For Ever

eleven

dear ever,

you are a lightweight. i know this you can figure out yourself. honestly, i didn't expect it. i thought you were a hardcore drinker, rumour has it you drink before taking final exam. but i guess that wasn't true.

"You know what we should do?" I ask as I rest my head on your pillow. It's been three days since I attempted to jump and you brought me to your airbnb since then.

"What?" you replied, unpacking your clothes to the closet.

"Drink. I want to drink. I want to get drunk, Ever. Let's drink, please," I said. Hugging myself underneath the blankets that's swallowing my body whole. You laughed while shaking your head. You knew that I only drink occasionally and I bet you didn't imagine that I'd ask you out like this. You nodded your head and I smiled in victory. You stood up and grabbed your keys while putting on a hoodie.

"Come on, let's buy whatever your heart desires," you confidently said. At that time I thought you could match my tolerance for alcohol but Ever you didn't. Honestly, you sucked in drinking.

I reached out my hands asking you to help me get out of bed. You wrinkled your nose, jokingly deciding if you'd help me or not. But you did, nonetheless.

"You asshole," I muttered and then took your hand, intertwining it with mine. Ever, you looked happy and to be honest that made me happy.

We took a drive to the nearest convenience store in the area. My playlist blasting from the stereo of your car. When we arrived I immediately went to the liquor section. It was clear that I really wanted to drink. I heard you laugh due to my eagerness but I didn't care. I had a goal, I wanted to be drunk instantly. The convenience store didn't have that much option. There were three types of drinks in total: Soju—a Korean drink, Gin, and wine.

"What do you usually drink, Ever?" I asked as I felt your presence near me.

"Anything," you responded and I nodded my head. I took four of those Korean drinks in flavors strawberry, lychee, and blueberry. I took two of the strawberry since it was my favorite. I took some sprite and yakult to mix with the alcohol. You eyed the drinks suspiciously and pursed your lips into a thin line.

"Is that even good?" You asked, still looking disgusted. I nodded eagerly and you took some chips on the shelf. You took the drinks from my hand and I was about to get my wallet but you said, "I got it."

"Thanks," I replied. We drove back to your airbnb and the moment we got back, I began mixing the drinks.

I handed you a glass of the strawberry flavored one and you hesitated to take it from me. I shoved it in your hand and laughed.

"Are you scared Everest?" I teased and then taking a sip from mine, "Go on Ever, you can do it!" I mocked again.

"It's just weird, I haven't tried it before," you reasoned out.

"If you don't want to drink, I'll get drunk by myself Ever," I huffed, "It's not fun to drink alone," I continued in a baby voice. You fell for my tricks and then took a deep breath. You tasted the drink and I swear I could see your eyes lit up. You finished the glass immediately and began asking me for more.

"I told you it was good," I teased again, you rolled your eyes at me and I laughed yet again. I stood up to get the pitcher and refilled your drink. I took the pitcher and the other bottles and brought it to the living room. You were sitting at the end of the couch and I sat at the opposite end. We were drinking silently, quite fast might I add. Chugging the drinks as if we were in a competition.

"So, did you talk to your parents yet?" You started but I dismissed that conversation immediately.

"I still don't want to talk about it, Ever."

"Tani, you know that I like you right?" You asked again. Starting another conversation, again.

"Yes Ever, I know. You made it quite clear," I replied and I scooted near you. I laid my head on your shoulder and you lifted your hand, palms faced up. I took it and intertwined my hand with yours.

"Do you like me?" You asked again. Ever, you were so full of questions. Was this the alcohol talking?

"Are you drunk?" I said dodging the question, "That's still your fourth glass, Ever."

"Tani, it's my fourth glass under thirty minutes," you reasoned out again.

"Ever, this is my seventh glass and I feel fine," I gloated and I heard you sigh in defeat. You placed the glass on the coffee table and then leaned your head back. I looked up to see you in your drunken state. Your cheeks were red and so is your neck, your eyes were drooping but I could see you were trying to fight off the sleep from them.

We were drowning in silence yet again. "I like you, Ever," I spoke, breaking the silence. You jolted up in shock with happiness emitting from your eyes. You bit your lip smiling and then pulled me in a hug which surprised me.

"I'm going to treat you better than last time," you whispered in my ear. Ever, what do you mean?