Hey everyone! Sorry it took a long time to update (wtf? a month?!)... I'm having trouble with the fact that Spencer will be acting quite "out of character" in the beginning part of this story... I kinda don't like that. But as the story progresses, I think that good ol' Spencer we've grown to love will develop. THANKS EVERYONE FOR READING/REVIEWING/BEING PATIENT! You guys definitely motivated me and I appreciate the time you took out of your busy lives! Thanks River (my beta) for not letting me post a mediocre chapter 2 with a terrible cliffhanger!! Hi my readers from Delta One *waves frantically* :D Love you guys! *muah!* 01shane01: sorry, no vampires in this one! But I used your "airhead" idea LOL... lonefenix: i'm so flattered :)
I'll do my best to shoot out the next chapter way sooner than a MONTH! EEK! Enjoy :) 3.24.09
Disclaimer: I don't own South of Nowhere or the characters.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
Ugh. Curse the wretched alarm clock… and its monotonous buzzing! I can feel my eardrums quiver as I continue to cringe at the horrid object. I curl up even tighter while trying to drown out the obnoxious noise.
My bed feels ridiculously comfy this morning. I've got my plush comforter drawn to my waist, and I even have one of those incredibly soft polyester blankets hugging my upper body. Hmm… so hard to want to move right now, especially with it being freezing cold everywhere else outside of my warm little fortress.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
Sadly, with every last effort, I fail at ignoring the alarm clock that beckons me and mandates my life within the boundaries of time. I roll over and squint at the clock.
5:04AM.
I'm opening this morning. Saturday morning. It's nice to have Fridays off, but a curse to be the opening shift on a Saturday. A Saturday after midterms… after the Friday night celebratory "we're officially done with midterms" partying… after a harsh (unofficial) break up.
Sigh.
Time, they say. Time is what it takes to heal. The same Time that I live my life by is the same cruel Time that will not hasten the healing of a broken heart.
My life… officially… sucks.
"Spencer!" Madison snarled as she charged through my door. "God, you look like shit," she thought.
"Good morning to you, too." I grumble.
"Either get up and shut that alarm off… or I'll throw it out the window!"
"Alright!" I jump up. "Mad—" Oww! What is that? I press my hands against my temples. Must sit back down.
"Mmhmm…" she pursed her lips and cocked her head as if I deserved this nauseating feeling, "you never listen."
My head is throbbing. I wanna yack. Clearly… I'm hungover.
"What do you mean?" I'm confused.
"Last night, I told you not to drink too much because you had to work early the next day."
"I don't even remember dr—" She burst into laughter. Argh. "Can you please refrain from cackling? It's not making me feel any better." I lie down again.
"You were so drunk last night. You even told me 'I don't think I'm gonna remember tonight.'" She walked in further and shut my alarm for me before sitting at the side of my bed. "You totally passed out right after you said that."
Everything that happened last night was such a big blur. I really didn't remember anything that happened after I had my fifth drink… at least I think it was my fifth. Who knows how many I had altogether?
Last night was Sarah's 21st birthday. Sarah is Donny's high school sweetheart. They've had their ups and downs, from having their honeymoon moments, to being at each other's throats. But when the dust settles, there's no one else they'd rather go through hell and back with. I swear they're going to get married someday, and grow old together. They wouldn't have it any other way.
Anyways, Sarah decided she wanted a small dinner. Nothing too crazy. Just the five of us.
Five.
It wasn't too long ago that when we made dinner reservations, we would ask for a table for six. But this would be the first time I'd be the fifth wheel. I suppose it's something I should be getting used to.
So Aiden, Madison and I met up with Donny and Sarah at Jack's Crab Cantina around 7. You could spot Sarah a mile away with her platinum blonde hair and the not-so-subtle Amy Winehouse 'do. Thankfully, it was only during special occasions when she felt the need to exaggerate her look in order to draw even more attention to herself. To top it off, she proudly wore the It's My Birthday! tiara that Donny bought her.
They stood from the table and greeted us with hearty hugs. I forced a smile across my face and handed Sarah a gift bag and birthday card. But I really suck at hiding my emotions. They always seem to creep up on my face somehow. I didn't realize the attitude I was exuding until I heard Sarah thinking, "I really hope she doesn't make this night about herself."
