Look This Way

It's Friday night, and I should have stayed home.

Instead, I was stuck in the back of a Lyft, crawling through traffic on my way to the new bar on Flint Avenue. I was already an hour late.

Every joint in my body ached, and a dull headache throbbed behind my eyes. I would've been much better off in bed, but I'd already promised I'd show up. Keeping my word was just part of who I am.

My phone rang.

"Hello? Where are you? Are you still coming?" Dane asked over the phone.

"Yes, I'm on my way. I'll be there in ten minutes." I replied.

"Girl, you better be!" Dane exclaimed, sounding excited.

"See you soon." I ended the call and slipped my phone back into my purse.

I had finally arrived. The place looked like it was made almost entirely of glass. Flashing lights spilled through the walls, and even from outside I could tell it was packed. I entered the bar and found my friends seated in the upper section. Dane immediately pulled me to the bar to get a drink.

"So, what would you like to drink?" Dane asked, gesturing toward the cocktail menu.

"Whatever you're having. You know I don't know the names; they all taste the same to me." I replied.

Dane laughed. "That's what I thought."

Dane ordered two margaritas, and then we returned to our table. There were eight of us tonight: Dane, Alexa, Marge, Kirbee, Ray, Russ, Magnum, and me.

Dane was my best friend. We'd known each other since seventh grade, and even after her family moved away the following year, we stayed close. We eventually attended the same college, where we met Alexa and Marge. The four of us had been inseparable ever since.

Ray and Russ joined our group during our junior year after transferring to the university. At the time, Dane had a crush on Russ and became friends with Ray—his gay brother—in hopes of getting closer to him. The crush didn't last, but I always thought things worked out the way they were supposed to. If Dane hadn't met Russ, she never would have met Kirbee.

Russ made friends easily. Not long after transferring, he became close with Kirbee and Magnum. The three of them were practically attached at the hip.

The girls were my friends. The guys were just... there.

Don't get me wrong, we got along. We'd spent enough years in the same circle to be comfortable around each other. But beyond a few polite conversations and the occasional joke, there wasn't much of a relationship to speak of.

So here we were at a bar, supposedly having fun. Well, they were having fun. I wasn't. I'd only come because I'd promised I would.

When Dane and I returned to the table with our drinks, the others were discussing a movie that had premiered the week before.

"Do you guys think there will be a sequel to Clowns?" Ray asked the group.

"It seems open-ended, so there might be more to it. In my opinion, it wasn't particularly scary, but the storyline was... quite good." Kirbee replied.

"I agree. You know the movie..." Dane interjected.

I wasn't feeling like myself tonight, so I excused myself to get some fresh air outside. I felt a bit dizzy. I knew it wasn't from the margarita because I had barely touched it. My entire body ached; it felt as though I had been in a brawl. I just wanted to lie down and rest.

I pulled out a pack of cigarettes from my purse and picked the lucky stick.

"You know, lucky cigarettes are supposed to be the last ones you smoke."

I was startled; it made me jump a little. It was Magnum. I didn't notice he also had come outside and was standing behind me.

"Sorry if I startled you. May I?" He gestured toward the pack of cigarettes in my hand.

"Sure. Yes, I know that Lucky Cig is supposed to be the last one. If you smoke the final stick, it means you'll live long enough to finish the pack. So, it's considered lucky."

He took two sticks, placing one behind his left ear while lighting the other to smoke. "So why take it first? Your pack is still full."

"Because I know I'll still be here tomorrow," I said with a casual smile.

"How can you be so sure? Do you have visions or premonitions about what's going to happen next?" He joked.

"Nah. You just live longer when you have your wits properly screwed on." I smiled back at him.

He took out his phone and glanced at it, either checking the time or waiting for a notification.

"You only take things out if a replacement is feasible." I opened the pack of cigarettes, flipped one stick, and winked at him. "No cigarette is lucky, and we're all going to die eventually. It's just a matter of who goes first."

I began walking toward the bar, leaving him smiling at my words. When I reached the entrance of the bar, Russ came out.

"Brooke! Have you seen Magnum?"

"Smoking back there." I pointed in the direction I had come from and then walked inside.

I joined my friends' conversation, and we were laughing over silly jokes when Magnum and Russ returned.

"I think I'll stop drinking. I'm feeling a bit tipsy now." Alexa said with a laugh.

"Me too. To be honest, I don't feel very well. I just made you all a promise, which is why I still came." I spoke.

"Yeah, right, killjoys. Come on, let's dance!" Ray sauntered onto the dance floor and began mingling with strangers.

In the corner, Magnum appeared preoccupied. He kept glancing at his phone as if he was waiting for something.

"Bro, is everything okay?" Kirbee asked.

"Yumi hasn't been answering my messages. We haven't talked in three days." Magnum sighed.

"Did you guys have a big fight?" Kirbee asked.

"I wouldn't describe it as a fight." Magnum looked down, shaking his head. He picked up his beer, took several large gulps, and then slammed it on the table. "I think I'll head out now. I'm feeling tired. You all enjoy the rest of the night. Thanks for the invitation."

Magnum smiled at us before leaving. Russ and Kirbee followed him.

Dane, Alexa, Marge, and I were left alone at the table, completely unaware of what the guys had been discussing.

"Yumi and Magnum fought?" Marge started.

"What's up with Magnum?" Alexa said.

"Well, we'll know once Kirbee returns," Dane added.

"Right, I also want to call it a night because I don't feel well," I intervened.

"Okay, we'll drive you home. Let's just wait for Kirbee," Dane said.

"Thanks! You're the best!" I rested my head on Alexa's shoulder as she sat next to me.

The girls continued to chat while I relaxed. Ray returned to the table just a minute before Kirbee walked in.

"Russ went with Magnum," Kirbee stated.

"Is he okay? Did something happen?" Marge asked.

"He's dealing with something, but he'll be fine" Kirbee replied.

"Okay then. Let's call it a night."

Everyone agreed with Dane's suggestion.

"Baby, can we give Brooke a ride? She didn't bring her car," Dane asked Kirbee.

"It's fine, baby. Her house is on the way," Kirbee said with a smile.

"Oh! Thanks, lovebirds! Very much appreciated."

I pushed back my chair and stood, grabbing my purse as Dane did the same beside me. The bar felt too warm, the air thick with chatter and the clinking of glasses. I was ready to leave. Without a word, we made our way toward the door, slipping past clusters of people lost in their own conversations.

Just as we stepped outside, Kirbee called from behind.

"Hey, Brooke! Your phone."

I turned to see Kirbee walking toward us, holding it up. Damn. I hadn't even realized I left it behind. Without thinking, I flipped my purse open and gave him a quick glance. He understood immediately, slipping the phone inside without making a big deal of it.

"Thanks," I muttered, snapping my purse shut.

Kirbee nodded, falling into step beside us as we headed to their car. The night air was a relief, cool against my skin. The streetlights buzzed softly, casting long shadows across the pavement. Our footsteps echoed in the quiet parking lot as we approached their car, its dark silhouette waiting under the glow of a nearby lamp.

I pulled the strap of my purse higher onto my shoulder, exhaling softly.

I dozed off for the entire ride. They woke me up when we arrived at my house. I invited them in, but they declined, saying I needed to rest because I didn't look well. So, I did.