LIFE AFTER DEATH.

RETRO COMPANY.

I remember being on double edge, I became mute, still on my seat and staring at Scott's direction in perplexity.

I glanced over at my table and I saw the devilish smile Jojo wore as she poured us all another bottle of alcohol.

" Drink up, " She told me.

********************

My now wavering eyes were fixed on the entire situation, I couldn't miss it for the world.

Scott had majestically walked to the centre of the crowd, where all the drama was taking place. The attention of all those inside the cave was drawn to whatever was happening at the center and that was Scott's direction.

Curly was being appreciate by all those around him. He was busy shaking hands and giving out hugs when our eyes met. He gave me a judicious wave, with all smiles, I reciprocated as better as I could at that time. I knew that my location was his next destination.

******************

" Ah, " Jojo sighed loudly, scratching the root of her hair, " This is going to be fun, don't you all think?! "

" Hopefully they don't kill each other. " Mel retorted.

I stared at Jojo in amazement, this was the first time I was seeing her smile and letting loose, it was definitely the effect of the alcohol.

Jojo topped our cups with more alcohol, " C'mon guys, drink up! "

" Woah! " Mel shouted again.

Without control over my hands, my cup was already in my mouth, and my throat gulping down an enormous amount of alcohol.

I felt my head instantly make a drowsy swerve, my eyes became heavy and light at the same time. I could hear the girls laughing and still talking. I instantly wiped my eyes with the back of my palms and entered into their discussion.

****************

I still monitored the situation with Scott, but when the albino boy resurfaced on the microphone, the entire crowd's attention was drawn once more.

" Ladies and gentlemeeeeennn! we have another seasoned skater__

Scott grabbed the microphone from the boys hands and began his speech.

" Another seasoned skater? we'll see about that. " He turned and I swore it was a deliberate turn to my direction, because my eyes met with his for a while.

" Open challenge Gustavo, I dare you to start from the highest rim, through the cellular and take a turn over... " As he talked he gestured with his hand, the direction he intended, " You go over the second curve and then back to the finish. "

The audience response was that of shock and a whole lot of cheers. My heart wasn't stable, Scott's dare was a dangerous move.

" Don't worry man, I'll give you an opening, you know... usher you in. " Scott replied as he armed himself with a skateboard on the floor. He swiped his leg hard on the edge of the skateboard, sending it into the air and grabbing it before it landed on the floor. It was impressive.

Scott walked to the beginning of what he referred to as the 'rim' and ushered the crowd to do more cheering and yelling, they did.

I remembered being on edge, I didn't want Scott to get hurt.

Jojo let out a mocking giggle, " I told y'all this would be fun. "

" Boys are dumb. " Mel let out.

" Whatever, that's a good thing, finally some fun activity in this cave. "

I did agree with Jojo on that one, we were in a cave.

****************

The chants from the crowd became more louder, followed by claps and consistent stamping of feet.

And off Scott went, he slides down the rim, light as a feather and with adequate speed. With a sharp curve, Scott bounced on a nearby pole and twisted his skateboard multiple times for effect, he aced that aspect perfectly.

Using his recent performance as a boost, he launched himself inside the cellular, twisting and turning like the pro that he was. Soon enough he left that arena. Somehow, he left with a brute force that send him turning in the air.

It was like a live action movie, the environment suddenly felt like it was on slow motion. I watched Scott defy the law of gravity as he peered through the air and as swiftly as he started, he landed at the end.

The crowd went insane, the noise was so loud that I felt it ring inside my ears. At that point my vision was getting blurry. As I struggled to keep track of the my current state and the public display going on, Mel began rapidly shrugging and pulling my arm, she too was breathtaken and was emitting her emotions.

Scott walked over to where curly stood a cast of other skaters, the albino boy was there with the microphone, Scott took it from him again.

" So? I did mine, it's your turn. "

******************

I could see Curly try so hard to hide his terrified state, he wasn't sure if his success if he did the dare, and to be sincere, I wasn't sure of it too.

" C'mon man, what are you waiting for? don't keep the crowd waiting. " Scott urged.

Curly was under pressure, I felt like I was somehow connected to his dilemma. The crowd wasn't helping matters, they only added to his tension and possible fear.

" Seriously? " Scott wasn't done pushing Curly over the edge, " What? you're stalling? " Scott turned over to the crowd to incite the crowd, and he got their favor.

" Gustavo, " he called with a mocking tone, " Don't tell me you're afraid, are you afraid? "

Gustavo's eyes wandered and met mine, I felt it was the right time to save my friend from a possible catastrophe. Skating was a dangerous sport, let alone under those circumstances. Any failed attempt from Curly would land him somewhere disastrous as the entire place was rigid. If curly was lucky, he would come out from the fall with broken bones.

