I don’t want to be that person.
Bad things happened the first time we drank with them. Justin and I blacked out for anywhere between 2 and 3 hours and threw up everywhere. Branden had fun with a random girl in a random bedroom, and regrets it to this day. Our words told of responsible drinkers, while our actions told of people out of control.
I already had a full summer planned when the issue of a trip to North Carolina came up. All my friends, and a couple of people I didn’t really know, would by our lonesome in a rented condo multiple states away from any parents. It sounded like a dream come true to all of us. I changed my plane flight to after the trip, and started asking people for alcohol orders as I am the only reliable one who can supply.
I brought it up one day online, just to make sure everyone was okay with the idea of alcohol on the beach. The pair, or the vocal non-drinking duo of Ryan and Amy, said no. They said no and everyone said no with them.
Everyone other than the pair was lying.
All my friends said they didn’t need alcohol to have fun. The day after every single one of them other than the pair reversed their decision, and began talking of sneaking it down. The orders are coming in, and I’m up to $60 worth of booze.
To go on this trip means I stay in a state without a home for an extra week, which warrants finding a place to sleep. Amy told me out of nowhere that I could stay at her apartment for the whole time no problem, and if I needed a ride anywhere just to ask. I was very surprised to hear this news from her as I have never been especially close.
Now I feel guilty every time I think of bringing alcohol to North Carolina. She is the one who is organizing it; it’s her trip, and it’s in her name. And I am the stereotypical frat boy who is smuggling alcohol for his friends.
The last time my friends and I drank together two of us nearly went to the hospital and the third nearly had unprotected sex with a stranger. Now I’m the one who wants to do it again, this time in another state with the stakes much higher.
I don’t want to be that guy who brings booze and trouble with him everywhere. I want to be the guy who brings thought and wisdom with him. Peer pressure is having it’s effect, this time not to have myself partake in a beverage, but to allow others their choice.
Justin said he was playing $200 to go to the beach, why the hell couldn’t he have some vodka before bed? I agree with him, but I also agree that alcohol could be an explosive element that could be the harbinger of doom for the trip, and even some friendships.
I couldn’t even write this node without two people messaging me making sure I could get alcohol or double checking their order. I don't know what I am going to do, but I will not be that person.