Evergreen

Chapter 1

“Do you like to dance, Mr. Darcy?”

“Not if I can help it.”

“No, Wil, no,” Dani ripped the remote out of my hand, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were replaced by black screen with me looking back at myself lying face first on my couch in day old pajamas. “You can’t do this to yourself. It has been three weeks since that ass hat left. I will no longer stand by and watch you be depressed. I won’t do it. As your best friend I am responsible for your wellbeing after a break up.” I grunted and rolled myself off the couch.

“Ow, damn it.” I reached underneath myself and pulled out the box of tissues I landed on along with remnants of a sticky take-out box from my favorite Chinese restaurant. “Great. Just what I need in life, to be covered in more shit.” I shook my now soiled hand. I was too depressed to even clean myself up. Dani started talking again in her infamous annoyed tone. Telling me more and more about how he cheated, and how awful he is, but I need to move on with my life. Leave the loser in my past. Yada, yada, yada. I zoned her out, and thought back to the moment Zack walked out our door. Out of the apartment we had gotten together when he graduated college. He was starting his own architecture company, and I was going on my fifth year of my Psych Degree. I leapt into his arms when he handed me my own key, and he told me this is the beginning of our forever. Then, three short years later, he told me he had fallen in love with a woman at his company, and he was gone.

“Wil? Willow?” My vision cleared, and I tilted my head up so that Dani was upside down sitting on Zack’s lazy boy, well, mine now. “Willow, did you hear anything I just said?” I giggled. She rolled her eyes, but her upside down annoyed face was funny looking. I sighed, and finally sat up. I heard Dani snicker, and I knew the back of my college sweater looked like the bottom of the restaurants dumpster. I stood on my feet, maneuvering out of my ruined sweater trying not to make more of a mess. It didn’t matter, getting a good look at my apartment now that I was vertical looked like it got hit by a Mack truck. My coffee table was covered in take-out boxes, old soda cans, and candy wrappers. I just stood there in my bra and beat up sweats looking at my once beautiful place of escape in horror.

“Right? I mean look at this place, man,” Dani waved her hands around the disaster that was the living room, “We need to put you and this place back together. You’re ruining it with all of your feelings.” She stood in front of me now, and I couldn’t help but hug her. "Whoa, there. I love you and all, but you really need a shower. Also, I only allow fully clothed hugs, babes. We haven’t reached that point in our relationship yet.” I broke away from her, she winked at me, and led me to the bathroom. She reached in the top cupboard, getting me a towel.

“Thanks, Dan. I needed a slap back to reality.” She turned on the bathroom fan and smiled.

“That’s what I’m here for. Now, get your ass clean and primped. We have places to be tonight.” She shut the door, and I looked back at myself in the mirror. My green eyes looked brighter than usual due to how bloodshot they were. All my dark brown hair was knotted from being in a high bun for days. I looked like shit. Turning away from the mirror, I stripped off the rest of my garments, and turned on the faucet. Letting the hot water wash over me felt so refreshing. Unfortunately, being alone in here gave me time to think. Which was something I was trying to avoid. How those dark blue eyes coaxed me into taking my first plane ride, or that perfect mouth that told me he loved me. That wavy black hair that I used to tangle between my fingers when he made me…

Bang! Bang!

I jumped from my daydream to hear Dani’s familiar voice, "What the hell are you doing in there? I said we have places to be tonight. Now, stop playing with yourself, and get out of there.” I smiled to myself, and turned off the shower. I loved her so much. Daniella Buoyed. She hated being called Daniella. She always said it was like being scolded by her mother. So, Dani was her name of choice. Of course, she fit the stereotypical feisty best friend that every woman needs that just got out of a bad relationship. Fiery red curly hair and bright blue eyes. Freckled from head to toe, and absolutely one of the most gorgeous women I have ever laid eyes on. Which is saying a lot coming from a heterosexual female like myself, but she’s strikingly gorgeous. I met her at a high school party when we were 16. I was being harassed by the senior creep and she stepped in between us and kissed me. Ultimately, you would think this would coax him on, but then she kneed him in the nuts and told him to stop flirting with her girl, or she would have his testicles removed with forceps. We immediately became the best of friends, and she has always been there for me, and me for her, but I have needed her more than she needed me. “I’m a survivor. I got this and life by the balls,” she’d always say. Dani never told me much about her life before I met her, but after meeting her mom I kind of figured it out. Her mom couldn’t hold a relationship, and Dani never met her dad. Mainly, because her mom didn’t know who the father could have been. I felt bad for her sometimes, but I never showed her pity. She would have slapped me. So, now this same beautiful woman was once again pulling me up after 10 years of not being able to carry myself. Which, makes me sound pathetic, but most of the time I can hold my own. If I couldn’t I’m sure Dani wouldn’t be my friend. She only takes so much bullshit.

Dani’s freckled face entered my line of vision in the mirror while I was finishing up my mascara.

“Oh, you look gorgeous darling. Now, get those black pumps on, and let’s blow this popsicle stand. We will worry about the mess in a few days because nobody is cleaning whilst hungover.”

