Petersons

"Here's to our 24-year friend Cam who finally got his first-ever date." The glasses were raised as people cheered, the champagne-filled at the top of their glasses dripped down as they all tried to stand still on the bar stools.

"Cheers!" The sound of glasses clung as more champagne dropped down their glasses onto the floor.

"Yeah, make me a fool in my own neighbourhood," Cam murmured under his breath as he took a sip of his beer seated on the stool. They all tried to step down, hands reaching each other for support. Bryan tried to hold Cam's shoulder as Tyler reached out to Bryan at the same time Joe leaned into Tyler. Then, with a loud thud, they all crashed onto the floor. Soaked in champagne- the red paper glasses crushed underneath them. Aaron stood at the side, lips pressed in a thin line. Cam flattened out on the floor, looking pissed.

"Just get out of the bar," Aaron sighed as they all grinned ear to ear. He checked his watch for the third time in a row. It was just 6 pm, and yet he felt like going home. The night he wished to loom above their heads was taking an eternity to fall upon them.

Bryan, Joe and Tyler tried to stand up without slipping as Cam laid still on the floor. The barstools were no help either as they slipped away when they tried to hold them for support.

"I will be outside waiting," Aaron murmured as he walked out. It was only evening, yet his arms tingled as he wrapped them around himself. He wasn't his usual self today. The feeling of resentment lingered as the air around him guilt-tripped him. He knew he wasn't wrong, yet the feel of proving her wrong ached his heart. He dug his hands in his pockets, back resting against the wall, his mind still lost in that moment at home.

"Honey, you should say yes." Her voice echoed in his head. What was demanded had to be denied; the decisions were to be moulded

his heart couldn't follow a love so conditional.

"Hey mate," Cam's voice brought him back to the noisy 19th street run over by people. The streetlights flickered on the pavement as their reflection reflected in the water that stood still. They all stepped out one by one holding the door frame. They were too drunk to even standstill.

"Where to now?" Cam asked as Bryan held his arm, resting his head on Cam's shoulder.

"Let's go to the B&L cafe. There's this girl I really like." Joe slurred as he grinned like just the thought of her made his stomach churn in a good way.

Aaron half-smiled, shaking his head as he walked around them and held Joe, who held Tyler, who held Bryan, who had his head laid on Cam's shoulder. Aaron and Cam were the only sober ones left.

They started walking down the pavement. Their shaky steps on the firm ground gaze on every round of the town with smiles so big, they didn't look like college students.

"On our way to Ben & Larry's," The three of them sing-sang.

--

Aaron's eyes landed on the name that lit up so bright the balloons on each side illuminated.

"Here we are," He said as his eyes roamed around the town he had never been to before. Every shop was painted in vibrant colours as people crossed the road with traffic so minimal. The bicycles parked in a vast number outside each cafe. Taking in the fresh air, his heart calmed the rapid rhythms and uplifted the heaviness that settled inside him oh so easily. The hopelessness that held him back faded into the thin air of the town.

"Let's step in?" Bryan elbowed Aaron in the ribs. His eyes flickered towards Bryan, leaving the feeling of complete serenity behind, his heart thumped again. Uneasiness settled inside him again as he tried to smile. He nodded and took a step forward. The cold breeze hit them as they opened the door, the bell rang. His hands went straight to his pocket taking out the phone as it rang repeatedly.

"Hey, mom," His voice strained as he answered the phone. The expressions so grim lifted up as worry settled in the moment he heard her voice.

"What's wrong?" He asked, turning away from them. His eyebrows creased, the heart pounded, sweat trickled down his forehead. His heart sunk.

"I'm on my way." Within the blink of an eye, he opened the doors of the cafe and left.

--

Closing the door of the cab, he rushed towards the hospital's entrance. His legs felt like they were about to give up, his eyes holding back the tears. He walked up to the glass doors as his hands rested on the handle so did hers. As he turned it, so did she. The heaviness on his heart grew more as sweat trickled down his throat. The ache was more evident in her eyes; the hard push towards the door showed the panic rising in him. His eyes not yet ready to tear up as her tears streamed down her face. The doors opened.

He stepped inside, and she left.