The Game of Life

[Luc]

Story Title: The Game of Life

Type of story: Short/Medium

Main Characters: Geoff, Belle and Aden.

BTTB rating: A

Genre: Drama, angst and romance

Does story include spoilers: No

Any warnings: (L) (V/D) maybe (SC). Will warn before each chapter.

Summary: Aden Jeffries and Geoff Campbell have been best friends for years. When Aden is diagnosed with a terminal illness, what will he ask Geoff to do that will change the lives of them forever?

A/N: I got this idea after watching old episodes of EastEnders on YT, and I'm writing this inbetween chapters of The Coastal Junior, so it may not be updated regularly . The first chapter may seem a bit rushed, but all is explained in the chapters following it . Each chapter will be narrated by a different character, also.

CHAPTER ONE

Have you ever had that feeling when you wake up? You know, the one you get when you just know that you’re going to have a sucky day? Well, I have.

***

The day in question was a Friday. I remember it all to well. I opened my eyes and slowly climbed out of bed. I pulled on my dressing gown and opened the curtains in my bedroom. It was sunny, I could see no clouds in the sky, yet I felt as it the end of the world was near. I soon learnt I wasn’t far from wrong.

“Hi daddy,” Ashley said from the doorway. I turned around and saw her, she was still wearing her pyjamas. They were the ones Matilda had given her the Christmas before she had died, bright pink with the ‘Hannah Montana’ logo printed on the chest. They were al least two sizes to small for her now, but she didn’t care. Whenever she wore them, Matilda was with her again.

“Hi sweetie,” I said, smiling as I noticed for the first time how much she looked like her mother. She had the same light blue eyes as Matilda, and the same brown hair colour. I walked over to the six year old and lifted her into my arms.

“Are you going to work today?” She asked me as I carried her into the kitchen, I slowly nodded, placing her down on the floor. She walked over to the table and took a seat.

“Afraid so,” I told her, smiling sadly, “But don’t worry, Aunty Cassie said you could go and stay with her and Summer today,” I said excitedly, I smiled as her face rose,

“Really?” She asked me happily, I nodded. She jumped up and hugged me before running off to her room.

***

I got to work slightly late that day. 10:05 to be exact. I walked into The Sydney Telegraph news building reluctantly. God, I have the worst job in the world!

“’Morning Geoff!” The blonde receptionist greeted my cheerfully. I smiled at her.

“Good morning Wendy,” I replied courteously, “Is Aden in yet?” Wendy nodded and I walked over to the elevator.

“But I think he’s busy!” I heard her call out as I entered the machine. “I don’t th...” I didn’t hear the rest of what she said. I wish I had. It would have been less embarrassing if I had. The lift stopped on the 5th floor and I got out. I was on Aden’s floor. I walked through the hallway and up to the end door. There was a polished brass plaque affixed to it. ‘Aden Jeffries: Arts’ was inscribed on it. I turned the handle and walked in, forgetting to knock.

“Hey Ad... oh my god!” I yelled as I saw him laying on his desk. A half-nude Belle saw on top of him. I turned away from the pair. “Hi Belle. It’s always great to see you,” I muttered awkwardly. I heard the lovers climb off of the table,

“Sorry Geoff,” Belle muttered as she walked past me. “See you tonight Aden,” She added, before closing the door behind her. I tuned to face Aden, who looked as if he couldn’t care less if it had been Danny, our boss, whom had decided to walk in.

“Do you know how to knock?” Aden asked me, grinning, I felt my face turn red, I muttered an apology. “Why’d you come in here anyway?” He asked me, changing the subject,

“Oh, right,” I mumbled, walking over to the desk. “What time is that thing on tonight?” I asked, he thought for a moment before walking to the door and opening it,

“Belle!” He shouted, “When’s the party?” I gave a small laugh,

“Eight to one!” She bellowed back, Aden blew her a kiss before closing the door again. He turned back to me.

“From eight until one,” He repeated, “And do not bring Ash, I have to keep her as far away from Belle as possible,” He snapped, walking over to his desk and sitting down. He pulled out his laptop from the bottom draw of his desk,

“Why is that again?” I asked him slightly confused, he sighed,

“Every time she sees that girl, she want’s one herself,” He replied, not looking up from his computer screen.