"Don't worry. I won't." I smirked as I took my coat off and draped it around the chair.
"Spence, I didn't mean—"
"It's okay." I waved it off as I sat down. The other three were confused. But they proceeded to sit down and dismiss our little side comments. Sarah placed her gifts on the empty chair next to her, which sat directly across from me. I looked at the two couples sitting across from one another to my right, and forced back the lump in my throat. After all, Sarah was right: this night is about her; it's a birthday party for her… not a pity party for me.
Of course, that didn't stop me from dulling my sorrows.
"Hi, welcome to Jack's…" I didn't pay much attention to what the waitress was saying. But the second I heard her tone end in a question mark, I interjected.
"Can we start off with a pitcher of Sangria? And a Cadillac margarita for the birthday girl over there?" I smiled at Sarah, who slightly cringed knowing we were going to get her shit-faced tonight.
"Can I see everyone's ID first?" Sarah happily handed hers over. "Okay, I'll let you folks take another look at the menu while I bring out your drinks, and some chips and salsa." She placed the IDs on the table before leaving.
"Geez, Spence," Aiden crossed his arms over the table and peeked over since Madison was sitting between us, "you don't kid around, do you?"
"It's not every day you turn 21." I shrugged it off and smiled at Sarah. Anything to direct the spotlight off of my brief alcoholic bout.
"Yeah, but," Donny had to vocalize his thoughts, "we're still going to the Dubliner after dinner."
"Which is why we need to get this night started off right!" I blurted. I was getting annoyed, since I've obviously failed at redirecting the spotlight. Time to change the subject. "So, Sarah," I grinned, knowing I was getting at least a little better at hiding my melancholy attitude, "what'd Donny get you for your birthday?" Her eyes lit up.
"Oh!" She lifted her arm, "he got me the Tiffany's bracelet I wanted." She shook her wrist to add to the sparkly-ness. I had to admit, it was gorgeous. "Remember, Spence? The one I've been eyeing from the Spring catalogue?"
"Really?" I looked at Donny, "how'd you get it if it's not even out in stores yet?"
"I have my ways." He responded so smugly. "You might be great at reeling in big tips, but I get the real hook-ups around here."
Uh oh. I hear it coming…
"Yeah, Aid," Donny's gaze panned, "did you know Spencer racked up fifty plus dollars in tips… in one shift?"
"What?"
"For one night, can we talk about something else besides Spencer?" Sarah rolled her eyes as her boyfriend, the nosy gossip queen, filled Aiden in on the details. I felt bad, but the situation was kinda out of my hands. She looked at him sideways. "It's like… he's in love with her or something." She caught herself, realizing damn well that I was more than within earshot. Sarah looked at me abruptly. I shook my head in sincerity, hoping she didn't actually believe that. He's my best friend… and I consider her just as close.
"Please don't believe that," I said under my breath.
"I have to use the restroom." She pulled her loose strands behind her ears and stood up. For a second, Donny paused to her attention. I hoped it'd be the end of him telling my life story…
"Okay," he nodded, "do you know what you want to order?"
"Order whatever." Sarah sounded kinda bummed. She grabbed her clutch and walked to the restroom. I really wish there was an on-and-off switch for my powers. Normally, I'd pretend I didn't hear that. But I think I really need to talk to her about it later. I don't want her thinking that about me and Donny. Sure we love each other, but we don't love each other. Almost simultaneously, our waitress brought our drinks.
"So you got some chick's number, huh?"
Boys. They all share that perverted mindset.
"Are you gonna call her?" Madison almost got whiplash from bobbing her head around.
"Wha…? No!" I got a little uncomfortable knowing the waitress was eavesdropping. So I waited a little. She raised a brow at me and hesitantly left. She wished she could stick around for the whole conversation. "Well, I mean," I leaned in closer, "I still have to talk to Melinda."
"What?!" Madison's eyes grew wide.
"Are you fuckin' kidding me?" Donny shook his head. "What do you need to talk to her about?"
I shrugged. They wouldn't understand if I explained myself a million times. The truth is… I want closure. I wanna hear it from the horse's mouth. Sure we fought. She said some harsh things. I said some harsh things. She broke up with me… in her head. But she never actually said it.
"Melinda's moved on, Spence." Aiden leaned back into his chair. "I saw her yesterday with Vanessa."
