Chapter 35: Different Strokes

The cold wasn't my favorite, and our city was extra cold on a Friday night. Despite the rude weather, there was an everlasting smirk on my face that wouldn't fade through mild winds at the far side of the city. Ezra was with me, yet he refused to look me in the eye and admit that overprotection was his theme as we idled in a long line waiting to hop inside of an old bar. Instead of relaxing, he chose to eye the "sketchy" patrons that the huge bouncer permitted into the bar.

I was still hanging on Ezra's arm since Kyle dropped us off a few blocks back, and I tugged at him for the third time in trying to gather his attention. He wouldn't give in, and it I couldn't hold back from laughing anymore.

With mild laughter, I reminded Ezra, "C'mon, I used to come to places like this all the time. I will be fine in there... by myself."

His eyes scanned our general surrounding. "It's other people who I don't trust, Ada."

"I said I will be okay," I insisted with another tug.

Finally, his head drooped enough to let me catch a glimpse of those pretty eyes. His face veiled in unmistakable worry, but he had to know that me going to places a little far from home would happen eventually. Though, from the constant resistance, I wasn't sure he'd ever be ready for something like this; I could feel in his tense muscles that he wasn't ready for my solo, nightly ventures just yet... despite his encouragement.

About a week had passed from when Ezra questioned me about friends outside of Greta. It wasn't easy for me to just pick up my phone or go online to rekindle neglected friendships when my fading relationship with Andre pushed me to drift into the comfort of being anti-social. It took a third try on a third day of Ezra slyly asking me about it for me to give in and use the strangely incredible power of Facebook. To my surprise, as soon as I logged in, I caught a hold of someone who wasn't shunning me.

Faith Yee was always a good friend, and I was a little surprised to know that she had come back from tour a year earlier than she told me and our old college group. I felt relieved that she wanted to meet, regardless of me assuming that she had seen my obvious social media exile online. Ezra was glad I found an old friend, but he was dying to repeat that he didn't want the reunion at a part of town he was unfamiliar with. Unfortunately, a late night at a questionable bar was the best time she said to catch her, and I wasn't about to let Ezra's brimming paranoia sway my decision to see her when he pushed me to meet her as soon as possible.

Ezra let another minute of silence pass. I would have liked to poke fun at the weird conversations around us, like we might do on any other day, but I knew my fodder would skirt right around the pensive look on his face.

We weren't far from the entrance anymore, and Ezra finally cut the silence. "I'm going to come in with you."

My head turned at a sloth's pace, so I could peer at him. My questioning eyes contrasting from a questionable smile pushed him to add, "Just until you find your friend."

I was about to say...

"Okay," I droned without dropping the leer, but he easily picked up on my slight annoyance.

I wasn't surprised that the bouncer gave my ID a double take, but I was even less surprised Ezra's got the triple. He just had to keep on his nice attire from the office, even after I persuaded him to pick a different coat at the least.

Nope. Didn't listen to me. Of course, they're going to look at you sideways here.

He was extremely resistant when I suggested he dress down, if he was going to take me to meet Faith. By no means did he have to match me in a pair of canvas sneakers, a v-neck and jeans, but a silk fiber tie would be noticeable where we were going. I was taking his difficult attitude with stride since we began the work day, but the closer time moved toward a setting sun the more he decided to shut down on me.

Ezra didn't snatch his ID back like I could tell he wanted to, and I held in my amusement as we were given access inside of the dark smoky club. The smell of cigarettes overwhelmed the amber fluids flowing from the taps at the large bar against the wall. I had been to the same bar many years back when Faith and I came to see some obscure musician that she eventually got me into once I saw them live. The spot barely changed from when I last remembered, with its relatively large cement floor that was always covered in sticky residue and often trampled over by dirty sneakers and boots.

Ezra's instant disapproval, made me lose it. I had to laugh out loud at him.

Ezra rolled his eyes, "I'm not amused by this, Ada."

"I'm sorry, but you're grumpy face has always been a lot cuter than I'm sure you'd like it to be," I confessed, poking at his arm.

His brows twisted. "Grumpy? I'm concerned for your safety."

I was still trying to ease the tension, when I tilted my head back and sighed, "You're overdoing it, Ezra."

