Lost Cause.

CHAPTER SIX: Weekend Passes Pt. 2.

She leaned against a wooden beam with a perfect view of the game and began smiling once she saw who was playing. Shifty Powers.

——

Aurora stood in silence with her arms crossed, boredom hitting her like a bus. The quietest group out of everyone in the bar focused on their game. Her eyes moved between the four men. Them being Shifty, Floyd Talbert, Bull, and Johnny Martin. Usually, Talbert would be out on the dance floor trying to either impress or get a girl while the other three would sit at the counter with their drinks. But tonight was different. It seemed dull. Or at least it was dull for everyone but Bill and his friends in their corner making the best of their weekend pass.

Aurora got snapped out of her thoughts as clapping from Bull and Johnny hit her ears. She looked at Shifty and Tab who each looked defeated.

"Nice try boys," Bull teased and patted both their backs, "Maybe next time."

Johnny chuckled and shook his head at his friend, "Eh, maybe the time after that. I'd say a few more games and maybe they'll win." he sent the two younger boys a smile then he and Bull made their way to the counter, indicating they were finished playing darts for the night.

Shifty and Tab looked at each other and sighed, "I'm sorry Tab. I dunno why my aimin' was so bad tonight." He apologized to his friend with a tiny smile and shrugged.

"Don't be sorry, Shift. We're probably just tired from all the training we've been doing." Tab smiled at his friend reassuringly, turned around, and quickly stepped back the slightest as he ran into Aurora who was now away from where she was observing, "Oh hello, Aurora."

She smiled at him then at Shifty, "Y'know if you guys want to just relax because you're tired you can join me and brothers over there." She pointed at her brother as she kept her eyes on the two men in front of her.

"Yeah, sure I'll join ya, Aurora." Tab smiled then turned to Shifty. Raising one of his eyebrows when he noticed how spaced out his friend was as his brown eyes were locked on the girl in front of them. He nudged his friends side and held back a smirk as Shifty looked at him.

Shifty raised his eyebrows at Tab then looked back at Aurora, "Yeah, I'll join too."

Aurora beamed at the them again then turned her heels and made her way over to her friends. She sat beside George while both Tab and Shifty sat on the other side. Around the table was her closest friends. Bill, George, Toye, Liebgott, Skip, Frank, and Malarkey. And now Shifty and Tab. She dazedly watched how their card game played out. Suddenly, they all burst out in groans as Malarkey laughed happily.

"Ya only won by luck, Malarkey."

"Yeah, because the luck of the Irish."

The men around all muttered in annoyance as Malarkey, still happy as ever, gathered up all his money from the middle of the table. Malarkey rarely ever won a round of poker so this was very surprising to say the least for everyone around the table, but they still were still pissed nonetheless.

"Alright alright, calm down everyone. I'm sure I won't win again so let me have my moment." Malarkey stuffed the money in his pocket and leaned back against his seat with a smirk as he lit a cigarette.

George snickered and leaned back too, throwing his arm around Aurora, "Where ya been, Aurora?"

"Went out lurking to get new friends. And guess what? It worked!" She smiled cheekily at George then turned to Shifty and Tab, "You guys want a drink?"

Bill's head snapped towards his sister, "No, Ro. No more drinks. Not for you or ya' friends. Ya' hear me?"

"Oh come on, William." Aurora rolled her eyes and looked over at her brother. Both stared at each other in silence as their friends carried on about Malarkey winning.

But as Bill stared at his sister with a stone cold face, Aurora's lips suddenly turned into a frown. Immediately, Bill sat up and pointed his finger at her, "Do not pull that shit on me, Aurora, I swear ta' god."

"Just one more drink?" Aurora, who still was frowning, didn't break Bill's gaze, "I promise I'll stop after it."

Bill sighed heavily, "Fine, one more. But that's it, Ro."

It was not her last drink. It wasn't anyone's last drink of the night. No one knew how much they had as the night continued. Eventually, and somehow, they all managed to walk back to Toccoa in the dark. And somehow, they were all somewhat quiet entertaining the barrack. As each one of them hit their pillow, some not even changing their clothes, immediately passed out.

"Rory, wake up."