After Darkness

*1. The beginning*

Changes is always good, they say. Gawin doubt that. He is broken-hearted. The final conclusion of his past chapter wasn't satisfied, good or likeable. No one likes a sad ending. If it was a movie, probably everybody would leave the theater saying that the movie was good, but the ending was disappointing. They're probably right.

This is his new beginning. His fresh start. Bullshit. He was so bitter right now, and he knew it. He just wanted to lay on his bed and cry all day. But he promised otherwise. He said to First that he would move on and trying to be happy right now.

That's the reason he moved out to a new university. New people, new places, new memories. He wasn't really expected find new friends. He was so emotionally closed that even new friendships would scary him. The only exception was Aye, his long-time best friend. She was with him since middle school, and they grew up together.

They usually be in four. Gawin and First, Aye and Apple. They spent all Friday's night at the Moon Lunches, eating french-fries and drinking coke. Then, they all came of age and started drinking vodka and beer at First's garage. It was great time.

One day, First was suppose peak Gawin at his home, so they could meet Aye and Apple at the Delusion's concert. He never arrived. Hours later, Gawin receive the news: First's car was hit by a bus, and the boy was dead.

That was the beginning of his darkness.

But he promised. And First deserves him to keep his promise.

"Morning", Aye said when he answered the phone.

"I'm not hungover, I promise", he replied and that's true.

"I know. I made you promise him, so I believe".

"And what's the reason you are calling me so early?", Gawin asked.

"You and I are going out tonight".

"We are not!", he emphasized. He's trying hard to be a functional young adult again, but he's not on his party mode.

"Yes, we are. I peak you at 7 pm. Be prepared!" And she just hung up the phone.

If it was any other person, Gawin would just ignore and spend the night watching some movie on Netflix, but it was Aye. She would never give up. She would call him incessantly, nock his door and never stop complain until he gave up. So he would save himself time.

As she said, Aye was at his door at 7 pm, probably earlier, but she was waiting for the right time. The exact time. She wasn't with Apple, and Gawin was grateful. He likes Apple, she is sweet and his friend, but he definitely not ready to go out with her and Aye at the same time on Friday's night. Not yet.

"You look pretty", he said.

"And you look like garbage, but it's a start", she replied and them both laugh.

They went to a bar with live music. The singer was handsome, black hair with bangs falling over his eyes. It was a bit mysterious, and the girls was going crazy with his voice and his look. The two exchange a quick glance, bit Gawin didn't think much of it. He was just a bar singer and nothing more.

Aye guided him to the bar, where they asked for margueritas: Aye favorite drink. Gawin didn't really like to drink, but he was more of a beer boy. But, again, he couldn't just say no to Aye. Not to her.

When the upbeat music started to play, Aye persuaded Gawin to go dancing on the floor. Initially, he was sulking, but ended up really enjoying himself. For a few minutes, it was like his happiness was back again. He almost forgot the pain in his chest and how he barely could breathe without First.

But the ballads songs came in and he was reminded again. He excused himself saying he was just getting a beer at the bar. They both exchange a look, but Gawin was sure he successfully hided his pain, and Gawin left the dance floor.

"One beer, please", he asked at the bar.

The bartender asked him to wait and went to get the beer. It didn't take long, and he was back, the beer visibly cold. First didn't like him to drink, but he wasn't here anymore, right? Gawin took a long drink and felt the alcohol run down his throat. A good feeling washed over him. He was alright now.

When he was going back to the floor, he bumped into somebody. He would apologize but his clothes were wet with the beer.

"You blind?", he asked angrily.

"Sorry, someone called me, and I wasn't look to my front", the boy answered. It was the singer from earlier.

"It's that supposed to make me feel better? Look what you've done!".

"Sorry..."

"Just... argh!"

He turned his back on the singer and went looking for Aye on the floor. When he found his friend, without any justification, he simply pulled her by her arm and the two left the bar.

He would still sulk about it two hours later.