Lesson 49- Save some of your money instead of spending it all. It’s like storing up treasures, you’ll have something special for later!

For some reason, heading out to the bar in my pyjamas feels particularly hilarious, I can’t seem to stop giggling. Laura has a big smile on her face too so I think she’s enjoying herself as well. I do kind of love what she did with my hair. I could never get curls to sit so nicely. If I had a pretty dress I would be tempted to put it on and take some photos so I could replace all my social media profile pictures. But… Ugh. No phone. I can’t even take a cute selfie. Darnit. Oh well, I don’t have any pretty clothes either. I suppose it doesn’t matter what pictures I have on my social media when I’m not using it anyway. But I kind of wish I could add Laura and Kyle, even some of the regulars at the bar. It would be fun to see what their lives are like when they aren’t here. I would include Torin but I’m about ninety nine percent sure that he doesn’t use social media. If he has any accounts I doubt he uses them.

Laura and I wave at Catcher who laughs when he sees us marching out in our pyjamas.
“Hey Catch, we need drinks!” Laura calls out to him, dragging me over to a table. We sit and I can see more than a few people watching us with a combination of curiosity and amusement.
“You didn’t actually tell him WHAT drinks we want.” I point out and Laura shrugs.
“He knows what I like, maybe yours will be a surprise. He’s weirdly good at guessing what people like. He isn’t here nearly as often as me but he has a nack for remembering people’s favourites.” Laura pouts like she’s jealous but there’s a shine in her eyes that tells me she’s just teasing. Catcher is awesome so he doesn’t make us get up and go to the bar, instead, he comes by the table and hands Laura some cocktail I don’t recognize and gives me a rum and coke. Hmm… I’m not much of a drinker, so it’s a little weird that I’m a bartender. But this is a decent drink choice I suppose. I take a sip and I’m surprised by how much I like it. This is way better than last time I had one. My eyes widen in surprise and Catcher grins.
“You like it? I used the good rum.” He winks at me and I laugh.
“It’s nice. Although I’m not sure I can afford to be drinking the good rum.” I point out. Catcher shrugs.
“Why not? It’s not like you have to pay rent or bills.” He comments and I roll my eyes.
“I still have a place, even if I’m not living in it right now. My bills will probably be low because I’m not using any utilities, but I’ll still owe rent. Thankfully it won’t be due for another week or so. I’ll figure out how to pay it.” I add thoughtfully.
“Why not just give the place up? You don’t have any stuff there and you live here.” Laura suggests and I frown.
“Because one day I’ll need to go home. Besides, my brother might come looking for me and if someone else is renting my place he will FREAK out. Then I’ll definitely have the cops looking for me, that is if I don’t already.” I add under my breath.
“I guess.” Laura answers doubtfully. I know what she’s thinking. She thinks I’ll never get out of here. But she’s wrong. I just know it. One day, Torin is going to trust me, really trust me. Then he will let me go. And if he doesn’t… Well then he’s going to wish he did.
“Well… No matter what happens. I need to make sure I keep money set aside, I probably shouldn’t be spending extra money on expensive booze.” I say, turning my attention back to Catcher who nods and is about to head back around the bar when an arm slings around his shoulder.
“If you’re spending your own money on drinks then you are definitely doing this wrong beautiful.” Elijah remarks, inserting himself into the conversation. Catcher rolls his eyes and shrugs Elijah’s arm off before heading back to the bar. He seems totally unaffected by Elijah. I guess his magic doesn’t work on guys. Elijah drops down to sit at a chair across from us.
“Hands to yourself Elijah.” Laura warns.
“Please, call me Eli. And I’ll be good.” He winks at me and I can’t help but laugh a little because his tone tells me he has a very different definition of good than we do. He grins when I laugh.
“Alright Eli. As for the drinks, not all of us can flirt our way into endless free drinks.” I point out. Laura snorts out a laugh.
“You totally could.” She insists. I roll my eyes and Eli raises an eyebrow.
“No, no. She’s right. I bet you could get someone to buy you a drink You should try.” His eyes are gleaming. I cross my arms over my chest.
“You just want to watch me fail and embarrass myself.” I complain and he shakes his head.
“No way, you can totally do it. I dare you, no, I DOUBLE dare you.” He challenges. I scoff at him.
“It’s hardly a good double dare if it’s something you would totally do anyway.” I argue and he sighs like I’m being difficult.
“You’re no fun.” He sulks.
“I am too fun!” I glare at him and he shrugs.
“Rina is totally fun, don’t be mean!” Laura narrows her eyes at him and Eli holds up his hands defensively.
“Fine. I just thought it would be a fun challenge.” He looks disappointed and sighs dramatically. A couple of women I don’t recognise approach us and, to no one’s surprise, immediately begin flirting with Eli. What is a shock is after about a minute of conversation, the women head to the bar, order drinks and then return, not just with drinks for themselves and Eli, but for Laura and I too. Did Eli just flirt his way into getting US free drinks too? What the hell? We’re taking shots this time and I decide not to question it.

Haf an hour and three more shots later I am more than a little tipsy and Eli is calling a taxi for the drunk women. Apparently they are too drunk for him to consider hooking up with them, but he does make sure that they both save his number in their phones and sends them off with a wave.
“You’re welcome for all the drinks.” He smirks and I roll my eyes.
“I don’t think you can take credit for free drinks that someone else paid for.” I point out. He shakes his head.
“Why not? If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have gotten them. I think it counts. Now, what are you ladies up to tonight anyway? You’re certainly dressed to impress.” He winks again and I break out into giggles. Laura does too. I suspect that she’s a bit drunk, just like me. I would think that getting drunk around a man I barely know is a bad idea, but Catcher is keeping an eye on us, Torin is down the hall and Eli has already made it very clear that he doesn’t sleep with drunk women. So I’m probably LESS likely to get in trouble with him now than I was when I was sober.
“It’s girls night.” Laura answers.
“Ooh, girls night. I’m honoured to be included. I see I already missed the hair and makeup part of the evening, have we gossiped about cute boys yet? Or even better, we could play truth or dare.” He grins and even though part of me thinks this is a terrible idea, the rest of me thinks it sounds like heaps of fun.
“I vote yes to truth or dare!” I call out. Laura groans.
“Fine, but be nice!” She demands.
“WAIT! We decided that girls night requires pyjamas. Do you have pyjamas Eli?” I ask. On some level I know that makes no sense, why would he bring his pyjamas to a bar? But I still feel like I have to ask.
“I always have my pyjamas, mostly because I don’t wear any. I sleep naked. I could change if you want.” He grins and lifts the edge of his shirt. I scrunch up my face.
“Ew, No stripping!” I squeal and Eli starts laughing.
“Ew? You’re so mean. Just for that, you get to go first. Truth or dare?” He challenges. I shrug.
“Truth.” I resond.
“Do you think I’m attractive?” He demands and I roll my eyes.
“Duh, I’m not blind. That was a wasted question” I point out but Eli is too busy grinning to care.
“Hah, not ‘ew’ after all. I win. Anyway, it’s your turn, pick someone.” He insists. Hmm… Who to ask, Laura or Eli?