiled. "I see."
"Anyway," she said, grabbing a shiny bottle of blanco tequila. "Let's chill the glasses. It makes a huge difference."
She slid the shot glasses into the freezer. "While they're chilling, here's how we serve it. Some people want it with salt and lime, others neat. Depends on what they like."
A few minutes later, Amanda pulled out the frosty glasses and filled each one with the crystal-clear tequila. Then she grabbed a small plate of salt and a handful of fresh lime slices.
"Now, this is how it's done," she said, smiling. "First, lick the salt. Then shoot the tequila and then bite the lime. It's fun, and most people love the tradition."
She balanced the tray and turned to me. "Watch how I do it."
I followed her gaze as she walked with calm to table three, where there was a group of loud, cheerful friends who were already clinking their glasses in anticipation.
"Here you go!" Amanda said brightly, setting the shots down. "A round of our finest tequila. And maybe you'll love the house special, it's got a real kick."
"Cheers!" the group shouted, laughing and tossing their heads back.
Amanda returned with a smile on her face. "See? That's how you connect. Talk to them, make them feel welcome."
She lowered her voice a little. "Ask if they want to toast. Ask how they like their drinks. Watch the table, clean up when they're done. Be there before they have to ask. That's how they remember you."
"I got it," I said, and I meant it. I really was starting to enjoy this.
The rest of the day passed like a smooth river; serving drinks, learning the flow, and taking my lunch in between. When evening came, I knocked off and took the minibus back to my apartment.
As I stepped off, something caught my eye; the lights in the apartment next door were on.
"Huh," I murmured. "Looks like someone new moved in."
I noticed the fresh curtains, still stiff like they'd just come from the shop. Music played softly through the wall; some slow, haunting tune I couldn't recognize. I stood there for a moment, curious, before heading into my place.
That night, I had a dream, it was a strange and beautiful one.
I was dancing. My body moved freely, my heart was light. I couldn't see the person I was dancing with only their hands. They were warm and soft, and they guided me in the rhythm. I didn't know if they were a boy or a girl, and it didn't matter. I was happy.
But then the music changed. The lights faded.
Suddenly, I was standing in the middle of a dark forest, and I was alone.
Tall trees surrounded me, with their twisted branches like claws in the night sky. I called out, "Hello?" My voice cracked. "Is anyone there?" but there was no answer.
The forest echoed with howls, not human howls but wolves.
I turned around. Glowing eyes stared at me from the shadows, and I was really afraid.
I started to run, branches scratching my arms, the howls growing louder. Then I slipped on a rock and I screamed.
Just as I was falling into the darkness, a strong hand grabbed mine.
I looked up.
The figure leaned over me, but their face was hidden behind a blur of moonlight. Their eyes shined like gold, just like the wolves'.
I opened my mouth to ask who they were but I woke up.
My heart was pounding.
Music played softly from the apartment next door. The same strange but sweet tune from earlier.
I sat up slowly, brushing sweat from my forehead.
Had I really dreamed that?
Or was something else going on?
I rubbed my eyes and grabbed my phone. It was 5:35 AM, just twenty-five minutes before my alarm would go off. I sighed and sank deeper into the blanket, still trying to make sense of the dream I'd had. Dancing in the forest… wolves… someone saving me. It all felt so real, like it had happened before. But the more I thought about it, the more the pieces slipped away.
To distract myself, I opened social media and started watching bartending videos. I knew Amanda couldn't teach me everything, so I had to learn the rest on my own. The videos showed how to pour drinks, make different cocktails, how to talk to customers; it felt like I was stepping into a whole new world. I was just getting into it when the alarm buzzed loudly at six.
"Now is the time," I whispered to myself, yawning as I sat up. I dragged myself into the bathroom, already hearing the music playing next door. It was soft but clear; soulful. I found myself humming along. Even though I was rushing, the tune made me smile.
After my shower, I dressed quickly, black jeans and a red blouse. I slipped on my sandals and made a cup of coffee. The steam warmed my face as I took a few sips, while glancing at the time. I didn't need to carry lunch since the bar provided food, so I just packed my bag with the basics and headed out.
I locked the door behind me, slipping the keys into my bag. Just a few steps out, something made me stop. I turned and looked at the next apartment; the one with the music. That's when I saw him.
He was sitting near the window, working on a guitar. A bandana was tied around his forehead, his hair loose and perfect. He sang along with the same song I'd heard earlier. His voice was deep, smooth, and beautiful; it made my heart skip a beat. He looked up. Our eyes met for half a second. I quickly looked away, pretending to fix my bag, then kept walking wondering if he really had seen me staring at him.
The bus stage wasn't far, but every step, I kept thinking about him; his voice, the way he looked at me like he already knew me. When the minibus arrived, I climbed in and took the window seat. As soon as we started moving, I pulled out my phone and headphones. I searched for that song; the one he was singing and put it on repeat. I closed my eyes, letting the melody wrap around me.
The ride was quick, and before I knew it, we were in town. I got off, paid the conductor, and walked toward the bar.
As I reached the entrance, I saw Harris unlocking the door. I slowed down, my heart starting to beat a little faster, not in a good way.
"I just made it on time," I said casually, slipping my phone into my bag. I tried to smile, to seem normal.
Harris turned around. "Hey… Lisa! Good morning." He gave me a smile as he pushed the door open.
"Morning, Harris," I replied, forcing the smile to stay on my lips.
He walked in first, taking off his jacket and hanging it neatly on a hook.
"How did you find it here yesterday? Was it cool?" he asked over his shoulder.
"It was amazing. Thanks to Amanda, she made it so much easier," I said, glad to shift the attention away from myself.
As soon as I mentioned Amanda's name, she and Nora walked into the bar.
"Speaking of the devil," Harris said with a chuckle.
I laughed softly, but inside, I felt tense.
Something about Harris made me nervous. Not in an obvious way. The way his eyes sometimes rested on me too long, like they were trying to read my thoughts… or my past. It felt like he could see right into my soul. But I couldn't let him know that. So I stood a little straighter, forced another smile, and kept my eyes moving. I had to stay focused. I had work to do.
And no one especially Harris could know what was really going on inside me.