Immediately I got his attention, I began ushering him to come to me instead. My hands waved frantically around my neck area, signalling him not to do the dare.

His eyes melted, thankfully, he listened to me. Although, that would be a social letdown and a sign of disappointment from the crowd, he abandoned the dare and left, heading to my direction.

*******************

My hands clutched my chest as I let out a sigh of relief.

" What did you do? " Jojo asked with a droppy voice.

" Just... " I searched for water, " I just saved his life. "

" No, you just ruined the fun. "

I dropped to the edge of my chair, but managed to pull myself back.

" Omg, you're drunk! " Mel said, but in an excited tone, like she was happy about my situation.

" Not drunk enough, " Jojo replied as she poured yet another round of drinks.

I kept my hands to myself this time around, I knew I had driven so far out my limit and was already breaking. Mel took my hand and scooped the cup. She made sure I held the cup firmly in my hands. The girls were going to be the end of me that night, I shakily had the cup in my hands, desperately searching for ways out of that scheme.

Curly came to the rescue. As soon as he was at our table, he rocked the cup out of my hands and gulped all the contents. I instantly was relieved, trying to ease him off his mystery, I took the bottle and personally poured him a drink.

" Thanks, " He huffed as he emptied the cup.

" This is good s**t, where'd you guys get it? "

" Scott brought it. " Mel answered him.

Curly's face instantly fell.

I took him by the shoulder, " Can we just forget whatever issues we have with whomever for this night? "

Curly looked directly into my eyes, like he was searching for something.

" Pleeaaaassee, " I pulled his collar, " I mean, look at Jojo, she's.... she's happy. "

Jojo laughed, " Where's Scott? we need more of this s**t. "

Curly placed his hand on my forehead, " f**k afro, how much have you drank? "

" Four.... seven, I... I lost count. "

" What the f**k? " Curly appeared shock, " You know you're lighthead, you can't be drinking that much. "

Curly gave the girls a slightly pissed up look.

" Hey, we're not her babysitter, so.... " Jojo said.

Scott soon joined us.

********************

Scott inserted himself at the middle of curly and I, setting us apart. Maybe we were all too drunk to bother about our company, but majority of us didn't care.

" You didn't take the dare? " Scott began.

" I think it's pretty obvious I didn't take the dare. "

" Why though? " As he asked he dropped his hands across my shoulders, " I thought you're the SEASONED one? "

Curly rolled his tongue, he was searching for words to say.

Jojo tapped his shoulders and poured him a drink, " Let me help you out here, just drink and forget everything. "

Curly gladly took the invitation and emptied his cup.

*****************

By this time, my surroundings began to spin, but in a fun way. The music got louder and sounded to me like it was stretched. The lights were now pronounced, coming in and out of my reach like it was bouncing off me.

I felt jumpy and extra happy for now reason, although, my environment played a major role in making me feel that way. I still sat on my chair but shook my legs to the rhythm of the song, while also bopping my head to the beat.

Scott gave me full attention, turning to me entirely. My front was covered with his face as he tried to make his utterance audible, the music was very loud.

**********************

" You wanna go over to my place later tonight? "

I heard him ask, my current state didn't allow me to answer correctly.

" Whaaat? " I let out loudly.

" Do you.... wanna go home with me tonight? "

I felt a tingle of concern, that was a line I was yet to cross.

" Um... I... I don't___

" Don't worry, I drive you home later, after all, it's Saturday tomorrow. "

" Oh, " I completely forgot about that.

******************

Curly didn't take his eyes off me for long. When he wasn't looking at me, he was busy with the girls, and after, he took his eyes right back to me.

*********************

Tyler, the art kid showed up out of nowhere.

" Is this a reunion? I can't see Tess anywhere " He passed after I exchanged glances with him.

" Hmmm, " Jojo was holding the bottle her hands now, I think she was directly drinking from it, " Good question. Hey Gus, where is your girlfriend? don't tell me you're not with her. "

All eyes were on Curly now. I didn't blame him, I lived in the same house with Tess and still didn't know her movements. Except from the few times I stumbled on her leaving the house late at night.

" She couldn't come. " Curly vaguely provided.

" Tell her I said hi, " Mel inputted.

" Shut up! " Jojo jumped on her which caused Mel to go mute.

" Well, " Tyler gave me a deep look of what I letter perceived of worry, " I wish I can stay__

" No s**t, " Jojo implied.

" But I... I have to leave. Gus, can I talk to you for a sec? "

My company grew intrigued all of a sudden, especially Scott. Curly laced me a tight glare, before disappearing with Tyler.

*********************

And that was when my situation tripled. I remembered holding my phone in my hands, trying to send a recording to my sister before loosing control of my predicament.

I succumbed to the strong pull and fell head first on the table.