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20

A Reunion Worth Savoring

Cinnamon

The bass beats into my skull loud and harsh.

Olive had already performed, and now I was forced to endure the trance music they deemed to play in the club after.

If I was in the mood to dance, this would be fun, but I’m exhausted.

“There you are!” Durian stumbles into my arm, taking part of my water with him.

I flash my teeth, but I’m really not in the mood to deal with him. Especially if he’s been drinking.

And it is clear he has been.

The club we’re in is overcrowded, and Durian uses that to remain too close.

He’s always been like this. Sober, he’s a great friend, always there if I need him.

But drinking…

A group of women begin dancing aggressively in front of us, forcing me to take a step back.

“Cinnamonnnnn…” he whines, using my closer proximity to wrap an arm around my waist and drag me into his side. “Why are you so straight-laced. Let loose and drink with me!”

Groaning internally, I fully regret coming here, especially since I still haven’t even been able to talk to Olive.

But she saw me in the crowd, and I need to be a supportive friend. I also need to explain to her what’s going on with Durian.

“If you take a shot with me, I’ll pay for the cab back to your house!” he exclaims. “And I’ll owe you one.”

Peer pressure is alive and well.

The aggressive women shift backwards, one of them stomping down on my sneakers with her stiletto heels.

Maybe getting myself a drink will make his drinking more manageable. Just one…

“If you stay here, I’ll get us shots.” Spinning out of his hold, I throw myself further into the crowd in hopes to migrate to the bar.

I thought I could do this, be here to support Olive and hang out with Durian. But I can’t.

He’s crossed too many lines.

Anything is better than being stuck with him like this.

And I don’t feel safe around him when we drink. Just on edge.

And it’s that thought that makes me realize my “friendship” with Durian is completely and entirely over.

***

“Three shots of whiskey, neat!” I scream at the bartender.

As I wait, I attempt to find Durian in the crowd—if only to avoid him—but there is a sea of bodies between us.

Perfect.