Game Over

You know?

"Good morning, Will. How was your shift?"
His daze was abruptly shut off, watching with round doe eyes. William stared, peering through her skull at the wall behind.
"Huh?" His gaze focused upon hers, comprehending her words, a statement going into one ear and out of the other. "...It was," he paused. "Okay." William's voice was shallow, distant. No more than a mirage in a desert. He managed a grin.
"But... it'll be better tonight." He winked, slipping a cigarette from his back pocket and dangling it between his lips. Vail watched with a pinch of jealousy.
"Want one?" He slipped another one out, gently holding it between his index and thumb. "You know I have been trying to quit." Vail mutter through a clenched jaw.
"I know that it's not going to last long." He grinned, gently sliding it into her breast pocket. "Enjoy life while you can." The words sounded sinister- a threat, a warning.
(Or you just might end up in a suit)
He chuckled, patting her shoulder before walking out the doors, letting them slam behind his back. She watched him walk out the doors, watching his ghost even after it was long gone. Vail gave a lengthy sigh, looking down to her shirt pocket at the cigarette laid gently. "Asshat."
"What'd the boy do now?"
Marcia chimed in, wiping her hands on the bottom of her skirt. She started walking towards the kitchen, beckoning for Vail to follow. The woman pulled up a stool across from the counter. "Take a seat dear and tell me everything."
"Thanks, Marci." She sat down, watching her walking around, pulling out ingredients for today's party. Pans clanking and drawers opening and closing. "I don't get him." She frowned, staring down at the reflective surface. "William, no?" Marci asked, Vail nodding. "Yeah, him. He's so odd. I want to be able to like him but he can be such a- excuse my mouth but- dick."
"I understand what you're saying. He's never been good with words- confusing emotions with rational thought. He doesn't understand the concept of friends or dare I say it: a more intimate relationship. William gave up showing emotion a few years ago."
Vail looked up at her, admiring her way with words.
"Do you think he'd ever be able to function like a proper person again?"
"I'm-I'm not sure. Are you thinking about trying to get more intimate with him?"
Vail paused for a moment, what did she want with him?
"I don't know. I guess I'm just overthinking things."
Marcia chuckled, a warm and rich sound. She stood across from her and leaned against her forearms.
"William doesn't know everything I know about him. I even know the time he tried to hide that cat in his room when he was younger. Don't tell him I said that," They shared a laugh. "But the truth is, I think you're growing on him. Just give him a little time." Vail smiled, still unsure about how she feels about him.
"You're a lifesaver Marcia. Thank you."
She smiled, patting her back.
"Go get some fresh air. I want you to clear your mind before the shift." Vail walked out, grabbing the cigarette from her pocket and a lighter they keep under the desk.
"Damn you Will- how'd you know?" She huffed, placing it between her lips and leaned against the wall. Vail hummed a song in between drags, watching the cars drive past.
"Whatcha singing?"
Vail jumped, quickly turning to the voice.
"It sounds pretty."
Vail moaned loudly, rolling her eyes. "Oh my God, Will. What the fuck is wrong with you."
"Smoke break."
He grinned.
"I asked a question, love."
His voice hurt- harsh and brutal like sandpaper against an open wound.
"It's Should've Know Better."
"Good song."
Vail nodded, remembering what Marcia had told her.
give it time
"I knew you'd need that."
"Oh shut up." She laughed gently, looking down at her feet. Will gazed at her, smiling softly.
(pretty one ey will)
Not in the slightest.
(so then why do you feel like this)
No clue.
(we all know)
"I meant to ask," his voice was smoother again. "Want to get drinks after our shift?"
Vail gave him a funny glance. "At 1 am?"
He shrugged. "It could be at your house I guess." William followed it with a wink.
"I'll take you up on that deal." She challenged, seeing how he would react. His face lit up, like a boy on Christmas. "Really?"
She nodded. "Of course. It'll give me something to look forward to after work."
"Aren't you sweet." William snuffed the cigarette out with his heel, pushing off of the wall. "See you tonight then, doll." He waved, walking away.

