Reunited (2)

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"Sal? What's going on?" I asked, my voice groggy and husky. Sal stood in front of me, his arms folded, and a scowl upon his face. I rubbed my eyes, swinging my legs off the sofa, before I looked up at Sal.

"Here's your stuff, get out." He demanded, turning his back to me. I let out a sniffle, as I stood from the sofa. I placed a hand to Sal's shoulder, patting him gently. I made my way over to where my shoes were, and put them on. I turned back to look at him one more time, before picking up my duffle bag.

"I see how it is. Call me when you decide to grow up, Sal." I huffed, stepping out of his front door and closing it behind me. As I made my way down his driveway, I turned back one last time. In the window, I could see Sal crying. It broke my heart to see him in pain, all I wanted to do was run back inside and hug him, but it was clear that I was no longer wanted. I reached my car, chucking my stuff inside, before clambering into the driver's seat. I put the key into the ignition, and drove to the only place I knew I'd be welcome; the bar.

As I arrived, I shuffled my way through the doors, taking a seat at the counter, my arms folded on the flat surface, with my head slumped over. I ordered some whisky, knowing that it was the only drink strong enough to let me forget about the day. I threw a couple of them back, until I started to feel a buzz. My head was drooped over, when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I raised my head, my eyes being met with a girl's sweet face. It was Frances.

"Hey." She smiled supportively, placing a hand to my forearm. Frances took a seat next to me, as she ordered a soft drink from the barman. "What's got you so low, Brian?" I shrugged my shoulders, as I played with the glass in my hand, avoiding the subject. I turned to face her again, my eyes meeting with her blue orbs. She looked incredible, dressed in her black skinny jeans and lowly hung plaid shirt. I've never looked at her in this way before, what was happening to me? It must have been the alcohol because I was in love with Sal. Plus I knew that Frances would never hurt Sal in that way, and neither would I. I shook myself out of my thoughts, before I decided to tell Frances what had happened. At the end of the day, she was still Sal's best friend, and I knew that I could confide in her.

"Sal and I...we had an argument about my ex, and he...erm, kicked me out." I sighed, running my hand through my hair, trying to refrain the tears from falling free. Frances looked at me with sympathy, as she leant her head against my shoulder. My body stiffened, as I gulped nervously. Why was this girl, Sal's ex-girlfriend, having this effect on me? I took another drink, trying to distract myself from doing anything I'd regret.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, Bri. The last I heard, you two were getting close...real close." She winked, causing me to chuckle. Sal must have told her about our night together. I thought back to that night, how close Sal and I had gotten. I never thought that I could love a person as much as I loved Sal, and now I've lost him. Well done, Brian.

Frances and I continued to talk to each other, as the drinks kept on coming. I knew I shouldn't have been drinking, in case I fell into a bad place again, but I needed to take the edge off. The fact that I had lost Sal wasn't boding well with me. I needed him, I craved him. What we had the other night was the happiest I had been in a long time, and now I've lost him, all because I was stupid enough not to defend him from Hannah. She had to have one last laugh, and ruin my life just to get payback for leaving her. I stumbled my way outside with Frances, leaning against my car.

"H-How much have you had to drink?" I hiccupped, my hand slipping from the surface of my car, causing me to fall to the ground. Frances ran over to me, pulling me up from the ground. I brushed myself off, my body swaying, as the alcohol writhed through my system. Her hand clung around my arm, as she helped me to remain upright.

"Wow, you really are drunk. I haven't had a drink all night." She chuckled, as she helped me into the passenger's seat. She buckled my seatbelt for me, closing my door, before making her way round to the driver's side. I handed her the keys, as she started up the engine. She drove me back home, walking me to my door. I stumbled through the front door, having Frances follow me. She held my hand, as she walked me into my bedroom. I stumbled all over the place, until finally I fell onto the bed.

"Fuck." I muttered. My head was spinning, as nausea overwhelmed my body. Frances strolled over to my wardrobe, chucking out a change of pyjamas for me to wear. I sat myself up against the headboard, placing a hand to my head, as a sharp pain shot through my skull. "I-I can't change into those, I ache too much." I groaned in pain. Frances looked at me, as she rolled her eyes. She placed the clothes back where she found them, before walking over to my side of the bed.

"Brian, get some sleep. You'll feel better for it in the morning. Text me if you need me." She smiled, as she went to walk away. Before she got too far, I tugged at her arm, pulling her back to me. I shook my head, as I tried to form a sentence.

"N-No...I-I need you here. Please stay." I begged. Frances sighed, before she nodded her head. She pulled back the covers, letting me get into bed. I didn't care that I still had my jeans on, it was uncomfortable, but I just needed to sleep this shitty feeling off. I was passed out before Frances even made it out of the door. That night I had dreamt of Sal, making me miss him even more. Why did I tell him to grow up? He had every right to be mad at me, and there I was pushing him even further away. I had to fix things.

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of the shower running, Frances must have already been awake. I sat up, my head spinning, as I was still recovering from the events of the night before. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see a green light blinking on my phone. I reached across, picking up the device, as I scrolled through my notifications. One message caught my eye, it was from Murr.

M: I'm worried about Sal, he's not responding to any of our messages. Joe and I have tried calling him, even been to visit him, but he won't answer. Do you know why he's like this?

I decided to text back straight away, letting them know what had happened between Sal and I. They had been there when Hannah had harmed him, so I'm sure that they'll understand why.

B: Sal kicked me out because I didn't defend him from Hannah, understandable. We argued, I told him to grow up and to not contact me. Rookie mistake.

M: Brian! Why didn't you tell us this? You know what Sal can be like. Please sort this out!

I sighed, as I put my phone back onto the bedside table. Murr was right, I needed to fix this. I had to give in and contact Sal first. The fact that he's not even talking to Joe and Murr had me even more worried than I already was. I needed to make sure that he was okay, I still cared about him, of course I did! I was still in love with him, and I wanted things to work out between us. The other night made me feel wanted, it made me feel that things were finally going right for me. I needed to have Sal back in my arms again, and I'd be damned if I were to lose him forever.