Chapter 41: Home is Him.

All the bouncing light from the walls was blinding me. I am not used to seeing things like this; I don't even go to parties. Let alone the stinky smell of alcoholic beverages. I could never take it. It's definitely not my cup of tea. Why am I even here? I thought I could get fresh air out of this break, but here I am, looking like I was forced by an extroverted friend to go to a bar.

"Two beers, please," Eloise ordered the guy from the counter, and he actually agreed. Beer? For us? What did she think of me, a heavy drinker? I have never even gotten myself drunk before, as I only drink minimal alcohol. I fear wolfing out in the middle of being drunk and hurting the people I love. I wouldn't say I liked the feeling of being unconscious; how I loathed it. I wouldn't say I like the bittersweet taste of beer. The aftertaste of it was too strong for me, let alone the burning sensation in my throat as soon as I swallowed it.

I felt like it was a huge flame inside me, and my stomach would surely burn from it. Yet here I am, presented with a pint glass of beer and was presented with no choice but to drink it. I couldn't even complain. The foam was too high. It's like bubbles getting poked and multiplying more. I couldn't look at it straightly. I want to go home now, and honestly, I don't trust anyone here. If I happen to get wasted, I am unsure whether someone would help me sober up or someone would take this opportunity and kill me afterward. Why did I join Eloise here? "Come on, Don't be such a killjoy! I know you can do this, you just have to gulp it down your throat, and voila, you're all set up," Eloise said, making me feel bad for just staring into the glass without touching it and taking a small sip.

Eloise surely had a habit of drinking. She digs into it like she is drinking nothing but water. She's really something strange, someone I can't get used to. "You know what, stop assuming that you'll get into a deep coma after drinking this," Eloise said and opened my hands, put the handle on my fingers, and left it alone. "It's only a matter of time before you get used to this. Don't let your life be wasted, okay?" she said, making it sound like having not to drink anything means throwing out the best part of your life. I breathe heavily before lifting the glass. I could see Eloise's face brightening when I held the glass high. I tried sniffing into it and couldn't believe I was drinking something like this. I took a small sip from the glass and realized it tasted better today.

The apple flavor overlapped the alcohol content, and the sweetness was diving deep into my throat. There is no such thing as burning after sensation, and I did not get that. Maybe, I was just overthinking everything. After having a taste test, I now have to drink it. Every gulp I made was too real for me. I love how I did not get disgusted by the taste but actually liked it now. Maybe, all the beer needs good brewing in order for it to taste this good.

"Four for our table, please," Eloise ordered again, making it hard for me to resist. "We need to celebrate your debut as a drunker," Eloise said, laughing like crazy. She had already consumed two glasses, but she definitely looked like she's been drinking since morning.

"So, what the hell happened to you?" she asked, looking so serious. I don't think I should tell her my situation in an open space like this. A public space? Should I tell her I ran away from Cassius just before sex? Oh my fucking God, I can't believe I'm living to tell that tale. She was waiting for my response patiently while drinking herself to death.

Her eyes were becoming a lot more sleepy; she surely needed to rest. Maybe, I could tell her? After all, she's already wasted. I drink some of the beer as well before uttering my words. I need a load of bravery before telling the world of my problem.

"Eloise, don't be shocked, okay?" I said and laughed myself to death. "I ran away from Cassius before we could actually have... you know what?" I said and stared at Eloise. I don't know what to expect from her expression. She confessed to me before that she once liked Cassius, and I can't have her defaulting her mind into thinking that I am her rival. I should not make an enemy, not today. I stared at her, waiting for a response.

However, I did not receive any. All I saw was her funny face and her sleepy eyes. Her hair was such a mess now from her grabbing them too much. I proceeded to say: "I am unsure why I ran away when it's all I asked for before. I don't even know why I can't answer his question, maybe because of the fact that I can't take it?" I laughed and took a drink. I finally found someone I could rant into. Someone I could tell all my problems without worrying whether it would get leaked. Telling my concerns to a half-goner is my number one mood! Only then did I realize I had consumed three glasses of beer.

My eyes were turning blurry as I felt my body losing its power. I can feel light-headed, and my fingers can't even lift themselves. I can no longer stand up, I tried slapping Eloise from the table, but she wasn't responding. I stand and try balancing myself, wanting to go home but can't.

Out of balance, I was about to drop on the floor when someone caught my back and held it tight. I can hear and feel his heavy breathing, a breath of disappointment, I must say. "I was searching for you everywhere; how could you avoid me like that?" I heard him questioning me. I don't know what to say."Let's get you home," he said as he carried me away.