“What’s wrong with that?” I asked defensively,

“Kids are cute and all, but you know how it is,” He told me as he ran his fingers along the keys rapidly. I looked at him angrily.

“I don’t actually,” I snapped, sitting on the edge of his desk, “My child is everything to me. All I have left.” He laughed,

“You still have me,” He suggested, I smiled.

“You’re right,” I scoffed, “All my heart has ever wanted is you,” I told him sarcastically, he looked up at me and smiled,

“What are you doing today?” He asked me, knowing full well the other conversation would end badly,

“Not much. Writing the obituaries, as usual.” I told him, “What about you?”

“Well, I’ll be leaving early,” He informed me, “I have a doctor’s appointment,” He shrugged, I rolled my eyes.

“Anything serious?” I asked. He shook his head,

“Don’t think so. Jus sore joints,” He informed me, “I went for a few tests last week, and I guess the results are back,” He smiled, before turning back to his computer and tapping a few more keys with his fingers.

“Let me know how you go then,” I said to him as I walked over to the door, “See you,” I called out, opening the door,

“See you tonight,” He said to me as I walked out of his office.

***

At the party

“Aden’s in the study if you want to see him,” Belle told me as soon as she answered the door,

“Thanks Belle,” I muttered, pushing past her. I don’t know why, but ever since we were teenagers, I had loathed her. I made my way down to the study and pushed the door open. “Aden?” I called out. The Jeffries library looked like a scene from Jane Eyre or something. It was so majestic and large. The room looked empty.

“Hi Geoff, close the door,” Aden’s muffled voice rang out. I jumped as some paper began moving on the desk. Aden’s head appeared from under it.

“There you are,” I muttered to myself, closing the door. “What happened today?” I asked him. I noticed his face was red and tear streaked.

“I need to talk to you,” He said, his voice was husky.

“Am I in trouble?” I joked, Aden nodded,

“Yeah, heaps.” I could tell a look of confusion had crossed upon my face. “Joking. Actually, this isn’t about you, it’s about me.”

“What is it?” I asked him, concerned. In all the time I had known Aden, I had never heard his voice this solemn and serious.

“I need you to do me a huge favour,” He said, I sat down on the corner of the desk,

“I’m listening,” I told him, knowing full well something was up. He nodded gratefully at my response. Silence followed. “Is that it?” I asked him after five minutes. He raised his hands to stop me from getting up.

“I need you to kill me, Geoff,” He told me in the most serious voice I had ever heard come from his mouth.

***

What do you guys think?

[LAURZY!]

NOOO!

Awww, how could he ask Geoff to do that!

Really great start

Loved it

[saraz]

wow!! that was an amazing start to the story. What is wrong with Aden that he wants Geoff to kill him? please update soon as i would love to know. thank you for this kind of story.

so matilda and geoff were together and has a daughter Ashley and belle and aden are together?

[SAM27#]

Woah what a start!!! Did not expect the chapter to end like that!!!!

Great start!! Can't wait to read more!!!

[whispered_envy]

Oooo...interesting start! It's got me intrigued! I wonder what's wrong with Aden...good stuff!

[Red Ranger 1]

Wow.That was one huge shock at the end.

[Luc]

Thanks for the comments guys . saraz, you're right, Aden and Belle are married, and so were Geoff and Mattie. I should be updating tomorrow, until then, here's a preview...

“I still don’t get it Aden,” He said, almost sounding angry, “When you die, Belle’s going to want answers. So, I think you should just tell her,” I shook my head,

“I can’t do that Geoff,” I told him,

“But you think I can kill you!” He yelled at me, I backed away from the angered boy, “You know Aden, I would do almost anything for you. But there’s a fine line between almost anything, and this is where I’m choosing to draw it,” he informed me, trying to make eye contact with me, though I wouldn’t let him.

[Zetti]

*Eyes Widen* Geoff kill Aden? Never! It just cant happen. I cant see. Anyways which episodes of Eastenders was it? Dot and Ethel? I cant remember any other ones.

[Luc]

^^ Yeah, it was Dot and Ethel (which, in turn was a brilliant storyline), so it'll go something like that, but will also be something totally different if that makes any sense

[Zetti]

^^ Yeah, it was Dot and Ethel (which, in turn was a brilliant storyline), so it'll go something like that, but will also be something totally different if that makes any sense

Thought so, thanks for clearing it up