Symphony for the Lost

Buzzed

The first beer was fully at the permission of Alfred. It was a Keith's and it made me realized how much I missed getting drunk.
Gilbert stared at me, wide eyed, from the other side of the booth as I chugged that thing down in one long gulp.
"Careful." Alfred warned.
I wanted to order another, but I didn't have any money to my name.
Great. I wasted the one beer of the night.
"I'm glad jou're out of zhe house." Gilbert remarked as Alfred and Matthias started up their own conversation. I had a feeling that this would end up as a double date by the end of the night.
"Al forced me to come."
"But still...isht an improvement."
Gilbert had visited me every day, just as promised. But I hadn't spoken to him. There wasn't anything I could say to fully express how I felt about him without him throwing out the "date me" card.
So I just kept my mouth shut and waited for him to go away.
"I only came for beer."
"In zhat case, let me buy jou anozher." He waved a waitress over and I held back my complaints. I wanted to get drunk tonight. I wanted to have a splitting headache in the morning so I could be sure this wasn't a dream between nightmares.
The waitress set my beer on the table and I downed it with ease.
"Slow down!" Gilbert blinked at me.
"Why? You think I can't handle my booze?"
"Ja!" Gilbert stood.
"I've been sneaking alcohol since I was twelve. I can hold two beers."
"Mattie..."
I sighed and looked down into my empty glass. Maybe I should have savoured the drink. But I really wanted to get plastered.l
"I need to go to the bathroom." I stood.
"I'm coming vizh jou."
"No." I said firmly.
"Go with him." Alfred commanded. "Make sure he doesn't try to run off again."
I groaned but didn't make any more objections.
Gilbert was on my heels the entire way to the bathroom. I could feel his breath on my neck.
"Please don't watch me pee." I requested.
"I vasn't gonna."
I sighed and went to the urinal to get rid of the two beers I'd drunk.
"Look..." I zipped up my fly and turned to face Gilbert who was leaning against the sinks. "I really regret coming here..."
"Vhy?"
"It's nothing..."
"No, tell me..."
"I'm just not...I don't..." I sighed and sat down on the floor. "I don't know how to feel happy anymore..."
"Do jou vant to get out of here?" Gilbert held his hand out to me.
"What?"
"I've got beer at home...ve can make some popcorn...watch a movie..."
I sighed. Popcorn and a movie would do nothing for me. But I did like the idea of beer.
"Okay...fine." I took his hand and let him help me up.
"Do jou vant to say goodbye to Alfred first?" He asked as we exited the rest room.
I glanced over to our table, seeing Alfred and Matthias talking. The Dane kissed Alfred on the cheek and I looked away.
"Nah. He's busy."