The Ways in Which I Die (COMPLETED)

CHAPTER 7: "BUT I CAN'T LIVE A LIE FOREVER."

SUMMER

When Anthony finally comes back to work three days later Summer can tell somethings off about him and it’s not just his pale complexion, his bruised cheek and the small cut in his lip that tip her off. His shoulders are slumped and his usual placid smile is nowhere to be seen.

As she steps closer to him she can smell traces of alcohol on him even through the staggering about of aftershave he has on.

“Hey Sam” he mutters, his greeting is half assed and she can hear the exhaustion in his voice.

“Are you okay?” She asks softly, eyeing him with concern.

“Yeah, just tired,” Anthony mumbles not meeting her eyes. “Do you mind if I take the chores today?”

Summer frowns. “What happened?”

Anthony never tries to avoid customers, and doing chores is famously the job one does to avoid customers.

“Nothing, okay? I’m fine,” he snaps shortly and moves away from her.

“That’s bullshit.”

“Doesn’t matter, it’s none of your business,” he grumbles, grabbing the broom and disappearing out the door. 

Summer frowns after him in bewilderment. She decides that it’s probably best to wait to approach him until later when he’s not so upset.

She keeps an eye on him from afar as the early part of the shift drones on, every time a customer comes within the vicinity of the flower shop he vanishes, either into the bathroom or behind the counter to unpack boxes. He also sticks to himself never once approaching her which is concerning all on its own. He usually can’t stop trying to make conversation with her. It seems almost like in the three days he was gone that he built up thick walls around himself closing off the world.

It’s lunchtime when Summer approaches him.

“You ready for lunch?” She asks, hoping he’ll join her.

“I’m not very hungry. You go eat. I’ll hold down the fort,” Anthony says not looking up from where he’s sitting on the floor in the break room tying bows.

“Anthony, look at yourself, you're so pale, I think you are in the verge of passing out and you have to eat, come on-”

“Would leave me alone?” Anthony barks glaring up at her.

She takes half a step back in surprise at his outburst. An apologetic look floods into his tired eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he says softly.

“I’m just worried about you,” Summer replies and sits herself down on the floor across from him and his pile of bows.

“I’m fine.” His attempt at sounding sincere fails miserably.

“Anthony…” Summer whispers, grabbing his hand in hers. She can feel it trembling in her grip. “What’s wrong?”

He sniffles and ducks his head, avoiding her gaze. “It’s been a rough few days and I’m tired and a little hungover.”

“You’re not going to tell me what happened, are you?” Summer sighs.

Anthony looks even more apologetic as he nods his head slightly.

“Okay, well you need to eat something so let's go get lunch. If you decide you want to talk about it, I’m all ears,” she says, standing up and offering him a hand. He reluctantly takes it and lets her pull him up.

“Anything exciting happen while I was gone?” Anthony asks after a couple of minutes of them walking down the sidewalk.

“Not much,” Summer says. “A friend of yours did pop by looking for you, though.”