Two sides to Every Story

Chapter Six: Vice

“Are we just going to let her walk off like that?!” I stared at the empty doorway.

“Why don’t we? We’re always chasing after her, it’s getting boring. Don’t you ever get tired of always running after her Vice?” Damien asked lazily.

“No.” It was a lie, it even sounded like a lie. Still, I couldn’t just let her walk away again. “If I keep letting her get away then we’ll never get anywhere. She won’t realize…” I couldn’t finish the sentence.

“That you love her?” Keagen said.

“That’s bullshit! You can’t say you love her, you say that about half the girls you’ve been with. You’re complete opposites; she hates you!” Damien scoffed.

“At least I can admit my feelings for her; you won’t even confess that you like her! It’s so painfully obvious too!” I laughed back at him.

“Come on guys, don’t fight…” Keagen had receded under the covers and was peeping out at the two of us.

Damien locked eyes with me and was staring me down, “Have you really thought about this Vice? How can all of us like her when there can only be one of us who gets her? What will you do if she falls for Keagen or me, have you even thought of that? If you really liked her then you’d be trying to wipe out all the competition, not encouraging it.”

“I thought that maybe if she fell in love with one of you then she wouldn’t be so miserable anymore. She’s never happy when I’m around; even though I really do love her I know she doesn’t feel the same. I trust you guys to make her happy…” I looked into Damien’s eyes which were no longer fierce and confident.

“Shut up Vice, she loves you. Even if she doesn’t know it yet, you’re the best one for her!” Damien grinned and then tossed a pillow at me.

“I’ll be back later guys! Here’s the key to my house, wait for me there.” I was already on my way out the door as I tossed my key to them.

Meme couldn’t have gotten too far, the apartment elevator is extremely slow. Although she doesn’t realize it; I know where Meme goes to hide from me. The first time she ever ran off I was sent to go look for her. I spent hours looking through the forest behind the apartment complex and calling all of her friends. When I came back inside I could hear crying coming from behind the storage room door, no doubt it was her. I went back upstairs and told her mom I couldn’t find her; I never told anyone about her hiding place.

I raced through the stairwell, jumping over the last six steps, and slamming into the door. I jogged through the lobby towards the parking garage. Right before the huge double doors to the garage was the small gray door to the storage room. I gently opened the door so it wouldn’t make a loud screeching noise. The lights were flickering on and off making the whole room look immensely creepy. I crept towards the back of the room to where I knew Memiuex was hiding; chain-link fences created a maze of compartments filled with odd stuff. One of the locked spaces had two marionettes dressed for a wedding; their eyes seemed to follow me. Another one further down just had a huge sack that was slightly stained. I finally came to the back wall of the room where she was huddled into a corner.

“I don’t know how you can stand to be down here alone, this place gives me the creeps.” I said walking towards her.

“That’s why I come down here.” It sounded as if she had been crying right up until now.

“I wanted to apologize.” I choked out.

“For?” She looked up and I could see her eyes were bloodshot from crying. God I feel like such an asshole.

“For hurting you. You never seem to be happy whenever I’m around, I just wanted to say I’m sorry for always annoying you and making you angry. But this doesn’t mean I’m going to stop trying to work things out with you!”

“I don’t get why it has to be me, there are plenty of girls who’d be happy to go out with you. Why don’t you go bother one of them?” She looked like she was about to get mad all over again.

“Because I don’t love them!” The word love echoed through the concrete wall making it seem unfamiliar and twisted.

“I can’t stand you and you just waste all of your time coming after me. We’re no good for each other Vice.” She laughed.

“So? Let’s create something sick and demented together!” her expression softened, “If I’m going to be no good then I want to be it with you, no one else!” I was growing more confident by the second.

“I don’t know Vice, it just sounds like my worst nightmare…” her voice wavered and I knew I had her.

I bent down and laced my fingers through hers, “Come on, I have an idea.” I pulled her up and led her by the hand out the door. Once were out into the bright hall I began to tell her my plan, “Today will be our unofficial first date!” I announced proudly.

“What?! Vice you’re getting way ahead of yourself again…” she started backing away.

“It’ll be like buying a new car! You can test drive it before you buy it, and I’ll be the car.” My grin widened as I thought about my brilliant idea.

“I don’t get what you mean.”

“I’ll take you out for a date, well more like a test date, and if you have fun we can go on a real date! I promise I won’t get carried away and I’ll try my best to behave. Please, just give me this one chance and I’ll never ask you again.” I pleaded. I’d never begged before in my life, damn this girl can make me do some crazy things.

For a long time the hall was completely silent while she thought about it, “Deal.” She said and held out her hand for me to shake.

“What, really?!” I was so excited I picked her up and spun her around in my arms. “Sorry! Sorry! I’m just extremely happy right now!” I laughed.

We walked back up to her apartment and I opened the door to my room so Damien and Keagen could come in.

“Well I’ll see you guys tomorrow then.” She started for the front door to let us out.

“Did you already forget? We have our date Meme!” I remained in my spot.

“Wait, you meant now? Today?” She looked confused.

“Of course I meant today! You better get dressed, I’ll meet you outside your front door to pick you up.”