Fourteen Beers at Chili's

Page 9

For a brief moment, you consider leaping across the table to strangle Derek. How fucking dare he suggest sharing your appetizer with him? This isn't the first time he asked to share something, offering nothing in return. The guy always 'borrows' your shampoo, using over half the bottle without buying a new one. He even occasionally uses your shower shoes when he misplaces his own. Yuck! As if you want his foot fungus! A repressed memory of the time he'd ran out of clean laundry and began wearing your underwear resurfaces, causing you to shake with rage.

"Fuck off!"

The entire table goes quiet as all the bros look your way. It's like all the air was sucked out of the room. The look on Derek's face is hard to place. His expression melts from shock to anger to disappointment as he crosses his arms over his chest. The bros follow suit, giving their own grumbles of dissatisfaction at your behavior.

"I thought you were cool, bro." Derek shakes his head in unison with his bros. "Sharing is caring."
You're really shaking now. "Well, it seems like I'm the only one doing any sharing! When have I ever used your shampoo or worn your underwear?"

"All you have to do is ask, bro. I'll give you anything you need," Derek says. In one fluid motion, he pulls his shirt off, offering it to you. "Look, I'll even give you the shirt off my back!"

The bros narrow their eyes as they glare at you. How you suddenly became the bad guy is a mystery to you. Your appetizer tastes like sand in your mouth as you chew it over. All former enjoyment of the meal vanishes as quickly as your chance of passing your finals when you left the library. You gulp uncomfortably and drink the rest of your beer. It does nothing to comfort you.

"Check, please," you whisper meekly.

Derek and the bros continue to glare as you awkwardly pull out your wallet, pay your bill, and grab your backpack out from under your chair. None of them say goodbye as you push your chair in and turn to leave. You hear them whispering about you as you make your way to the door.

The only place you could think to go was back to the library. If you go back to your dorm, Derek would eventually show up, and you aren't ready to face him. Tail tucked in between your legs, you head out into the chilly night to go back to the very place you started.

END.

BEER COUNTER: 1