Dani slipped out of the bathroom, I followed her into my bedroom, and she sprawled out onto my California king bed. I hadn’t been able to sleep in it since he left. It just felt like too much space for one person.

“I think I’m going to get a dog or a cat. What do you think?” I opened my closet door, and flipped on the light.

Dani propped her head with her hand, crinkled her nose, thinking, “Well, I absolutely love Jace. So, I would say dog because they’re awesome and cats have no soul and are emotionally unavailable.” I laughed and began sifting through my walk-in closet looking for my black dancing dress. I knew she was taking me dancing because she didn’t show up with Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. So, no movies tonight. Which is probably best because I had been watching nothing but happy love stories for days. My favorite being Pride and Prejudice. The way Mr. Darcy doesn’t show any interest is Elizabeth, and then suddenly blurts out his irrevocable love for her right when she is absolutely loathing him for playing a huge part in the sudden heartbreak of her beloved sister. That happy ending of just them, in the candlelight, coming up with nicknames for Darcy to call Elizabeth.

I finally found the dress in the back of my closet, of course. It had been ages since we went dancing at Reds. The only good club in this city. My heart started to race. I was getting a little excited. Being newly single hadn’t really dawned on me yet. I slipped on the dress over my matching black lace garments, and thigh high stockings. The dress still fit like a glove. Not too short, but not too long. I heard Dani whistle behind me. I glanced at her in the full-length mirror. She stood from the bed and placed her head on my shoulder. Her curly red locks covering my right arm.

“Now we are ready to own this night!” Dani turned me around and looked me dead in the eye, “Okay, Willow Peterson. We are going to have fun, dance, and hopefully hook up with some random guys we never have to see again.” She cast me a devilish grin because she knew the only person going home with any guys is some other girls. Dani likes to think we are one-night stand type of girls, but we’re not. Even with her cocky attitude, Dani was a guarded woman. No attachments, but she didn’t like not having a connection before hitting the sack with someone either. She hasn’t been around, and it’s another reason why I love her. No horrible one-night stand stories, or weird random guys coming in and out of our lives. I knew once Dani found the one she would be settled down for the long haul, but she was picky as hell. So, who knows when her long lost love would appear.

“Daniella Buoyed,” I saw her eye twitch slightly and smiled, “You know that is Never.Going.To.Happen.” Her smiled drooped, and she playfully shoved me.

“Oh come on, Wil! You’re a buzz kill.” Dani swung around, and headed for the front door. I slipped on my black kitten heels, and grabbed my purse off the dresser. I came around the corner of my short hallway, and looked in disdain, at my once beautiful apartment, covered in my depressive trash. Dani grabbed my hand and led me to the front door.

“Don’t worry about it tonight. We’ll get it cleaned up sweetie. Just not tomorrow. We’ll crash at my place tonight, and spend tomorrow recovering.” She opened the door to the apartment hallway. I grabbed my leather jacket, and locked up.

The heater was running full blast in Dani’s Rover. I still couldn’t believe she could afford this car. The best I had was my beat-up Honda Civic, but I loved my car. Dani was an accountant, and a very successful one at that. This girl was not only my bestie, but the smartest person I knew. Very analytical and fantastic with numbers. You would never know though. Dani wasn’t much for boasting. Even when she was announced Valedictorian of our graduating class. Even when she stood in front of all of us and gave an amazing “We finally made it, Bitches,” speech. Rain started to prick at the windshield

“Of course, it’s going to rain. I was hoping one dry night in November.” Dani flicked on her wipers.

I laughed, “In the Pacific Northwest. Yeah, right.” I shook my head, and looked out my window. Leon bridges came through the speakers, and Dani turned the volume up. We sang every song on her playlist until we pulled into the parking garage across from Reds.

Bass pulsed from the building, and you could catch the song playing whenever the bouncer opened the door to let the next paying patron in. There were only 5 people in front of us when we walked up to the line. Luckily, we must have gotten there early because the line that formed behind us was at least twenty people strong.

Dani and I got up to the bouncer, showed him our IDs, and handed over our twenties. He opened the door for us, gave us a wink, and said, “Now you ladies have a good time.”

We matched each-others' thank you and walked up the stairs into the club.

The music pumped through our chest as we headed for the bar.

A very cute bartender stood behind the counter making shots for the girls next to us who barely looked twenty-one.

“Hey, Troy!” Dani yelled over the giggly girls and music. Troy looked up and grinned.

“Dani! What the hell are you doing here?” He looked over at me, “and who’s this?”

“This,” Dani wrapped her arm around me, “is the infamous, Willow.”

His eyes lit up with recognition, and he held out his hand for mine. I reached over the bar, he took my hand, and kissed the top of it gently. I felt blood rush to my cheeks.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Willow,” he released my hand, “Dani, here, talks about you all the time."

I looked over at Dani and gave her a questioning glance. I leaned into her ear so she could hear me, “Just how often do you come here, Dan?” Dani laughed and shook her head.

