Phoenix ran a hand through his hair, trying to relax. It was just going to be an interesting night. Nothing bad was going to happen. 'Right around the corner.' He texted back, trying to continue telling himself things would be fine. But the closer he got, the more anxious he got. What if after all this, he said something he would regret? Even worse, something Cicada would remember? "You're overreacting Phoenix. Just breath." He mumbled to himself, catching sight of her dorm.
Cicada saw the message and smiled at seeing Phoenix. She put her phone back into her pocket along with her hand. Her smile grew when she figured phoenix could see her and waved over at him. Honestly, her heart was racing knowing that after a week of keeping her feelings silent, they were definitely coming out tonight. In fact, she was counting on it. The only problem was she needed to not forget she told him, "Hey Phe!"
Phoenix smiled, and waved back as he put his phone away. "Hey Cicada! How are you doing today?" He called out, coming up closer to her. His smile was wide, and his arms were outstretched. "Good I'm hoping?" He asked her as he rested an arm on her shoulder in a half hug. "Because if not, guess it's only going to get better, now that I'm here." Phoenix joked with a little laugh.
"I'm doing good," Cicada responded giving him a half hug back and a laugh. She had a huge grin on her face and started leading him into the dorm. She was honestly really happy to see him, "You're doing good as well? You better be now that you're with me."
"Of course, it's nice to get to see you." Phoenix hummed, giving her a light smile as they made their way inside. He was trying so hard to distract himself as they walked on. He didn't want to think about the bad things that could happen. No matter how nervous he was, he couldn't let her know. "What did you get, for our fine evening tonight?"
"Oh some wonderful college drinks," Cicada said keeping up this act to match Phoenix though it felt strange. She was a little worried about tonight, and what she might end up doing. But she wasn't too worried, he, he had seen her at her worst and he was still around. She led him up the stairs and towards her dorm, "Cheap beer, slightly more expensive beer, and decent beer, along with some whiskey and vodka. "
Phoenix nodded, chuckling a little bit once she finished informing him what she had got. "Why, that's it? I'm surprised you didn't go all out." He admitted in a sarcastic tone. He was just hoping she hadn't spent too much money on all of this. "Though, I'd just like to hear reassurance. You really think this is a good idea?" Phoenix asked softly, chewing on his lip a little.
"I am a college student ya know? Even if I have a decent amount in the bank. But I really do think this is a good idea. It'll be fun, I promise," Cicada reassured him standing outside her dorm room. She looked over to him as she reached for her keys, it was an old habit of hers that for no matter how long she was out to lock her door, "Though what do you think? If you don't want to do it you can back out. I won't blame you for doing so."
"No- no I'll do it." Phoenix replied quickly, not sure why he did. Part of him really wasn't sure about this, but on the other hand, he didn't want to look like a coward. Especially to her. He couldn't back out, especially since she had paid for all of the drinks already. But he was honestly regretting ever mentioning anything about drinking in the first place. "I just… wanted to check with you." He mumbled a little dropping his head to the floor.
"Hey," Cicada looked over him. She kept her key in her hand and looked over at him. Her eyes were filled with concern as she put a hand on his shoulder, "If you really don't feel comfortable doing this today we can do it some other time? Or never if that's what you would prefer. We can always just hang out in my dorm room. You don't have to drink if you don't want to."
Phoenix glanced up at her, before flushing a little and dropping his gaze. "I- I'm going to do this. I kinda feel like I have to, even though you're saying I don't." He insisted in a soft tone, trying not to think much about her touch. "It's the principal of the matter. I can't back out now… I just won't go over the top." He tacked on to the end, starting to feel a little better.
"Okay," Cicada nodded letting go of his shoulder and turned to unlock her door. She let it swing open a little before turning back and giving him a reassuring smile, "That's fine with me. I can cut you off you need me too, that is if I'm still sober enough to do so. Just, don't feel pressure to do anything you don't want to do, okay? And just a warning I know when I'm drunk I can get… Assertive at times. Just know that if you say no I'll back off."
