— Life and soul, chapter 12.
Will had been with Fenisha for just over a month before they broke up. He had never been in a relationship before then or felt that way about another person before. It was the best time of his life, he had never been happier. Hence why the breakup hit him harder than he'd expected.
2 hours after, Will lay on the pavement drunk. He had fallen over and couldn't be bothered to get back up. His ears were ringing and his vision was blurred, but he still tried to look at the stars in the sky. A vodka bottle was at his side, just out of reach of his outstretched hand.
Someone from one of the houses nearby called an ambulance, thinking he was dead. Will heard the sirens and decided to get up and move on. Not wanting to face any paramedics or anyone in general.
By the time he had stood up, they had arrived. He tried to flee from them but ended up falling back over and scraping his face on the concrete.
He gave in and sat up, before taking a long drink from the bottle in his hand. Blood dripped from his chin and nose, landing on his blue jeans. He sat on the curb and put his head in his hands, wanting to hide from the world. Was this rock bottom?
Lev was one of the paramedics called out. At first, he didn't recognise Will. 'Mate, are you okay?' He said, bending down to the younger man's level and putting a hand on his shoulder.
Will looked up from his hands, exposing his bloody and tear-stained face. 'Grand' he slurred sarcastically, before taking another drink out of the vodka bottle.
Lev was taken aback at the identity of the man in front of him. He instantly took the bottle from his hand and set it down, out of reach. Will didn't like this at all. 'Give it back!' He said, raising his voice.
'You've had enough! Now let's get you seen to!' Lev responded, trying to stay calm. Will stood up and attempted to walk away. Lev caught him and insisted that he go to the hospital for treatment.
'No' Will said, like a stubborn toddler who wasn't getting his way.
'You are very drunk, covered in blood and very disoriented! I am not leaving you alone to wander the streets!' - Lev snapped, before grabbing Will by the arm and shoving him into the ambulance.
'Get off me!'' Will screamed, his accent getting thicker. 'It's this or a police charge for drunk and disorderly buddy, your choice' Lev threatened
Will stayed quiet for the ambulance journey. He really wanted to escape somehow. He knew his colleagues would be all over him and asking questions. Which was the last thing he wanted (or needed)
He could see himself in the adjacent window. He didn't look like himself at all. His hair was ragged, his clothing was filthy and his face was bloody. His eyes were red and felt heavy.
He put his head in his hands once more and hoped this was all a nightmare. Wishing his newfound pain wasn't real. He remained that way until he heard the ambulance doors open. He could hear familiar voices and immediately wanted to disappear.
Will stood up and left the ambulance, pushing past all of the doctors and nurses who had come outside. He stumbled off into the night, rejecting treatment. He had to maintain the little bit of pride he had left.
Ethan caught up with him and offered him a lift home. He had no energy left to refuse the offer or walk home. So he nodded in response.
It was a long ride home. Will sobbed his eyes out for most of it. His speech was slurred, so his words weren't clear. Ethan felt sorry for him and knew how he felt. A year ago, he went through the same thing. Sat in Charlie's car, in a drunken state. Sobbing about Alicia.
THE NEXT DAY:
Will opened his eyes gradually. The wooden flooring beneath him was cold and hard. He could smell alcohol, inducing him to remember the events from the night before. He unpeeled his cheek from the floor before pulling himself up into a sitting position. Clutching his head, wincing in pain.
Will eventually roamed into work, an hour late. Wearing sunglasses and yesterday's clothing. The cut on his chin stung as it caught the air.
'Dr Noble, You're late!' A familiar voice hissed. It was Connie. 'Sorry' Will mumbled in response.
Connie bit her tongue for once, choosing to ignore the aroma of stale alcohol coming from her colleague's direction. 'Just, don't do it again' she said, rushing the sentence so she could get away from him and the overwhelming smell.
Will went and got changed, looking in the mirror as he did so. What had happened to him? Just a few days ago, he was making plans with his girlfriend. Now he was single, broken and relying on alcohol to make himself feel better.
He was falling apart...