"It's only.." Jude glanced at a clock. "Oh.. well it's four. Happy hour at the pub is going to start in a bit. So, who needs a shower?" He leaped up from the couch and slid into the bathroom. I finished getting ready along with Lucy and pulled my hair back. I glanced over at Max, who was leaning against the wall, peering outside. Lucy tapped my shoulder.
"Why don't you go talk to him or something?"
"What is there to talk about?" I asked shyly.
"You clearly have a thing for him. He may be my brother, but I know that underneath all his womanizing, he has a good heart. But I do warn you, he can be a heart breaker." She responded. I scoffed at her.
"Him? You really think I have a thing for him? Ha! And you think he can be sweet? Trust me, I've seen all the chicks he's brought home, he clearly has no taste, or soul. I care for him and all, but I mean, c'mon, I truly don't think he can keep a legit relationship." Lucy looked at me curiously, but left to go style her hair. I pulled on my coat and shot a look over at Max. I knew he had heard our conversation. I only said those harsh things out of spite. I did have feelings for him, but he had none for me. So what was the point in even trying? He then turned and faced me from across the room.
"Would you like to go for a walk with me to the pub?" He asked.
"Why not? The others will catch up later." I called out to Lucy and Jude, telling them we were leaving, and then joined Max outside. We walked down the frosted side walk and looked at the old buildings around us.
"You know," Max said after a bit, "I really don't want to leave." He hung his head low.
"I wouldn't either, if I were you." I said, not even turning my head in his direction. I don't normally give him this little amount of attention, but for some reason, the thought of his womanizing was bothering me. That woman who was in our room earlier kept on coming back to my mind. I wasn't too sure why.
"It's scary to think about I guess."
"Yeah." I responded, far away in my thoughts. Abruptly, he stopped in front of me.
"I need to get out of it, some way." I finally looked at him. Like really looked at him. His eyes were harsh and sad, in a horrifying combination that made him look very lost. "Can you help me?"
"Why would I help you?" I quizzed.
"I see the way you look at me sometimes. I know you want me." He smirked and winked with full cockiness. I was taken aback by his statement.
"You are disgusting." I stepped around him and began down the pavement. He grabbed my wrist.
"But if I were to leave, you wouldn't see me for six months. I could die."
"Well that isn't problem. You just have to watch your back." His keen eyes locked on mine.
"Please." He said, rather than asked. I sighed out of frustration.
"What do you want?"
He smiled with his success and thought a moment.
"Find a way to get me out. Or get me a replacement. Anything."
"What do I look like? A fairy godmother who can just make things appear? That's impossible, against the law!" I threw my arms up with frustration. He looked at me intently.
"Try?" He begged. I inhaled deeply.
"There isn't a way. Enjoy the month you have here left and be careful when you leave." He made a small noise that sounded like a restrained shout.
"I can't go there!"
"Why not? Everyone else who's been asked has!"
"Because.." He trailed off.
"Because?"
"Because I can't leave Lucy, and I can't leave Sarah."
"The chick who was here this morning? She left before you even woke up."
"I know, but I mean, she's hot." My mouth dropped.
"You're disgusting. You're.. you're just a pig! You just want that poor girl for her body and you can even get passed the fact that you have been called to war and all you can think about is sex? Ugh, you're an animal!" I pushed him out of my way and went to the pub. The dim lights gave the bar a dangerous feel. But it didn't matter. It was quiet. There was the occasional clacking of two billiard balls against one another. I sat at a bar stool.
"Gimme a shot." I said, with my head low to the table. The bartender gave me one quickly and I shot it back just as soon as he gave it to me. I nodded for a second one.
"What's up with you, girly?" A female voice came from behind. I turned to see Sarah, the girl from this morning. Her hair was in the same tight brown curls as this morning. She was wearing a long, floral dress that hung just below her knees. She looked amazing. I wanted her, in a way. Why did I think that? I pondered. I've never thought I'd 'want' another woman. Why would I think that? The only other person I've wanted was Max. But I've had thoughts about whether or not I still like him.
"Hey, are you okay?" She asked, waving a soft hand in front of my eyes. I blinked a few times and met her gaze. "Welcome back." She smiled. "Give her some water, man." She ordered the bartender. He gave a glass to her, she held it to my lips. "C'mon, you need it." Her voice was soft and soothing. She tilted the glass as the water dribbled into my mouth. The cold liquid felt good on my tongue. I drank the whole thing.
"So what's going on? Why do you look so down?" She wondered as she sat on the stool next to me. I rested my chin on my hand.
"Well, Max is being a bastard as always, and he's been called to fight in the war and wants me to get him out of it. I mean, what do I have to offer? I can't do anything, let alone go against the law." Sarah nodded in agreement.
"I get it, but I mean, you have some kind of feeling for the guy if it's got you so worked up about it."
"Yeah right, all he does is sleep around." She looked at me. "No offense."
"It's okay. Last night was a mistake. I didn't know what was going on and-" The doors opened and Max wandered in, slightly drunk, he had a half-empty vodka bottle in his hand. He stumbled over to us and kissed Sarah sloppily on the lips. She pushed him away.
"You need to go home, Max." She said sternly.
"But why? I-I'm going to go die in a month, let's get it on!" He yelled, making crude gestures. I rolled my eyes and grabbed his hand.
"Sorry!" I said sheepishly and waved at Sarah as I drug Max out of the pub.
Jude and Lucy, hand in hand, were just about to enter the bar as we left. I briefly explained what happened and said he drank out of depression, and started to stagger with him back the we had come earlier.
I finally reached the flat and laid him down on the bed. I looked at him. His hair was messy and filthy, his beautiful blue eyes were bloodshot. He moaned slightly, his breath smelt heavily of vodka.
"You're a mess." I said, sitting carefully by him. I stroked a strand of hair out of his face. He looked at me, studying me. He looked so sad.
"I don't want to leave," He said. "I don't. It's too scary for me. I don't want to die!" I shushed him.
"You'll be okay." I reassured him. I smiled slightly. "Just close your eyes. You'll feel better when you wake." I stood and left him alone on the bed.
