Prism - By Rachel Moschell Page 0,9
she caught herself and angrily kicked herself into reality.
Noah thought she was a nice girl, just another missionary with a pure heart for serving the Lord.
What if he ever found out?
She could never be with someone like him.
“Yeah, I’ll definitely come with you guys,” she repeated morosely as she followed them out the door. “I could use a good drink.”
For a moment the relative silence of the darkened street shocked Wara as the door to Café Amara thudded closed behind them. She crossed the pavement with the guys, towards the blue-toned beehive that was Café Paris next door. Just inside the door, the throbbing techno music reverberated inside her chest and the dim lighting confused her. Noah leaned back and spoke into her ear. “We’ll just stay a little while, be friendly, go back. Thanks for coming. I was feeling a little awkward.”
“No problem,” Wara hissed back, rolling her eyes.
Some of the guys scooted over to make room for them on the electric blue barstools, and Wara noticed that Rudolf somehow switched seats with another guy next to him, ending up next to Noah.
Oh great.
Wara had never actually been inside this café before, and she took in the antique plaster ceiling with low-hanging bulbs covered in blue glass squares, sending an eerie, ghostly light around the long room. The bar, sporting neon signs for mostly European beers, was by far the busiest area of the café.
“Oh,” she twisted around, realizing that the bartender was asking her what she wanted, “I want a Taquiña.” She plopped down on the empty barstool next to Noah, who turned away from Rudolf as he heard her order for Bolivian beer.
“I didn’t know you drank.”
“Hardly ever do,” Wara answered coolly, flushing as she heard the solid clink of her glass mug of Taquiña hit the bar. She knew this was going to be a bad idea, just knew it. But she hadn’t had a beer in five years, and if there ever was a time for it, it might be now. “Are you gonna have anything?”
“I’ll get it,” Rudolf jumped in, offering to pay for Noah’s drink. “You like Taquiña?” Wara hoped her grimace was discreet, and she tried to hide it by downing a good half of her beer, quickly followed by the other half.
Noah, Rudolf, and the other guys were talking away, covering everything from Rudolf’s Spanish studies here in Cochabamba to what kind of music Noah liked.
I have got to get Noah out of here, Wara thought as she ordered a Cuba Libre. Just got to watch for my chance…
She already felt the effects of the alcohol as the rum with Coke went down, but all in all, she felt pretty good. If Noah wasn’t in danger of being picked up, this would actually be kind of fun. Another fifteen minutes went by, which Wara filled with another Cuba Libre and a whole lot of moody thoughts. And then she heard Noah’s voice.
“Hey, no. I’m not…I just came here to hang out.” Wara realized Noah was stammering. She whirled around to see Rudolf leaning way, way too close. Noah’s neck had turned absolutely crimson, and his fingers twitched on the edge of the bar stool.
All right, that’s it! That’s my friend there!
She shot up from her seat and slid onto Noah’s lap, wrapping her fingers around the back of his neck. Wara to the rescue!
“That’s right,” she snapped, facing the other guys and then meeting Noah’s eyes. “I think you’re a little confused about my Noah here.” She pulled him closer, feeling the hot flush of her friend’s face. “He’s with me.”
Noah’s face was just inches from hers. She kissed him, and maybe it was the shock, but Noah didn’t pull away. Then she broke away and looked Rudolph right in the eye. “No boyfriend-stealing tonight. Ok?”
Silence dropped around the bar like chloroform, and then Tiago cleared his throat, cheeks splotched maroon. “Oh, man. This is really awkward. We’re, uh, really sorry. Didn’t know you, uh…were with her.” Tiago let his eyes shoot to Wara, who slid away from Noah’s body onto one of his knees and was eyeing the guys with one eyebrow raised.
“Yeah.” Rudolf had stood and was apologizing. “I just thought, I mean, you knew we were gay and you were so nice to us and no one ever is so…”
“Yeah, man,” Tiago rushed on. “I didn’t know why you were always talking to us and stuff. Everyone else that isn’t...you know…always treats us like trash.” Tiago swore and