"Charlie, are you listening?" Charlotte says and snaps a finger in front of my face.
Though I do not appreciate her doing that, it gets me out of my thoughts. It's been a few weeks since I was at Blake's place and I can't wait for the next time. Just drawing alone together in silence was really relaxing. I used to enjoy my quiet time alone, so I never knew I could share it with someone else.
"Earth to Charlie."
"Sorry," I turn to Charlotte, who now has a big frown on her face.
"What's up, man?" Finn says, nudging my shoulder. "We know you usually zone out during our meetings, but you still listen. What's going on in that mind of yours?"
I sigh and scratch my head. "It's nothing, sorry. Just haven't been sleeping well."
It's not a lie. I haven't been sleeping at all these days. Pulling all-nighters one night after another. I know it's not healthy, but it's a habit I can't easily stop.
Luckily, Charlotte and Finn let the topic go and we keep working on our group project. It's going pretty good right now, but I bet we would progress even faster if Blake were here. He has work today and can't join us. We haven't seen each other since I was over at his house and I've been itching to text him when I can come over again. But I don't want to bother him.
Just then my phone lights up. Speaking of the devil himself.
"Why are you grinning all of the sudden?" Finn asks, scooting over to me and trying to take a look at my phone.
"It's nothing." I shove him away with my elbow. It's not nothing, though. And I don't know why I won't just go ahead and tell them. Blake texted me to come over later this evening. I was going to rot in bed tonight and catch up on some sleep, but that can wait. While the rational part of my brain disagrees, my heart seems to say something else.
Time went by painfully slow, but after our meeting had ended, I quickly headed home to grab a few things and change out of my hoodie. Blake told me I can take my time and come whenever. So, I'm not really sure why I'm rushing right now. But I am, and I'm in front of his door in no time. I quickly fix my hair before finally knocking on his door. The door isn't answered immediately, which is fine, but I could vaguely hear some commotion going on inside.
Minutes pass, still no answer. Now I'm growing slightly anxious. Did I come at a bad time? However, before I could turn around to leave, the door swings open. I step back in surprise, and my shock only grows when I see a stranger with piercing blue eyes and blonde hair popping out with the biggest grin I've ever seen. I look around, thinking I knocked on the wrong door, but no. This is Blake's house, so who is he?
"Are you Charlie?" the guy asks, raising his eyebrow.
I nod. He hums, his blue eyes locking into mine before he tilts his head, gesturing to come inside. Looking closer, I do know this guy. I see him hanging around with Blake all the time. Actually, I'm pretty sure Blake mentioned his two friends to me before.
"Who's that?" another guy appears from the corner.
"Oh, hi. Sorry. I didn't know Blake already had other plans," I say, diverting their attention back to me. "I'll leave."
"No."
We all turn to Blake, approaching us. "Charlie, you stay." he continues and then turns to his friends. "Jay, Louis, you two leave."
His tone was harsh, yet it didn't seem like neither Jay nor Louis were going to leave. In fact, they're just standing there, scowling. Well, Louis is scowling at Blake. Jayson, on the other hand, I can't read his expression, but I feel like he's not bothered.
"Oh, you don't have to send them away," I say, waving my hands around. "They came all the way here to see you."
"But you did too," Blake says, his tone soft. And something about the way he said that so sincerely just tugged on my chest. "And I made plans with you first. These two just barged in."
"What do you mean we barged in?" Louis says, pointing a finger at Blake. "Friday nights are our usual bro nights. You're seriously not going to the bar with us?"
Oh crap! Am I getting in the way of Blake's activities? I mean, that shouldn't be the case, right? Why else would he text me to come over if he had plans already?
"I told you I'm busy tonight," Blake snaps. I've never seen him like this before, so agitated. I guess Blake is really eager to do our comic. But that can wait.
"It's okay, Blake. We can work on the Web Comic another time. There is no rush," I assure him. "You know we don't have a set schedule."
I could see in his eyes that he wanted to protest, but before Blake could say anything, Jay cut in, "Charlie, you can join us if you want."
Both Blake and I turn to him, but Blake was the only one to speak, "What?"
"Yeah! Let's all go together!" Louis jumps in, his mood instantly better as he slings an arm around me. "What do you say, Charlie?"
"Charlie doesn't drink," Blake says with a frown, removing Louis from me.
"It's okay," I say after staying silent for the last minute. "I would like to come."
"Are you sure? Have you ever been to a bar before?" Blake asks, his voice genuine. He stares at me for a while, his brows dipped as if he is concerned.
I shake my head. "But there is a first time for everything, right?"
Blake's lips thin. Something is definitely bothering him, but in the end, he just nods.
"Exactly! That's the spirit! Alright, let's move, boys!" Louis says, I couldn't even say anything before he drags me away with him.
One second I'm at Blake's apartment, the next I find myself inside a bar sitting together with his friends. What a crazy turn of events. I think.
