Roaring Through Life

Four

The night was turning out to be a cool summer night, my summer coat adding warmth to the night. The group of us quickly make our way down the streets to the spot that Tom said was where his friend who was meetings us to get in would be waiting. Leaning against the side of a building was none other than Lou O'Connell himself. He nods his head towards Tom and starts to continue down the street. Following them closely down the street Aaron leans down to me and softly whispers in my ear.

"Well, this is going to be an interesting night!" Aaron says next to me after pointing out the three people who were not invited by George and Tom. He shoves his hands into his coat's pockets to slightly warm up them up as I elbow him giving him a knowing look.

Tom and George were huddled in a group discussing the plans for the evening., with Lou standing close by often glancing in Darcy's direction. Julian and Michael were talking with Darcy, Angelica, and Ellie. Vanessa, one of the uninvited guests, was hanging on to Michael's arm while Martha and Ursula were standing off to the side talking to themselves. Julian left his group and walks over to where we were standing. Aaron and I were not far behind Tom and George.

"Tom and Lou are going to go and talk to the guard at the door. The speakeasy is below a butcher's shop. How are you guys holding up?"

"Good for now but I hope the nerd will hurry up before the cops show up." Aaron took out a flask that he had concealed in his jacket and took a swig from it. "Want any?"

I shake my head. "No thanks, I'll wait until we get inside."

"Suite yourself," Aaron said with a shrug. Julian reaches over me and takes the flask from his hands taking a swig of his own.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Michael watching me until Vanessa demands his attention. Tom walks over to all of us and tries to get our attention. We all settle down and look at him.

"We're clear guys let's go in. But only two or three at a time and 6 minutes apart. Okay, who wants to go in first?"

Darcy steps forward first, "Let's go and see what all of the fuss is about." George offers her his arm and they follow Lou who was standing off to the side inside. After six minutes Tom went to Ellie and then they went in. It continues like that until there was seven of us left. Vanessa tugs at Michael's arm but he shakes her off. She went to Martha and grabs her arm and starts to walk towards the door but then stops to look at Michael.

Julian bows to Angelica, "After you miss." Angelica smiles at him and then walks to the door with Julian following her.

"Aaron, can I talk with Mina for a second?"

"Sure cousin, go ahead I'll just go and escort those two in before the draw attention." Aaron walks off to where Vanessa and Martha were waiting and leads them inside. Leaving Michael and I alone together.

Michael then turns to me and tries to start a conversation. "So, um, did you enjoy the party?" I raise my eyebrow and give him a look.

"You can't ignore me the whole entire night. If we are being practical the rest of your life seeming as our mothers are best friends."

I look at him and sigh, turning to him I give him my undivided attention. "Look, I don't know what exactly I did to make you hate me so much. And before you yell at me for not knowing, I honestly do not know why! But at least can we call some kind of truce to be civil to each other in social occasions?"

Looking at the sidewalk I debated for a minute about his proposition. The pain and embarrassment from the memory of what caused my hatred towards him coming in fresh waves but then I look back up at him. My brother's childhood friend, and even to this day his best friend. I think of Julian and the tension I know I have been causing him even though he would not admit it to me.