Beer Bottles And Cigarettes

Chapter 3

      I park my car and get out, quickly getting drenched in the rain. I walk up the short mucky path to my apartment. I slowly climb the stairs, then jiggle the keys into the lock before shoving the door open, empty bottles and boxes from moving blocking the doors way. I make my way to my bedroom, kicking clutter out of my path as I walk. I take off my now damp work shirt and search my room for something that at least smells clean. After getting dressed I wander into the kitchen and look through the almost empty fridge, I decide against risking eating anything in my fridge due to the fact that I haven't gone grocery shopping in at least three weeks so anything left is probably toxic.

     I go back out to my car and make my way done the road that takes me to my second home, the local bar. I push through the door and sit it my usual spot as the usual curly haired bar tender, Ray brings me my usual drink.

     "Rough day man?" He asks. I nod and play with the cool glass in my hands. He quickly fills up someones empty cup before coming to my side of the bar.

       "The new job?"

       "I love the job... its just... there is this guy and..." Ray nods like he can read my thoughts in my silence, but he knows me better than anyone else since my life...went to the shits.

        "Gee this isn't good...is..." He pauses then lowers his voice and leans closer. "Is he a student?"

        I swallow nervously and nod so slightly I'm not even sure if Ray saw or not.

        "Gerard, man you have to be careful"

        "I know... Ray what do I do?" This is my job on the line, one wrong move and I'm fired. I really can't afford to lose my job, it's all I have left.

         "I don't know dude, but you know the routine." Ray holds his hand out and I drop my car key into his palm. He picks up my now empty glass and refills it as he puts my key into the cash register, knowing I won't be sober enough to drive home. He sets my glass in front of me with a look of concern on his face.

       "Gerard, from one friend to another, you need to cut back. You're lucky the boss hasn't cut you off yet." I nod into my cup but ignore the advice. 

       Three drinks later I walk out of the bar too intoxicated to drive but sober enough to walk a straight line. I'm about to wave down a cab when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around to face a bleached blonde boy with his face half covered by the hood of his dark sweater.

      "Hey sexy, you need anything for your high?" He looks me up and down without making eye contact before continuing. "Or maybe someone? You know I don't charge muc- Fuck Mr. Way?!" His eyes widen and I realize who the familiar boy is. 

       "Sorry, I don't by weed from my students, though how is your art project coming along, Jensen? don't forget it's due tomorrow at the end of class, I assume you will be there?" He is still wide eye and staring at me as a cab pulls up and I get in.

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        The next morning I wake up half naked, with a beer bottle still in hand and a throbbing head ache.

        "Shit..." I slowly stand, clutching my sore temple. I stagger over to the small bathroom, eyes still blurry from sleep. I take a quick shower and brush my teeth, releaving myself from the taste of stale alcohol and sleep before I go to my room and get dressed for my second day at hell...Work.

         Before leaving I quickly grab a bottle of Advil then walk out to my car, which Ray thankfully drove back to my apartment. I make it into my classroom just before the bell goes and down two pills as my first class of the day enters the room. I take attendance quickly and look around the room, I catch Frank's eye and he smiles at me, but when I see Jensen he looks at me worriedly before blushing and looking down. Right...fuck.

        I send them to work and I start writing on one of my class lessons. Well you can hide a lot about yourself but honey what are you gonna do? Cause we are all a bunch of liars tell me baby who do you want to be? I feel a pair of eyes on me, I look up and see I beautiful smiling face in front of me.

       "What can I help you with Frank?"