Drawn To Each Horizon
Thirty Four
Alex POV:
Another day at the airport killed me but thankfully it was time to relax. I felt bad that Liv had to go into work today even though she was completely tuckered out from the airport yesterday. I drove her there but came back home to sleep, leaving her at the office in a complete drag. At least Dave was bringing her coffee; I was too lazy to get out of bed again. Peyton and Baz were happy to be back from mom and dad’s house, lying by my side on the bed. I rolled onto my stomach and tried to fall asleep again but it just wasn’t working out.
Maybe I should watch something instead. Or you could unpack. Naw, TV is good. I sat up and turned on the television, some show on the Discovery Network was playing. I was about to change the channel when I noticed it was about outer space.
--
Two hours later and this documentary was still going on. But man oh man could I watch this forever. Peyton and Baz were long gone now; daddy was in a bit of a trance. But as the end credits rolled up onto the screen I was only filled with disappointment. The screen flickered off with the click of a button and I rolled out of bed. My feet carried me into the shower and I decided that I might need it to wake me up.
I allowed my head to loll back and soak my entire body head to toe with water. Streams rolled down my chest and I sat there for a while, just letting the shower steam up. I finally reached for the shampoo and massaged some into my dripping hair. Around and around my hands went, lathering for who knows how long. My head dipped down under the shower head and I watched as the soapy water fell to the drain. I heard the dogs bark at something downstairs and decided to get out of the shower and see what the big fuss was. My hand fumbled over the knob of the shower and jumped out. I reached for a towel and dried of as fast as I could before wrapping it around my waist. The dogs barked again and just as I got downstairs I heard the door unlock. Jack popped his head inside and the dogs fawned over him and jumped around his feet.
“What the hell man?” I laughed as he entered the house. He looked up at me and just chuckled when he saw me in my towel.
“Sorry dude, but we did have plans for the day if you don’t remember.” He shrugged with his hands elevated. “We were kind of supposed to meet up like an hour ago at Panera but you never showed up so I figured I’d come over and see what kept you.”
“Shit dude, I’m really sorry about that.” I scratched my head. “Let me just go get dressed and we’ll go somewhere, I promise.”
“Save it Gaskarth,” he laughed, “we’re staying here for the day.”
“Well I still kind of have to get dressed dude, I really don’t want to sit in my towel all day.”
“Just go and get dressed then man.” He shrugged and walked towards the kitchen. “I’m gonna make some food.”
“Alright man, I’ll be back in a few.” I shook my head at him and headed back upstairs. I can’t believe I forgot about making plans with Jack, the dude’s my best friend, how could forget something like that? I shrugged it off and threw on a t shirt and a pair of sweats.
--
Jack’s laugh echoed off the walls and filled the entire room. I never thought anything would be this amusing for him.
“Real talk dude, who ever thought that we would be here today? It feels like just yesterday we were having band practice in Rian’s basement and bothering the neighbors.” He shook his head.
“To be honest, I never really thought that we would get this far but I fucking hoped and dreamed about it for the longest time.” I shrugged. “And I guess it worked because look at us now, living the life and helping kids out along the way.”
“I guess life doesn’t get any better when you’re doing what you love and actually serving a purpose at the same time.” Jack agreed. “If only beer pong could do the same.”
“Oh come on dude!” I laughed. “We were having a serious conversation and you turn it into a drinking game!”
“What can I say? I’ve got troubled thoughts and a craving for alcohol.” He shrugged.
The front door swung open and a very stressed looking Liv walked inside. I can’t believe I fucking forgot to pick her up. What the actual fuck is wrong with me today?”
“Oh shit sweetie, I’m so sorry.” I leaped off the couch and ran up to her. “Time just kind of flew by and I-”
“I’m not upset with you babe, don’t worry.” She cut me off mid-sentence.
“Then what’s got you so upset?” I watched her set her purse down on the counter and she ran a shaky hand through her hair. She turned and saw Jack sitting on the couch.
“Hey Jack.” She said before turning to me and speaking softly. “I just had a stressing day today and I’m going out with Rian and Cassadee later if you want to join me.”
“Yeah, of course I’ll just get ready in a few alright?” I tried my best to cheer her up but it just didn’t seem to work. She nodded and went upstairs without another word. I guess I would just have to find out what was wrong later. I sighed and traipsed back over to the couch which Jack had occupied all day.
“So uh, is everything alright with Liv?” His hands were crossed and his thumbs twirled around each other in a childlike manner. It probably was a bit awkward to be in a situation in front of others but you can’t control life.
