Words To Die By(All Time Low)

Chapter 1~ The Night I Met Him

TW for all chapters. Story will contain the subjects of murder and suicide. You have been warned.  

Well this is it, I thought as I stood on top of the local bridge. I had no reason to live and a hundred reasons to die. I was a walking cliche. I didn't know what to do after everything came to an end, so why not come to an end as well. As I inched towards the edge the memories come racing back into my mind. Memories of that fateful night.

{Five Days Ago} 

I walked into The Owl Bar and sat on my usual stool. I was a regular here like most of the people who sat on these bar stools, it was like they were reserved for the saddest of them all. I started to zone out as the bartender, Rian, put my usual in front of me. My usual being a glass of pure rum. I took a few sips feeling the burn in my throat, it felt good after my shitty day. I have always know that working a nine to five job was not for me but I guess financial needs didn't listen. I take a few more sips and lay my head down on the bar.

"Tough day?" Rian asks.

"You could say that." My voice is monotone, and dry. I am too done with life to try and have any emotion.

"What happened?" A regular, who goes by Zack, asks me. He is the closest thing to a friend I had, besides Rian.

"The boss found out that an employee was helping his wife cheat so he blew up and fired half the third floor, meaning those on the second floor had to complete that work and their own. I really need a raise for that shit."

"Damn man that must be harsh." I downed the rest of my drink, and another appeared. After a few more drinks I started to try to converse more.

"So how's the dating life? Found any cute guys?" That was one of the best things about this bar, it wasn't a gay bar, but most of the customers were. And being gay myself it was refreshing change from the slurs that were thrown around in the real world. I feel as this bar is my escape from the boredom that everyday life brings. The music here is actually in good taste, the people that come here are actually decent, and the energy was good in general.

"Well there is one I want to ask out but I don't think he feels the same way." Zack quickly says, while staring at Rian with lovesick eyes. He had it bad. I had known this information for a few weeks, but this is the first time he has admitted it out loud to me. I go through  the usual advice for this subject before deciding on something semi-original.

"Do what you got to do, but do it quickly life's too short to wait around and hope for things to happen." I said with confidence wishing I would take my own advice instead of living a life I hate. I would come to realize the importance of these words later on, but for now I just hoped that I had said the right thing to my friend. And from his reaction I'm pretty sure I did.

~*~*~*~

The night was about halfway through, when a very drunk Zack Merrick stood up on a chair in the middle of the bar.

"Can I get everyone's attention please?" He slurred. "I have a confession and a question." He took a deep breathe before continuing. I watched in amusement as the scene unfolded in front of me. "I am in love with someone in this room and that someone is..." He turned his body to face the bar looking right at the love of his life. "...Rian Dawson. And the question I have is will you be my boyfriend?" 

"Yes!" Rian jumped across the counter and into Zack's arms. I stood up and started applauding. I was so proud of my friend. Soon the rest of the bar joined in clapping and smiling brightly at the new couple. When the applause died down the two came over to me, Rian jumping back over the bar. 

"I knew you could do it Zack." I say as I take a sip from my tenth drink, going from rum to a locally made beer. "I've always thought of you wo as OTP material." 

Rian just blushed, while Zack was still a smiling mess. Oh how I miss that smile. I don't think I've ever seen him that happy. I'm just glad everything is working for them, because who would've guessed what the future holds. Rian calls out drinks on the house for everyone. I guess that's one of the perks of being the owner, the rules of life don't typically apply to you. You have more control of this wild animal we call life, and contrary to popular belief having any amount of control is not the norm. Your life is only yours if you don't let others control it, and most people let the world control it. I guess that's another reason I like it here, it is a place where I can pick my poison. 

The couple is so cute and other adjectives a teenager would call their celebrity ship. But it just reminds me that I will most likely never experience that. In the real world I gave off a 'touch me and you're dead' vibe. At least that is what my sister says. I guess it's hostility. Hating your life for the majority of it may make one hostile. I try not to think about it and order another drink.

~*~*~*~

"Okay, I think you've had enough." Rian cuts me off, which is probably a good idea. I can't even remember what number drink I'm on. I don't protest. I mean what's the point, he's in charge and the place is going to close soon. So I take a hundred from my wallet and say keep the change knowing it won't be much. I don't move from the bar though. As usual I wait till it closes so I can get a ride from Rian. I look at the clock, twenty minutes left. As I do this a guy comes in from the cold. He looks young. Possibly twenty seven, my age. He is tall and has a blonde streak in his hair. He hasn't felt the pressure society puts on the world yet. I find myself becoming instantly jealous of this stranger, who I know nothing about. I guess that is why I tell myself I'm a good judge of character, so I don't feel bad for judging people without knowing them. In other words I'm a asshole. 

"I'll take a Owl Prowl." He says with no emotion in his voice. I, on the other hand, am shocked. A Owl Prowl is a secret item, that only the regulars know about. And this guy was not a regular. When he saw my expression he just smirked. "My cousin used to come here before she moved. Said it was one of the best things she ever had."

I slowly nodded and put my head down on the counter.

"So what's your name drowsy?" The stranger questioned. I normally won't of answered him, but I was beyond drunk.

"Alex. What's yours?" I wasn't sure why I did it, but I did. 

"Jack." If I had know what would happen after learning that name, I would've never asked that question. I would of walked away, but I didn't and now I have to face the consequences.

(Words: 1263)  

A/N: So this story is for the Just A Minute writing contest. I hope you liked the first chapter.