"So, what are you feeling tonight? Beer? Wine? A cocktail? Maybe shots?" Louis cocks his head.
I swallow. "How about a glass of coke?"
Both Jayson and Louis give me a questionable look, and Blake just chuckles in amusement. I honestly don't feel like drinking right now. Who am I kidding? I never feel like drinking. But I guess I'm willing to make an exception tonight. I need to fit in.
"I'm kidding, guys." I laugh it off, rather awkwardly. "I'll take whatever you guys take."
Louis grins. "Well, I'm getting Sex on the Beach."
"Pardon?" I say. He wants to have sex on the beach?! Like right now?
"Relax, Charlie. It's a cocktail." Blake snickers as if he knew exactly what was going on in my mind.
"Right. I knew that." No, I didn't.
After that embarrassing ordeal, the first round of drinks come in.
Just like Louis said, he got a cocktail, which apparently is called Sex on the Beach, Jayson ordered scotch, Walker Black Label if I remember correctly, and Blake got draft beer. As for me, I also got a cocktail, a Long Island iced tea. It's iced tea, so I think this is a great start. But I feel eyes all around me. Jayson's eyes go wide for a split second at my beverage, Louis nods with a smirk and Blake, on the other hand, looks at me with a shimmer of concern. I'm seriously messing something up here, if they're that keen on me right now.
Taking a sip of my cocktail, I can immediately guess why they're staring at me. This drink is just pure alcohol. There is no ounce of iced tea in this. Did I get scammed?
I try my best not to show the discomfort on my face, but a tiny cough escapes my lungs. In an instant, Blake leans closer, handing me a glass of water.
"You good? Maybe you should get something else." he suggests, but I just wave him off.
Louis offered and is kind enough to pay for tonight's drinks, and I'm not about to waste it. So, I keep my lips on the rim of the glass, taking steady sips as I listen to Jayson and Louis talking to each other. I didn't think I'd honestly enjoy this, being at some bar down the street. But oddly enough, this is quite nice. I don't know why, but I always thought every bar was just shabby and filled with drunkards. This bar is really nice, though with a nice ambience. Though I feel like it's not the bar itself that makes me feel so comfortable and relaxed. I glance over at Blake, who I find looking at me with those soft eyes of his. My heart leaps for some reason, and I quickly turn away, keeping my mouth on my drink. It sure feels really hot all of the sudden. But that's just the alcohol, right?
And just as I start to zone out, I feel a gentle touch on my shoulder moments later. I turn and see the most handsome face I've ever seen. Oh, wait. It's just Blake, but his eyes are furrowed. He shouldn't do that, it'd be much nicer if he smiled right now.
"Charlie," his soft voice lingers in my ears. "I think you've had enough. You don't want to end up drunk now, do you?"
Me? Drunk? I do feel warm, my stomach swirling with all sorts of emotions right now. But I don't feel like stopping. "I feel fine."
Then I call out to the nearest bartender and ask for another cocktail, the same one I had before. But before I could drink it, Blake coveres the top of the glass with his hand.
"Blake, what are you doing?"
"You shouldn't be drinking anymore." he says.
"Why are you being such a buzzkill?" Louis interjects, looking at Blake. "Loosen up and finish your drink. It's still your first bottle, isn't it? You barely even touched it."
I glance down and indeed confirm that Blake hasn't taken even a single sip of his beer. But I thought he likes to drink. Or is it not the case when I'm with him? Suddenly, a heavy feeling takes place in the bottom of my stomach, my mood immediately plummeting.
Louis clicks his glass with Blake's, shooting him a questionable look. "Are you not having fun or something?"
Blake grumbles in response to that.
But Jayson answers for him, shaking his head at Louis. "It's not that, dumbass. God, you're so ignorant sometimes."
"Hey! What does that mean, Jay Jay?" Louis snaps. But I'm not listening to their bickering anymore, I'm focused on Blake's full bottle.
A bitter feeling in my mouth as I find my voice again and speak, "Is it because of me?"
Blake's eyes go wide. "What?"
"Are you not having fun because of me? Is that why you're not drinking?"
I hate how I sound right now, and I don't know why I asked him that. I guess the alcohol's talking.
"Charlie, no." Blake mutters, slowly pushing my cocktail out of the way, his gaze never leaving me. "I'm just worried you can't handle it. Sometimes you think you're fine, and then the next second you're hugging the toilet. Trust me. Been there, done that."
His tone is calming and his words make sense, so why do I feel so irritated? I shake my head and swipe my cocktail away from his grasp. "I said I'm fine."
I jug the whole thing without hesitation and Blake lets out an audible gasp. At first thought, it seemed like a great idea, but now that my head's pounding, my heart racing and my guts feel like they're on fire, I don't think it was such a great idea.
Blake is quick to my aid and hands me a glass of water, but it's too late. I get dizzy just from hearing his voice, so I tune him out and throw up like I never did before.