Drunken Fantasy

Chapter 4

My best friend is what you would call the school heartthrob. He had blonde hair with a pair of blue ocean eyes. He had handsome features and a likable personality to boot. It wasn't just his looks that made him widely popular in the school. He was athletic and good at sports. If there were a huge crowd of girls squeaking somewhere, you could know that he - Alex - was there. Combine his good looks, friendly nature, and good athletic ability and you will have no trouble accepting that he was popular in the school. But when it came to grades, well, let's say he was average. I mean, if he was good even in academics then more than half the boys in the school will curse the God above for giving preferential treatment to someone. 

I and Alex had been together since the first grade. He had transferred to our school from somewhere else though which school it was, I don't remember. We weren't that close when he first arrived at school. But, as days passed by and we progressed classes, we became closer one way or the other and by fifth grade, we were best friends already. He was cool to hang around with. Because of him, I got to experience so many new things which I wouldn't have experienced otherwise. He has given me a lot. I am really thankful to him for having come into my life. 

I really am. I really was. Well, now, I can't say that I am not a bit angry at him. I know that it is unreasonable. But, you can't blame me, can you? No, actually, you can blame. Everything about this situation is my fault. It was my inaction that led to this royal mess. But, still, I wanted to pin the blame onto someone for something so that I could feel at ease. I know that this is miserable. But I can't help it.

After getting out of the bar, I caught a bus and arrived at the scheduled meeting place ten minutes later. To calm my racing nerves, I smoked a cigarette in a small shop. I chewed gum so that my breath won't reek of cigarettes and then walked up the stairs to the recently opened Burger House in that area a few distances ahead of the shop.

On one corner of the spacious and well-furnished restaurant/cafe, I spotted the man I was supposed to meet. 

There he was - Alex. He looked the same as usual. No, maybe he looked even better than during our high school days. The beard really suited him. 

It had been quite a long time since I had last seen him. Looking at him now, under these circumstances, made me recall some things from the past.

****

"Hey, my feet hurt. Carry me!" Alicia said with a sulky voice as she wrapped her arms around my neck.

"Hey, you reek of sweat. And you are wet. Don't stick your body close to me." I shoved her aside with my hands.

"What?! No, I don't stink."

"Yes, you do!"

Alicia smelled her arms and neck then said, half to herself, "I don't think I smell that much though..."

"I think you gotta go check your nose or something."

"Maybe I should..." I had only meant it as a joke but she was taking it a bit seriously. I was about to say that it was only a joke and she did not really have to go check her nose or something, but before I could, she cut me off with her loud voice.

"More importantly," she began, "you pushed me away!"

"That is what's important?!" 

"Yes, it is! How dare you push me!" She stomped my way and wrapped her arms tight around me. She pressed her whole body against me. Her wet clothes clung to my body.

"Hey, stupid, what are you doing? Get away from me!"

"No!" She said and she only tightened her grip the more  I tried to get away. Despite being a girl with short stature, she had incredible strength in her hands. It may be because of her daily tennis practice.