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Twelve Years Ago...

I woke up to the sound of loud music coming from downstairs.

I checked the time before rolling out of bed with a groan.

After getting ready for the day, I headed downstairs, seeing Beth sitting on the couch, nodding her head to the music, while my mom sat at the kitchen table, looking over her paperwork.

"It's a little early for music, don't you think?" I asked, sitting down on the couch next to Beth, grabbing a few of her CD's from the coffee table.

I raised an eyebrow as I flipped through them. "I mean, what the hell is a 'Foo Fighter' anyways..? Or a 'Papa Roach' for that matter?"

Beth rolled her eyes. "Well, they definitely aren't some wannabe, hair band from the 80's"

"Hey... I listen to newer stuff." I replied defensively.

She folded her arms over her chest. "Yeah? Name one."

My mom laughed. "She's got you now."

I turned to her. "Is that really the Stevie Nicks fangirl I'm hearing from right now?"

My mom looked up at me. "Watch it, that woman is a national treasure."

I smiled and shook my head. "Right."

Beth nudged me. "Trying to dodge the question, huh?"

I rubbed my chin. "No, just gimme a second, I'm thinking..."

"I'm waiting." Beth said.

"Fine... Soundgarden's pretty cool... And, Audioslave isn't terrible. There, that's two, so bite me."

She scoffed. "That doesn't count, they're basically the same thing."

"What? How? They're two different bands."

"With the same singer."

I took a quick side glance at her. "Oh... really?"

She let out a long breath. "Yeah, really. Maybe just stick to your old people shit."

"Language." My mom called from the kitchen.

I chuckled lightly before getting to my feet. "Well, I'll leave you to your young people shit, I've got stuff to do."

"That counts for you to, young lady." My mom said.

Beth laughed as I headed for the door.

"Yeah, love you guys to." I said, closing the door behind me.

I hopped in my car after that, dialing Wendy's number.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Hey, wanna head down to Twist?" I asked.

"Sure, I'll meet you there."

"Alright, cool, I'll see you in a few."

"Bye." She replied before hanging up.

I stuffed my phone in my pocket before starting the car and heading off for Twist...

I walked through the doors and took a seat at the bar, Blake walking up shortly after.

"Hey, you're here early." She said, handing me a beer.

I took a long sip. "Yeah, Beth's music woke me up."

Blake chuckled as Wendy came strolling through the door, taking the empty seat next to me.

"Hey, do either of you know what the hell a 'Foo Fighter' is?" I asked.

They shared a confused glance.

"Never mind, I give up." I replied, sipping my beer.

After an hour or two of regular conversation and, admittedly, some harsh drinking for this early in the day, Blake got my attention.

"Hey, I almost forgot to tell you, Maxine was in here yesterday. I'm sure you don't care, but I figured I should let you know."

I set my beer down, staring blankly at Blake. "Uh, why..?"

"She was looking for you." She replied.

"Really..? I mean, what for?"

Blake shrugged. "She just said she wanted to talk to you."

I downed another shot, looking into the empty glass afterwards. "I wonder what she wants."

"Does it matter? After what she did, I wouldn't even give her the time of day." Wendy said.

"But, this is Maxine we're talking about. What if it's something important?" I questioned.

Wendy put her hands up. "Hey, it's your life... Can I get something a little stronger, Blake?"

She just nodded, pouring out a couple more shots of whiskey.

I downed the shot, my thoughts racing. 'What the hell could she want? I haven't spoken to her in two years.'

Then, the door opened.

We all looked over at it, seeing Maxine standing there. She was even more beautiful then I remembered.

My mouth hung open slightly.

"Speak of the devil." Wendy said.

Maxine locked eyes with me, a small smile tugging at her lips as she walked over.

"Hey, Skylar... Can we, um, maybe talk for a minute?" She asked.

"Uh, sure... W-whats up?"

She took a quick look around the bar before refocusing on me. "Can we take this outside? It's kinda personal."

I nodded as I slowly stood, wobbling a little on my feet. "Yeah... No Problem."

She flashed me a small smile before leading me outside into the parking lot.

I leaned against the hood of my car, lighting a cigarette. "So, um, what's on your mind?"

She rubbed her forearm, letting out a small sigh as she lowered her head. "Well, I just wanted to apologize for what happened at the party that night... I was really drunk and I didn't mean to hurt your feelings... I hope you can forgive me."

I studied her for a second before letting out a scoff.

She looked up at me. "What's wrong?"

I stood, flicking my cigarette to the ground. "Really? You waited two fucking years to tell me that?"

She looked down at her feet. "I'm sorry, I just didn't know how..."

I shook my head. "Yeah, well, to little to late."

Then, I brushed past her, heading for the door.

"Skylar, wait." She called.

I stopped in my tracks, turning to face her.

She sighed. "Look, I've had this huge crush on you for a long time and I was trying to build up the courage to tell you... But, after what happened, I was to scared to even look at you. I know I messed up, but I'm here now and I'd like to ask you out on a date."

I felt a few tears start to well up in my eyes. "You know, there was a time when that's all I wanted to hear... But, that time is gone. Have a nice day."

Then, I headed back into Twist, Blake and Wendy looking up as I entered.

"You ok?" Wendy asked.

I shook my head. "I just need a minute."

She nodded as I headed into the bathroom, locking the door behind me.

I looked at myself in the mirror. "Two fucking years. Two years of pain and she thinks she can just fix it with one question?"

I heard a knock on the door then.

"Occupied." I said, still looking in the mirror.

"Skylar, it's me, let me in." Came Wendy's reply.

I sighed before walking over to the door, letting her in before locking it once again.

"What happened?" She asked.

I leaned against the wall, folding my arms over my chest. "Nothing..."

"Skylar..."

I shook my head. "After all this time, why now? I was doing perfectly fine without her. I was just starting to get over her and she has to waltz back in like everything's ok. Who the hell does she think she is?"

Wendy rested a hand on my shoulder. "Skylar... Forget about her. She wasn't right for you to begin with."

I pushed off the wall, pacing around the small restroom. "Yeah, well, maybe no one is. Maybe I'm just supposed to spend the rest of my life alone."

"No you're not, Skylar... Maybe the right person has been standing in front of you this whole time and you just didn't realize it..."

I stopped pacing and faced her. She refused to look at me, staring down at the floor.

"Wendy..."

She shook her head. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have bothered you. I'll, uh, leave you to it."

She turned, heading for the door.

Now, I blame all the alcohol, or maybe the emotional state I was in. But, whichever it may have been, something inside me just reacted. Something I couldn't control.

I reached out, grabbing her arm and spun her around.

She opened her mouth to talk, but I cut her off, pressing my lips to hers.

She froze for a second before lightly pushing me away. "Dammit, Skylar..."

I backed up, lowering my head. "I thought that's what you wanted..."

She shook her head. "Not like this, not for these reasons... I'm just gonna head home... I'll, uh, see you later."

Then, she was out the door.

I wiped at my eyes before walking out as well, seeing the front door slam shut.

I just rubbed my forehead before sitting down back at the bar.

"Everything ok?" Blake asked.

"Just... give me a few shots..."