The Dragon

Drunk

21 years old

"Linds, I'm 21 now! I want booze!"

"You sure? Well, okay, fine then. If that's what you want to do..."

She looked up, smiling deviously up at me.

"Go down to the kitchen. I have a birthday surprise for you."

I instantly ran downstairs as she ran after me, laughing the whole way. When I got to the kitchen, I just turned to her and started smiling.

"I knew a bar was out of the option. Luckily, I have a friend who works at a really nice bar downtown. I asked if he could hook me up and bring the bar to you."

On the counter was dozens of different clear shot glasses, each having a different colored liquid in it.

"Before you ask, yes, I only asked for shots so nobody goes to the hospital. I wanted two of each flavor, so you could try them all."

I ran over and hugged her.

"Thank you, Lindsey!"

"Hey, happy 21st, Mark. I didn't want you missing out on your first legal drink."

My mom wasn't home tonight, but she knew the plan and knew that if something went wrong, Lindsey could handle it. She's gotten very good at it over the years.
We both went over to the counter, sat on some stools, and took turns sipping each glass. It was really fun to just hang out with her and the fact that she went out of her way to make it special meant a lot to me. I think it goes without saying, but we got really drunk. Like, REALLY drunk. When we thought we'd had enough, we went over to the couch and started watching whatever tv was on. I put my arm around her as she snuggled against me, which eventually turned into me laying down (headaches and such) and her lying on top of me. I didn't mind, and it seemed neither did she, and we both just kept watching the tv. Once the episode had finished however, I paused it, sitting up slightly against the armrest.

"Hey, what's up? Are you alright, Mark? Do I need to call someone?"

Her words were slightly slurred as an effect of the alcohol, but she still seemed concerned. I, on the other hand, just looked at her, and reached up to brush a bit of hair out of her face and behind her ear, causing her to blush a little.

"You know, part of the reason alcohol sounded so appealing to me is because of all the stories I'd here....people doing things that they would never do, and taking risks without fear. Granted, mostly stupid risks, but...I hoped maybe if I drank, then I could have at least a little bit of that. I could do things I'd never usually do, go past my comfort zone, take risks and be fearless. I want that."

"Aw, Mark. Just, promise me you won't do anything stupid that you'd regret. People do crazy things while intoxicated. But I know what you mean."

"I want to be brave, Lindsey. And I want to push past my anxiety and take a risk."

"And what risk would that be, exactly?"

I hesitated for a second, my cloudy mind not processing or thinking straight, before I leaned forward a bit, putting my hand on the back of her head, and bringing her down. We kissed for only a moment, before pulling away. Before I saw her reaction or her face, I got out from under her and ran straight up to my room. Intoxicated or not, I knew what I had done. I slammed the door shut, sliding down against it as I started sobbing. She was going to hate me now! I was such a fucking idiot, hoping booze would solve my problems! Nothing could solve them! And now I had driven away my only friend! I know what she said a couple of years ago, but she probably doesn't still feel that way! Why do I always fuck up?!