The Night, Again.

Take Pride

"Josh, c'mon! We're gonna be late," Mark tapped his foot against Josh's apartment's wood floorboards. He impatiently checked his phone, tapping the on/off button numerous times.

"How can we be late to a bar, Mark?" Josh's voice was distant sounding from around the corner.

"Well... I dunno. All the girls will be gone by the time we get there. And at your fucking pace!" Mark shoved his phone into his jean pocket and started walking towards the bathroom where his friend was fixing his hair.

"Fuck off... they'll still be there," they always are for me, Josh thought as he combed his fingers through his newly dyed blue locks. He was in all black, head to toe, save for a simple white Hanes t-shirt under his black faux leather jacket.

"Sure, Josh sure, tell me that. They guy who gets laid every other month if I'm lucky," Mark turned to look at himself in the mirror and pulled at the end of his faded red shirt.

"Oh stop, Felicia. You're being such a little bitch man," Josh stood up and washed his hands, cleaning them a final time before the two headed out for a night full of hardcore drinking. Josh flicked the bathroom light off and proceeded to the apartment's door, making sure his car keys were staying home for the night and double checking his pockets for anything he might have forgotten.

"Fuck you Josh," Mark handed Josh his car keys and put on his forest green hoodie before the two left to brace the cold winter air.

"Love you too, Marky-boo," Josh scrunched up his face in a smile as he lead them out of his place and towards the local bars.

~

Josh had 1 beer and 2 shots so far and this night was looking up. Two girls had hit on him already at it was barely going on 11 pm. He had their numbers and hell, if he really wanted to, he could have a threesome if his warming heart so desired. Mark was a laughing idiot and the girls in this bar thought he was cute for it. He had 2 beers in him and his face was all pink. What a dork, thought Josh as he finished off another shot.

Now Josh could hold his liquor, but he was no superman. He thought back to his college days. He would drink so much he'd make himself sick, it was a surprise he never ended up dead. He'd been to the hospital only twice in 6 years for stomach pumping and he hated it so much he promised he'd never drink that much ever again. But tonight was different, he wanted to get smashed. Just enough for a hangover tomorrow and a few bad choices tonight. No hospital visits. He promised both himself and Mark that last Monday night over a game of Mario Kart.

Josh decided that this place wasn't all the night had in store for him, so he dragged Mark out to another bar just half a block down the street. Downtown sure is beautiful this time of day, or night, I guess. Josh had Mark by the wrist and the two made way for this dive bar. They passed college kids and 20-something's on the way. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. Music was blaring from everywhere and the lights from passing cars gave the people walking by halos.

Josh stood a few inches next to Mark, looking around the outside of this bar, deciding whether or not this place was worth his time. The place looked like shit. Hell, it was shit. A real fucking hole in the wall. Josh saw piss stains on the side of the wall, puke stains lined the sidewalk, he heard yelling from inside. That's when Josh knew this place was just right for the start of a tremulous evening. "C'mon..." He led Mark with stars in his eyes. The two sat at the bar and Josh ordered them 2 craft beers from local breweries.

"That's some good shit," said the bartender as he poured the guys some from a tap.

"Thanks," Josh sipped his greedily, not even waiting for the foam off the top to simmer down. Mark just nodded in the bartender's general direction and put his lips to the glass. Mark looked over his shoulder while Josh nursed his drink.