Friends Failing Forever

By Justice Gray

Justice Gray, the new popular author from Minnesota, has added the seventh novel to The Garbage Collector Series.

Friends Failing Forever is a story of how Gina, the never-ending party-seeker, constantly needs a caretaker—or babysitter for herself and her young daughter--and how her BBF, Cassie, decides she can’t be that person anymore, and leaves Gina out to dry—dry up, hopefully. Periodically, Gina tries to better herself--like getting a job from which she later gets fired, as she gets angry at a child. Cassie, in contrast to Gina’s hooker-look, is attractive, stylish, well-educated, and employed, and prefers to keep it that way rather than party with Gina. Cassie falls for Gina’s brother, Carl, and after sharing stories of Gina’s lies, he encourages Cassie to leave Gina to fend for herself, which ultimately leads to Gina’s tragic death.

This Justice Gray story of confused priorities, unfolds with suspense and intertwined webs of romance, lies, alcohol abuse, sex, lies of abuse, and as a plethora of strange events climax, the story conveys deep emotions, and vivid images.

The Minnesota author, Justice Gray, creates her realistic characters in this great piece of literature. While reading this novel, you may relate it to a friend, and wonder if your friend is headed down this same road.

Justice Gray admires the works of: Taylor Storm, Amanda Hocking, Stephen King, and E L James.
Friends Failing Forever is the seventh book in the series. Be sure to check out the other six:
•Moochers in Crime
•Fib to Folly
•Karma in Overdrive
•Cashing Out Death
•Enticed to Evil
•Victory via Deceit

• Language: English
• Publisher: Justice Gray
• Release date: Feb 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310652172

