, I have no life.:) But that's why you guys love me
Here we go. Her ringtone is Swim in Silence by Paramore. And the other one is If You Go Leave Your Key in the Mailbox by NeverShoutNEver. The song is IDGAF by Breath Carolina
Chapter 2- November 7th
We can swim in silence,you can pull me under
I will-
"Hello?" I asked, drowsily looking at the clock. 10:00; it read."Shit," I muttered, scrambling to my feet.
"Max?" came from the other end.
I sighed. "Hi, Aiden," I said in a quiet voice that I reserved for children under the age of ten.
"Maxie, my mom is working later, and I was wondering if you could pick me up and take me to visit Ari?"
A lump formed in my throat. "Sure, honey. I'll leave now, okay?"
"Thanks, Max."
I sighed into the dial tone. I stood and got dressed in all black. I looked at the calendar on the wall. November 7th.
Walking to get my keys, I kicked things out of my way. I got my keys and stopped at the door to put on my jacket before leaving.
I swiftly walked down the stairs and to my car
If you go, if you-
"Huh?"
"Nice answer. It makes me feel loved."
"Sorry, Angel. It's a bad day for me."
"Oh, you wanna talk about it?"
"Nah," I replied as I got into the car and started it up.
"Okay. Do you want to work later?"
I ran a hand through my hair and turned on the heat.
"Sure... What time?"
"7 'til 2. You up for it? Then after, Movie night at Fang's." Fang? Fang? OH! The goth singer.
"Okay. See 'ya then." I didn't wait for a reply, I just hung up and focused on driving.
About two hours later, I arrived in my old neighborhood. I saw people walking that I instantly recognized. I felt the water works coming, but held them in. I drove up to the familiar yellow house. As always, there were toys strewn about the yard, but it was not filled with sadness instead of young excitement. I pulled into the gravel drive way and beeped the horn.
A short, stick thin, ginger came running out in all blue. Ari's favorite color.
He opened the door to my car and wrapped his thin arms around my torso. "Hey, kid," I said kissing his head. His little arms, a reminder, made me feel better. "Ready to go?"
"Yeah. I had a bad dream last night." I put up an emotional mask. The one I had built last year. I felt something unwanted coming.
"What was it?" I put on a sympathetic face. I would've loved being anywhere but there. Boiling pit of lava? Fine with me.
"Ari was a big monster, but he didn't want to be. And he hurt me and you, but he didn't want to... He misses us," the little kid said. His shockingly large blue eyes engulfing me in memories.
"It's okay, Aiden. I have dreams like that sometimes." I started up the car and started to drive to the town's cemetery. I kept the mask up the whole time.
I haven't been there for a year. Not since they were buried.
I passed Flashing Lights, my job before moving to the city. It was a popular bar. I made good money. Had friends there. But Angel's was better, I told myself. A new start. Away from the people that felt bad for me.
"So, Maxie. How is it, living in the city?" the little boy asked, twiddling his thumbs the way Ari did.
"It's nice. Maybe you can visit me some time?" His head was to me in a flash.
"Really?"
I laughed quietly and ruffled his red hair.
"Of course." I smiled as he beamed up at me.
"Here we are," he said, his face growing melancholy.
"Here we are," I repeated as I turned off the car.
I got out and walked over to his side and opened his door.
"After you," I said attempting to lighten the mood.
"Maxie," he looked up at me with his sad, wide eyes. "Will you carry me?"
I nodded, scooping him into my arms. And I'll admit it. I pretended he was Ari.
He leaned his head on my shoulder. "I can't believe it's been a year." He started sniffling. I felt a small drop of pressure on my back. He was crying. I pressed his face into my neck, soothing him.
"It's okay," I wanted to say, but I didn't. I hated giving him false hope. He and Ari never fit in. They only ever had each other. And now he was alone in the world. I couldn't tell him that he could get a new best friend. Someone that understood him like my brother had.
Before I knew it, both of us were at his gravestone, blubbering like babies.
It felt good to let the sorrow out. The sorrow that I had been holding in the past nine months. The first three months after their deaths I had found my own way to deal with it, but it was found out by Ella. She forced me to stop, and I just held it in all these months.
Our bodies racked with sobs, and we held onto each other like life supports.
It had to have been an hour of us holding each other and whispering sweet nothings into each others ears.
I lifted my head and looked at my watch 2:00. I had gotten to Aiden's house at 1:00, and we had gotten to the graveyard at 1:15.
"Hey, Aiden, what do 'ya say we go to Chuckie Cheeses? Like old times?" His face brightened slightly, but I knew if he could spend today with his best buddy, it would be better.
"Sure," he jumped on my back, and I gave him a ride to the car.
We hopped in the car and were off to Chuckie Cheeses. Smiles on our faces, frowns in our hearts.
We were walking out of Chuckie's to the car. It was about 4:30. I had to leave soon if I wanted to be at work on time.
We, exhaustively, climbed into the car.