Ezra abruptly pulling me closer and glared at the two men that were likely to push past instead of around me.

Those assholes did help my argument, and Ezra combated, "No, I'm not overdoing it."

"Actually, yes you are," I finally snapped back.

My tolerance was gone; his concern was overbearing. I understood, but his stubborn behavior hadn't sprouted on Friday morning, it had carried over from the last two days ever since I informed him where in the city I would be meeting up with Faith. His face after the Google search of the venue set the entire tone for over forty-eight hours.

Our mild stare down was going nowhere, so– once more– I attempted to ease the already congested air. "She's not supposed to be on stage for another ten minutes, why don't we get a drink?"

That suggestion was a huge mistake on my part because his complaints were suddenly flying out in a flurry. "You're going to be drinking? Ada, you said you weren't going to be drinking. I thought we had an agreement–"

I slid my arm from him, and scoffed, "What is happening?"

There was no surprise that he didn't answer me, but I continued to glare at him in wait.

Too many seconds had passed, so I insisted for progress. "Well?"

"I just want you to have all of your wits about you, that's all," he said, failing at trying for a more composed tone.

"Look at me, Ezra," I quietly demanded, and it took a few seconds for me to get what I wanted. " I know the last time you saw me with a drink I was pretty fucked up. So... I get why you're doing this, right now. "

"It was a bottle," he firmly interjected.

Pissed off, I retorted, "I said I wouldn't drink so much to be in that sort of state."

Again, he felt the need to aggressively correct me. "Promised."

"Stop it," I pointed. "I'm not an alcoholic."

"No. But you can't expect me to not worry after you told me how most club nights ended in the past. You are out to have a good time, but your old friends are not here to watch you, and you refuse to let me stay."

Ugh!

"Okay, okay. I get it," I submitted in defeat, annoyed that he had a point.

It was unfortunate that my scowl made him look more closely at my face. "Ada, you know I don't mean to–"

"I know, but it's hard not to be frustrated when our argument it's starting to feel like old times, Ezra." My arms crossed at my confession.

Ezra's softness vanished. "This isn't the same, Ada! I never expressed how I felt about you then."

"I got it, Ezra! But you also didn't trust my decisions then either. Are you able to do that now?"

"Of course," he scoffed, as though it were common sense.

"Then please calm down!" I whispered in frustration.

He paused before he chose to pretend that his body language matched his next words. "I am calm."

I give up.

I should have known an argument would arise after days of him pouting. But I was too exhausted to keep trying to bring him back down from whatever anger cloud he was on.

It seemed that Ezra was a little tired of it too, gently pinching at my chin as he tried to subside the tension. "Ada, you have to let me be upset when I'm upset. I had to learn that lesson all over again from... you."

Avoiding his sentiment, I smirked, "You just said you were calm."

He showed me a little smile I hadn't seen in a while, but I the anxiety riddling his face was still front and center before he kissed my temple. I hadn't truly avoided his words, it was instinct for me to mask that I knew I was being a little difficult too. Though, it was hard not to be resistant with the tone of our brewing argument. I didn't want to see old Ezra again; I never learned how to communicate to that person without losing my shit.

I was glad Ezra didn't say another word after that. Folding me into a hug was what I wanted him to do. It left lucky to know that I rarely had to tell him when I wanted his arms around me. Yet, I couldn't stop wondering if he truly trusted me to be by myself.

Come on, Ezra. Do you?

But there wasn't too much melancholy left in me when the bar's ceiling lights dimmed. In an instant, I turned away from Ezra and glued my eyes on the small stage.

"Oh my God," I snorted the second I spotted Faith walking on the cramped stage.

It was so easy to spot her from the distance, regardless of her being the only woman to strut on the stage. I remembered the colorful sleeve of tattoos on her left arm, but the right forearm sketched with uncolored ink was new to me. Her straight black hair had grown down to her ass, but a chunk of it was missing as small snippet had been shaved from the leftmost quarter of her head. Dressed in tight all black tank and skinnies, she was wielding a dark purple "axe" in her alternative rock star stance.

"She looks fucking amazing!" I shrieked, before grabbing Ezra's hand and leading him through the swarm of people nearing the stage.

