Excerpt Draft from Babyface, something I am working on

Kat goes into the bar. Her friend, Miranda, is with her. Miranda goes up to the bouncer, a 6’4″ tall Black man.

Go on in, the bouncer says.

Kat tries to go in, and the bouncer shakes his head.

I need to see some ID, says the bouncer.

Miranda has already gone inside, even as Kat tries to wave her hands to signal, “Hey, buddy, can I get some help?”

Kat finally rolls her eyes, and shows her ID to the bouncer. The bouncer sees her age (30) and lets her in.

Sorry, I thought you were underage, so I had to ask, the bouncer says.

Kat walks into the club. Loud music is blaring. They find themselves crushed against the sweaty, horny bodies of college students and 70-year-olds trying to be young and free again. Kat finds them a seat at the bar. Miranda calls to the bartender.

Two beers, she calls out, sliding a $10 bill on the table.

The bartender gives a beer to Miranda, but not one to Kat.

Hey, um…my friend got us two beers. Where’s the other? Kat gently asks.

The bartender shakes his head.

I can’t give you beer. You’re underage. But I can fix you up a non-alcoholic drink if you want. Shirley Temple, Sprite, what do you want, hon?

Kat bristles. She has been called “hon” her whole life for having a babyface and it really annoys the hell out of her. Frustrated, she whips out her ID and practically shoves it in the bartender’s face.

I’m 30, okay? Freaking 3-0. Got it? she snaps.

The bartender just starts laughing until his ribs hurt.

Why’s that funny? Kat asks.

I’m sorry, the bartender says, it’s just…you don’t look 30! I-I-hahahaha–you just look like a teenager!

Kat frowns.

Anyway, beer coming up, he says, continuing to laugh. He pours beer from the tap and slides the glass to Kat.

Thanks, Kat says, rolling her eyes.

Miranda is looking around the club at all the boys. She spies a hot-looking tall guy with dark brown hair and blue eyes. His name is Bryan.

He’s cute, Miranda says, looking at Bryan up and down like he’s dinner.

Kat shrugs.

He’s ok. Not my type, but you should go talk to him, Kat says, sipping her beer.

You’re asexual, you don’t even have a type, Miranda says, rolling her eyes. Anyway, I’m gonna go over and introduce myself.

Have fun, Kat says, waving to her friend.

An older woman walks up to Kat and sits down.

Aren’t you a little young to be drinking, sweetie?

Kat groans. Not again.

Miranda saunters over to Bryan, who is dancing and drinking with his buddies. She tries to dance with him, but he ignores her.

Hey! Miranda shouts over the music.

Bryan turns around.

Oh, hey, he laughs. Didn’t see you there!

Miranda flirts with him.

You’re a good dancer! she shouts as she gyrates in an awkward fashion.

Oh, thanks! he shouts back. He motions to his buddies that he’s going to go home with Miranda.

Aw come on, man! Bryan’s buddies call out to him. You’re ditching us?

Bryan waves goodbye. His friend, Artie, raises his Solo cup.

Meet us tomorrow night at Brigsby’s! Poker and burgers, he reminds Bryan.

It’s a deal, bro! Bryan yells. He disappears in the crowd with Miranda. Miranda leads him over to the bar to introduce him to Kat.

Hey, bud, you good? Miranda says, running out of breath. Me and Macho Man are gonna head on out.

Kat looks at her, a little taken aback. They were supposed to navigate this rowdy territory together.

But we just got here, Miranda, Kat says.

I don’t care! It’s 12 am and I’m in the mood to fuuuuuuck!

Bryan gives Miranda an uncomfortable look.

This is Kat, by the way, Miranda says.

Bryan isn’t looking at Miranda anymore. He smiles shyly when he and Kat make eye contact. Kat is asexual so she’s not interested in him at first, so she just smiles.

Nice to meet you. Don’t worry, Kat, I’ll take an Uber home.

Miranda waves goodbye as she forces Bryan out the door to go back to her place. They’re walking down the street.

So…what’s your friend like? Bryan asks.

She’s a little naive. I don’t think she’s interested in dating, Miranda says.

Bryan gets a little sad but shrugs.

That’s understandable, he says. What do you do for work?

I’m a data analyst, Miranda says.

Bryan nods.

How about you? Miranda asks.

I’m a Spanish teacher, Bryan says.

Ay, Papi! Miranda starts flirting with Bryan again, looking him up and down like he is dinner. Hablas Español?

Bryan laughs shyly.

Si, pero necesito improvar mucho.

Well, you can speak all the Spanish you want to me, daddy, Miranda says, smacking Bryan’s butt. Bryan gives her a strange look but doesn’t say anything. They keep walking home.

Kat has left the bar. She doesn’t want to be around anyone anymore after her friend ditched her. She sits at home, reading Light in August by William Faulkner.