LIAM
After the little scene with dad, I just picked up my car keys and went out for a drive. Going for a party or to the club is not what I think I need now so I drive straight to my best friend Felix's place. Since we were kids, he has always been the only one who listens to my problems.
On getting to his house, I had to honk several times before the security man came to attend to me.
"I'm really sorry sir. We weren't expecting you today so that's why I didn't open the gate on time," the guard said, trembling with fear as I looked at him angrily.
Without saying a word to him, I fling the keys at him to park the car properly while I went inside. He's lucky that I don't have a minute to spare, I would have taught him a lesson for wasting my time. As I am about to open the door, someone opened it from inside and it was Felix.
"What's up man?" He asked.
Without waiting for my reply, he gave way to avoid colliding with me as I dashed into the house. He gently closed the door behind him and came to where I was pacing up and down angrily in the living room.
"What's going on man?" He asked, not quite surprised at the way I barged in. He knew it was time for me to rant.
"These people are driving me crazy!" I said with clenched fists.
"What happened?" He asked for the third time as he sat on the sofa.
"Pops came over to my house today." I said, trying to calm myself as I sat down.
"The big dog?" He asked wide eyed. He knew it was unusual for my dad to show up at my place.
"Yes."
"What did you do this time?" He teased.
"I was supposed to attend this meeting but I didn't bother going since I knew my team could handle it. But then he was at the meeting!"
"Oops," he added.
"You can't even imagine the embarrassment I felt when he barged in on me busting that girl's ass." I narrated, gesticulating angrily.
I ran a hand through my hair as recounting what happened earlier today even seemed more embarrassing.
"Whoa, what?" Felix said, quite intrigued as he adjusted himself on the chair to listen better. "That would definitely cringe me out."
"And Kate, she didn't even give me a heads up. Like who does that?"
"Why would she do that?"
"I don't know, maybe she thinks it's cool for me to look stupid in front of dad." I frowned.
"She probably just wanted to put things in order while you were away. Don't be too hard on her." He said, fiddling with the tv remote.
"No kidding! She could have called me. And you should have seen the way dad spoke to me back there, fuck! He always uses my mom against me at any slight provocation."
For a brief moment, there was silence in the room. Even though he is my best friend, the subject of my mom has always been a touchy one between us and we always avoid it.
"Let's go out and let off some steam. It helps." He finally said.
I rubbed my forehead, as if I was lost in thoughts.
"Not right now, I'm not in the mood for any clubbing."
"Yeah, sure. We could just go to a bar. Just let off steam and have a drink. Get your mind off all this," he smiled and I sighed.
"Alright, fine. You are right."
Grabbing his car keys from the shelf, Felix patted me on the back as we headed out.
.
AMELIA
I trudged across the busy city street with a large blot of coffee stain on my dress and my feet heavy with defeat. That lady's attitude had not only soiled my dress but the little strength left in me was now gone. The condescending look and her rude manner still replayed in my head. I know that she spilled that coffee on me purposely just to be mean. Humiliation and despair boiled over, and I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. Reaching a stone bench along the road, I collapse into it and surrender to my emotions. Without minding passers-by staring and uncaring, I begin to break down in sobs. Amidst my tears, I dig through my bag for my phone, desperate to talk to someone. If I don't get the pressure off my chest anytime soon, I might just go crazy. Maybe running mad would be better, at least I wouldn't have so much going on. But I know it's not that simple.
My phone is trembling in my hand as I dial Mr Patrick's number and it doesn't even take a minute before he picks up.
"Hello there!"He greeted me excitedly.
Sadly I can't match that excitement.
"Hi" I sobbed as my body shook with ragged breaths.
"Are you okay?" He asked, concern etched in his voice.
"Um...are you busy? Sorry this is random but you're like the only person I can talk to right now." I spoke slowly, my voice barely audible.
"What's wrong Amelia?"
I couldn't manage any more words as the tears drowned me the more, making Mr Patrick agitated.
"Can you..."
My voice was wobbly and my body shook so bad. I was holding a lot in and there was nowhere to let it out.
"Just tell me where you are, I'm coming to get you"
"I'll text you my location." I managed to say.
"I'm on my way,just hang on."
I waited, lost in my thoughts as there were no more tears to let out.
Ten agonizing minutes passed before Mr Patrick's car pulled up in front of me.
"I came as soon as possible." Mr Patrick said, as he got down.
He looks so troubled as he pulls into a warm hug and studies my face for a few seconds. I shift uncomfortably under his gaze. My tears have dried up but I still feel so down and empty.
"What's wrong?"
"Everything," I sniffed. "I just really need to get some fresh air."
I don't really want to remind myself of how pathetic everything is, if not, I'll burst into tears again. I just need to get high and forget all of this, at least for now.
"What did you want to talk about?" He said with concern in his voice.
"Can you take me out for a drink? I think that would make me feel better. I don't drink alcohol but just for today."
"You sure about that?"
"Please" I replied as if my life depended on that one drink.
"Okay, let's go."
I muttered a thank you as he opened the car door for me. I have no idea where we are headed but anywhere away from my troubles is good by me. We parked opposite a bar with a neon sign that said, "Alfonso's place".
I can hear Taylor Swift's song, shake it off playing softly from the overhead speakers. I hope I can shake off the sadness I'm feeling tonight.
On the left side, a few men are at the snooker table enjoying themselves. A happy couple is seated by the window, whispering and giggling at each other. Mr Patrick takes my hand and leads me to a table. The pub is generally serene and peaceful since it's just midday. Just the environment I need to unwind.
"What would you like?" Mr Patrick asked as we sat opposite each other.
I look a little confused on what to order.
"I actually don't drink alcohol." I said with a faint smile. "I just wanted to get things off my chest and I thought it would be a great idea."
"Do you want me to get you soda?"
"No, no," I said, shaking my head like a leaf. "Um...just order any nice, strong drink for me." I said and he stared at me intently for some seconds.
"Alright, I'll be back." And with that, he went over to the bar.
Sitting alone with my thoughts, I tapped my feet lightly to the rhythm of happy by Pharrell Williams, now playing. At least that helped to distract my thoughts.
Shifting my attention to the snooker table side, I watched as the group of men played by turns. I was distracted again by the door opening and my heart skipped a beat as two men entered the pub.
One of those two men is Liam Henderson!