Having A Coke With You By Frank O'hara Novels & Stories

Ava was still at her desk, shoulders slightly hunched, eyes on her screen. “Hey, Ava,” Jake’s voice came easy and warm. She looked up just as he appeared beside her, smiling. On his way in, he’d already greeted two people by name and bumped fists with one of the IT guys. Typical Jake—easygoing, full of energy that didn’t seem to run out. “Hi,” she replied, her voice gentle. “Thought you could use this.” He held out a cold can of iced coffee. Her lips lifted. “Thanks.”

He held mine too, and the room seemed to thicken and grow calmer. The air was electrifying, anticipating more. "So, what do you want to order?" the bartender interrupted us, and we both looked to him. "I'll have a whiskey sour," Dante said, placing both hands on the counter. "And you, sir?" the bartender turned to me, and I smiled. "I'll have a water," I said, and Dante chuckled beside me. The bartender gave me a look and moved away. "Water?" Dante asked with a raised brow, mocking. "I don't want to taste whatever that was again," I responded, remembering how the Coke had tasted. It was the most horrible taste I'd ever had.

That night was the best and worst night of our lives. There were only a few people inside the kitchen. Girls mostly. They squealed excitedly when they saw me walk in. Ignoring them, I opened the fridge, scanned the contents then decided on coke. By the looks of things, either I or Haruto might be the ones driving them back home. I took out the canned coke, opened it, and poured it into a plastic red cup to pass as alcohol. I need to stay sober so I can find something. Anything at all.

____ Taylor Swift's Cornelia Street plays from the Bar behind me, and I realize I just walked into the bad parts of Los Angeles, or there's a party here. The song swiftly changes to Afrobeat, and a ghost of smile fleets through me. I keep walking, needing to be out of here, this chaos is not something I currently need. "Heyyo." I hear, and turn back to see a group of men, and women. "Looks like you need this." A blonde guy says, and throws a package at me. I frown, look at it, and freeze, neatly packed coke. I wait, for whatever reaction this action will cause, I wait, most have been minutes, I wait, and nothing happens.

"Uh, coke, seven-up, water, tea and uh, beer." why don't we just do what we've come into the room to do

His low voice sends excited shivers down my spine, I can feel myself leaning towards him so I hop out of my seat, hurrying to the cupboard to grab glasses. "D-drink?" I stammer. Nodding, he follows me, standing much closer than he needs to. His fingers brush against mine when he takes the glass from my hand, and, as though I'm a child with my first crush, the excitement of the contact makes my heart race. He eyes the drink suspiciously and I nearly choke on my own when I realise what he's worried about. "It's coke I promise. Just coke, nothing added, don't worry." I laugh, watching him sniff at the glass before taking the smallest sip and nodding at me.

The bartender got their drink. They forgot about me. “I will have a coke thanks for asking!” I yelled over the music. Three pairs of eyes turned to me as if they just realized I was there. Siobhan smiled apologetically. “A coke?” Andre asked. The disco lights gave his eyes a twinkle. “This may be a bar but snorting lines is prohibited here.”

Is a double shot of crown Chase that disco ball around ‘Til I don't remember Go until they cut me off Wanna get a little lost in the noise,in the lights Hey Bartender pour’em hot tonight Till the party and the music and the truth collide Bring it ‘til his memory fades away Hey Bartender 🎶 ***** “Yay!” We clinked the cups of beers and the biggest grin was spotted on our faces after the whole ordeal of singing on the stage for the first time. My body and senses are high on adrenaline with the way the crowds seemed to love and applaud for our performance, it was terrifying but in a good way.

The clinking of ice against the glass was like a symphony, promising a moment of relaxation. As Roberts joined her at the kitchen counter, Lara presented him with the mojitos. The fabulous, minty concoction slid down their throats, revitalising their weary bodies and minds. Their travel fatigue vanished, giving way to a sense of renewal and excitement for the adventures that awaited them in this vibrant city. They clinked their glasses together, toasting new beginnings and unforgettable experiences.

“A lady never discloses where she acquires illicit booze.” He snorted and drank his beer. I couldn’t but be enthralled by his Adam’s apple bobbing, the way his throat worked. With the last remaining rays of sunlight filtering through my blinds, he seemed mysterious, alluring. It helped that the heat in his gaze was liable to set me on fire at any moment. Another slow song, “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars, began playing. Jacob took my glass of wine and his beer and set them on the coffee table. He put his hands back on my waist, but soon those hands drifted further down.