Discovering Erica
by TGTrinity
based on a story idea by dgenerateaaron

CHAPTER 1: "The Curse"

"Aaron, why are you so cold? You should loosen up or something. We're here to have a fucking good time, bro."

The question fell on indifferent ears. "It's seven, what fun can there be? This place is full of sad lonely people right now," Aaron replied to his brother. It was the same bar he and his brother had visited sine before they were even legally allowed to drink. Exposed brick lined the walls, while a few pool tables in a fabulous state of disrepair lined the wall. On some nights the bar was the place to be, but right now it was definitely not.

"Come on, there's loads of fun to be had, man. See, look over there at that hot chickorito. She's hot, dude."

Aaron glanced over and saw a pretty girl sitting alone at a table. She looked like she was in her late twenties like himself, and didn't look as strange as most of the other early drinkers. "Really, Tom? Heather's right here. Why would I want to look at girls when I've got my girlfriend with me?"

"I don't know, she looks pretty good to me," Heather added as she sat at the bar next to Aaron. They had been dating for the last five years, and the two couldn't be happier. She was the one who approached Aaron at the same bar they were in years ago, which was surprising as she was easily the hottest girl there that night. Aaron could still remember the way her curly brown hair fell around her face, but had more vivid memories of how her ass had looked in her jeans.

"I wouldn't know, I only have eyes for you," Aaron added as he turned his attention to his brother in time to see him roll his eyes. "Either way, you invited us out to hang with you and grab a drink, not to help you get laid."

Tom just mumbled something about a stick up an ass before returning to his White Russian.
Aaron ignored the comment and requested another drink from the bartender. Heather tapped him on the shoulder as he did, and he glanced over at her.

"Hey babe, good work standing up for yourself. You didn't let Tom push you around," she said with a knowing smile.

"We're lucky he's in his grumpy drunk phase, because he'll be overly belligerent drunk soon."

"Ain't that the truth!" Tom said from the other side of Aaron.

"Do you even know what we're talking about, Tom?"

"Nope, but I heard my name, and I heard the word "drunk"! That's all I needed to hear." Tom took a swig on his White Russian before Aaron could respond.

Aaron just shook his head.

Turning towards the intelligent person siting next to him, he asked, "So, how was work today?"

"It was alright. The appointments went great and I had a few walk-ins for styling. Nothing too extraordinary."

Tom hiccuped loudly. "You still workin' as a barber?"

"I'm a stylist, Tom, not a fucking barber."

Tom didn't respond other than taking a long, sweeping look around himself. It was unclear whether or not he had heard, or for that matter comprehended, anything. His eyes leapt up, shining brightly, and he turned to face Aaron excitedly.

"Ooh, look, man! The hot chickorito is coming this way! She's lookin' at you, dude, score!"
Aaron was about to scold his younger brother for multiple reasons but was interrupted when the "hot chickorito" stepped up to him.

"Excuse me, but can I buy you a drink?" She offered, her voice a strong alto that almost hung in the air around them. "You look like you need a fresh one."

Aaron looked down at his mostly full drink, then looked back up at the mysterious woman. His younger brother was right in describing her as hot, as up close she was rather remarkable. A tiny black dress did little to cover her breasts, and even less to cover her long legs. "Thanks, but my girlfriend here is picking up this round," he said gesturing to Heather and not so subtly dropping the fact that he was already in a relationship.

The young woman looked shocked, as if she had never been turned down before. "Oh, sorry. How foolish of me."

"Damn straight, ya bitch!" Tom added with fervor, clearly moving on to the overly belligerent drunk phase. "You can't just walk up on my brother like some stupid cunt!"

Aaron quickly told Tom to shut the hell up, before turning towards the girl. "I'm so sorry about my brother. He's a bit of an asshole when he's hopped up on his White Russians."

"Fuck you both!" the young woman suddenly yelled, her cool demeanor replaced with anger. "How dare you speak to me in such a disrespectful way! I'll have you know that I am the arch-witch Estella, with power you've never even dreamed of! For rejecting me, and incurring my wrath, I curse you!!!"

A light burst from above them, and they covered their heads. When they looked up, the young woman was gone. "What the fuck just happened?" Tom asked, the confusion not mixing well with his drinking.

"You just got Aaron cursed, you fucking prick" Heather said with a laugh.

"Ha! I did get you cursed!"

They both shared a laugh, but Aaron didn't join in. There was something about the confident way Estella had spoke. He couldn't put a finger on it, but he felt off.

"The next round is on you for provoking her, you bastard," Heather laughed at Tom, before throwing her arm around Aaron. "It's okay, I'm not going to leave you just because you're cursed."

"Yeah, whatever..." Aaron said, finally laughing about the strangeness of it all.

Tom smiled and slurped down the rest of his White Russian before standing up and yelling "Shots!"

Continue to Chapter 2