Book preview

Friends Failing Forever

The Story of Cassie & Gina

By Justice Gray

~~~

Smashwords Edition

The Garbage Collector Series

Book 7

Reality Today Forum

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Copyright: © 2014 by Reality Today Forum. All rights reserved

No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of author.

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Gina: A Day in the Life of a Substitute Teacher

Chapter 2 Cassie: A Day in the Life of the Loyal Best Friend

Chapter 3 Cassie: The Joys of Being the Designated Driver

Chapter 4 Gina: The Morning After the Night Before

Chapter 5 Cassie: The Morning After the Night Before

Chapter 6 Gina: Love is All You Need

Chapter 7 Cassie: Love is All You Need

Chapter 8 Cassie: First Date Nerves

Chapter 9 Gina: The Course of True Love

Chapter 10 Cassie: The Course of True Love

Chapter 11 Gina: What Happens When You Do Things Differently

Chapter 12 Cassie: A Night to Remember

Chapter 13 Gina: Breaking the Cycle

Chapter 14 Cassie: End of the Night

Chapter 15 Gina: Could We Start Over?

Chapter 1

Gina: A Day in the Life of a Substitute Teacher

Gina, or Regina as her mother still insisted upon calling her, watched the clock mounted on the wall at the back of the classroom. The hand that marked the passing of seconds seemed to be going backward and Gina wanted nothing more than to be out of there.

She turned her attention to the list she was compiling on the yellow steno notepad in front of her. She was pretty sure that she’d remembered everything her daughter had asked her to bring home from work, but she couldn’t shift the nagging suspicion that she’d forgotten something. Still, if it was important enough, it’d come back to her, and if it didn’t, Janelle would have to survive without it.

Gina sighed, resting her chin on her hand as she surveyed the class full of students. Absent-mindedly, she tapped her pencil on the pad, beating a slow, regular rhythm. Although the money always came in handy, she could have done without being called in to substitute teach. Sure, she didn’t have anything better to do than sit around at home, channel surfing through one uninspired daytime show after another, but subbing was so dull. At home, she could at least put some music on, turn it up loud, and have a bit of a party for one if she needed to cheer herself up. Here, she had to be a good girl and be on her best behavior. Still, at least she had tonight to look forward to and she’d have an even better time making up for today.

Gina looked at the children sitting behind their desks in front of her, all intensely focused on the quiz in front of them. Their usual teacher had left strict instructions to give them a test, which was fine by Gina, as it saved her from having to interact with the children or answer any of their stupid questions.

Just as she turned to look out of the window to admire the particularly buff gardener mowing the lawns, she noticed from the corner of her eye that one of the children was raising his hand. So much for not having to deal with questions.

What is it, um.., Gina glanced down to consult the seating chart she’d been provided with. Nathan. She plastered a sickly sweet smile over her face. Can I help you?

Yes, you can, ma’am, Nathan replied. Gina got the distinct impression he was laughing inwardly. There was nothing worse than a disrespectful child and clearly he thought the joke was on Gina.

So what is it, Mr. Statham? She kept the fake smile on her face, even though it was killing her to be nice to him. She hated junior high. The little brats thought they were practically grown up, but they still had a lot of growing to do.

Would you mind not tapping your pencil?

I’m sorry?

"Well, it’s just that some of us are trying to work. We are trying to take a test and the noise is really distracting."

He snickered and the other children joined in, laughing as another boy reached across to pat Nathan’s back. That was it. Nathan Statham had just climbed to the top of her list of people she’d like to see die a horrible, painful death. Gina supposed she shouldn’t be surprised as she knew his father, Jake. He was a jerk too. Seems like the little bastard hadn’t fallen too far from the tree.

Gina narrowed her eyes, but then broadened her smile as a thought occurred to her. I’m terribly sorry, Nathan. I didn’t realize. Of course, I’ll stop. She looked at the clock, making a point of looking as though she was figuring out how much time was left. All right kids. You’ve got ten minutes and you’re done.

What? The children turned around in their seats, craning their necks to check the time.

It can’t be ten minutes! Nathan exclaimed, standing up so that he could turn and face the clock.

It can and it is. Gina’s voice was firm, not being able to help the smug grin that spread itself across her face. Knocking five minutes off the quiz meant she’d have to keep them occupied until the end of class, but it was worth it to wipe the smug look off that little brat.

But that’s ludicrous! protested Nathan, his classmates nodding in agreement.

Goodness me. Someone’s been reading their dictionary. Would you like a cookie?

Despite their annoyance at losing time, the other children couldn’t help but laugh with her.

Nathan folded his arms and fixed her with a stare. If looks could kill… I demand more time because you were distracting us.

Demand all you like, Gina replied coolly. All you’ll be doing is wasting more of your precious time. Makes no difference to me. I get paid regardless. But I’m sure your parents wouldn’t like it if you failed the test. Right now, the only person distracting the class is you with your rebellious behavior, and if you keep this up, nobody will be able to work for the remaining time. She looked at the clock again. Five minutes.

This time, the whole class protested, one boy yelling out: Nice one, Nathan!

See? Gina’s smile was triumphant as she indicated to the rest of the room. Now I suggest that you sit your little hinny down and finish your test, or not only will you be depriving your classmates of what little time they have left, you’ll also be facing detention.

You can’t do that! You’re just a sub! For a moment, Gina thought the boy was going to rush at her, but despite the clenched fists at his side, Nathan stayed where he was.

I think you’ll find that I can and I will, she replied, meeting his glare with one of her own until eventually he looked away. Reluctantly, he sat down and began frantically scribbling his final few answers.

Gina wasn’t quite as heartless as she made herself out to be, so, having proved her point, she allowed the class a few more minutes past her new deadline before calling time and getting up to collect the test papers. When she reached Nathan’s seat, she could see that he was still fuming from her besting him. It was incredible how like his father he was. She’d once thought that there was a possibility of a future with Jake, a long time ago before she’d wised up. Nathan could have been a child of hers, had things been different.

Everything all right, Nathan? she asked.

Absolutely fine, ma’am. The thinning of his lips and the shake of his head told otherwise. Inwardly, Gina gloated at having got the best of him.

How do you think you did on the test? she asked, and not just out of politeness. She’d heard Janelle talk about Nathan often enough to know that the pair of them had a bit of a thing for each other. She wanted to make sure this one was smart before she allowed him anywhere near her daughter.

Nathan shrugged. Okay, I guess. He kept his attention focused on his pencil, picking at the rubber on the end.

How old are you now, Nathan?

Thirteen, ma’am.

Huh? Gina raised an eyebrow as she took his test paper and moved on to the next students, casting a quick glimpse over his answers. From what she could see, his wise ass attitude was just as evident in his answers to the quiz questions.

