Fading Read Free

around?”
    “Sometimes. Some days I don’t even want to get out of bed because it’s just so hard, you know. I mean, I miss him every day, but some days I just think about how unfair it is that he’s gone, but then other days it’s easier. I just think that he’d want us all to carry on. He’d want us all to be happy.”
    “Are you happy, Lil? I mean, really happy?”
    “I…” I look at my best friend, I really look at her. She has these grey eyes that you can get lost in and for the first time, I notice that they have green flecks in them. “I don’t think so.”
    “Yeah… me neither.”
    “We don’t really do anything though. Tonight will be good for us.”
    “Yeah.” She agrees but I don’t think she really means it.
    “Anyway, cheer up!” I jump up to a standing position, ignoring the way my joints protest and put on my cheeriest voice. “We’re going to get drunk tonight because we’re celebrating the fact that we are alive and that one of our closest friends, though he didn’t live a long life, he lived a great one. So when I see you in a few hours, I want to see you happy or at the very least, fake smiling.”
    “You’re right.” She holds her hand out and I pull her up to her feet. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me but by tonight I’ll be better. Today is Gavin’s day. It’ll be good.”
    “That it will. But now I have to go back to work.” I pout pathetically which gets a laugh out of her.
    “Still not happy with your boss?”
    “Nope. And my dad didn’t come in again today,” I shake my head in frustration. “I’m going to have to go home and check on him before I meet you all tonight.”
    “Yeah, give him a hug from me, will you?”
    “Sure. I’ll see you later.”
    “Bye.”
    I leave the bookstore in a gloomier disposition than when I entered it. This time of year is always hard for my father since we lost my mum. I just hope he’s better this year than he was at the beginning because that was rough, and definitely not something I can live through again.
     
     
     

Three
     
     
     
    By the time I make it to the bar, the party is already in full swing. Nate, Jason, and Lexi are all at the bar, Cal is on the other side of it mixing their drinks. Lexi is the first to spot me and when she turns on her stool, shouts “Lillybug!” and waves her hands in the air, I know they’ve been drinking shots of whiskey.
    “Hey Lex,” I chuckle and wrap her into a hug when I reach her stool. “Started without me, huh?” I ask when I release her and climb onto the empty stool next to her.
    “We did,” She hiccups. “The guys picked me up early.”
    Behind her back, Nate shakes his head at me to let me know they didn’t, she’s just a lightweight, as usual.
    “Right,” I smile and turn to Cal. “Make me a drink that will make me like that, please.”
    “Sure thing,” He laughs evilly.
    “So how have you been?” He asks.
    I look away from him, I don’t want to think about what he’s putting in my drink, let alone see it happen. “I’ve been good. Busy. You?”
    “Not bad, not bad at all. We’re doing a ladies night every Saturday here now, you should come.”
    “A ladies night?” I cock an eyebrow at him. “Like… strippers and stuff?”
    “Well, no. But there will be shirtless men bringing you drinks all night.”
    “Sounds like fun.”
    “I can see you’re finding it difficult to contain your excitement.” He laughs and hands me a black cocktail.
    Black.
    I don’t even want to know.
    “Who are the guys that you’ve hired?” I ask out of curiosity.
    “We’ll be here.” Nate grins at me and throws an arm around Jason’s shoulders.
    “You’re doing it.” I check my amusement just in time when I realise they’re serious.
    “Yes. Don’t laugh, you know we’re hot.”
    “Of course you are.” I agree just to pacify him.
    “Gavin would have been the first to sign up.” Lexi says. Or well, shouts.
    “He would have.” I