Author’s Note: This story was written as a university assignment that was called “Writing as a seed.” Where we had to make a work of fiction, off a real memory. So here is a story based off my nervousness when it comes to getting paid. Enjoy!
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Aaron logged into his bank account for the third time that day. Today was payday, and he needed the money soon, because tomorrow was the last day he could pay his bill. He taught himself by now, to not keep his expectations high. That way, if nothing happened, it wasn’t a disappointment, and anything positive was a pleasant surprise. No pleasant surprise now though, still no money. Aaron was getting anxious now. The banks were going to close soon, and if they money wasn’t there, then he wouldn’t get the money until at least tomorrow, which may be too late.
Aaron began to get annoyed and his anxiousness grew. If he missed the payment gain, his roommates would kick him out, and, if not them, surely his landlord would. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he contemplated the places he might end up. None of them sounded particularly appealing. He needed to think of another way to get money, but how?
Aaron decided to call a close friend of his, and ask if he could borrow money from him. Aaron couldn’t borrow money from a bank anymore, and even if he could, he’s never be able to pay it all back. Conniving assholes those banks, turning a favour into even more stress. A short term solution that would land me in a box under the overpass. Aaron called up his friend and asked if he could get a loan. His heart sank when he heard that his brined was all but broke himself, and was unable to help. Aaron wished he knew more people he could ask, but being the huge shut-in he was, he has no luck with that.
Aaron began to ponder what he would do now. He looked at his watch and saw that it was already 6pm, and all the banks would now be closed. His last resort was no longer an option, so now he had to think outside the box. Aaron realized that he may just have to break the promise he made himself, and ask his roommates for a loan.
Aaron hesitated as his fist hovered over the door to his roommate’s room. How would he react? Anger? Annoyance? Maybe he’d just laugh him out of the door, quite literally in this case.
What’s up Aaron?
I uh… I can’t pay the rent this week… I was wondering maybe… you could pay my part and then I can pay you back?
Shit man, I was going to ask you the same thing.
Silence.
Is there… anyone else you could ask James? I can’t afford to get kicked out.
I dunno dude… I think… that we should think about what we are going to do.
But what could they do? They had no friends to borrow from, no banks open to get a loan from, and a landlord that was about as nice as a bulldog… with rabies… on steroids…
Aaron sat in silence and let the situation sink in.
I know! Let’s rob a bank!
An Awkward silence as Aaron raised an eyebrow at his roommate.
OK, maybe not a… a bank but I mean maybe… a petrol station or something. We’ll pay it all back later dude, just for karma’s sake.
…Are you fucking serious man!?
Look at it this way Aaron, if we go to jail, we won’t have to worry about rent.
Yeah, we don’t have to worry about getting decent jobs either.
No need to snap at me man, if you wanna get kicked out, that’s your deal dude.
Aaron took to pondering the situation again… what was the alternative?
OK, but just a small petrol station, not too busy.
Of course man, trust me, it’ll be fine!
Aaron wondered if he could trust James, and if he should go along with this, but this was his best friend, hell, one of his only friends. This situation could help him out greatly. He looked around his room. He scanned his eyes around from the broken down table, to his computer chair with a wheel missing, to the broken blinds, the cracks in the walls and ceiling, and the fan there that looked as if it was about to fly off and decapitate someone. Some extra money could really do me well…
Aaron decided that he would sleep on it, even though he knew at this point, sleep would be impossible.
Aaron sat up in bed, pressing the light on his watch for the fifteenth time that night. 2AM. He evaluated his situation. Is this really where I am? What the hell happened to my life? What he was doing was wrong and he knew it… but he was going to do it anyway.
Aaron was startled from his sleep. He didn’t even remember his head hitting the pillow. 5AM. He heard the door slowly creak open, as a floating silhouette moved closer. Come on man, we gotta go now, before the morning rush!
Is 5AM really the best time?
I dunno man, never done this before. Now come on, breakfast is in the car.
Aaron shuffled along to the front door, too tired to stop himself from slamming into every wall along the way. He heard James yell something about waking up the others, but he was too zoned out. A zombie, just going through the motions.
Aaron sat in the car, drinking the piss-weak coffee his roommate made for them. He realized that they were going pretty far. James put a lot of thought into this it seemed. Hey James… did you get any sleep last night? At all?
Of course not man, how can you sleep at a time like this? Our lives are about to change for the better man! They finally arrived at their destination, Aaron couldn’t hold back his laughter when he saw the place. ‘O_E _TOP CO_N__ SHOP’ the sign read, the palace was close to falling apart. It looked like it would fall apart if you stared in its direction. There was a ton of graffiti, and scorch marks from fire, the place was clearly left to gangs and other idiots with fireworks or guns they wanted to try out in a secluded place.
Hey James I thought we were trying to… you know… make money out of this? Unless this place has a solid gold floor, I reckon we are getting bugger all out of this.
You wanted secluded, you got it! I did my research, trust me, they have money.
How do they even do business with a dump like this?
Easy, they’re drug dealers, now come on dude, sun’s rising.
James stepped out of the car, and made his way over to the building. He adjusted his jumper along the way, and that’s when Aaron noticed it.
Drugs!? Dude! The fuck are you doing? Get back here!
James reached in the direction of his gun.
You don’t wanna go to jail? These guys aren’t gonna alert the cops. C’mon, either we get a good life, or a merciful death. Either way, easy street baby!
Aaron stared at his friend, in awe, and terror. James tossed him a gun as well.
How… how did you even get a gun in Melbourne!?
I know a guy. James’ wide smile was rather unsettling to Aaron, but he had come this far, why not push further? Maybe James was right… He followed James into the building.
Aaron heard a gunshot.
Aaron stood at the foot of his friend’s hospital bed, watching the pale remains of his friend slowly drift off. The white hospital linen stained a sharp red. He felt guilty that, his friend was dying and, he was more concerned with his two roommates, and himself, were going to pay the rent… he didn’t want a fourth roommate, Aaron had felt so lucky, he really liked his roommates… He couldn’t imagine having a different set of people living there. Aaron heard the shrill, one-note tone as his friends body relaxed. Is this really where I am? Is this what my life has become?
Aaron heard the ding of his phone. An E-mail from his boss, to all the employees at his place of work. Hello all! I regret to inform you that due to a small finance error, payment will be a day late. Your money will get to you when the bank opens tomorrow. Hope to see you all bright and early Monday!
-Richard.
Aaron stood at the end of his once best friend’s bed… and laughed.