"For betraying me, you shall be cursed to walk these lands for all of eternity."

   I was told that at the ripe age of twenty-six. I used to think she was so full of shit... Unluckily for me, though, I was told that over three-thousand years ago.

   I didn't buy it at first, it was probably around my hundredth birthday that it started to really sink in. Mostly because I didn't have any family left to celebrate it with. Alright, I know that sounds a little harsh, but hey, I've had a lot of time to get over it.

   Anyway, it seems like nowadays everyone wants to live forever, whether it's through the fountain of youth or plastic surgery. Well, let me tell you, it blows. Big time.

   Trust me, I've seen everything you can see and I've done everything you can do, hell I was even on Christopher Columbus's boat when he landed in America. Which, to the uninitiated, may sound magical. Unfortunately, it gets really old, really fast. You can't have a family or friends because in a hundred years, they won't be around anymore. Leaving you all alone, again.

   That's why I keep to myself. I've come to terms with my life and I've moved on. I live by one rule: no connections. No family and no friends. No sharing your love whatsoever, because it just isn't worth the heartache...

   I stepped out of the liquor store, holding my bottle of rum that was wrapped in a brown paper bag.

   I took a long sip as I walked down the sidewalk. It was a beautiful day here in New York City and everyone knew it. They were all outside enjoying their day, happy smiles on their faces.

   'Must be nice.' I thought as I sat down on a nearby bench.

   I let out a long sigh and rubbed my forehead.

"Excuse me, ma'am?" I heard.

I looked up to see a little, old lady standing in front of me, holding three large bags filled with groceries.

"Yes?"

"Would you mind getting the door for me?" She asked, gesturing to the door of her apartment building in front of us.

I shrugged as I stood up. "Sure thing."

I set my bottle down and took two of the bags from her hand before opening the door for her.

After helping her get everything inside, she turned to me with a smile. "Thank you so much, young lady."

   'Young lady... That one never gets old.'

"No problem." I Replied with a nod before turning to leave.

I pushed through the door and took one step before bumping into someone walking by, knocking both of us to the ground.

I sat up and rubbed my head. "What the hell's you're problem?"

Then, she turned to me, an embarrassed look on her face. "I'm so sorry, are you ok?"

A quick blush formed on my cheeks. "Uh, yeah... Sorry for snapping at you."

She stood up and dusted her hands off before offering me one.

I took it and she hauled me up.

"Oh, it's no problem, my parents always used tell me I should watch where I'm going." She replied with a slight laugh.

I returned it, studying her features. She was beautiful, long dark hair, big blue eyes and plush pink lips.

"Is there something stuck in my teeth?" She asked with a humorous smile.

I shook my head. "No... Uh, sorry. It's not everyday I get knocked off my feet by a beautiful woman."

She looked down, attempting to hide a blush. "Beautiful..? Well, look who's talking..."

I gave her a small smile as she stuck her hand towards me.

"Vicky."

I took her hand in mine. "Livia, but everyone calls me Liv."

"Nice to meet you, Liv." She said with a smile.

"Likewise."

We stayed like that for a minute before she pulled her hand away. "Anyway, I should get going."

I backed up a little and looked down. "Right, of course."

It grew silent, but she didn't leave. "Uh, would you be offended if I asked you out to lunch sometime?"

I looked up at her, but didn't answer. 'What's the rule, Liv? No connections.'

She shrugged. "Or not, no big deal..."

I sighed internally. 'Fine, go ahead.'

"Sure... I'd like that."

That put a smile back on her face. "Great, uh... What's your number?"

"Oh, I don't have a phone."

She nodded slowly. "Well, that's ok. Where do you live?"

I rubbed the back of my neck. "Uh, I don't actually have anywhere to stay right now. I've been just kinda living in my car."

"Just moved here, huh?"

'Ha, I was living here before there even was a city.' I thought.

"Yeah... Something like that. I'll tell you what, why don't I just pick you up?"

She smiled. "That works."

I watched as she pulled a post-it note from her purse and scribbled her address on it.

"Here, how does tomorrow at one sound?" She asked, handing me the paper.

I shoved it in my pocket and smiled. "I'll be there."

She returned it before waving and walking off.

I watched her walk away until I couldn't see her anymore, then collapsed on the bench and took a sip of my rum. "Stupid."

——————

   I woke up early the next morning, stretching my aching back and shoulders.

   Another word of the wise, the back seats in a 1964 Ford Galaxie 500, aren't as comfortable as they look.

   I sat up and leaned over the front seat, grabbing my half empty bottle of rum from the glove compartment.

   After taking a long sip, I got in the drivers seat and started it up before heading to the closest hotel.

   I may not have a house or an apartment, but I still needed a shower every now and then.

   I pulled into the parking lot and shut my car off before opening the center console and pulling a stack of twenties out.

   The only good thing about living forever is you tend to build up a lot of loose change.

   I walked up to the front counter and rang the bell.

   An older man walked up shortly after. "What can I do for you today?"

   I pulled a few bills from my pocket. "One room."

   He took the bill and handed me a key. I smiled and waved him off as I headed up to my room.

   After showering and changing, I sat on the bed and watched the clock on the nightstand.

   'Only a few more hours.' I thought...

   Knowing New York traffic, I decided to leave a half an hour early.

   I pulled in front of a tall apartment building, looking from the post-it note to the address on the building.

   "This is it." I said to myself as I leaned back in my seat and waited

   Eventually, Vicky came strolling out.

   She smiled as she approached my car. "Nice ride."

   I smiled back. "Thanks, I bought it new."

   She gave me a confused look.

   "Uh, kidding." I said nervously.

   She laughed a little as she got in. "So, where to?"

   I glanced at her. "It doesn't matter to me."

   She nodded. "Fast food it is then."

   I started the car with a slight smile before taking off towards the closest fast food place...

   We walked up to the front counter. "What sounds good?" I asked.

   She looked over the menu. "The biggest burger they have and a large fry with a large drink."

   I glanced at her, slightly shocked.

   She laughed. "Sorry, fast metabolism."

   I returned it before placing our orders.

We found a booth in the back and took a seat, enjoying our meal.

"So, how long have you been in New York?" Vicky asked, a mouthful of burger.

I looked up from my salad. 'A couple hundred years or so.' I thought.

"About a year." I lied.

She nodded, taking a long sip from her drink.

"How about you?" I asked.

"I moved here a couple years ago. I've always wanted to visit New York and given the circumstances, I figured 'why wait'." She replied with a slight laugh.

I set my fork down and studied her. "Circumstances?"

"Oh, right. I got diagnosed with cancer five years ago. The doctors only give me another year, if I'm lucky." She said nonchalantly as she ate a couple fries.

I just stared at her in disbelief.

'Out of all the girls in New York, you had to pick the one with less than a year to live...'