𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇 𝐌𝐄 | 𝟏𝟖+

F O U R T E E N

But the drinking never stopped.

Agnes spent months drinking on top of drinking on top of drinking.

Ava tried talking to her but Agnes completely froze her out. She was absolutely done. Ava also spoke with her parents, they tried too. After a certain point in the journey, they realized she was an adult and she needed to make the decision to stop on her own.

"Isn't it fucking crazy," she slurred. "I'm supposed to be this perfect fucking flower with no issues because mother dearest is rich but," Agnes shrugged. "That isn't true."

"What type of shit are you going through?"

"I was in love with this girl since I was like sixteen," she heavily sighed. "She cheated on me. I got back together with her. She invited the girl she cheated on me with to my birthday party. Then we go to therapy and she just wants to fucking use me."

"That's why you're here everynight?" The bar attendee scoffed. "You had me thinking it was something more live changing. Love?" He rolled his eyes. "Please, people go through worse and," he put his finger up. "You are a perfect fucking flower  with a rich mother. You just fell in love and for the first time in your sad pathetic life you can't have what you want."

Agnes was a little taken back. "You don't-"

"I don't know you, you're right. But you're in here everynight complaining about the same shit. And it's even worse now that I know exactly what that shit is."

"Fuck you."

"No, fuck you," he grinned, he leaned over the counter. "Get your life together. I'm tired of seeing you here."

"You can't kick me out..."

"Yes I can. And when you leave, find a meeting or something. Listen to real issues."

****

"Hi, I'm Peter and I'm an alcoholic."

"Hi Peter," the group greeted.

Agnes sat in the back of the room where no could see her.

"You came," a man sat down next to her. "Now listen."

"So you're an alcoholic?" Agnes asked.

"Used to be. Ten years sober," he shrugged.

"And what are you're issues?"

"Who will like to share next?" The leader of the group asked.

"You'll see," he said to Agnes as he got up and walked to the front.

"Hey guys," he began. "For those of you that don't know I'm Henry and I'm an alcoholic."

"Hi Henry."

"I've been sober for ten years now. Ten long years. I guess now I can say it's easy to avoid temptation because ironically I work in a bar. Thinking about my daughter and how drinking effects her, I can also stop myself." He took a deep breath in. "I met this girl a couple months ago. Last night I finally got the chance to somewhat talk to her. She's young, dealing with heartbreak. She thinks it's an excuse to throw her life away," he made eye contact with Agnes. "What she needs to realize is that life gives you lessons and that your job is too learn."

Agnes mumbled something under her breath.

"A fucking heartbreak is no reason why you should be in my bar everynight drinking your braincells away," he said directly to her. The crowd looked back. "People love you. Your parents love you. Some of us don't have that same opportunity."

The last sentence stuck with Agnes. She thought about both of her parents along with their parents. They have absolutely no parental love.

Agnes started to giggle. She took a deep breath in before standing up and gathering her things.

"You're right," she scoffed. "I'm being fucking ridiculous. My parents had no one and I'm lucky to have them." Agnes walked out the meeting feeling embarrassed.

She slid down a wall and began to cry.

She yelled in anger. "What is wrong with me? Am I really that fucking spoiled," she giggled. "For a fucking bitch," she laughed harder. But then she started to cry. "What's wrong with me?" She whispered to herself. "I have no real issues. I'm fine. I'm supposed to be happy..."

*****

"Hey."

"You're back?" Henry scoffed. "Let me guess, your usual?"

"No," Agnes shook her head. "Suprised you still remember," she chuckled.

"Yeah," he shrugged. "There's a system."

"A system?"

"Yeah, a system to remember who's drinks what."

"Okay, Henry. What's that system?"

"The prettier a girl is, the better I remember her order," he said as he cleaned glasses.

"Not much of a system now is it," Agnes grinned. "Works for guys too?"

Henry chuckled. "Nah, not really."

"Oh." Agnes bit her lip. She shook her head, clearing her thoughts. "I just wanted to come and thank you. I have a lot to deal with within myself."

"None of which needs alcohol for a reminiscent." He leaned over the counter, closer to her. "Tell me about your childhood."

"My childhood?"

"Yeah."