"Mmhmm. I guess they're no longer hiding it." Madison didn't mind being so blunt. "She looked happy."
"Not helping." I sulked.
"My point is… stop feeling sorry for yourself, chica." She poured the Sangria. "You've got someone's number. That's a plus! You're off to a good start." She handed me a glass.
"Yeah," Donny chimed in, "and you haven't told me what went down with the big spender you served after hours." He wiggled his eyebrows. "What was her deal anyway?" He pointed to his forehead inquisitively.
"I-I don't know." I started to feel overwhelmed and inundated with everyone's thoughts… and trying to distinguish mine from theirs. "I couldn't read her. It was…"
"Weird?"
"…calming." It really was. Yet, I shook it off. It couldn't be real. "But who knows? I was really drained that day."
"Have you ever encountered someone whose mind you couldn't read?" Aiden vocalized his thoughts.
"Well… no. But—"
"What if she's just a total airhead? Hence the fifty dollar tip." Donny slammed his hand down, grinning in confidence to having solved the mystery. I shook my head as his remark elicited a smirk from my lips.
"I was just tired. Sometimes I'm able to drown people out." I nodded as I ran my finger over the condensation dripping from my glass. "Sometimes." Everyone took their glasses as I saw Sarah en route from the restroom. I leaned in again. "I'd appreciate it if you ixnayed all this talk about me. It's Sarah's day."
"Hey babe!" Donny broke our little huddle as Sarah made her way to her seat. He laid it on real thick, which made us look not so inconspicuous. "This is for you." He pushed the margarita in front of her, and raised his glass with the other hand. "I'd like to make a toast." He looked all googly-eyed at her as he just realized how neglected he'd made her feel earlier.
"To what?" She rolled her eyes.
"To the most beautiful woman," he kissed her cheek softy, "born this day twenty-one years ago." Donny smiled, not breaking eye contact. We raised our glasses. "My wonderful girlfriend."
"Cheers!" We chanted and toasted, sipping our drinks carefully. I could tell with Sarah's change in thought that she was finally starting to have some fun on her birthday. She actually enjoyed her margarita as she smiled and nuzzled under Donny's arm.
My glass quickly found itself at empty. What's gotten into me?
I really didn't care anymore. I poured another.
I remember mumbling my order to the waitress. And sometime during the night, our food came. I couldn't taste my food anymore; my face was numb, my taste buds were numb, everything inside was numb. It was nice! I could no longer distinguish people's thoughts from what they were actually saying. I dropped my guard and I could care less. We were all having a great time… laughing, joking, teasing one another. Not sure what it was that was so funny, but I remember feeling out of breath and my cheeks burning from laughing so hard. I really had fun! We really had fun!
That's all I could think to remember right now.
"I didn't pass out in the bathroom, did I?" I pinch the bridge of my nose.
"Not at Jack's." Madison scoffed. "But you did pass out in the one at the Dubliner."
"Shit." I respond monotonously. "I don't remember much of what happened after Jack's. Did I do anything stupid?"
"You really don't remember, do you?" She was astonished.
"Oh god!" I force every muscle in my body to work with me as I sit up. "What did I do?" My eyes didn't blink.
"Girl, you're gonna be late for work!" Madison pointed at the clock as she got up and walked towards the door. She purposely averted thoughts about last night. It had something to do with Melinda. Something happened. That's as much as I got out of her.
"What about Melinda?!" Oh… shit! "Mad, what'd I do?!"
"Go to work!" She ignored my panicked voice. "Aiden told me to tell you he has you covered for half an hour, but you'd better get there ASAP so he doesn't have to deal with the morning rush by himself."
I huff as I jump up and follow her into the hallway. She practically ran away from me and locked herself in her room.
Something happened last night… and it's driving me crazy not knowing.
I cringe as the blood rushes to my head and I feel my stomach curdle. I duck into my bathroom across the way and just blow chunks of multicolored I-don't-know-what into my toilet. I frantically brush my hair aside. Can't get vomit in my hair!
I hear Madison's thoughts – just a bunch of lyrics from the Lady GaGa CD she downloaded onto her iPod. Clever bitch. She does this whenever she's got something to hide from me.
My knees shift around on my lavender bath rug while I hug the porcelain. I can hear the music blaring from her headphones as she grabs my hair and ties it in a messy ponytail.
