set fire to the rain || FERRIS

[melon]

She was late. So late. Well, she would be late if she didn't leave her apartment in about ten minutes. Looking over at her clock, she finished her hair, letting it sweep naturally in gentle waves down her back. Deciding to leave it natural without any products in it, she finished her make up as well, wanting to look a little more than presentable than she usually did. Her clothes felt unnatural to her as well, for she never dressed this way. Her eyes traveled over her reflection in the mirror, taking in the slim look the bootcut jeans gave her, and the softer look the pastel pink color of the shirt placed upon her. Sighing to herself, the young woman stood for a moment, her mind flying back to what had happened during the day. She should have never gone to the aquarium. If she hadn't gone then she wouldn't be as confused and as messed up as she was now. She was here to make a new, better life for herself. Not to turn it entirely upside down. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and turned away from the mirror. Grabbing her black trench coat jacket, she threw it over herself, buttoning it up.

Grabbing her black boots, she put them on as well and basically stumbled around the apartment, not used to heels. She had to get used to them now. Her hand reached for her guitar and she placed it gently into its bag. Slinging it carefully over her shoulder, she grabbed her keys and her cell phone, giving Noah a cookie on her way out, Making sure the door was locked behind her, she hurried down to the stairs, taking them as quickly as she could. Reaching the streets, she walked fast, wanting to get there with at least a half hour to spare. It didn't take her very long to reach the bar. It was supposed to be a quiet night, but of course that wasn't the case. As Archer stepped in through the doors after showing her id, she froze. Her mouth dropped slightly as she saw the crowded area and she felt herself trembling inside. Just great. Great, great, great. Taking a deep breath, she exhaled softly and then stepped forward. The bar manager found her thankfully and steered her into the back room where she could get ready. Thanking him quietly, she took her guitar out and her jacket off, strumming the strings skillfully, tuning the instrument and making sure she herself was ready for this. She was only going to be singing one song, and the bar tender had asked her to choose something softer. She had no trouble doing that because ballad type songs were her forte.

When the bar manager came out to tell her that she had five minutes, she nodded and took a deep breath. Making sure that everything was set, she followed him out when the time came and was led to the small stage area that had been set up. He had set up a night for live acts, and she was a little thankful. At least she could make some extra money, right? The bar was full of people though, and they seemed to be her age or a bit older. She prayed that they would like this song, but one could never know. Hey, she couldn't please everyone. Taking a seat on the stool that was provided for her, she steadied herself and then started strumming the chords that she had created. The song was originally played with a piano, but she had rewritten the sheet music to play her guitar to it.The song came easily to her, and her soft and gentle voice flowed over the lyrics skillfully. She was worried that she would be thrown off of the stage because no one liked it, but at the end of it, she was surprised and a little elated to hear the applause and the small whistles of approval. She could handle that. A modest smile came to her lips, and the bar manager introduced her as Archer Carrigan. Waving slightly, she stepped off the stage, hoping that this success meant that she could come back because she really needed the money.

She weaved her way through the crowds carefully, thanking those who came to her and said that she did a beautiful job. A little flushed from the embarrassment at the praise, she finally reached the back room and took a deep breath. Well, that was that then, right? Wiping her guitar down, she slipped it into the bag and then sat down in the chair that was there. She didn't know if she should stay or not, but she did know that a few minutes to herself would be welcomed. Then maybe she could sort out her confusing thoughts. Furrowing her brow, she thought back to that handsome, blue eyed guy that had only served to offend her and confuse her. Ferris. He had kissed her. He had kissed her and told her that she needed to stay away. What in the world was that contradiction? Sighing, she put her guitar down and placed her elbows on her knees, holding her head in her hands. She didn't think she was ever going to see him again, and that didn't sit well with her. What was she supposed to do now?

