Dull [Book III]

Clueless

The nearest bar they chose was one that's cheap and horrible. Sweaty bodies moved in the middle, lights were dim and music boomed all over. Air smelled of cigarette smoke and alcohol, and heat could be felt from miles away.

Soojung found it hard to move as the crowd pushed everyone everywhere and she was elbowed on the back twice by drunk girls. Minah was the opposite as she liked to shove people who came in her way, obviously still not in the mood to tolerate anyone. They almost lost each other but ended up by the bar where it was less crowded, after which they immediately ordered something that would knock them out by the end of the night.

They each took a shot glass and toasted, grinning bitterly to themselves before taking the alcohol in. Soojung closed her eyes tightly and Minah placed the glass down in a loud thud, coughing a few times and covering her mouth.

"Would you prefer lemonade spiked with a little gin?" Soojung uttered. "That appears to be your level."

"Shut up and call another round." Minah answered and Soojung nodded. She signaled towards the bartender and he poured them each a shot of vodka once more.

They bravely drank it again and Minah looked like she wanted to gag, while Soojung licked her lips to keep herself from thinking about the taste. It was horrible, but the heat that the drink gave trailed down their throats and it felt great.

"Who's going to pay for this?" Minah asked, calling another shot.

"It's my idea. Therefore, it's my treat." Soojung replied. "Knock yourself out."

"Don't mind if I do." Minah nodded and downed her third shot. Soojung quickly followed and stared at the girl in front of her, hand on her mouth and eyes shut tight. Perhaps the sting of vodka was just as horrible as how Minah felt.

"You are so goddamn stupid." Soojung blurted all of a sudden as the shots kept coming. Minah gazed at her with questioning eyes, not offended at all. Come to think of it, they both had been insulting each other nonstop but neither took offense. "Minseok is one person. It's not the end of the world even if he leaves you for another."

"You don't understand." Minah shook her head after gulping.

"At least he's the only one on edge." Soojung answered. She reached for a glass and ran her finger over the rim repeatedly, circling until she got bored and just drank the content. "I have a lot more people to look after. If I don't, I'll be left alone."

"What do you feel at the thought of Jiyong leaving you for another girl, or cheating on you?" Minah asked, glancing at her with hooded eyes, like the alcohol had already hit her head. She still talked straight though, and Soojung gestured for Minah to grab another shot with her.

"It'll hurt, of course." Soojung shrugged. "But if he doesn't want to be with me anymore, why keep him in a relationship still? We'll just be unfair to each other."

"Yeah, but doesn't any part of you want him to stay?" Minah asked. "I mean, all the courting and dating... I don't know how long you've been with each other but time will be wasted if you let him go that easily."

"People have the right to make choices." Soojung pointed out. "If Jiyong ever makes the choice of leaving me, who am I to go against that?"

Minah scoffed and took a shot, shaking her head after. "You don't love him, do you?"

And that's when Soojung took a shot herself, unsure of what to tell Minah. She liked Jiyong and wouldn't have agreed to be his girlfriend if she didn't, but did she love him?

Soojung was suddenly confused.

"That's the difference." Minah mumbled low and slow, then straightened up and held a glass in front of Soojung. "Cheers to your true feelings. I hope you keep your shit together and figure it out soon."