“I guess not but she said she was going to tell me later.” I shrugged the prior occurrence off and tried to focus on Jack.
“If I were you, I’d be trying to figure out what happened, right now.” He nodded and got off the couch. “So, I’m going to leave and you’re going to go and comfort your lovely girlfriend.”
“Thanks Jack, always a pleasure.” I nodded and walked him to the door.
“Dude, I know my way around your house.” He laughed at me.
“Yeah but the stairs are right by the front door so I just figured…” I shook my head and waved him off.
“Whatever man, go do what you’ve gotta do.” Jack shrugged and grabbed his coat. “See you later man.”
“Bye.” I locked the door behind him and headed upstairs to tend to Liv. I climbed the stairs one at a time just one foot after the other. I reached the top and turned into our bedroom. She was standing in front of the mirror in our bathroom, staring at herself.
“So are you going to tell me what happened now?” I stepped in the bathroom behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. I rested my chin on her shoulder and gave her puppy eyes in the mirror. She just laughed and rubbed my arm. “I got rid of Jack so you can tell me now.” I kissed her cheek.
“My boss hung himself last night, the police said it looked like he did it right after everyone left for the evening.” She sighed.
“Oh my gosh hunny, I’m so sorry.” I turned her around so I could pull her in for a real hug. “So who brought you home?”
“Dave took me home after he brought everyone back some doughnuts. We just spent the whole day cleaning out his office and sorting things out and then we ended up running things back to his house. I just feel bad because the only family he has is his sister in Iowa, and his mom in South Dakota.” She explained. “So I guess there wasn’t much that we really can do except for vote someone in to take over his job.”
“And who do you think that will be?” I finally let her out of my grip.
“Probably Samantha,” she shrugged. “She’s the one right behind him and there’s no doubt that she’ll be bumped up and then have someone hired to take over her job.”
“Well I think that we should really go out and get drinks so you don’t have to worry about all this.” I rubbed her shoulders.
“Yeah well we have tomorrow and Wednesday off for ‘grieving,’” she used air quotes.
“Alright babe, well you just do your thing and I’m gonna go get dressed.” I kissed her forehead and went into the closet to pick out something to wear.
Another day at the airport killed me but thankfully it was time to relax. I felt bad that Liv had to go into work today even though she was completely tuckered out from the airport yesterday. I drove her there but came back home to sleep, leaving her at the office in a complete drag. At least Dave was bringing her coffee; I was too lazy to get out of bed again. Peyton and Baz were happy to be back from mom and dad’s house, lying by my side on the bed. I rolled onto my stomach and tried to fall asleep again but it just wasn’t working out.
Maybe I should watch something instead. Or you could unpack. Naw, TV is good. I sat up and turned on the television, some show on the Discovery Network was playing. I was about to change the channel when I noticed it was about outer space.
--
Two hours later and this documentary was still going on. But man oh man could I watch this forever. Peyton and Baz were long gone now; daddy was in a bit of a trance. But as the end credits rolled up onto the screen I was only filled with disappointment. The screen flickered off with the click of a button and I rolled out of bed. My feet carried me into the shower and I decided that I might need it to wake me up.
I allowed my head to loll back and soak my entire body head to toe with water. Streams rolled down my chest and I sat there for a while, just letting the shower steam up. I finally reached for the shampoo and massaged some into my dripping hair. Around and around my hands went, lathering for who knows how long. My head dipped down under the shower head and I watched as the soapy water fell to the drain. I heard the dogs bark at something downstairs and decided to get out of the shower and see what the big fuss was. My hand fumbled over the knob of the shower and jumped out. I reached for a towel and dried of as fast as I could before wrapping it around my waist. The dogs barked again and just as I got downstairs I heard the door unlock. Jack popped his head inside and the dogs fawned over him and jumped around his feet.
“What the hell man?” I laughed as he entered the house. He looked up at me and just chuckled when he saw me in my towel.
“Sorry dude, but we did have plans for the day if you don’t remember.” He shrugged with his hands elevated. “We were kind of supposed to meet up like an hour ago at Panera but you never showed up so I figured I’d come over and see what kept you.”
“Shit dude, I’m really sorry about that.” I scratched my head. “Let me just go get dressed and we’ll go somewhere, I promise.”
“Save it Gaskarth,” he laughed, “we’re staying here for the day.”
“Well I still kind of have to get dressed dude, I really don’t want to sit in my towel all day.”
