Lust Front

"PRECIOUS TIME"

4 DAYS LATER

It's only 3 days until Emilia will move out - unless she manages to pay.

But I haven't seen her at work for the entire week.

I legitimately worried about her so much, and I tried calling and texting her so much. Even Maxine didn't know what happened.

I went to her apartment and knocked, but nobody answered.

It's like she just disappeared out of our lives - not even my boss cared that she hasn't come to work at all.

I feel like shit.

Which is why I'm at the bar again, this time, alone.

When I'm at the bar, I order a couple Coronas and sip them slowly while staring at the floor like an idiot.

"What's wrong, buddy?"

I look up to see what's up. It's some guy in a leather jacket drinking multiple shots of liquor.

"What is it..?"

"Why the long face, son?"

"My best friend... I miss her so much."

"What happened to her, eh?"

"It's... none of your business, Irishman."

"Oi, chill. Listen, I want to help you out. You're looking at the floor like you're looking down a 40 story building. Jesus."

"Okay, what do you want to know?"

"I'm only picking your brain because it hurts me seein' you depressed. Did your best friend die?"

I pause... what if she... did?

"No, no way!"

I can't give myself that thought.

"She, she hasn't come to work for a while after she slept with me."

"Mate, didya piss her off?"

"...I don't know. She was behind on rent and she's probably going to move out in 3 days. She doesn't have much choice."

"Shite. What will ya do then?"

"I want to help her, I always have been. She talks to me every day and every time I don't see her face it makes me closer and closer to giving up."

"Now. Chill, now... I don't think you're the problem, aite? If you say you've been helping her it's good that you have been. She must be really hurt from that."

"Okay. But why are you helping me?"

"Well, let me tell ya. You are an impressive kid, ya know? But me... I've hurt everywhere in the body my friend. I'm a criminal."

"You are?"

"I did my time. Don't sweat. I knew a guy, and he was AMAZIN'. Everything about him, was great. But when he broke up with me, I lost it. I lost myself but then I found a girl who really wanted me to keep going. And she needed me, believe that."

"And?"

"She's dead, too. And I lived a dangerous life from there and... left my old life behind."

"Why would you get into that?"

"Cuz my life wasn't worth living. I lived on anger. On pain. On revenge."

"How is that good?"

"Everyone goes for something different my friend. I didn't go well with love. I still remember my wife every day. But even then. I moved on and found happiness in killing zombies."

"My god. You're fucking crazy..."

"Listen to me, mate. You're young. You like that girl, right?"

"We've been best friends for 10 years and counting, but I think she needs me more."

"So you want her, huh? Go after her."

"I can't... I'm dating someone right now."

"Who? Do you love them more than her?"

"...I think not."

"Kid. Go find your best friend. Tell them you love them. And... make sure that other person you're dating is taken care of. Know that you're not in the wrong for taking a step."

"Yeah, of course. I know what to do."

"Good. Seeya later kid."

I leave my beers on the table and start going out the door.

"Hey kid, you didn't pay yet!"

That's not my priority. I don't waste no precious time.