We pile in after her and grab a booth in the corner of the place. Gwen waves to a bartender as we make our way towards our chosen table. I'm surprised there are even any seats left this time of night. Eventually, when he's finished with the other customers, the bartender sends a waiter our way. By the time he reaches us, I've just finished stripping off my layers and haven't had a chance to look at the tap list.
"What can I get for you?" the man asks, addressing me first.
"Um," I mumble, trying to quickly glance at the menu.
"I'll have a Black Butte Porter," Gwen answers impatiently. "Thanks."
The waiter nods and then looks to Everest, who also seems to know what he wants.
"Can I get a Sculpin IPA? And, uh—" he points at me, "he'll have a screwdriver."
The waiter chuckles and walks away, not bothering to write down our order.
"What'd you get me?" I ask Everest with a sideways look.
"It's vodka and orange juice," he explains, "it's sweet. You'll like it."
"Okay," I trust him.
Gwen looks amused. "A screwdriver? Order him something better next time."
She makes it obvious that she finds my inexperience hilarious, but whatever. It's not like I care about impressing anyone by drinking.
"He'll like this," Everest says surely. "Why order him something else that he might not even finish?"
"I like orange juice," I pipe in.
"I know you do, man," Everest says, patting my shoulder.
Gwen rolls her eyes again. She can get so snooty about booze. I don't get it. She's always ripping on me for liking coolers and not being able to drink my rum straight.
After not too long, the waiter comes back with our drinks and I hand him my card to open a tab for all of us.
"You didn't have to do that," Everest says as he takes a sip of his beer.
"It's no problem. One of you can get the next place."
They both nod and I have a little taste of what Everest ordered for me. It's okay. Tolerable. The taste of alcohol is faint, but definitely still there. I wish it was a little weaker.
"Oh my God," Gwen sets her beer down after taking a huge swig. "I totally forgot to tell you guys."
"What?" I eye her warily.
"This girl in my adolescent psych class is killing me," she goes on to say. "She's so fucking annoying."
"What'd she do?" Everest asks.
"Well, I had a class with her last semester and she was like, this hella basic brunette girl, you know? I didn't even think anything of her since she was so plain." Gwen spits out poisonously. "But this semester she sat right in front of me and she's been like, stealing my entire look!"
"Stealing your look," I repeat to make sure I heard her correctly.
"She cut her hair like mine AND dyed it black," she says with disgust.
"She probably thought you looked cool and pretty and wanted to look that way too," Everest offers innocently.
Gwen doesn't seem to care about that possibility.
"Copying someone is definitely not a form of flattery," she argues. "I want to tell her to get her own damn style."
"There are tons of girls everywhere with your style," Everest points out. "You can't act like you created it. That's Bettie Page's trademark hairstyle. So, if anyone created it, she did."
That visibly irritates Gwen. "Well, no one else around here did it. Plus, it's not just my hair. It's my entire vibe."
"So, what are you going to do about it?" Everest asks her.
"I want to tell her to fuck off, but I'm not going to," Gwen says. "I'm too nice for that kind of confrontation."
I want to laugh at that, but I don't. Gwen loves confrontation. She lives for it, no matter how much she likes to pretend otherwise. I sip on my drink while Gwen keeps trying to justify why she should hate this poor girl. I'm doing my best to hide my disinterest, so I finish the cocktail pretty fast. Soon after, the waiter shows up and asks if I want a refill.
"Sure, thanks." I nod and then with a finger, indicate to Gwen and Everest. "Them too."
Maybe if Gwen gets more alcohol in her system she'll loosen up and let this whole thing go.
The second round of drinks comes and Everest sucks his down. It makes me wonder if he's just sick of listening to Gwen talk. When she notices that he's done, she chugs her beer too, probably trying to look like she can keep up.
She can keep up. She could probably outdrink me and Everest put together. Well, I'm pretty sure anyone could outdrink me, so I don't count for much.
I keep sipping and Gwen throws her head back and laughs.
"You look like such a damn fruit! Just drink it already."
"I don't want to get trashed."
"We'll get you a glass of water at the next place," Everest says.
"Thanks," I smile at him. "I have a few things to do this weekend. I can't really afford to get too messed up."
"Aw, you didn't have to come out tonight if you're busy with school," Everest crosses his arms.
"No, it's okay. I wanted to let loose a little."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah," I insist, not wanting him to feel like he dragged me out against my will.
I know Everest had a lame week and needs some cheering up. Besides, I want to hang out with him. We hardly ever get to go out together like this.
"Let me help you," Gwen says, getting impatient with me. She grabs my drink out of my hand and takes both the little straws in her mouth, finishing it in one gulp.
"Done. Moving on," she sets the glass down on the table and starts scooting out of the booth.