Faith looked surprised to see me suddenly waving right in front of her. My excited frenzy filled her dead eyes with vibrancy and she quietly screamed back at me. I gripped Ezra's arm and shook him in excitement. He had no choice but to be victim to me throwing him slightly off balance.

"Doesn't she look like a star?" I asked him with eyes of fire.

He patted my mighty grip around him and nodded in frightened compliance. "Yes. Yes, she does."

"I'm so glad you convinced me to find her, I'm so happy right now!" I shouted above the chatty crowd.

Ezra's terror promptly turned into pleasure that matched my own. Though, the pleasure was all his when Ezra touched my shoulder and silently mimicked my frenzied shrills.

I pursed my lips and poked, "Why are you so excited? I don't see a salad in sight."

He couldn't even be mad at my jab; however, he did promise to get me back for that later through a small whisper in my ear. Our jokes ceased when Faith pulled out a guitar pick from her under her tongue. At this point I was sure to be hyperventilating; I never saw her perform before.

Please God, let her be good.

Before the first strum the scraggly, similarly dressed, lead singer presented pulled his lips up to the microphone to dramatically introduce the "Four Letter Word", and not even a second later did a quintet fill our ears with impressive metalcore. Though, there was an obvious issue that made my press the tip of my fingers to my lips in question.

"At least she's good," Ezra noted against my ear, and I nodded in agreement about her being the only one with the greatest stage presence.

"The lead singer sucks," I cringed. "He's so bad."

Ezra laughed, "Hmm, is that why his mic is barely audible?"

Yas! Sassy Ezra!

Ezra wasn't so sassy with humor after the howling frontman awkwardly encouraged a mosh pit to form Unbothered by the activity behind me, I had no choice but cling on Ezra when he instinctively hooked an arm around me. Many consumed drinks commanded the ruckus more than the singer and we were frequently hit from the moshing storm behind us.

I only laughed at Faith's dismay with her band mate thought it was a good idea to sling an open bottle of water in the crowd. He was lucky his backwash blessing didn't hit our side or my shoe may have met his catapulted at his face.

I was so conflicted about the show. Faith was sometimes fueled by the punching arms and middle-fingers, but her energy couldn't only carry so much weight of four other members. She was clearly over it after the second song, but thee hysteria didn't die until the music ended two more songs later. I was wise not to look at Ezra's face until the end. His look of displeasure obviously reset what he was complaining about before we even got into the small venue.

Don't... say... a word, Ezra. I already know.

He was dying to spew complaints, but to our benefit he kept his lips together, while we watched Faith remove herself from the raised platform as run backstage before the rest of her band mates could. I urged for Ezra and I to move closer to where she disappeared, seeing him cringe at the trash sprinkled across the floor.

"Are you o–"

"I'm fine, Ada," he interrupted without eye contact.

I told you not to wear those shoes!

I didn't have to time to mental complain about Ezra when Faith pushed out of the nearby ladies room. She messily tied up her long hair when she confessed, "I'm still gross and sweaty!"

I didn't give a shit, still jumping into her hug. "I'm gonna cry, you were fantastic! I never knew you were in an alternative band!"

Her eyes narrowed when she looked back at her band mates clearing the stage. "We fucking left the city as electro punk band, but then that idiot in the middle started screwing our manager who "suggested" we go a different route. I mean what kind of Brazilian-waxed power... could you even hear his dumbass?"

I looked down in shame, "We couldn't hear him."

Faith didn't respond to the honest feedback, and instead let her eyes show a mischievous glint as she observed the 'we'.

Here we go!

Squeamish, I turned to Ezra and began, "Ezra this is Faith. Faith, this is Ezra."

"Your boyfriend?" she suggested before extending her hand to him, while I pressed my face into his arm to hide the blush.

Boyfriend. Boy... friend. Shit.

"Oh, wait. Either you two just started dating or she's still the same weirdo that I remember," Faith pointed between the two of us.

Ezra answered with a giant smirk, "Both. Truly, it's much more of the latter."

My head jerked back to show a wrinkled face and extra pinched lips, but Ezra poked the tip of my nose and, of course, I tried to bite after it.

