Van

Where the hell was she? It was well after seven and she didn't show any sign of coming. I picked my phone again and dialled her number..it went straight to voicemail again..ugh!

The early night was soon gonna turn to an endless drunk dark abyss and Jane wasn't here.

She never missed out on a girls night out...what happened tonight? Was something wrong? Was Kevin the problem? A gasp rose in her throat but she swallowed it back. She didn't  want to alarm maggie for just an assumption.

No.he couldn't be back..it had been four months and there was no word of him, atleast that's what Jane told them..was she lying and dealing with her problems herself? No..no..no,,janey wouldn't, she wouldn't hide for that long, they would have known for sure if something was wrong.

The sinking feeling in her gut was threatening for control, her poor janey must be ok. If that bastard touched her she will certainly chop his hands off.

"Hey, what's with sudden attitude..it's supposed to be fun night remember," maggs gave  me a cocky grin shaking her beer in hand, "and where the hell is jane?..can get through to her phone"

"I don't know..been calling her for half an hour now too...she's not picking up." A slight frown appeared between maggs brows and I knew she was thinking of the same thing.

"I know..it's unlike Jane not to pick up," I confirmed her worries.

Jane was the most punctual if defined...among them all..so it was kinda freaky.

"Cut her some slack...maybe she's passed out,"

"Yeah maybe...she kinda told me she was gonna take a nap..like four hours ago."

"See...probably she's still snoring the roofs off..the girl has too much on her shoulders...she needs it..,"

It was true..a girl like Jane was supposed to be irresponsible, careless..always drunk and going through alot of breakups ordeals now.

Instead she was this paranoid..careful woman who thought everything was her responsibility..the girl thought too much for a nineteen year old. She almost felt pity for her..Jane didn't get the life she deserved. A nana on the top lists of her worries and an uncle in prison..that was a bunch of shit to take in.

"Yah she's probably out." I agreed.

"Soooooo.....what's popin? Seeing any guys lately..?" She wriggled her brows. I smiled at her enthusiasm.

"Why am I the one asked that question always?"

She took a sip and fully smiled, "coz you steal the show,..always"

She had me laughing on that statement...," and how exactly do I do that?"

"Ah come on...don't act like you don't know...every damn guy is attracted to you at first sight...why do you think this is the only bar almost crowded in the whole of Oakland?" She cocked her head to the side and had me suprised.

"That's bullshit..not every damn guy...Kale there isn't.." I pointed to a guy sitting at the end of the bar giggling and swatting his hand on some other person's arm.

"That's coz he's gay..."

"So, he's still a guy...atleast he gets a boner.." I winked at her incredulity.

"Wanna try out an experiment?" She asked raising her brows.

I narrowed my eyes, whenever Maggie suggested 'an experiment' it didn't turn out to be good.

"What kind of crazy idea do you have in mind?" My territorial space was being crossed by a very purple haired pursuer.

A wicked grin spread across her face as she tapped her finger on the table. Then she immediately turned towards the bartender.

"Hey Jimmy, van here wants another drink...think you can bring it to her.." my eyes widened..oh this wasn't good.

"What the hell are you trying to do?" I whispered as I acknowledged the numerous eyes that turned towards our booth by her outburst.

Jimmy all but displayed a wide smile...his whole face literally lit up.,"sure what drink do you want van."

"Ummm. A plisner please."

"One pilsner coming right up.."

I turned back to Maggie,,"what are trying to do..."when she continued to grin..i had nervous shivers creeping up my body, "tell me maggs..you know I hate suspense."

Amusement sparkled in  her eyes as she stilled an almost chuckle,"wait for it..," she turned to Jimmy again and at that moment I felt like the ground should have opened up and swallowed me..no funerals,..just swallow me up.

"On a second thought Jimmy..could you give it to the man drinking there..if you please." The man smirked and winked at maggie then slathered over to their booth almost unmanning himself by knocking over into a chair.

I stared wide eyed as he brought over the pilsner and shyly smiled. Was he waiting for her to say something coz she was dumbfounded and her tongue lay thickly in her mouth. Thank God maggs interfered.

"Thanks Jake...we really..I mean Vanessa really appreciates it." No attention was being paid to maggs rather Jake's attention was drifting down her cleavage. His eyes twinked as his nostrils slightly flared. He was almost heaving just by a glance when maggs took the beer from his hand.

"Thank.you.very.much.Jake," she stressed on them breaking off his stance.

"No minded...I mean no pribl...no worries..No problemo." He stammered and stalked off awkwardly.

I narrowed my eyes to slits and glared at her,"you needn't have done that..the poor man must be beating himself out of embarrassment."

"What...I didn't do anything wrong, you were the one who wanted to be proved..plus he deserved it."

"I didn't damn well ask for it..now thanks to you every man and woman is eyeing me..one out of lust and the latter out of 'we wanna kill you'. How did you know his name anyways and why did he deserve it?" She sensed a story here.

"We kinda were together..." she mumbled unknowingly.

"What! Wait...hold up, reverse back on that honey. You were with him??" I slapped my hands on the table, "And I don't know this how?!" Suprise turned into sheer curiosity as I leaned across more..,"spill girl."

"Oh fend off..we were like a thing two years ago..nothing to say coz it lasted for like a week." She waved it off with her hand but i caught it and splayed it back on the table.

"Twoo yearss ago...I need some juices girl...right now."

Her eyes rolled heaven ward.

"Fine..we met at an arcade and had an interest in pingball...then he asked me out..blah blah..and we ended up in his apartment,,the guy never got satisfied..at first I thought it to be cool but after some days I knew I had to break it off..."she sighed as she saw the question in my look,"coz i just couldn't go to work walking all weird....there you have it,"

"All i can say to that is boring!..and ew."

"Yap boring....that's what I am." Her features sloberred and sadness crossed over them..shit!!she shouldn't have voiced her thoughts out too loud. Her hand cupped maggie's.

"Hey baby...I didn't mean you to be boring, I'm sure there's a guy out there who will light you up like the fourth of july. It's not like you are dull and dark honey but something about your past has turned you off, you've just revealed some part of you to me and janey. .but the other big part is still dominant and with the right pressure..you shall erupt in happiness."

I sadly smiled at her face knowing all too well she was fighting her demons, we all were. We three were broken pieces brought together to balm each other, partly.

Her face instantly brightened and she held my hand firmly in hers, "you do know I love you and janey soo much..right," her eyes tearing.

"The world wouldn't convise me otherwise,"

She broke on a laugh and finally wiped her tears off..partly more of pain than relieve.

"I wish janey boo was here too so I could squeez the life out of her but I think you will do just fine."

"You can squeez me till you break your arms in process but first let's do what we are here for," I raised my can and waited for the click of hers against mine. When it finally came she yelled at the top of her lungs,

"LET'S GET DRUNK!" And the bar erupted in cheer.......