Faded Love [Mature Content]

C .07-A night of fun, dancing and alcohol

Rebecca was shocked at how easily her friend had gave in to her idea of fun. Usually, it took a lot of convincing and promises, yet somehow, they were on their way to a bar without a fuss.

“What?” Juliette questioned when she found the woman next to her staring. Since there would be lots of alcohol, they had decided on taking a taxi, instead of driving. “Nothing actually.”

“If there’s an actually after nothing, especially when it comes to you, I know there is something on your mind. Spill!” Juliette turned on the seat, facing Rebecca. Nothing was ever simple with her friend. From the years they had gotten close, she had come to know Rebecca more than she knew herself.

Whether it’s the way she curls her hair on her fingers when she’s relaxed. Or the way she sucks on her bottom lip, a habit she seems to do a lot. The frown lines on her forehead whenever she thinks a white lie is better than telling the truth. She knew her friend to a T.

So to speak.

“I’m just surprised is all.” She replied. “You mean because I agreed to let you take me to a bar to get wasted although I have work tomorrow? Yeah! I’m even surprised I said yes.”

The driver paid no mind to the ladies. He kept his eyes on the road and drove with caution.

During the week, nights in Exeter are usually void of patrons on the streets. But it doesn’t mean the bars are empty of those who needed a night cap after a long day. Though the street lamps paved the way with their illuminating light, the night was still dark in some way. Not dark and scary, but just empty.

Juliette and Rebecca shared one last glance before she looked out of the window of the yellow cab. “I just need him out of my head is all.” Rebecca held her hand and gave it a light squeeze, “you don’t need to explain anything to me, I know.”

Rebecca offered her a small smile and Juliette returned it with an ‘I love you’. She hugged her friend, holding on for a little longer, “I’m always here when you need me, remember that.” Juliette gave her a slight nod.

“We’re here ladies!” The dark skinned man said as he pulled up on the side walk. They both exited the car. Juliette paid him and stood there taking in her environment. “You ready for this?”

“Would you take me home if I said no?” She sighed with a heavy intake of breath. Rebecca opened her hand, “take my hand.” Juliette complied and they walked into the bar, hand in hand.

After a slight hesitation, Juliette squeezed on the only vacant stool at a table. Rebecca took hold of another stool and dragged it across the small gap. Laughing and loud cheering permeated throughout the room. Drunk people slouched to either side of them, the collection of empty shot glasses and beer bottles in front of them suggesting career drinkers. She set her purse on the table top.

Rebecca tried flagging down a waitress.

The woman with the tight mini skirt and platinum blonde hair sauntered to their table with an oval tray in hand. She pulled out a notebook and gave a wry smile, “What’ll be?” She asked, putting all her weight on one foot and the tray tucked under her arm.

Juliette had concluded of why she never came to the obnoxious setting. They were too loud and had the worse services for patrons. She eyed the server up and down, then looked at Rebecca. “Look, I’ve been here all night, so I don’t have time to waste. You’re gonna order or not.” She seethed.

“Just two beers. Please.”

“Sure.”

She walked over to the bar and whistled for the bartender, slamming the tray on the wooden countertop. At the back of the bar, a mirror ran along it, showing hundreds of different alcohol bottles. The thumping of glass mugs on the tabletops and pool balls hitting one another, muffled out the drunken mumbling of the regulars.

Just in front of them, a man spilled his beer all over himself. “Wasn’t there somewhere more established than this dump we could’ve gone too?” Juliette glowered at Rebecca with a hint of annoyance. “C’mon. Terry’s one of the top bars in Exeter.”

“Top in what, drunk men falling over themselves? Crappy service?”

The woman returned with the beers and slammed the mugs in front of them, “enjoy!” She gave them a sarcastic smile. “Oh, we have a special on buffalo wings.”

Juliette glared at her friend and clasped her fingers around the glass of beer covered in condensation. “How about a challenge?”

Juliette stared at the woman in confusion. Her brows furrowed, tilting her head to one side.

“Hold on, hold on.” She took a huge gulp of her drink. “How about we order some wings and see who can eat the most in a record time? We can agree on a time, something like two minutes?”

Juliette thought about the challenge for a moment. She knew she was quite the competitive person. She didn’t like spicy foods, but since Rebecca was trying to cheer her up, she would give her the chance to.

“Okay. But how about a little incentive?” Juliette took a drink of her beer and wiped her hands on her pants. “So if I win the challenge, promise not to mention anything about Kallum ever again, especially the email.”

“Pfft! Done. And if I win, you cook me dinner for a week.”

“Done and done.” They clinked their mugs together.

Rebecca called for the server again and ordered a two in one order of the buffalo wings and another round of beers.

Her decision to accept Rebecca’s challenge was spicing up her life and not in the s****l or adventurous way. No. It was a spice of fire and brimstone in her mouth. One fiery wing after another, hallucinations were now in full force.

Looking across at Rebecca, realization of the quantity had motivated her. She wiped her mouth with a dry napkin and the sticky spicy sauce on her fingers.

Beads of sweat ran down her back, soaking up the thin fabric of her blouse. Juliette took another drink of her beer and when that didn’t help; took a gulp of water that the server had offered.

The blonde had tried discouraging them from doing the contest and advised them that the bar would not be held responsible for any damages done, but the ladies didn’t care.

“Ready to give up yet?” Rebecca defied, taking another wing into her mouth and pulling out the bones.

Determined to win, Juliette took two wings in her hands and pushed them into her mouth, following Rebecca and pulled out the bones, throwing them on the plate. “Never! I will beat you.”

Rebecca laughed and wiped her mouth with a napkin, crumpling it and tossing it aside. She didn’t care if she won or lost, she wouldn’t do anything that would hurt Juliette. And even though she could’ve eaten more of her wings, she threw her hands in the air in a surrender motion.

Acknowledging her surrender, Juliette jumped from her seat and shouted to the top of her lungs, “Yes!” Everyone broke away from their previous actions and stared at her wide eyed. However, she merely apologized and took her seat, shouting with less enthusiasm.

After all that, they ordered round after round, after round of beers. By the time they both got back to Juliette’s place, they were both hammered and mumbling incoherently.

“Best night ever!” Juliette whispered before she closed her droopy eyes and allowed sleep to take her over. However, the next morning wasn’t as fantastic as the night before. It was the most excruciating pain Juliette had ever felt. It wasn’t just the headache from the hangover, the bright light from the window, no.

It was the dry feeling in her mouth, her aching muscles. The tiredness in her eyes. The effect of the buffalo wings made itself known as her stomach rumbled. She dashed out of bed, holding back the vomit and the sudden need to release her bladder.