Faith was good to us, handling the awkward in the air by swiftly suggesting we find seats at the bar.

"Oh you're not staying?" she asked, noticing that Ezra didn't take the stool beside me.

"I'm not allowed," he mocked, and I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Don't get mugged on the way out," I teased, while looking over his nice get-up again.

His smile dropped, and he looked to Faith, "I already looked at the crime rates before we came, are people mugged in here often?"

I looked to her and said, "You know the funny part is that the question isn't even about his safety but ours."

"That's adorable," Faith snickered.

"Don't encourage him," I scolded with disgust, before giving him one last hug.

He ignored my puckered lips and whispered, "Were you serious, Ada?"

I lightly jabbed at his chest with my fist, "Ezra, unless you plan on buying this building to up the safety levels, I suggest you not worry or you'll never relax."

His eyes darted around in contemplation, "Do you think you will frequent here often?"

"Don't... don't actually buy anything," I gasped with horror.

Why did I even say that?!

All of a sudden, a large and cruel smile was on his face, "You worried about what I might do, Ada?"

Before I could answer, he finally planted a wet one on the mouth and walked away with mischief on his... sexy face.

Touché, you delicious piece of man meat. Touché.

"So... that's not Andre," Faith pointed as we observed Ezra pushing through the harsh crowd to exit the bar.

"Sure the hell isn't," I sighed with joy. "We're done."

Faith grumbled from behind, "I was sort of waiting for you two to break up."

My attention circled back to her. "Really?"

She signaled to the bartender for two beers, and nodded. "Yeah, I didn't like him all that much for some years now. And he definitely wasn't that nice to you, the last handful of times we hung out in groups."

She wasn't wrong. Andre and I had been together for so long, but the wick burnt out and had fallen limp a long time ago. It was just hard to completely believe that the love was gone when he would always be there when the nights were over.

Then again... it all ended because of the importance of his "image".

It was easy for my brain to drift into wondering why he lied for so long, but Faith didn't want to dwell on the past. "But this guy. What kind of upgrade..."

"An incredible one," I sighed with joy.

"Oh my God!" she abruptly laughed. "That's what Greta's Facebook statuses were about."

My apprehension instantly faded and I scoffed, "Man, fuck her."

"Thank God you said it! 'Cause I wasn't sure if you two were still talking? She's got nerve saying shit about anyone else when she keeps on going about how Paris was the best vacation ever. Correct me if I'm wrong but... George didn't go right?"

"He sure didn't," I added, and we both looked off to the side and took a sip of our chilled ales.

"She must be jealous of you dating such a hot guy."

And I hope that asshole knows that my Ezra is French too.

Faith poked at my arms with her pointer fingers. "So how did you two meet?"

"He's actually my boss," I confessed after taking a long breath.

She almost choked on her beer. "The fuck?"

I looked off to the side waiting for judgment.

"You're fucking your boss?" she whispered in shock.

I looked up to the dark ceiling, and nervously answered, "No... we're dating like you assumed earlier."

"How old is he?" she asked in gripping her glass tight.

"Thirty-one," I sighed.

"Okay," she murmured in relief. "He does look kind of young. But still, he handles your paycheck, girl."

I dropped my head into my folded arms on the bar top. "I know. I know it sounds pretty fucked up. And this is why you're the only person I've told."

There was silence and I rolled my head toward Faith who was eyeing me while she drank.

Her attention drifted to my crotch, "When did you start to... you know?"

"After I was hired full-time. Wow, this sounds even worse out loud," I blankly admitted.

"Not really," she smirked. "It's just interesting for you. Different."

I lifted my head. "Wait... you don't have a problem with me dating my boss?"

She smacked her teeth at me. "No. Not when I really think about it. I mean you're dating him... publicly. As in he shows his face with you... in public. Seems secure enough."

I smiled at her approval, but I acted too soon. "But, Ms. Young and foolish, the real question is does he treat you well?"

"...Yeah." I took look to answer and Faith's pensive stare had me coughing up the full story of Ezra and I.

Faith finished off her third drink before she admitted, "The most I can say is that shit sounded like a fucking novella or like those crazy stories I used to read back in the day."

You ain't wrong. It does sound completely ridiculous.

