s e v e n t e e n

                                    

                                          
Ian Walker
                          
I wasn't sure why I found myself parked outside of a pub but I was also not going to waste away in my car when there was beer to be drunk. I walked in and sat down at the bar, looking around at my surroundings. There were quite a few people here, but I wasn't complaining. When the bartender finally got around to me, she leaned over far, her white button up shirt bunching and revealing her cleavage, she flashed a smile and twirled her bleached hair around her finger. 
                          
"What can I get for you, handsome." I stared blankly at her. 
                          
"A couple of beers, red ale, whatever you recommend." She winked and walked away to get my drinks. I kept my hands in my coat pocket and listened to the soft music playing from the speakers. 
                          
When she returned with my drinks she tried to start a conversation but I waved her away. 
                          
I did everything in my power to not think about Riley, it took my whole heart. Sitting here alone, in a room full of strangers, it made me miss her more. I thought it would help, a different surrounding, but it made everything ache more.
                          
Riley Green
                          
I drove myself home in tears, wiping them furiously as I tried to blink them away as not to crash. I cried on my bed for a good while, feeling sorry for myself. Why did I ever think it would work? Why did I ever think I could just wave my hand and he would come crawling back to me? I should've know him better than that.
                          
I felt embarrassed, and hurt, and most of all broken. Why did he have so much control over my emotions, it was like my chest was cracking open and he was seeping in, becoming the blood that ran through my veins and consuming my every thought. That's exactly how I felt, like Ian Walker took a hammer and cracked open my chest, exposing my heart. 
                          
I sat up on my bed, still in tears and searched for my phone. When I found it I quickly searched through my contacts and dialed Joey's number. It rang and rang and rang and he never picked up. The answer machine beeped and all I could think to say was,
                          
"Joey, pick up please." Before hanging up and dialing his number again. This time he answered. 
                          
"Hello?" I was relieved.
                          
"Joey! It's Riley, I need you." He was silent for a bit.
                          
"What do you need? Where are you? I'm coming over." I was grateful that he would be so quick to want to help me. I told him my address and he said he would be there soon. The time between the phone call and when he actually got there was agonizing. I was left alone in the dark with my thoughts and everything hurt. Instead of knocking he walked right in and called my name.
                          
"I'm in here..." I managed to croak out. He walked in, wearing a pair of jeans and a hoodie, his tee shirt he had on under was scrunched up and peeking out from the bottom of his sweatshirt. He cautiously approached me, and sat down next to me on the bed. 
                          
"Are you okay?" He asked. I stared at him as if to say, what do you think? "I have an idea." He said. 
                          
I sat up, and wiped my face.
                          
"If it involves alcohol I'm in." He smiled at me.
                          
"Well then you're in luck!" I got myself cleaned up and Joey drove us out of town to a bar. When we got out of the car it was freezing and my small skirt wasn't helping. Joey put his arm around me and walked us inside.
                          
My first impression of the place was that it was crusty. It looked grimy and run down, and probably not the best place to be wearing this skirt. 
                          
"I've never been here before..." I whispered. I stood close to his side as we sat down at the bar and ordered a couple of drinks.