The car ride back to Aiden's was short, but silent.
We arrived at his house once more.
Aiden was fast asleep.
I smiled and got out of the car, going over to his side. I lifted him out gently. I walked up the familiar stone path to the door. His mom's sure to be home, I thought.
I knocked on the door.
A red- haired woman opened the door.
"Max..." She studied me. "You look like shit." I looked down. My pants, the ones I had to were to work, were covered in dirt. And I'm sure I had tear tracks still running down my face.
"I don't care. Uhm. Here's Aiden. I kinda have to get to work." I passed Aiden to his mother, waving once as I walked to my car.
The door shut as I drove off, back in the direction of home.
At 7:15, I arrived at Angel's. I burst through the door and ran to the back to throw on an apron.
Angel was back there talking to Fang.
"Sorry," I said as I put on the apron.
Angel looked up. "No problem, hun. Wanna tell me why you were late?" She had one eyebrow raised.
"Personal problem?" Her and Fang laughed.
"I may be flexible, but I won't let that slide."
I sighed. I had to tell someone some day. "My brother died last year... Today. I had to drive back to the town they were buried in and pick up one of his friends to take him to the cemetery. Sorry."
Angel smiled sweetly, sympathy in her eyes. Fang just had a blank face. "It's alright, darling. Tell me next time." She shooed me out, telling me to get to work.
"Thanks," I muttered walking out. I started to work, a small smile on my face.
Fang came onto the stage a few minutes later.
"Hey, guys. This is a newer song called I.D.G.A.F. Here it is." A few women wolf-whistled along with some men.
Some techno-ey music came on.
Fang began to sing.
A constant red on for days and days, I see those lights reflected on your face
Everything can change the moment that you blink, but I don't mind
Fang danced around a little bit.
So if you wanna come in, then come in
Disintegrate into me tonight
And if you wanna give in then give in
Anything that you feel is right
Even if this chemistry's catastrophe
I don't give a fuck
Everyone repeated, "I don't give a fuck"
If you wanna taste then take a bit right out of me
I don't give a fuck
Everyone repeated.
Freezing time like a strobe on you, breathing in electronic fumes
We've made our minds and we've made out beds, so let's sink in
So if you wanna come in, then come in
Just disappear into me tonight
And if you wanna give in, then give in
Anything that you feel is right
Even if this chemistry's catastrophe
I don't give a fuck
Everyone repeated
If you wanna taste then take a bit right out of me
I don't give a fuck
Everyone repeated.
The music got slower.
If you wanna come in, then come in
Disappear into me tonight
If you wanna give in, then give in
"Give it to me, give it to me," screamed the drummer into his mike.
Even if this chemistry's catastrophe
I don't give a fuck
"I don't give a fuck."
If you wanna taste then take a bit right out of me
I don't give a fuck
They repeated.
We're not built to last, shatter like like glass, so come, come on
I don't give a fuck
They repeated.
I can't remember anything, like what's your name?
I don't give a fuck
They repeated once more, and the music went on a few more seconds before cutting off.
They played a few more songs that I didn't pay any attention to but sounded pretty nice.
Before I knew it, it was two, and we were cleaning up.
My phone rang.
"Hullo?" Everyone (Angel and Fang) stopped what they were doing and got quiet.
"Hey, Max."
"Hi, Ella. I'm kinda busy."
Ella's voice got concerned. "Max.. You haven't been drinking tonight?"
I scoffed. "Of course not. You and Josh make sure of that."
"Max, tell me the truth. I still remember how hard it was to get you to quit. And with me not being around you, I can't help you."
"Ella, I swear I'm not. Just with some friends."
"Max. I'm not stupid. I know what today is. November 7th. Meaning..."
"I know what today is, Ella. And I'm not a fucking little kid. I can take care of myself." I snapped my phone closed and looked at Angel and Fang who were staring at me.
"Family issues," I said walking past them. I through my apron into the back room. "Let's go." I walked past them again and out the door. I heard them follow me. I heard the jingle of Angel's keys as she locked the door.
There were only two cars in the parking lot. Mine and a blue bug. Meaning: Fang would have to ride with one of us.
"Not me," Angel called as if she has read my mind.
"Okay, Fang. Looks like you're riding with me," I said with slight distaste. I didn't know the kid, but he didn't seem like someone I would like. From his hoop nose ring to his straightened black hair to his eyeliner covered eyes to his black attire. I wasn't in any way bubbly, but I wasn't goth. Maybe slightly depressed, but nothing more.
"What was up? That conversation?" Fang asked, ruffling his hair before setting it straight again.
"Nothing."
He gave me a look that said just-tell-me-I-know-you're-lying.
I glared and repeated, "Nothing."
Angel drove past us, and we sped off behind her.
"Nice."
"What is?" I replied.
"Car."
"I have a nice car?" What was with this guy?
He nodded and stared forward.
We were in for a long ride. That, I knew.
Next chapter is Fang's house for movie night
R&R?