~ Alcohol tastes better than tears ~
Jasper was never one to drink in broad daylight. Also, he drinks in moderation, but today? He just wanted to drown out his sorrows. He knew it was cowardly but the pain was too much.
What was so special about the girl, anyway? Her smile? Kindness? He couldn't tell but he's fallen head over heels in love with her. Jasper knew he should fight for his love but was it worth fighting over something supernatural? Something he couldn't even understand?
He could have called her ravings lies, but he witnessed it with his own eyes - his hand wrapped in bandage was a good proof.
Moreover, he can't die yet - as funny as that sounds. His parents lost Micheal, his brother, they can't lose him too. And Scarlett was right, if he dies the guilt would burden her; he would stay away from her as hard as it sounds.
"Another shot please," He pushed forward his glass to be refilled by the bartender.
"You've never drunk this much, sir," the bartender pointed out.
Jasper didn't come here regularly but once he did, his presence was conspicuous - thanks to his magnanimous tip.
"Let's just say there's a special occasion today," He released a wry smile.
The man didn't say anything, going ahead to fill his glass, yet Jasper could see the sympathetic look on his face.
"We all have problems and sometimes we need to share it over a drink with friends," the bartender said, giving him a warm smile.
Yeah, his words were motivational but it was a pity he had no - wait a minute. He did have a faraway friend and one quite suitable to solve this mysterious problem.
Jasper took up his phone and searched through his contact, mumbling under his breath, "Ben Atticus Alcántara Junior," he found the contact.
Jasper called him at once; hoping internally he wasn't calling at a bad time. Ben was a writer who didn't like to be disturbed during his creative phase- that could result in a backlash from him.
When Ben didn't pick up the phone for the first ring, Jasper didn't bother calling back surmising he might be busy or something. So he was really surprised when Ben called back almost immediately.
"Hi Jaspy," Ben called him with the nickname he created for him.
"Hi Ben," He responded.
"Sorry about the missed calls, I was having a very interesting conversation with a ghost, I mean, one of my fictional characters - that's the shit we writers pass through..." He laughed, awkwardly, if he might add.
"But don't worry, the ghosts crossed over - you know, the character in my book," He chuckled, "But tell me, why did you call?"
And yes, Ben was his friend - behaves creepy at times but Jasper loves him the way he is. The guy was an award-winning paranormal writer who won Nobel prizes with his works at such a young age.
If there was anybody who could help him with Scarlett's help, it has to be Ben. His obsession with supernatural stuff was no joke.
"Yeah, I called to know how you're faring, considering you're always busy with little time for yourself and ask for your paranormal expertise on something," He said to him.
"Wow, that's surprising. I never thought that someday you would need my crazy theories - no pun intended to me," He laughed again.
Jasper scratched his hair awkwardly. Ben's knowledge of creatures that aren't in existence can be quite annoying and overwhelming for some people. Hence back in school, his theories were called crazy and stupid - not that he minded anyway. Ben was like an endless ball of energy, his determination never wears down. The way he speaks about his non-existing discoveries awes him sometimes.
"Well, it's not really for me but a business associate. I just thought you're the man suitable for the job, " Jasper lied through his teeth and he didn't even know why.
"Alright, go ahead. I'm all ears," He urged him to go on.
"Well," Jasper began, "I had this deal with a urm... one of my associates and then we decided to go have some drinks. And there we began to exchange stories, you know..." He shrugged, "Schmooze? And then, he brought up the topic of this girl he was in love with and how he can't be with her because she's cursed or something,"
"He told you all these?"
Jasper could sense skepticism in his voice.
"Alcohol can make the lips loose," He intentionally emphasized that since Ben doesn't drink it was a taboo to him.
"If he's sure that it's a curse -"
"It is," Jasper was quick to confirm. Gosh, he was desperate and increasing Ben's skepticism about the story, "Anytime they're together, bad things happen to the man, especially,"
"Alright, if that's the case, then someone, possibly a witch, placed a hex on her or she's being tortured by a ghost," was his reply
Other times, Jasper would have laughed at his ridiculous hypothesis but having seen what happened today with Scarlett, he couldn't be so sure anymore.
"And if that's true, how do I get rid of it? " he asked.
"You get rid of it?"
Jasper realized his mistake at once and hurried to clear it, "Yes, you have to tell me so I can tell him how to get rid of it,"
"Strangely, you believe what I say," Ben sounded surprised.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures, the man's crazily in love with the girl. He came to me for help, it would be a shame if I don't lend a helping hand especially when I have you,"
"Fine, sweet talker, you're in luck today because the witch that can help you lives in creek city too. Her name's Sabrina, she's a friend - just say my name and she'd help you out. I'll send you the GPS coordinates to her place,"
"Did you just say, witch?"
"Yes," Ben answered as if it wasn't a big deal.
"Like a real-life witch? " his eyes grew wild, bewildered.
"Yes, for the second time,"
"Shit, Ben! You know I don't do these kinds of cult stuff,"
"You said your friend is desperate, let's see how desperate he is,"