Faith looked over my apprehensive stare around the bar top. "Okay, but the really real question is... are you happy?"

"I honestly never saw myself being with someone like him at the beginning."

"Yeah, a rich Wh... any White man who acts a damn fool with you never seemed like your type," she giggled.

"Right, but he's something else. Always trying to look out for me underneath all the previous insanity."

Faith pulled her lips to the side and agreed. "And you know what? There is nothing wrong with some 'what the fucks' in a relationship. All I want you to remember is that though he's better now, don't ever take on anyone as a project again. I don't want to see you shadowing after some dumb mother fucker again, and I outright refuse to be quiet about it the second I spot any bullshit this time around, Ada!"

"I got it," I pouted.

Everyone's babying the shit out of me tonight.

"Speaking of you..." I swung my finger around us, changing the subject. "You never really explained why you decided to go off and be in a band? When did this happen?"

She laughed into the rim of her cup, "As quickly as I decided to get out of it. Girl, tonight was my last set."

I whined, "What? No! You're fantastic! I just got to see you being a bad bitch on stage, and now you're quitting music?"

"Nah, I'm just not staying with those ironically sexist, yes-men. Being the only chick in a band has reached my last nerve. I kind of want to DJ." Faith shrugged.

"For real?!" I asked with excitement.

"Yeah..." she answered shyly.

I lowered my head and urged her to say what else was clearly on the tip of her tongue by my waving brows.

"So, you know how my mom and dad always wanted me to be a teacher, but then I shat on their dreams and went the route of nursing? Well, after all this time they may be getting their wish."

I waved a hand. "Wait, I thought you wanted to stay in music?"

"I do. The DJing would be until I secure a teaching job, and you know that new art school for the deaf that was built a few years ago?"

I looked around and nodded before she continued, "I really, really want to apply there!"

"That would actually be... awesome," I confessed.

Her fingers curled in delight. "When I was on the other coast, I met up with my thirteen year old cousin that lost his hearing when he was two, and he really wanted to learn how to play the drums. I convinced my aunt to get him a beginners set... and I just did it. Teaching him was so easy, and I fell in love with it."

Her excitement was beyond admirable. She was so confident in her future; her dream was so clear, and the only thing bad about it would be if she didn't get accepted into the art school's program.

I was halfway through my new drink– a cup of water. Faith may have been under the spell of an amber buzz, but the glaze didn't distract the dreamy look in her eyes when she asked, "You still do any arts and crafts, Ada? Still painting?"

"What? Oh no, not anymore." I laughed uncomfortably.

"I have to volunteer at first before I could be considered for teaching at the school. You should totally volunteer with me, when you can," Faith suggested with wild eyes.

I glared at her optimism, but then I laughed it off. Me being a creative died a long time ago, but maybe Faith was on to something. Her energy so positive all the time, it was hard not to be easily encouraged by her persuasion.

After another hour, Faith and I exchanged our goodbye hug. As a friend should do, I asked her if she was okay and she was definitely more together than I would have been after four tall drinks.

The night was successful, and my thumbs were in the middle of telling Ezra that I was on my way home. However, I realized the sent message was useless when was under the bright streetlights of the cold outdoors. A big smile was on my face, when I Ezra was standing outside of the bar. His hands were in his pockets, and he was having a deep conversation with the bouncer who had retreated from standing on his large feet for hours and lounging on a chipped stool.

My mouth was ajar as I approached the two of them, and the big dude on the chair flashed me a smile before disappearing inside the bar's warm haven.

Ezra showed me that irresistible grin, "Did you have a good time?"

"Yeah... I did. I didn't think you were still going to be here at this hour," I murmured, while checking the time on my phone.

He gave me a kiss on the forehead and asked, "You think I can rest knowing you're traveling home by yourself at 2AM?"

I shook my head, and I knew I should have known better. He may not have been the first person to ever take me home after a night out, but it sure as hell felt good to walk out and see him standing there. My feelings for Ezra were obviously strong, but I couldn't deny the instant revelation. I had an even clearer understanding of who was waiting for me. Ezra and I were hardly exclusive to the people we knew, and he wasn't standing outside in the cold air to prove anything to anyone else but me.