"Want me to call Donny to cover your shift today?" Her loud, sympathetic voice echoed in my tiny bathroom as she rubbed circles on my back. There are very few people in this world whose actual voices deafen me more so than their own thoughts – Madison happens to be one of them.
"N-no." I manage to grumble. Oh god, it feels like I'm dying! My abdomen continues to convulse as the nausea dwells. "I'll be there. Just… give me a sec." I lay my head against my forearm and shut my eyes.
Getting ready for work took centuries. And it didn't matter to me that I left the apartment at 6:42 AM. Sure, I felt bad leaving Aiden to tend to the rush of morning customers. But I couldn't help my body moving in slow mo. I also knew I wouldn't run into any issues with management. Our manager only shows up on Sundays and the assistant manager has the weekends off.
The only tangible thought and single motivation for me holding my stomach down and marching forth is figuring out what the hell happened last night. And if anyone's got a weak mind, it's definitely Aiden.
I walk in through the back door and head up the narrow staircase to a very short corridor. The manager's office sits at the top, next to a small coat closet which has been deemed the "employees' cubby." Across the way is a door leading out to the roof – the "employee lounge." Charles, the café manager, tried to spruce the roof up a bit – white plastic patio furniture and umbrellas to shield us from the sun or rain. Of course the umbrellas had to be green to match our company colors. Sadly, Charles had always been a cheapo. He couldn't even afford to put real shrubs in those planters nestled in the corners of the "lounge," not to mention the roof was covered in gravel. Needless to say, employees preferred not to take their breaks there.
I toss my purse and coat into the cubby before tying my apron on. The second I walk onto the floor, I take a deep breath and brace myself for what appears to be the start of another long day. The line died down quite a bit and Aiden seemed to have things under control.
"Oh!" He jumped at the sight of me before shoving his cell phone into his pocket. "Hey Spence!" Wow. That was so stealthy of him. "What's up?" He was trying too hard.
"Text from Madison not to talk slash think about last night?" I squint in suspicion.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Aiden responded sheepishly as he filled the espresso machine with fresh grinds.
"Yeah, right." I snicker. "Who are you trying to fool?" I proceed to the register. "I can help you right here." I notice this older gentleman staring at the menu, his arms crossed with newspaper in hand. He looked so stern trying to figure out which one was better: the organic Arabian blend or the Sumatra blend? I saw his lips moving, but could barely make out a word he was saying…
"Spicy Arabian Night recipe: One tablespoon of sugar to one tablespoon of Arabian mocha blend. A fourth teaspoon of cinnamon. An eighth teaspoon of cardamom. One teaspoon of vanilla. White chocolate mocha recipe: Three ounces of white chocolate syrup. Two cups of Half & Half. Mix to three cups of the Colombian blend…"
I look over my shoulder in disbelief.
"Aiden!"
"Hmm?"
"What are you doing?"
"I'm," he looked at me confusedly, "filling the espresso machines?"
"…and reciting the recipes in your head!" I whisper rather loudly. "Why?" He shrugged, trying to play stupid. Madison blasts her iPod. Donny walks away. And Aiden? Well, he recites recipes we were required to memorize when hired… or he'll flood his mind with useless information, often thinking about shallow, masculine things… like tits and ass. Oh, if Madison only knew… "Can you at least think quietly?" I clear my throat and turn towards my customer. "Sorry about that. What can I get for you?"
"As I was saying, which—" I'm getting antsy. Ugh… my stomach just did a somersault!
"Right, right… the Arabian or the Sumatra." I brace myself against the counter. "Well the uh… the Arabian has a distinct, pungent aroma with a slight flowery, fruity taste and…" Ugh! Gonna vom! I pause, taking deep breaths. I can feel my mouth water the way it does during the pre-vom stage.
"Are you okay?" I must've looked like I was participating in a Lamaze class.
"…the Sumatra… has uh… a rich, robust, woody taste." I breathe it out, tightening my abs to suppress the churning of my tummy. "I'm fine." I could feel my body going into a cold sweat.
"How'd… you know?" He pointed at me. "How'd you know I was debating between the Arabian and the Sumatra blend?"
"You mentioned it, didn't you?" I really couldn't remember amongst Aiden's recipe recital.
