NSC2015 - Prefinals

Ghost of the Past

Title: Ghost of the Past

By: Arnie Narag Arce

Genre: Contemporary

I never thought I will still be breathing up to this day. I never thought I'll ever see the sun wakes from its sleep again. I thought I ended up my days here on Earth already. Screw my wrong thoughts.

I took a last long drag of my cigarette when I felt the slender arms around my waist and a body against my back.

"Good morning, pretty boy." She whispered seductively on my ear and damn, if you think I am turned on, you got the wrong guy because I am definitely irritated and frustrated by it.

I untangled her arms around me to look at her.

"I don't want to see your face or hear your voice ever again."

"Excuse me? Are you fuckin' serious?"

I walked away from her and I put on a shirt. I started to walk my way out and when I reached my door, I paused for a moment not looking at her.

"You've got fifteen minutes to put your clothes and leave my place. You don't want me to be the one dragging you out the house, do you?"

"Fuck you!"

My head snapped at her, I grinned, "Too bad babe, I only give one long night, no extended time. I do not give a fuck in the morning." I winked and left my flavour of yesterday in my room cursing me to hell.

Women are crazy. They just don't know when a guy is damn serious.

I ran my way out the house not bothering to answer my sister's question. Baby, I am just in hurry to get my bottle of jack and packs of cigarette. This body just won't work without that fuel. Thank heavens for Martha and Ben for putting a liquor house that is 10-minutes-walk from our place. Man, if I need to drink all I have to do is run to MB's Liquor house.

I marched in and saw Martha doing inventory. I greeted her and took two bottles of liquor.

"Isn't it too early to get drunk, kid?"

I followed her to the cash register, pulled out wads of money and slapped on the desk.

"You know there's no such thing as too early to me. Per usual, Three packs of my sticks too" I wiggled my brows and Martha just did her tsk-ing sound while packing my daily dose of happiness.

Ben entered from the back of the store carrying a box. I gave him a nod and a wave then I grabbed my package and just walked out the store.

They may not say it but I know that Ben and Martha love having me as their buyer. Who wouldn't love me when I buy 7 bottles a day? Dude, I am giving them profit!

I got back at the house and ran straight to my room. I eagerly uncapped one bottle and took a swig quenching my thirst.

Ah. The coolness in my throat was the sweetest thing I can ever have!

The first swig was followed by another until I was slumped against my door laughing like a lunatic.

I lit a cigar and leaned my head on my door singing out loud trying to drown the world. When the memories are trying to eat me up again, I was on my ground walking to my bathroom and I stared at myself on the mirror.

I look a lot like her. I am the male version of her and that makes me want to erase this damn face in Earth.

I smirked at my reflection then looked at my stick. I poised my cigar ready to burn my skin when two hands grabbed mine.

She was screaming at me and crying at the same time. She's angry. Who wouldn't be when your brother is a suicidal?

"Just leave me alone." I pushed her and she fell to the floor.