Gotta Catch Em All!

2

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Type: Short Story
TW: Sad, alcohol mentioned, don't do what the bartender did (it's not professional and would never actually happen lol).
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"Don't go, please—"

I felt my tears slip down my cheeks, their warmth felt like acid on my skin. My chest felt constricted, almost suffocating with each breath I took. Everything was blurry and so loud. My clothes were clinging to my skin, completely drenched as we stood in the rain. I felt helpless. Utterly helpless in every way. He was going to leave, and I couldn't stop him. I couldn't stop him from leaving, just like I couldn't stop my heart from falling so desperately in love with him.

How did we get here?

"No. I'm not doing this anymore. I'm not watching you waste your life away, drinking your problems away. I won't do it."

His words felt like a slap to my face. Why couldn't he understand that I needed him? Why can't he hear the way the voices screamed at me daily?

"I can change! I'll fix everything. I can't do it alone—" My words were cut off by a sob that shook my whole body. It felt like my knees would cave in at any moment. "I can't be alone right now. Please."

He shook his head, his face held an expression of pure disgust and anger, "No. I'm leaving. For good."

He turned around and started walking down the sidewalk. My brain couldn't understand it, I didn't realize he was walking away until he had already crossed the street. I stepped forward to chase after him but my legs gave out, and I came crashing down to the wet concrete floor; just like my life had. I watched him walk into the city, away from me, while glued to the wet floor. The rain felt like knifes, stabbing me over and over. I was dizzy, anger, scared, confused. I don't know what I was. All I know is I don't want to feel it. I stayed there, on the floor in front of the entrance to my apartment complex, crying. People passed by, whispering about me or just simply looking at me sideways. I slowly got up and started walking to the one place I felt at home; the bar. I stumbled into the establishment, soaked and looking like an absolute mess, and sat down at my usual spot. The bartender eyed me while he served some white chick five seats next to me on the left. It didn't take him long before he walked over to me with an expression that screamed "well you look like a wreck, what's up?"

"You... Look drop dead awful. The hell happened?" He asked while already preparing my usual vodka and juice mix.

I rubbed my face as I rasped out, "Bad break-up. Shit workday. Shit life. The usual bullshit."

"Ah, I see." He slid the drink to me. I was going to take a sip but his hand came under my chin and lifted my face until I met his eyes. His voice was soft, "My shift will end in about and hour. I'll take you home then, k?"

"Ok...?" I said slightly confused but grateful that I wouldn't have to go alone while shit faced and a whole fucking wreck.

I drinked my feelings away, and the bartender allowed it. He provided me with my usual over and over again. He asked me questions and started conversations several times throughout the hour. Eventually the next bartender showed up for their shift and he clocked out. He came out of the employees only room and nodded his head at me to follow him. I followed him out the door and to the parking lot, stumbling the whole way. I wasn't even going to hide the fact I was intoxicated, what's the point? What's the point of life? Fuck it all. God my head hurts... He came up to my side and guided me to his car, helping me into the passenger seat. He buckled me in and shut my door while I spaced out. I came back down to reality when he said my name.

"Did you hear me?"

"No."

He sighed, "Do you want to go to your place or do you want to stay at mine for the night?"

"Yours would be safer."

"My place it is. I have spare clothes that you could wear, so when we get there take a shower. I'll make you some food and get you water. Sounds good?" He looked at me from the corner of his eye while he drove.

"Mhmmm, yeah."

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I have no idea what I was going to do with this. Found this shit in my notes app today and I'm just confused on where it was going. It aight tho. Vibing with that shit.
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