drunk // m.c [a.u]

s i x

It took Rose days to stop shaking, and cold sweating. Luke was constantly at her side, bringing her soup and putting a cold towel on her forehead. “How you feeling?” Luke walks over to his bed where Rose is curled up. She had basically taken over his room, leaving him on the couch. She kept insisting that he help her move but he wouldn’t budge.

            “Better, I guess. Thank you for taking care of me.”

            “Hey, of course! I’ll always be here to help you. But Rose, you have to keep sober this time. I can’t keep watching you go through this.”

            “I know, Lukey. I hate that I always drag you in.” Rose sits up in bed running a hand through her knotted pink hair, as she hasn’t showered in days. “I’m going to work today.” She declares. Turning a new leaf, starting over, a new Rose blooming again as in the spring.

            “You sure?” Luke questions.

            “Yea, I need to get back to normal.” Lifting herself off the bed, Rose shuffles across the hall to the bathroom. The hot water cascades down her body washing away any traces of the Rose. The sick, dependent, pathetic Rose.

            “You’re back!” Ashton flashes his 1000 watt smile at Rose. For him work had been dull without her. Without her loud laugh echoing off the walls. Without her ramblings on the latest CD, or humming a new song. Without her bright pink hair to add color to the dim store. “Feeling better? Luke said it was pretty bad.”

            “Yea. Loads better. So what did I miss around here?” She diverts the topic away from her health.

            “That guy came in looking for you.”

            “Huh?”

            “That guy with the white hair.”

            “Oh, Michael. Why would he look for me?” Ashton shrugged his shoulders innocently, though he knew exactly why. “What else did I miss?”

            “Well sales are down. Itunes and technology are killing us. So my dad is brainstorming ideas on how to pick business back up.” Ashton is the owners son, but he’s a great worker, so he earns his place.

            “Shit. Does he have any good ones?”

            “A few, but if you have any he’d love to hear them. Both Christian and Emma gave some.” She smiles brightly looking around the place, thinking of what she would add in and the new atmosphere. She had the perfect idea.

            “I do have one idea…” Ashton raises his eyebrows and waits for her to continue. “Well we could put in a little coffee shop over there, and next to it make a place for live music. I mean people love coffee and live music.”

            “That’s brilliant! My dad will be in on Friday when you work, you can pitch it to him then!”

            “Great!”

Rose hops into her car and speeds towards the community center where AA meetings are held. This time nervous that Michael would be there, or wouldn’t be. Both options made her anxious. Pulling into a spot close to the building she turns the key, cutting the ignition. Her black combat boots crunch over the blacktop that’s cracked like a spider’s web. Inside she greets Neil and a few other members before finding a seat. Seconds later a body slides into the seat next to hers. She knows who it is without needing to look. “Heard you went looking for me at work.” Rose turns and faces Michael.

            “Heard you were sick, Rose.” He smirks at her when the look on her face phases.

            “Figured it out huh? What, Ashton tell you?”

            “Oh so that’s his name. Ok, now I’m getting caught up. What’s the story there? He got pretty annoyed when I came in. Let me guess, ex boyfriend?”

            “Do you think you know everything?” Rose fires at Michael, annoyed that he’d guessed right.

            “Nah. I just know how to read people. I’m intuitive.” He smiles, clearly proud of himself. She shakes her head at the boy next to her, sending her pink hair over her shoulders. Thankfully Neil started the meeting, saving their conversation that was going downhill. When Neil asks for volunteers to share their story, Rose declines. She’s not quite ready to talk about the last week. When the meeting ends Michael picks their conversation right back up. “So, I’m still not fully caught up here. Who was the giant blondie attached to your side?”

            “My best friend, Luke.” Rose mumbles picking up her purse. She and Michael walk out into the sunshine.

            “Oh ok. Just friends?”

            “Yes. Why do you care?”

            “I don’t. But guys and girls can’t be just friends.” He states as if it’s common knowledge.

            “Whatever.” Rose sighs walking towards her red VW Beetle.

            “Hey,” he grabs her attention, making her stop at her car door. “Wanna come somewhere with me?”

Yaayy! More Rose/Michael action :) how are you guys liking the story so far?? love reading your comments!! xo -Rachel