Living Lifelessly

Chapter 15

                             Arthur

After landing safely, I take a cab to the hotel nearby, where I plan on staying until God knows how long.

Spending almost all the money I was left with on the hotel room, I enter inside my room.

After taking a shower and eating, I take a quick nap.

Ring

Ring

Ring

The sound of my phone ringtone wakes me up.

My heart sinks in my chest as I look at the caller ID.

It's Lisa.

"What do you want now?" I sit up on the bed, rubbing my eyes which are still half open.

"Arthur, where are you?"

She asks, making my eyes fly open instantly as I shift on the bed.

"Is that any of your business?"

I reply, sounding as rude as I possibly could.

"Arthur, please listen to me." She becomes silent for a few seconds. "We are over, Justin is my husband now. It will be good for both of us if you don't ever stop at my place or-"

"Don't worry, it was the last time that we met. I promise you'll never see me again."

Before she opens her mouth, I hang up.

Feeling a slight pang in my heart, I throw my phone away.

I need an escape, from this feeling of emptiness, from the poisonous reality of my life.

Getting out of the bed, I wear a black dress shirt, leaving the first few buttons open, with black jeans. Wearing a good amount of cologne, I look myself in the mirror.

God, I look so fucking hot.

Getting out of the hotel, I roam around the place until I find a bar on the corner of the street.

Without giving it a second thought, I reach for the place.

Just as I expected, the place reeked of alcohol and sex which made me nauseous but I don't let it ruin my mood.

"Can I have a shot please?"

I take a seat at the drinks arena, the music muffled my voice but the bartender heard it.

"A heartbreak or fucked up life?"
He asks, as he eyes me from head to toes.

"Both,"

He laughs, pouring some kind of alcohol into a small glass and placing it infront of me.

"Then you need something strong I guess."

Everything would be worth giving a try at this moment.

Without wasting a single second, I gulp the liquid in one shot.

I shut my eyes from the intense feeling of burning in my throat. But as soon as the liquid flows down my esophagus, I start to feel high.

Fuck, it really was something strong.

He pours me another shot and I drink it hungrily.

I start to feel my brain releasing it's hormones as my body reacts to this new feeling.

"Arthur?"

Just when I am about to have another shot, I freeze when someone calls my name.

I turn my face aside and my eyes land on the source of the voice.

I squint my eyes to look clearly but I don't think I recognize this man.

"Do I know you?"

Thank God, I am sober enough to speak without slurring.

"Man you seriously forgot me," he punches my shoulder lightly. "Josh, your high-school friend dude."

And then slowly my brain starts to recognize him.

"Josh," I get up from my stool. "Holy Shit, what are you doing here?"

"Shut up, that's my question buddy,"

Then he pulls me in for a tight hug. I feel so happy and why shouldn't I, it has really been long time since I was treated this way.

He sits next to me on one of the stools after breaking apart from the hug.

"So, what the hell is my genius topper friend doing at this place?"

His words make me laugh at myself. Only if he knew what kind of a looser I have become.

"It's a long story, trust me you don't wanna hear it right now."

He laughs, forcing his middle finger in my face.

He's still the same nonserious, careless and straightforward guy just like he was back in our school days.

"Whatever," he gets up and pulls me up from my arm. "Let's just dance and feel the moment."

Without protesting, I follow him to the dance floor where everyone's either dancing or eating each other out.

Already feeling so high, I start to dance to the beat of the music with Josh next to me.

"I almost forgot to tell you," Josh shouts, as the loud music almost makes him inaudible, "You look hot as hell today."

I chuckle and lean in to whisper in his ear.

"Shut up, I am still straight."

He laughs playfully before pulling me closer by my waist.

"And I still have a crush on you," he whispers back in my air.

Laughing in his face, I remove his grip from my waist.

Before I can go back to dancing, a girl shows up out of nowhere and wraps her arms around my neck.

"Wanna dance with me," she asks, almost seduces, biting her bottom lip.

I look at Josh, who has a disgusted look on his face, and wink at him.

"Sure," I place my hands on her waist as we dance slowly with each other.

I guess the alcohol really took over my senses.
.
.
.

I wake up the next morning with a terrible headache. The after effect of drinking like an idiot.

I look around just to find out that I am not in my hotel room.

Feeling worried, I try to get up but my throbbing head doesn't allow it.

Just in the moment the door opens and Josh enters with a tray in his hands.

"I know how wasted you were last night," he sits on the bed after placing the try on the side table. "That's why I made you some soup."

God, I really was completely wasted last night.

"Don't tell me I slept with that girl last night."

"You almost did before I saved your drunken ass and brought you here."

I sigh in relief as I lay back in bed, my head still hurting.

"Now get up and drink that soup. I have to go to work. Call Anna, my maid, if you need anything. I'll see you in the afternoon,"

He leaves.

I swear I am never going to drink like that again.