Dani pulled her head away from me so we were face to face, “No, Wil. I know Troy from work.”

He glanced back up at us and I said, “So you’re an accountant, too. What the hell are you working here for?” He smiled and said, “I know, I know. I don’t need the cash, but, “he waved his hands around, “I love doing this. I worked as a bartender while I was putting myself through college, and I like filling my weekend nights with the nightlife.” He wiped down the counter and leaned in closer to me, “and meeting beautiful women is never too bad either.”

I leaned in further feeling bold, “So, you don’t have anyone at home waiting for you, I’m assuming.” He leaned up to my ear, and said, “No, I haven’t found her yet.”

Troy moved back behind the counter, and took the money Dani handed him.

“So, two shots of tequila, and a sex on the beach for Willow.” Dani nodded and winked. He turned around to the register behind him, then handed Dani her change. Troy went to making our drinks. I wanted to watch him, but Dani broke my oogling, and turned me towards the crowd of people on the dance floor. She leaned into me, “Troy’s gorgeous, isn’t he?” Dani upturned her eyes at me and batted her lashes. I nudged her, “Shut up. Yes, he is, very gorgeous.”

Troy was gorgeous, too. I noticed he had bright hazel eyes, and full lips. A masculine, soft voice, and dirty blonde shaggy hair. From under his white Tee he looked nicely built. I assumed, he went to the gym regularly. I knew Troy would be entering my dreams tonight.

We turned back around to our drinks. Troy looked over at us, taking money from a guy who just finished yelling orders and said, “Now you ladies be good tonight, and don’t get into any mischief.” I smiled, my best flirtatious smile and said, “With you working back there I have no mischief to get into.” He gave me one last grin, and went on making the man’s drinks.

Dani and I clinked our shot glasses and Dani said, “To a fantastic night, Honey. I love you.” We downed our drinks and headed for the dance floor.

The shot was loosening me up. Zack was at the back of my mind. For the first time in weeks, I was finally enjoying myself. Dani and I made our way around the dance floor. Mostly, dancing with each other, but sometimes Dani would opt for a female or male partner. Eventually we made our way back to the bar, after what seemed like a dozen songs.

Troy was down the bar. A black haired, heavily tattooed woman was now in front of us waiting to take orders. She looked over at us and asked, “Hey, can I get you two anything?”

Dani piped up, “May we get two waters, please?” the bartender replied, “Of course, “and I handed her money. I forgot all about my other drink. I wasn’t much of a drinker, but after the bartender came back with our waters Dani ordered 3 shots of whiskey. My throat still burned from the tequila. I cracked open my bottle of water, gladly welcoming the nice cool drink. It soothed my parched throat. Dani downed two shots, giving the last one to me. I hesitated, but I had no one to go home to and I was here with my best friend. I figured I should live a little so, I emptied the shot glass. Dani grabbed my hand, heading back out to the crowd of dancing bodies.

We were three songs in when we heard it. It sounded like firecrackers going off, and my head was swimming with booze to realize what was happening. I felt a shooting pain in my left shoulder, first. Dani flinched back from me. I noticed splatters of something dark on her face. Then she blinked at me and dropped. I reached to catch her, in the process dropping us both to the floor. The screams sobered me up immediately. People started dropping to the ground around us. I grabbed Dani who was still blinking, but I could see her white tank filling with blood. Adrenaline kicked in. I grabbed Dani, dragging her and I off the dance floor. I kept us as low to the ground as possible while the shooting still continued above us. The alcohol flowing through my system dulled the pain in my shoulder. I stopped when I felt a wall press up behind me. Suddenly, all went silent. Then, Troy was beside me. He picked Dani up and yelled at me to follow him. We rounded a dark corner. I felt the bodies of other people pushing their way through with us, and soon the cool November air hit me. We were in a dark alley behind the club. Sirens wailed in the distance. People around us were crying, some were just screaming, and some just stared off in the distance. The gunfire continued again inside. Troy sat Dani on the ground. She was still blinking. Her white tank now red. I started to panic. I can’t remember what I yelled at Troy, but he took off his shirt and pressed it against the wound on Dani’s chest. He kept saying stay with me Dan. I squeezed her hand, crying and just kept saying her name over and over. My focus was broken by a man gently moving me aside, and prepping Dani to put her on a stretcher. Another EMT looked over at my bloodied shoulder, and led me towards the ambulance. I heard Dani scream Willow, and turned to go back, but he told me I would see her at the hospital, and I needed to get taken care of, too.

I told the EMT I didn’t need to be on a stretcher. With as many bodies as they had, he was quick to oblige. He motioned me into an ambulance. They soon hoisted a stretcher into the ambulance, and I saw Dani’s familiar curly hair. Everything started to blur. My panic set in, and all I could do was sit there, in shock, while they worked on Dani. The EMTs kept saying her name, and talking to her. Coaxing her to stay conscious. I lifted my head to look at the roof of the ambulance. My body jerked involuntarily with the sound of the paddles going off against Dani’s skin. I closed my eyes, as tears rolled down my face.