Chapter 98. Just Once

2018

Adrian’s POV

“Happy New Year!”

The cheers erupted around me, loud enough to rattle my skull. People kissed. Glasses clinked. Someone shot off a confetti cannon, and the tiny pieces rained down, sticking to damp skin and spilled drinks. A bass-heavy remix of some pop song throbbed through the room, vibrating in my chest. People danced like the world was ending. Or maybe like it was just beginning.

I didn’t know why I was here. I never really did. I stared into my glass of whiskey and tossed the rest back, barely feeling the burn. It tasted like nothing. Everything did these days.

People had resolutions. Dreams. Shit they wanted to achieve. The clock struck midnight, and suddenly they were promising to quit smoking, eat healthier, find love, and find themselves. Must be nice.

I didn’t have resolutions. What was the point? The only thing I had to aim for was staying alive. Not because I particularly wanted to. But because dying wou