The Gold and the Forest

XIX

Chapter 19: Dusk

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Dusk settled around them as the sun set. They walked beside each other towards her house. When they finally stopped at the front door, Vivi did a little bow for him.

"Thank you." She smiled.

He nodded awkwardly, caught off guard by her grand little gesture.

"See you tomorrow." He mumbled.

Laughing, she agreed and opened her gate. After a few minutes of him standing there and checking that she entered safely, he turned and went home.

This time, the air he breathed in was refreshing, clearing his lungs.

---

Over the next few days, Carl found work to be something to look forward to. Whenever he needed help, Vivi would take notice and step in. Something he was especially crap at was customer service, which she would step in whenever she could.

Sometimes, she would help with moving boxes, the boxes would be stacked so high that only the peak of her head would show. He sighed in exasperation at the sight and took a few from her. She protested briefly but he knew that she was smiling quietly to herself.

On Friday, Sean closed up shop a little early to hold a small party. Free food, basically.

"You two did really well this week." Sean complimented, munching on a muffin. "So, I brought this to celebrate!"

Sean pulled out a champagne bottle with a huge grin. He flourished his hand, attempting to make a grand entrance.

"Woohoo!" Vivi cheered, clapping.

The bottle clinked heavily on the table of food, Carl quickly went to catch a stray muffin that almost dive bombed to the floor.

"You're 18?" Sean pointed at Vivi.

"Almost!"

"Awww." Sean looked disappointed. "I guess none for you."

"What!" Vivi exclaimed incredulously.

"Carl, when's your birthday?"

He glanced up quickly from his cake, still chewing.

"He's a January baby." Vivi answered in his place.

Sean grinned mischievously, pouring a glass for the new adult. "Drink up! Ever had champagne?"

Carl slowly shook his head. Sean slid over the glass, pouring another one for himself. Carl surveyed the drink before taking a slow sip.

Over the course of the next hour or so, they partied. Sean slid champagne over every so often to Carl. Vivi sneaked a few glasses of the drink too. After a while, Carl had about 7-8 glasses.

"You can really hold your liquor!" Sean laughed. "Do you drink at home?"

Carl shook his head.

Sean raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Naturally good at handling liquor?"

He received a shrug as a response. Eventually, the party died down, and the two were sent on their way.

The cold summer air washed over them as they walked down the sidewalk. Stained with the lights, the ground was orange.

"That was really fun!" Vivi's voice was loud against the ambient sounds of the night. Carl nodded in response. She turned around, peeking at him.

"Thanks for walking me home this entire week."