"No, I never did." He raised an eyebrow.
"Well, I uh…" time to turn up the charm, "you seem like the type of guy who faces life head first, fearlessly plunging into whatever your daily life throws you. I figured you were looking for a subtle, yet bold taste this morning." I lie my ass off. "The Arabian and the Sumatra are our most popular blends."
"Hmm… interesting observation." He nodded, satisfied with the answer I fabricated and practically hand-fed to him. "In that case, I'll have a grande Sumatra."
"Excellent choice, sir." I reach for a cup with my trusty Sharpie ready at my bidding. "Name?"
"John." I scribble his name down and ring him up.
"That'll be three seventy-eight." He handed me exact change. "Your coffee will be ready in just a sec."
"Grande Caramel Macchiato for Natalie." Aiden's voice echoed from the other end of the counter. I keep my eye on him, trying to eavesdrop on his thoughts. Talk about useless information – he couldn't help but grin at the naïve, petite-looking girl as he handed her the hot drink. He was definitely checking her out… and I'm not talking about her face; his eyes were glued to the area eight inches below there.
I pace to the coffeemaker sitting halfway between us. He turned to help the next customer, but not before flashing another smile at the poor gal. She practically melted right then and there, and threw a few extra dollars into our tip jar.
"You flirt." I mumble. He looked up at me and at that moment, he dropped his guard.
"You're one to talk. You know what you did last night." He shrugged. "I'm just working my charm to get extra tips… just like you."
"Okay, enough." I lower my voice and turn towards him as I let the coffee drip into the cup. "What happened last night?!" He cringed, desperately trying to flood his head with more mindless crap.
But it wasn't working. I squint at him as I sort through and pick out a few of his thoughts. Something about Melinda… at the Dubliner… and Vanessa was with her…
And I did what?!
Oh geez. Now it's all starting to kinda piece itself in my mind… in blurry, muffled memories. Kinda like analog television before digital cable existed…
"EDDIE!" Aiden yelled over the music blaring from the speakers. It was Reggae night and the DJ was kicking the post-midterms party with some tunes from Slightly Stoopid's album. I love Reggae! It was the perfect mellow beat that I needed to tame my wild, inebriated stupor.
Eddie, Aiden's former dorm buddy, was recently promoted to supervisor at the Dubliner. But regardless of what type of position he'd get promoted to, they could never tear him away from bartending on the busy nights. He lives to bartend! Eddie didn't hesitate to put down the shaker in his hands and walk to the other end of the bar to give Aiden a high-five.
"What's up, bro?" Eddie has a smile that would make Paul Walker jealous. "Haven't seen you in a long while. What've you been up to?"
"Same ol'… just working at the café and going to school full-time." Aiden pulled Madison closer to the bar, and I just so happened to be dangling off her other arm. Donny and Sarah squeezed in behind us. The bar was pretty crowded. We didn't make it in 'til after 10. I guess we just lost track of time at Jack's.
"Hey stud!" Madison leaned over the bar to hug him. But she kinda forgot I was using her as my crutch. Thank goodness Aiden was there to catch me. "It's so good to see you!" Eddie used to be attached to Aiden's hip, back when we were freshmen. So it was only natural that Madison grew to love the guy almost as much as her own boyfriend. And if Aiden were to ever have a twin, it'd be Eddie. They were identical in every way, with the exception that Eddie was beefier… and blonde… and kinda a sexist.
"I'm glad you guys came!" His eyes gazed over in excitement before he noticed me. I knew I looked all frumpy and disgusting, but it was hard to actually care. "Hey Spencer." He nodded.
"Hey Eddie." I squinted. On any other sober day, I would categorize this encounter as awkward. But I was drunk… and everything's much more amusing when you're drunk.
Eddie and I have history. Brief history. Long story short, Aiden and Madison tried to hook us up during the later part of our freshman year, back when I could've sworn I was straight. My boy-crazy hormones didn't mind one bit. Eddie's hot! Any girl would die to be with a guy like him. But that's all that Eddie was – a hot commodity with nothing special going on in that head of his… or that cavity in his chest where his heart's supposed to be. Not to mention, the timing was off – shortly after, I'd started to show interest in "playing for the other team." The day I told him I wasn't really interested, he went on some vengeful spree, trying to surround himself with random women to get me jealous. I totally put him in his place when he saw me on a date with a girl that week. I think he even told Aiden one time that I had actually broken him. Now I think I understand him a bit more – the cockiness and the macho exterior were all he had, since he was convinced he had turned me gay.
