Open Up My Eager Eyes

Chapter 9

“Pass it on!” Vic shouted as he slammed another bottle of beer on the wooden counter. For nearly two hours now, this is our routine. Vic would shout the statement, Mike would pass the bottle to the me, since he was the one who was sitting at the end of the counter and I would pass it along to Tony, their friend that they introduced to me, then to Jaime and a bunch more of people that I couldn’t even remember their names. However, after my second bottle, I’ve decided to just skip and pass the bottle to Tony. I still have to drive myself back to our apartment so I guess drowning myself in alcohol wouldn’t be the brightest idea right now. Vic has been on the other side of the counter, busy serving us drinks and socializing with their friends. He really seems like a genuinely happy and carefree person. I think his attitude is the reason why he has lots of friends. Girls and guys, actually.
 The bar is almost packed with just his friends tonight although there are still some random costumers drinking at the other side of where we are, minding their own businesses.

“You are a cheater.” Vic’s slurred voice lingered to my ears, snapping me out from my thoughts. I immediately smelt his breath, I am sure that he’s drunk right now. It’s a miracle that he could still serve us drinks after all the bottles and shots that he consumed.

“What?” I shouted out through the loud chattering and laughter of the people surrounding us.

“You have been skipping the bottles.” He pointed at the empty bottle that I have been holding for more than 30 minutes now.

“Yeah, I still have to drive back to our apartment.”

“Oh, come on. Loosen up. I’ll drive you in the morning.” He said suggestively. I thought for it for a while but that I mentally slapped myself for almost considering his offer. That’s a stupid idea, of course. “No, I’m not going to let you drive considering your current state.” I added with a chuckle.

“Uh, e-excuse me.” He paused for a while as a hiccup escaped his lips. “I am not yet drunk.” He said as he pointed a finger to himself. I just laughed at him and took a sip from the water bottle that was resting beside the other empty bottles of beer.

I stood up from my seat to wander around and look for the bathroom as Vic turned to his heels to talk to a friend of his that was sitting at the other end of the long counter. I bumped on to some drunk people who were mindlessly walking in and out of the establishment. This is so weird. Never have I ever imagined myself to be spending a weeknight inside a bar with lots of drunk and wasted people swooning all over the cramped, dark place. Once I was done doing my business, washing my hands and all, I grabbed my phone from my pocket and checked for any messages from Sam. I am glad that I didn’t have to worry about her that much anymore. I honestly told her that my boss invited me to a get-together thing in this side of the city. She was very hesitant at first but I reassured her that I wasn’t going to drink that much and that I would safely drive back to our apartment before midnight, at least, since I still have to go to work early tomorrow. Apparently, Justin has been sick for a couple of days now and Mr. Biggs needed someone who could fill up his position for a while just to finish the remaining paper works that he wasn’t able to finish. Mr. Biggs was really mad at Justin for not finishing his work but I volunteered myself to do it for him just to ease down his anger, which actually worked. Ever since I started mentoring Vic, he has been extra nice to me. I guess Vic told him something that made him loosen up his attitude towards me.

I was now walking my way back to my spot and ready to go home. I just needed to see Vic so that I would have to tell him that I have to go and maybe thank him for the drinks that he gave me and for introducing me to his pack of friends.

“Hey, Mike, where’s Vic?” I asked as I tapped his shoulder. He was now sitting at my stool and talking to Tony and Jaime.

“He’s over there, talking to the others.” He said and pointed a finger at the far end of the counter. I nodded and thanked them and told the three that I have to get going. They insisted for me to stay but I told them that it’s nearing midnight and I really had to go. They teased me about having a ‘curfew’ but I just laughed it off, not minding their comments.