cemetery ☞ n.m

ii

"if you keep smoking like that, you'll burn out your lungs before you even get to light another." johnson chuckles, flicking his cigarette into one of his junk drawers and using it as an ash tray.

nate laughed, shrugging as he formed his lips into an 'o' shape and blew out smoke rings. smoking was a bad habit of nate's; everyone knew that. the same way how everyone knows that smoking is bad, but always continue.

their nights usually went on that way. smoking, talking about random shit, and maybe even watch a movie or two. those were just regular nights to them. they never had anything to lose.

"yo, i met someone." johnson says, catching all of their attention. nate smirks, taking another drag on the half-finished cigarette. "she's so beautiful. you guys wouldn't believe."

nate chuckled at his boyish-ness, if that was even a word, he thought. johnson had only been this happy over a girl once before. and when he was, it didn't last very long.

and so johnson went on, describing this girl to the best of his ability. he never was good at describing people. but at that point, all they would do is nod and take what he says into consideration.

"i can't wait for you guys to meet her. you'll all love her, but not as much as i already do." he smirks.

nate chuckles lowly, flicking his cigarette into the drawer that johnson had previously used. he wasn't a believer of 'love', what ever that even meant. he didn't ever dream of someone being the 'love of his life' because he knew that he'd never have one. he isn't a big fan of giving someone all you've got, just to lose it all in the end. and knowing that you'll never get it back.

"i've finally experienced how it feels to be cheated on," gilinsky confesses. he takes another drag on his half-finished cigarette and blows out perfect smoke rings. he ruffles his hair, rolling his eyes afterward. "it fucking sucks."

gilinsky and his girlfriend, ex-girlfriend, have been dating for about seven months. they've been doing pretty well, actually. no one would ever think that they'd have any issues with each other. well, until now, of course.

johnson shrugs. "shit happens."

each of them nodded for a moment, and nate was about to say something before he had been cut off by a simultaneous banging noise that was coming from their front lawn. as if people were trying to break in.

they each exchanged glances, not knowing what to do in that situation. the only ones that lived there were nate, johnson, and gilinsky. cameron was just hanging out. they hadn't invited anyone over, either. and they didn't tell anyone their address besides cameron.

the banging stops after about two minutes. johnson sighs, saying, "it was probably just a raccoon-"

"don't move!"

and so they didn't.

nate gulps, moving nothing but his eyes and glaring at his other three friends who were doing the same. they sat there motionless, as footsteps approached the four of them. neither of them had never truly experienced how it felt to be held hostage, if that's what it even was. one of the men approached cameron, holding a gun up to his temple.

cameron puts his hands up in surrender, trying not to seem as scared as he actually was on the inside. they obey the men's orders and remain as still as they would possible manage, hoping that they'd find nothing that they would want and just leave. but they didn't.

another man approaches johnson; also pointing his gun to his temple. johnson's hands were trembling as he looked at gilinsky and nate as if saying 'help me' without even saying anything. they exchange glances of fear as one of the five men breathes in and begins to speak;

"your friend here owes us money."

nate knew who they were talking about. and he's the reason why they're here.

"you thought we wouldn't come, did you? you didn't think we meant it when we said that we'd come after what means to you most?" he nudges johnson's head with the black gun, he winces. so does nate.

cameron squeezes his eyes shut in fear; and gilinsky furrows his eyebrows. nate already knew that he was thinking; 'what the hell are they talking about?'

this is all my fault, he thought.

"i got your money, okay? i just need some more time-"

"yeah, yeah. of course, we'll give you some more time. we'll give you all the fucking time you need. but guess what? we're tired of waiting." he puts his finger on the trigger.

nate feels his heart stop.

"stop!" gilinsky yells. "look, i don't know what the fuck is going on, but nate will give you what ever the hell you need, alright? just give him some more time, this shit isn't worth killing someone-" one of the other men pull their guns out, and point it to gilinsky.

"listen, we don't wanna hurt anyone, okay? but nate here," he chuckles. "he thinks that it's fun to mess with fire." the man pointing his gun at cameron nudges him. cameron flares his nostrils with anger, refusing to re-open his eyes. nate knows that cameron is in just as much shock as he is. "but he doesn't realize that he can get burned."

he pulls the trigger.

nate takes in a sharp breath, as johnson's body falls to the ground.

everything was a blur now, all he can hear was the echo of the gun shot and the faint sounds of gilinsky and cameron's screaming as they tried to fight the men away. and they did go away, eventually.

nate just sat there, as if he were lifeless.