Years have passed… and in that time, most people grow up. But Eddie is not most people. He's still that same cocky meathead. I'm glad Aiden matured more so than Eddie. Otherwise, we wouldn't be friends. I give Madison props for taming the hound that Aiden once was.
"You wish!" I blurted, knowing damn well what he was thinking.
"I wish what?" He scoffed. We didn't know each other long enough for me to trust him with my secret.
"Um," Madison interrupted, "Eddie, these are our friends, Donny and Sarah." Eddie shook Donny's hand with Sarah draped all over him. She hugged my best friend tightly, and barely acknowledged Eddie's presence.
"It's my birthdaaaaaay!" She snapped her fingers, "so make yourself useful and gimme five Mind Erasers, hun." God bless Sarah. If she had a special power, it'd be the ability to detect assholes like Eddie and have every right to be such a bitch to them.
"Hey, be nice!" Donny retorted as Eddie raised his eyebrows. It's been awhile since a girl's talked to him like that.
"Don't mind her." Madison rolled her eyes, "she's drunk. So is Spence."
"Apparently." He walked away all butt-hurt. Ha!
We still got our Mind Erasers as requested by Princess Sarah. In fact, we had several. Too many to count. And they stayed true to their name because I think sometime during the night, I blacked out… more than once. I have no idea how long or what time. Aiden says it was like the lights were on, but no one was home – I was talking, dancing, laughing… but I had no recollection of it.
Later into the night, I think I sobered up a smidge. I sobered up enough to recognize that Melinda was there… with Vanessa. According to Aiden, I carelessly pushed my way through the crowd to where they were dancing, and I…
"What the fuck?!" I snarled.
"Spence…" I saw her lips spell out my name. I couldn't hear a damn thing in there.
"Don't you… fffffuckin' say my naaaame!" I scolded her like the child she was, despite my drunken, child-like demeanor.
"Spence, you're drunk." Thank you, Captain Obvious! "I think you need to go outside and get some fresh air." She tried to put her hand on my shoulder to guide me towards the door, but I flinched. "Go cool off!"
"How could you do this to me?" Sadly, when your face is numb, you lose the ability to hold tears back. I looked a mess with running mascara and squinty eyes. "We're not done talking, Melinda! You owe me that much!"
"I'm not gonna have this conversation with you again!" She yelled, but it was difficult to comprehend with the blaring music, flashing lights, and my own incoherence.
"Hey!" Vanessa tried to break our spat by stepping in between. "You need to let it go!" She glared at me from where she was standing… nearly 3 inches from my face. She didn't intimidate me. She's my age and maybe an inch shorter than me. I could totally take her down.
"Fuck you!" I pushed her. But before she could retaliate, I felt someone practically restrain and drag me to the other side of the bar where the tables were. Donny shoved me into an empty booth and now I was at the receiving end of the scolding. His mouth was moving, funny sounds in the form of words spewed out, but who knew what he was saying? I certainly didn't. I just remember people's stares fixed in my direction after the scene I had caused…
I think it was a few minutes later when Madison came by and cleaned the make-up that had stained my cheeks. She had tried to sober me up with water. But when she wasn't looking, I ordered more shots from the waitress and put it on Donny's tab. I was so pissed at him for what he did earlier. He could pay for all my drinks for all I care.
The memories pieced together like a bad strobe-lighting effect. I faintly remember a sultry little number sitting next to me in the booth. She seemed familiar… and she definitely lightened up the mood. We drank, we laughed, we flirted…
…and we made out. Oh god! I hope I didn't suck! Numb face, numb lips. I could've been drooling all over her… literally! She'd definitely gotten Melinda off my mind though.
Cut to a memory in the restroom with me puking my brains out. Madison was there again, tying my hair up and holding my shoes for me. Good thing she remembered my Stilettos. They were quite expensive! With her loud voice echoing against the tiled walls, I couldn't tell whether she was yelling at me or not…
And then I woke up in bed this morning.
"Aiden!" I gasp, trying desperately to lower my voice. "Who was she?"
"You told us her name's Liz."