^{STARRING : ARCHER & FERRIS
WORDS : 812
STATUS : FINISHED
NOTES : <3 Wearing This
LYRICS USED : USE SOMEBODY - KINGS OF LEON
LISTENING TO : Set Fire to the Rain - ADELE
BANNER CREDIT : TANA
TAGGED : TANA}

[ferris]

She won't ever get enough

Once she gets a little touch

a drink would be really nice at a time like this. after a seemingly innocent visit to the aquarium, which had started as a photography outing and ended as a panic attack and a strange encounter with a beautiful stranger, ferris was exhausted. through all of the afternoon's craziness, he still believed sapphire bay may be his next destination to set up his photography studio, but for now, he just needed to forget. it was open mic night at the upside down bar which meant there would hopefully be plenty of people to blend in with, people there to either perform or to suppor their friends who were performing. entering the building, he headed straight for the bar itself and ordered a rum and coke. he could have something harder, but he figured he'd start off simple and work his way up. he had plenty of time; he was technically on vacation after all.

seating himself at the bar, he listened distantly to the performers as they came and went, some good and some downright horrible. eventually they got around to the final act of the night, and the manager announced a name which sounded vaguely familiar, but he didn't get a good sound on it so he couldn't be sure. shrugging it off - and losing his will to care after the third rum and coke - he went back to his drink. people crowded around him while some left their positions to make their way to the dancefloor. this particular song was slower and more melodious than any of its predecessors, and ferris found himself actually paying attention in spite of himself. the voice was a female's voice, slightly husky in a pleasant, appealing way, and he began to enjoy it. abandoning his drink, he wound through the crowd until he was about four rows back from the stage and he had a relatively good view of the girl.

instantly, he thought his inebriated mind was playing tricks on him. surely, his luck couldn't be this bad. perhaps karma was trying to tell him to go screw himself. either way, ferris didn't know, but now that he recognized her, he realized why he'd recognized the name as the manager had announced her. this was archer: the girl he'd almost given a heart attack at the aquarium earlier. she also happened to be the girl he'd randomly kissed before fleeing the place, and he wasn't prepared to explain himself. he wasn't entirely certain he could explain himself, in all honesty. it had been an impulse; something he accredited to the lesser side of his personality. he had no desire to review the actions and emotions leading up to that point, that was for certain. so he remained hidden within the crowd of people congregating around the stage, and he merely listened to her voice. it was sweet and melodious and had a hickory type flavor to it in his mind. despite his best efforts, she got to him with the song, and he couldn't resist clapping as she left the stage. part of him wanted to follow her, to apologize for his idiotic behavior at the aquarium and part of him wanted to flee. so he did neither. instead, he was left standing alone on the floor as everyone either began dancing to the piped in music or left the bar for the night.

after a few minutes standing alone, he decided to head back to the bar for one more shot of courage. he would apologize to her. it was never too late to start trying to mend his horrible personality, was it? downing his last rum and coke and wavering slightly on his feet as the dizziness took over and then passed, ferris headed into the darker recesses of the bar to search for archer. it had to be the alcohol leading him because if he'd been in his right mind, he would never be doing what he was doing. suddenly, he rounded a corner after wandering for about five minutes, and he stepped into the semi-bright light of a dressing room of sorts. blinking his eyes to clear them of both the booze and the spots dancing in his vision after coming into the sudden brightness, ferris finally focused on her.

at first, he thought she was crying, and he almost turned and left, but he stopped himself. he didn't have to be that kind of guy. he kept reminding himself of that, but that little voice in the back of his head told him he would always be like his father no matter how hard he tried. he would always be the beast and never the prince. so, on a mildly-drunken whim, ferris stepped into the room and cleared his throat. "that was... good..." he trailed off uncomfortably, losing his courage now that he was actually in the same room with her. "i just wanted to catch you and say that. i'll go now." stepping backward, he attempted to leave. he should have never bothered her in the first place. she probably hated him after he'd been such an ass earlier anyway.

(CLOTHES) (ARCHER) (857) (BLEH, I'LL DO BETTER NEXT TIME. SRY YOU HAD TO WAIT!)