The Winning Ticket

CHAPTER 1:1

“Slow day.”2

“Not a slow day.”3

“Then why are we doing nothing?"4

“Because its one in the afternoon.”5

“I drink at one! I drink before one.”6

“Well you’re special.”7

“Am I the only special person in the world? Other special people should be here, ordering drinks! Chicks should be sitting at stools around us…flirting and twirling their hair or whatever they do--”8

“Whatever they do?" I snort. "Man, you're out of touch."9

“I’m in touch, I just don’t focus on their habits. Well not most habits.”10

I try to ignore him. But because we’ve known each other since diaperhood, I’m doomed to be his friend for the rest of my life. And that means being around him, and being around him implies that you listen to what he has to say, because he’s always talking. And listening to him talk requires replying because he is the most bizarre person you could ever meet.11

“You’re the one who’s never had a girlfriend, dude.”12

See? “I have a life, Brian.”13

“Yeah, and a life implies chicks, man.”14

“I’m not gonna stand around at a bar all day waiting for chicks to drop into my lap.”15

“I like that one. You’re making progress, Josh. I should get you a beer on the house or something.”16

I roll my eyes. “I should get you a beer somewhere else.”17

“Joshua! Brian! We’re closing the bar until we get some business. Section 5 is busy, go help Maxine.”18

“Finally,” Brian says, “something to do. I get to lose this apron and see Maxine all in one.”19

“The apron stays, idiot,” I snap.20

“Dude. Did a bee just fly up your butt or something?”21

Some things Brian says don’t need to be replied too. The truth is, I don’t know how to reply to that.22

“So you agree. Maxine’s hot.”23

“Whatever, Brian.”24

Calling Maxine hot is an understatement. And one I don’t want to hear from Brian. Brian is the kind of guy who can get any girl he wants, and no one understands why. He’s not bad-looking he’s average. He might even be good-looking but his personality kind of ruins it. Most girls are stupid, judging by the multitudes he attracts.25

Maxine Wells is not stupid. She exudes smartness. Looking at her, the first thing you notice is her eyes. They’re dark blue, almost violet, and not at all upstaged by her slim black librarian glasses. Her eyes are a perfect model of her…beautiful and intelligent looking. She has a celebrity body and silky black hair, but she doesn’t have a sexy complex. And she not be out of line at all if she did.26

She must know how people see her but she doesn’t care. She’s one of those deep, multi-faceted people that have a goal and everyone knows they’re going to achieve it. I’d love to know what her goal is. I’d love to know she even knew there was a guy named Josh Peterson on staff at Fish N’ Chips.27

“Josh! Thank God. Table six, okay?” And she zips by with plates stacked up her arm, completely oblivious.28

I stand there with a stupid smile on my face until Brian passes me with a plate of food. “The bee went bye-bye,” he jokes, and then crashes into a pillar, dropping the plate and swearing.