I give Everest a dull look and he shrugs, not bothering to say anything. He stands up and starts putting on his jacket, so I wander over to the bar to close the tab. When I get back, I wrap my scarf around my neck before tucking the loose ends into my coat. Gwen's already tapping her foot restlessly.
"Where to?" I ask, assuming she must have a place in mind.
"There's a cocktail bar up the street that I like," she explains hastily.
"All right," I agree, and Everest nods his head.
We start walking and Gwen leads the way. It seems like she really wants to get to the comforts of the next bar. I get why. It's cold out here and she's barely wearing any clothes.
Soon enough, we reach the place Gwen described. This place is less packed. The mood's different too. The lighting is dim and the whole feel is kind of ambient. We grab seats and glance over the menus.
"Order water first," Everest reminds me.
Right. I need to stay hydrated.
"I will," I promise.
Unfortunately, the bartender doesn't seem to notice us and we end up waiting around looking awkward. It doesn't take long for Gwen to get fed up and walk all the way around the other side of the counter to get the lady's attention. Gwen chats with her for a few seconds before she hands over her credit card and the bartender flips around, heading to where Everest and I are sitting.
"Hey guys," she says sweetly as she pulls three shot glasses from under the counter and fills each of them with an amber liquor. "Having a fun night?"
Before I have the chance to answer, Gwen swoops in and picks up one of the glasses. "Whiskey shots?" she asks, though it doesn't seem like a question.
"Um, can we get a glass of water too?" Everest asks nervously. "Thanks."
"Of course!" The girl nods and then disappears.
"Drink up, boys," Gwen says before tossing her head back and downing one of the shots with ease.
Everest takes one and does the same.
Yikes.
"Your turn," Gwen says to me, inching the glass in my direction.
I pick it up and sniff.
Yikes!
Gwen rolls her eyes. "Don't fucking smell it. Just drink it. Come on."
I take a swig and somehow manage to actually get the whole thing. I swallow harshly and then cough, cringing.
"Disgusting!" I exclaim, and Everest begins to laugh.
That was so foul!
When the server comes back with my water, I grab it and chug. Everest's still laughing, but Gwen looks annoyed.
"You okay there, buddy?" Everest gives me a slap on the back.
"What's wrong with you two?" I gasp out when I finally finish the water. "People actually do that for fun?"
"You've seriously never taken a shot?" Gwen asks. "I've lived with you how many years and I've never had you do this?"
"Why would I want to!?"
"They go down easier a second time," she says, raising her eyebrow and then turning to the bartender. "Can we get one more?"
"Oh my gosh, no," I put my hands up. "I do NOT want another one of those."
"Don't be a wimp. I've seen you eat two-week-old pizza. This has nothing on that."
The bartender pours it. I don't know if she thinks I'll actually drink it or if she just wants to be able to charge us for it.
"Just suck it back, Ian," Gwen taunts. "Don't be such a baby."
I want to tell her to stop, but I don't. I just pick up the shot with twice as much hesitance as last time.
Yuck.
This tastes horrible.
Gwen giggles. "Good boy."
Everest laughs along with her and asks, "You okay?"
"Fine," I say, feeling awful.
They down their second shots and then that's that. I hope Gwen doesn't order any more because my head is already starting to feel fuzzy.
"You there yet?" Everest asks, giving me a sympathetic look.
"Ugh, yeah I'm there. I can already tell I'm gonna have a hangover tomorrow."
"B'aw," he chirps. "You'll be okay. Stick to clear liquor for the rest of the night."
"Or just embrace it," Gwen offers unhelpfully.
Everest doesn't sound even a little drunk. Neither of them does. Jeez. Am I going to be the only one who gets sloppy tonight? I didn't emotionally prepare myself for this. Gwen walks around me and sits on the barstool on the other side of Everest, sliding her hand over his knee and moving him closer.
"Want to go to a club tonight?" I hear her suggest.
"Uh," Everest twists his face. "That's more of a date night thing. I don't think it'd be fun to go all three of us."
"Ian will find a cute girl to dance with," Gwen reasons, leaning over the counter to look at me. "It won't be a problem, right Ian?"
"Mm," I hum, "I'd rather not, honestly."
"Then I'll find you a girl," she pushes, narrowing her eyes.
"Gwen, he doesn't want to," Everest shakes his head. "It's fine, you and I will go another time."
"Well, I wanted to dance with you," she snaps. "But whatever."
Everest gives her this defeated look and the whole interaction really irritates me to watch. Gwen's need to be the center of attention is getting old.
"You guys can go if you want," I say because I want this to stop.
Gwen looks at Everest and he shakes his head. She lets out a sharp sigh.
"I don't want to ditch you after getting you drunk," Everest frowns.
"Thanks," I tell him. I try to sound sincere, but it comes out as a long slur instead.
"Oh, man! Keep sipping on the water," Everest laughs, pointing to my half-empty cup. "We'll order you another one before we go."
"All right," I agree, picking up the glass and putting it to my lips.