"Woah, was William really that nice?"
Vail jumped, spinning around. "Is everyone here a fucking ghost?"
Jeremy raised his eyebrows, covering his mouth. "Oh gosh, I didn't mean to scare you that bad." He let out a nervous chuckle, rubbing his shoulder. "I'm so sorry, I thought you knew I was here."
Vail relaxed her muscles, letting out a shaky breath. "Don't apologize, it was my fault for not paying attention."
The two shared a small but awkward glance unsure of what to say. Vail opened her mouth, quickly closing it when seeing Jeremy opening his. "O-oh you can go first."
She shook her head. "No, no. Please go first, Jeremy." They sighed in unison.
"O...Okay. I was going to ask if you were really going to let him come over to your house- alone."
She shrugged. "He's done it before. What's the worst that can happen?"
"You know he's been convicted of rape right?"
"Then how is he working around children?"
"He has... resources. But I just want to make sure you'll be okay. You're the best person other than Marci that has come to this pizzeria."
He smiled, opening the door the the building and leading her in.
"Thanks for worrying about me. If anything goes wrong I'll go right to you, Jerm."
"Thank you."
He pulled the back of a dark green sweater, pulling it over his head. Jeremy's hair had followed, becoming just a large poof. He brushed it down with his fingers.
"Wait-wait. Keep it like that. You're hair looks cute." She grinned.
He looked down with a bit of a shocked stare. Bright green eyes piercing her own. "R...Really?"
"Yeah."
His freckled face turned a bright pink. "I think I will then. Well, we should go set up."

~~~

As the last of the parents left, the two cleaned up. Vail had grabbed the broom and cleaned up the party room while Jeremy scrubbed tables. Over hushed static, they sung together in harmony with the radio. Despite his timid demeanor, Jeremy was alive when singing. His voice was so open and carefree. He felt that the world didn't exist when singing. It was an escape.
Jeremy threw the rag into the kitchen sink, signaling the end of the day. They had shared a farewell, Vail laying down on a table in the back room.
"Oh... look at what we have here."
He licked his top lip teasingly. Vail sat up, rolling her eyes. "In your dreams."
"You'd better believe it." William took off his jacket, sitting in a swivel chair across from the girl. "You're disgusting."
"You wouldn't even try a night with me?"
"It would go Jeremy, Mike, even Marcia, and then you."
He looked dumbfounded. "Jeremy before Mike?" He muttered. She laughed.
"So what are the plans for tonight?"
"We don't have anything to do other than talk." He replied.
They had shared playful banter, making jokes at each other's expense. Before she had realized it- 1 am had come.

~~~

"How do you know my address?"
"I dropped you home, remember?"
Vail frowned, forgetting she had pushed that day out of her mind. She nodded, pulling the box of cigarettes from Will's back pocket. He jumped slightly. "Getting adventurous, now are we?" Will chuckled nervously.
(she touched your ass will what the fuck)
I know. She's getting too comfortable with me.
(what is your intent for tonight)
Believe it or not, I actually want to get to know Vail.
(woah)
I know, right?
"I just wanted one. Is that bad?"
He glanced down. "Not necessarily. Just warn me next time." William grabbed her arm, slipping her hand into his back pocket.
"But then again, I'd let you grab my ass any day."
She snickered, pulling her hand away. "Oh gosh, Afton. Get ahold of yourself."
"I'm perfectly fine falling apart." He grinned, slipping an arm around her shoulder. Vail didn't bother fighting him away, leaning against him. He shot a glance down, smiling softly. They walked up the stairs to her apartment, heading to the living room.
"I have Dirty Dancing and Predator on VCR if you want to watch that."
William looked down. "Predator sounds excellent. Why don't you put it in and I grab drinks?"
She nodded. "Sounds like a plan."
They had gone their separate ways. As Vail had dug for the tape, a cat had walked up, giving her a dirty look. "What's that for?" She reached over hand pat the Cat's head. She meowed in return. "Oh, you know Will isn't bad." She replied.
Meow
"Just go lay down in my room. I'll be in bed soon, okay?"
Mroww
She had strutted away, leaving Vail at the television. As she turned around, William was already on the couch holding two drinks in hand. He held one out for her to grab.
"I heard you talking to that thing. And I thought I was crazy." He chuckled.
"She's family. I tend to converse with her." Vail pressed play, taking a seat across the couch from Will. "Why are you all the way over there? I have a spot here."
Vail glanced cautiously over to him, shrugging before sitting next to William and leaning her head on his shoulder. He laid his arm around her, drink in hand. Before even taking a sip she had begun dosing off. He grabbed the cup from her, placing it on a coaster before letting her fall asleep next to him.
"Sleep tight."
(enjoy it while it lasts will I can't wait to tear into her again)