"I'll do that. Thanks, Cicada." Phoenix told her with a soft little smile. "That honestly makes me feel better. I was worried you'd think I was a wimp…" Admitting that, he dropped his head with a soft sigh. He really didn't want to think he couldn't handle this. Even though he wasn't sure he could. But he wanted to seem tough- the reason was unclear to himself, though.
"You're not a wimp for admitting you can't or don't want to do something," Cicada responded softly as she started to walk into her dorm room. She offered a hand to him with that lopsided smile of hers. Though it was a lot softer than mischievous, "Come on. Let's have some fun tonight okay? I've got a couple of board games if you want to do that and drink."
Phoenix let out a soft sigh, glad to hear that's what she thought. It was a nice change of pace. "Sounds like a good plan. It should be fun." He hummed as he took her hand. As he let her lead him on, he felt himself relax fully, and mind go slightly numb. He wasn't feeling as anxious as he had been. "What kind of games?"
"Ummm, I think I've got Life, some type of Monopoly, aaaaand two other games," Cicada responded shutting the door behind them. She locked it up and smiled over at him before going for her open beer. She thought for a moment and hummed, "What were they? Sorry! Sorry and Careers."
"Ahh, alright. Well, maybe we could play a game of Life. Just to get things started." Phoenix hummed softly, running a hand through his hair. "If you're alright with that, of course." He mumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. "We don't have to, though."
"Sure. Life's a fun game, not actual life, just life the game," Cicada smiled over at him again as she walked over to her shelf to grab the game. She hummed a little and took a drink before turning to him and gesturing over to where her mini-fridge was. The cups and little makeshift shot glasses were on top, "If you want to start drinking all the alcohol is in there."
Phoenix nodded softly, walking over to the fridge with a little bite of hesitation. "I agree with you on Life. Real life sucks, the game Life, pretty fun." He hummed in a soft tone, pulling out his own can of beer. He knew it was going to have an awful taste, so he prepared himself when he opened the can and sat down. "There's a huge difference between the two."
Cicada put the box on her bed since she didn't have anywhere else to put it. She nodded a little as she sat down on the other side of the board, "Oh definitely. Except both involve college debt so that's a little bit realistic I guess."
"Ahh, that's true. After being forced to have a jacked up sleep schedule, we're suppose to pay them… tell me how that makes sense." Phoenix laughed lightly, starting to relax. He hadn't drank from his drink yet, but Cicada said he didn't have to. So he would do it when he was ready. "But going to college is necessary for most jobs."
Cicada laughed with him. She had a big smile on and started to set up the board glancing up at him every once and a while, "It kind of sucks like that doesn't it? We pay them, they fuck up our sleep schedule, we get better jobs."
"Or we end up at a worse job, at some fast-food joint. So those four years were a waste." Phoenix shrugged, picking up on of the game pieces for himself. "And then you have a horrible apartment because you're broke."
"Don't remind me about that," Cicada let out a sigh as she grabbed the red car for herself. She began seperating out the money and all the little cards and tokens. She hummed a little as she took another sip of beer finishing her can off, "So will your life man being going to college or not?"
"I'm not making the poor man suffer that. Even if he can't get a good career, it'll be much better than suffering extra classes." Phoenix hummed with a light laugh. "I'll risk it, and move on without college."
"Well, my little guy will have to suffer, just like I do," Cicada responded putting her car into the college lane before reaching for another beer. She had a smile on, "For a better career, even though the best career is the police one."
Phoenix chuckled lightly, running a hand through his hair. "Sounds fair. I mean, I should probably be making my guy tough it out… but I won't have debt to pay in the end." He hummed, setting his piece aside.
"Nah you won't," Cicada responded reaching for the spinner. She spun it once letting it go until it stopped at 7. She looked up at him, "But I'll pay it off quickly. Anyway, spin the spinner so we can see who goes first?"
Nodding a little, Phoenix reached out and span the wheel. As it clicked to a stop, it ended on a four. "Alright, highest goes first, right?" He asked softly, resting his chin on his palm. "If so, you're first."
"Yep," Cicada let out a little laugh grabbing the promissory notes before going to spin it again. She was just praying she wouldn't lose a turn so early again. She smiled as she narrowly avoided it and moved her little car forward, "You need a job before you spin don't you?"
