How?

Brian - 3

The floor is cold and hard, my back aching more than it would if I would've slept sober and on a cot. As my eyes flutter open, the last thing I remember was downing an entire bottle of vodka and looking through my window to see some girl crying.

Wait - that wasn't just any girl, that was the girl from the bar - what was her name? Oh and she  also happens to be my.. neighbor? I wonder when she moved in? I wouldn't know, I haven't actually stayed in this shit hole for months. 

My phone is buzzing in my jean pocket so I check the caller I.D only to find that my phone is almost dead but I pick up anyway. 

"Hey Bri - just out of curiosity, where'd you crash last night? You didn't come by and when I went to the studio you weren't there either. You okay man?" The voice of my best friend Jimmy came through the speaker of my phone.

"Yeah dude, I'm fine - just hung over and.. At my place." I sigh as I blink and get up from the floor. Everything is too bright. Ah, the perks of being hungover. 

"...I'll be there in a few minutes, I'm at the studio." He said softly, yet mischievously. Only Jimmy manages to create an optimistic atmosphere when he knows everything has gone to shit and there isn't much to actually alleviate the tension. 

"It takes like 20-30 minutes to get to the studio fro-" I began, soon to be interrupted.

"I can be there in 15." He half spoke half yelled, I could almost hear his grin as my anxiety spiked up at the thought of his reckless driving.  

Pulling out a fresh pair of clothes, I make my way down the familiar hallway into the bathroom where I take a cool shower to relieve my pounding head.

Once it's over, I don't bother drying myself as I slide on boxers and basketball shorts followed by a loose fitting white shirt, preparing for the hot California weather. 

I hear a beep in the drive way, signaling that Jimmy's here. I grab my shades and put them on to avoid too much sunlight and grab my phone, even though it's already dead. I don't think I can bother to tie my shoes, so I just put on flip flops.

Jimmy is playing "Duran Duran" in the car in hopes to cheer me up making me grin as he greets me.

"HI BRIAN!" He screams.

"Fuck, my head Jim!" I complain, half jokingly. I glance over next door and see her walking out of her house. She doesn't look nearly as preppy as she did at the bar. She looks.. innocent almost, wearing an oversized t-shirt and some shorts . She looks at me, something in her face transitioning from distraction to attentiveness. I snap back to reality as Jimmy clears his throat as I've frozen while reaching for the door handle. Jimmy looks at me, skeptical but quiet.