“Just go and get dressed then man.” He shrugged and walked towards the kitchen. “I’m gonna make some food.”
“Alright man, I’ll be back in a few.” I shook my head at him and headed back upstairs. I can’t believe I forgot about making plans with Jack, the dude’s my best friend, how could forget something like that? I shrugged it off and threw on a t shirt and a pair of sweats.
--
Jack’s laugh echoed off the walls and filled the entire room. I never thought anything would be this amusing for him.
“Real talk dude, who ever thought that we would be here today? It feels like just yesterday we were having band practice in Rian’s basement and bothering the neighbors.” He shook his head.
“To be honest, I never really thought that we would get this far but I fucking hoped and dreamed about it for the longest time.” I shrugged. “And I guess it worked because look at us now, living the life and helping kids out along the way.”
“I guess life doesn’t get any better when you’re doing what you love and actually serving a purpose at the same time.” Jack agreed. “If only beer pong could do the same.”
“Oh come on dude!” I laughed. “We were having a serious conversation and you turn it into a drinking game!”
“What can I say? I’ve got troubled thoughts and a craving for alcohol.” He shrugged.
The front door swung open and a very stressed looking Liv walked inside. I can’t believe I fucking forgot to pick her up. What the actual fuck is wrong with me today?”
“Oh shit sweetie, I’m so sorry.” I leaped off the couch and ran up to her. “Time just kind of flew by and I-”
“I’m not upset with you babe, don’t worry.” She cut me off mid-sentence.
“Then what’s got you so upset?” I watched her set her purse down on the counter and she ran a shaky hand through her hair. She turned and saw Jack sitting on the couch.
“Hey Jack.” She said before turning to me and speaking softly. “I just had a stressing day today and I’m going out with Rian and Cassadee later if you want to join me.”
“Yeah, of course I’ll just get ready in a few alright?” I tried my best to cheer her up but it just didn’t seem to work. She nodded and went upstairs without another word. I guess I would just have to find out what was wrong later. I sighed and traipsed back over to the couch which Jack had occupied all day.
“So uh, is everything alright with Liv?” His hands were crossed and his thumbs twirled around each other in a childlike manner. It probably was a bit awkward to be in a situation in front of others but you can’t control life.
“I guess not but she said she was going to tell me later.” I shrugged the prior occurrence off and tried to focus on Jack.
“If I were you, I’d be trying to figure out what happened, right now.” He nodded and got off the couch. “So, I’m going to leave and you’re going to go and comfort your lovely girlfriend.”
“Thanks Jack, always a pleasure.” I nodded and walked him to the door.
“Dude, I know my way around your house.” He laughed at me.
“Yeah but the stairs are right by the front door so I just figured…” I shook my head and waved him off.
“Whatever man, go do what you’ve gotta do.” Jack shrugged and grabbed his coat. “See you later man.”
“Bye.” I locked the door behind him and headed upstairs to tend to Liv. I climbed the stairs one at a time just one foot after the other. I reached the top and turned into our bedroom. She was standing in front of the mirror in our bathroom, staring at herself.
“So are you going to tell me what happened now?” I stepped in the bathroom behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. I rested my chin on her shoulder and gave her puppy eyes in the mirror. She just laughed and rubbed my arm. “I got rid of Jack so you can tell me now.” I kissed her cheek.
“My boss hung himself last night, the police said it looked like he did it right after everyone left for the evening.” She sighed.
“Oh my gosh hunny, I’m so sorry.” I turned her around so I could pull her in for a real hug. “So who brought you home?”
“Dave took me home after he brought everyone back some doughnuts. We just spent the whole day cleaning out his office and sorting things out and then we ended up running things back to his house. I just feel bad because the only family he has is his sister in Iowa, and his mom in South Dakota.” She explained. “So I guess there wasn’t much that we really can do except for vote someone in to take over his job.”
“And who do you think that will be?” I finally let her out of my grip.
“Probably Samantha,” she shrugged. “She’s the one right behind him and there’s no doubt that she’ll be bumped up and then have someone hired to take over her job.”
“Well I think that we should really go out and get drinks so you don’t have to worry about all this.” I rubbed her shoulders.
“Yeah well we have tomorrow and Wednesday off for ‘grieving,’” she used air quotes.
“Alright babe, well you just do your thing and I’m gonna go get dressed.” I kissed her forehead and went into the closet to pick out something to wear.
@BringMeBarakat
That's so sweet! Fun fact: writing the ending actually made me cry.
1/3/14