Having collected the papers, she instructed the children to read the next chapter in the book they were studying to fill the time before lunch. Although she’d resented being called in, it wasn’t so bad subbing after all, not when she could have fun toying with smart asses like Nathan. It was one of those November days that contains the seeds of winter, but not so bitterly cold you couldn’t go outside. Thanksgiving was coming up and she didn’t have a care in the world.

Gina leaned over her desk and thumbed through the copy of Good Housekeeping she’d taken from the teacher’s lounge. She scanned through it, not really taking in anything she was reading, just wanting to keep up the illusion of being busy so nobody else would bother her.

Speaking of bothering, a tweeting sound came from her bag, signaling she had a text message. She reached down to pull it out and smiled when she saw who it was from. Cassie. Her best friend in the whole wide world.

Sorry I didn’t reply earlier. Busy morning. Wassup?

Nothing. Subbing 2day. Bored.

O ok

Wyd 2nite?

Silence. There was no text in reply. Gina kept the phone in her hand for a few minutes, waiting for a reply, before dropping it back in her bag. Clearly Cassie wasn’t interested in getting together for a night out. She’d been behaving a bit odd recently, acting strangely after they’d gone out together. Gina couldn’t shake the feeling that Cassie was looking down on her, judging her, although she kept telling herself it was all in her head.

The bell went to signal lunchtime and Gina gathered her things to escort the kids to the lunchroom. She heard the familiar sound of a text arriving and dug her phone out.

Nothing. U?

Carl is having a party tonite. His birthday. Do you wanna go 2gether?

Sure. Can you pick me up?

Gina’s heart sank. She’d been looking forward to letting her hair down and getting wasted. It was the least she deserved after her run in with the Statham kid, and besides, it was Friday. Party time!

Can’t u drive?

Oh… I can I suppose.

Pick me up at 6. Don’t be late, ok?

Sure.

U OK?

See you later. xx

Gina could imagine Cassie in the room with her, that disapproving look on her face, even though she’d signed off with kisses, but she dismissed the thought with a shrug. Cassie’s problem was that she was too uptight. She could never, ever relax. Somehow, she’d appointed herself as Gina’s surrogate mother and she was always watching over her. When would she realize that Gina was a grown woman? Dammit! She didn’t need babysitting, just someone to drive her. And it was so much more convenient to have a friend take her places than pay for cabs. Substitute teaching didn’t pay that well.

Come on you. Gina ushered the stragglers to the door. Get a move on – it’s lunchtime! Her smile as the last child left the room was genuine. The day was more than half way over and the three o’clock bell would sound soon enough. Then she would be free. Her next child support check was due, so she could take some time out for herself without worrying about thirty little snot faces.

Meanwhile, there was a party coming up. Although she and Carl, her brother, rarely saw eye to eye, they had one thing in common: they both knew how to have a good time. Even with Cassie following her around with that worried look on her face, nothing was going to get in the way of Gina enjoying herself tonight.

Chapter 2

Cassie: A Day in the Life of the Loyal Best Friend

Cassie sat staring at the cell phone in her hand, mentally kicking herself for being so stupid. What was she thinking, agreeing to go out with Gina yet again? And to celebrate Carl’s birthday, of all things? She’d promised herself she wasn’t going to go to any more parties with her and now, not only were they partying, Cassie had got herself roped into designated driver as well.

Cassie sighed. She and Gina had been friends since they were little girls, growing up on opposite sides of the same street. Despite their massive differences, they’d been drawn to each other. Gina always had that devil-may-care attitude that saw her stuck in the self-destructive patterns Cassie saw time and time again in recent years, but it was only over the past few months that it was becoming boring. In the past, she’d admired Gina for being so outgoing and wished desperately she could be more like her.

In turn, Cassie’s more down-to-earth, reliable nature had appealed to Gina, who’d never had anyone she could depend upon before. Her parents had split up when she was young and her mother, with whom she lived, didn’t really care what Gina got into, so Gina took the opportunity to have as much fun as she could. For a while, Cassie had been a steadying influence on her, but lately, Cassie had noticed a change in Gina’s attitude and not for the better. It was almost as though the older she got, the more immature she thought she had to act, as if desperately trying to cling to her youth, that maybe if she could kid herself she was still young and desirable, there was still a chance to sort her life out.

As it was, Cassie was beginning to come up with excuses to avoid spending time with Gina. She hated thinking that way, but it was getting to the point that she didn’t think she was helping her friend by going out with her and, if anything, she was enabling her.

Part of Gina’s problem was that she was getting old and she didn’t like it. Cassie could understand that, she really could. Who liked increasingly droopy body parts and wrinkles multiplying by the day? But Gina didn’t seem to care about doing anything to help improve her life. It hadn’t been so bad while she was married, but ever since she and Don got divorced, Gina had used the alimony to fund a stay-at-home lifestyle, claiming to be a full-time mom, when the reality was that Janelle was pretty much bringing herself up. Gina picked up the odd subbing job here and there, but she didn’t have any drive, no real ambitions to work toward. She seemed to have little to look forward to and didn’t seem to care that she was missing her daughter growing up into a beautiful young woman who was likely to move as far away from home as she possibly could at the earliest opportunity. What was worse, Cassie found herself sometimes wishing that she had Gina’s attitude and could just walk away from her career to lounge around at home. Goodness only knows what she could do with the rest! But that kind of thinking was dangerous, especially when Cassie had so much going for her right now.

Recently, she’d been appointed partner at Beecher, Franz and Leland, an image consulting firm in the upscale part of town. Cassie had worked hard to get where she was and each and every promotion she’d won was the result of her blood, sweat, and tears. Unlike Gina, who wasn’t above sleeping with someone if she thought she could get something out of it, Cassie had won her partnership fair and square. She was intelligent, determined and focused, named Businesswoman to Watch by an industry journal that year. Cassie was a force to be reckoned with all right. Gina might have been the one that got all the male attention when they were younger, but Cassie made up for it with charm, wit, and intellect, and if she set her sights on something, she didn’t stop until she got it. The reality was that the pair of them should have grown apart a long time ago.

And yet Cassie couldn’t bring herself to focus the same ruthless resolve that had seen her career do so well, to the problem of Gina.

Cassie thought back to the corporate functions she should have attended, but didn’t because she needed to be out with Gina to make sure she stayed out of trouble. Her climb to the top would have been even faster if she hadn’t needed to take time out to babysit Gina on one of her fun nights out.

Cassie bit her lip, mentally kicking herself. It was really dumb to have agreed to drive Gina tonight. She’d been looking forward to a quiet night in, curled up with a glass of wine as she went over those reports. Instead, she was out at yet another party she didn’t want to go to and