Fateful Signs (Ballad of the Seer, Book Three)

Chapter 33 - Seeing Things

Jack pushed the red plastic cup at Eric. Some of the suds spilled over onto Jack's hand. "It's okay, dude," he said. "You can have a drink. I'll take you guys home."

"But you've had a lot." Eric said. "I think I should drive."

"I can't get drunk." Jack told him for the third time. It didn't seem to be sinking in. Jack assumed that it was because he was still relatively new to the whole supernatural thing. "Trust me, I've tried. When me and Di were having problems, I drank three six packs in one sitting, trying to dull my feelings. The only thing I felt was an overwhelming need to pee."

"That must suck." Bobby said. He tipped his cup back to get the last drops of his drink. "Hey, if he's not gonna drink that, can I?"

Eric took the cup and handed it to Bobby. "It's all yours, man."

"Bro, come on," Jack said to Eric. He held out the cup in his other hand. He had gotten it for himself, but it did him no good. It should go to someone who could enjoy the effects. "You need to lighten up and have fun. Let off some steam."

When Eric still wouldn't take the drink, Jack handed the cup to Duncan, who was still being mopey because Lily left him here. "You need this as much as he does." Jack told him. "Maybe it'll help to loosen that leash that Lily's got you on."

"Funny." Duncan stared at the cup for a moment, as if considering whether or not he should, before he took a long swig.

Jack smiled and patted his shoulder. "There ya go." He looked back at Eric. "At least somebody knows how to have fun."

Eric rolled his eyes disdainfully. He didn't speak as he turned and walked off down the hall. Jack sighed, resigned. It seemed like everything he did lately made Eric mad with him. Ever since Eric found out that Jack and Jason were friends.

When Duncan lifted the cup to his lips again, Jack noticed the bruising on Duncan's knuckles. "Dude, what happened there?" He pointed to the injury.

Duncan frowned. "I punched some asshole tryin' to feel up Lily."

"Oh, shit. For real?" Jack was surprised. Duncan was usually so chill. But for Lily, Jack could see it happening. She was the reason they had fought that one time. That seemed so long ago. Back then Jack never could have imagined being friends with the boy trying to kick his ass, over his girlfriend. Not to mention the boy who broke his nose - even if it had healed almost instantly.

Still, Jack had to admit that he had it coming. He said some pretty vile things about Lily. Things he greatly regretted. He was so messed up in the head at the time. It was another life for him. For all of them, really. He was glad that both Duncan and Lily could forgive him for his bad behavior. Lily was the person that he wronged worst of all, and yet she was the first to forgive him and lend him help when he needed it most. Lily was probably the person he loved most, after Dianna. Though, not in the same way. She was the person that he could always turn to. Thinking about it, he supposed she was that for everyone.

That's why he hadn't asked her to fix him again. He hated his curse, but he felt like she had done so much for him already. Too much, maybe. It wasn't her duty to fix something he broke - which was the reason for his extensive search for answers. He wanted to go to her once he'd figured it out, to prove to her that he was worthy of the respect and friendship that she gave him.