the roommates run the night
Thursdays are for the drunken sinners, typically students, filled with lust and a never-ending thirst for more. Saturdays are for young adults with a pit in their stomach that cannot be filled. Wednesdays are for overworked, sad people who can’t make a schedule. Sundays are for Bank Holiday weekends and old men meeting up for a pint and a round of Skittles. Tuesdays are the most fun a girl can have, but Mondays will have to do.
The Shop
Spent the entire day at The Shop. Stacking shelves. Hours bleeding into each other. Talked to one of my favourite regulars at the coffee machine while he got his Americano to go with his Rothmans. Asked [Redacted] if we are really going out tonight after days of the idea floating above our heads. [Redacted] complained to our coat, the worker, that I was already trying to get out of it. I was. Bad habit that. Let my gut, which is famously overanxious for no reason, decide what I should and shouldn't do. Always trying to pull out of plans last minute. Couldn’t do that now though. Got called out on it immediately, and I do have a bit of pride that couldn’t let me cancel now. Despite the fact that I wasn’t finished work until later that evening.
Convinced myself in the last two hours of my shift that I wouldn’t go out. Had picked up an extra shift and assumed [Redacted 2] and [Redacted 3] would not be going out either. Killed some time in the alcohol section, wondering if I need a drink. Texted [Redacted] asking if I should get tequila rosé, but their response came too late. Decided then and there I would definitely not go out if I didn’t buy any fun drinks. Picked up a blue WKD for the nostalgia and €2.50 price.
cosy college apartment, 19:30
Made it through the door unnoticed. Had a shower before [Redacted] came knocking on my door before I had a chance to throw on pyjamas. Let [Redacted] stay while I got dressed because evidently, I went out. [Redacted] laughed at me as they recounted how they had told [Redacted 4] I would definitely be coming out, even after picking up an extra shift. Said they would have made me come out. Fussed over whether to wear pants or a skirt as [Redacted] sat on my floor drinking a buzzball. Stole one off of them later. It was not the usual getting-ready ritual. No, this was rushed and messy, built on a foundation of last-minute decision-making.
To the shock of everyone, including themselves, [Redacted 2] and [Redacted 3] did end up agreeing to come out. The whole apartment. This never happens. Schedules never align like this for us, you see. A big deal.
Sat on [Redacted 2’s] bed with [Redacted] as [Redacted 2] was giving out to us for not telling her beforehand. Watched as she threw gel in her hair, listening to her describe the construction site she had been at mere hours before. Told [Redacted 2] I also had no plans of going out tonight and had work the next day. Same boat, different captains. Ended up slapping on makeup on [Redacted 2’s] bed. [Redacted] ended up slipping half a buzzball onto the bed, which travelled down to the mattress.
Let [Redacted 2] and [Redacted 3] finish up alone. Fell in love with [Redacted 3’s] fit for the night. Searched the house for alcohol. Pulled out the famous ‘Evil Tequila’. No idea why it got that name, but it’s been in the house since before I was here. Four of us, excluding [Redacted 2] and [Redacted 3], went out onto the balcony to do shots of the Evil Tequila. It was supposed to just be [Redacted] and [Redacted 5] taking shots, but [Redacted] ended up giving me the rest of the bottle. Healed a bit. Turns out the Evil Tequila wasn’t even evil. Nice even. Moved on after the slight disappointment of a perfectly overhyped, not-so-evil tequila.
Watched [Redacted] and [Redacted 4] dance in our sitting room. this-is-the-meaning-of-life. Sang “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails with [Redacted]. Realised time was flying, and we should all hit the road.
on the road
Left the comfort of our cosy college apartment with a fuzziness floating from the back of my head to the sides. Drink settling in for the night.
We all have our rituals and traditions as people. It creates a sense of belonging and community. As an apartment, we have built our own rituals and traditions over time. One of these is the shopping trolley.
[Redacted 4] hopped into a stolen shopping trolley as [Redacted 5] pushed her. [Redacted] ended up jumping in beside her. [Redacted 5] was pushing the trolley as I held onto it from the front. Trying to pull and steer the vehicle up the cobblestone path. Somehow, somewhat successfully, we made it over a bridge before parking the trolley up and continuing our journey on foot. Took far too long to get to the pub as we pretended to shoot each other, falling to the ground and trying to talk to random passers-by; there was some stupid bit that they were [Redacted 5’s] cousin.
Mouse Pub
Finally made it to the Mouse Pub. Every time I have been to the Mouse Pub, it's gone deep into the night but hasn’t lasted long because of the overpriced drinks and lack of dancing. Lack of much. They’ve got cool decor and a rainforest bathroom, but that’s about all Mouse Pub has going for it. This was the longest I had ever stayed there. Did a shot with [Redacted 4] while [Redacted] and [Redacted 5] got pints. Sat in a corner all together, talking for hours. [Redacted] mixed their pint into the flask hidden away after [Redacted 5’s] recommendation. Spent far too long in the Mouse Pub. Texted The Boy, asking if he’ll come out after the table, and asked why they never see him. He didn’t end up coming out. Tried to explain how I like it that way, our different social circles, listening to stories from his lads' nights out while I try to picture these men I do not know based on a selective picture I have seen of them. Imagine their voices, mannerisms, and how they walk beside The Boy. I like it. The knowing but not really knowing. How can we come together and catch up on each other’s lives? Co-dependency, in my experience with any relationship, is not something I can do. Tried to explain this to the table, but the conversation moved on. Realised the time and how we had been here for far too long. Made our way to the original destination for the night.
The Local.
The comfort of the local on a night out is like no other. Ran into some friends who were leaving as we arrived, hugged them and told them how dearly they are missed. Immediately ordered at the bar as [Redacted] and [Redacted 4] danced by the DJ. The DJ, who hugged [Redacted 3] as soon as she walked through the door. The two of them held as each as though they couldnt let go. [Redacted 3] says he gives the best hugs. It looked like it. [Redacted 3], being a really cool music person, knows a lot of cool music people. Rounded up a lot of us. Headed to the smoking area. Creatures of habit.
Tried to find skins so [Redacted 2] and [Redacted 5] could have a rollie. Accidentally ended up in a somewhat-very-uncomfortable situation with a girl I asked for skins. Got saved by [Redacted], [Redacted 2] and [Redacted 3]. Told The Boy the full story later on, and he thinks I should have been rude to this girl. I don’t think so. Not too smart. Being rude to someone already makes you uncomfortable. Maybe he is right. Only realised days later that I actually know that girl. She doesn’t know me, but I had heard of her from people I used to know. Got even more shivers after realising which people knew her. Moved on.
Stayed in The Local a bit longer before [Redacted], [Redacted 2], and I, as the last three standing, went for food. Sat around the table, the only people in this Kebab place on a Monday, drunkenly talking about God-Only-Knows-What. I love The Roommates. I wish we had more time together.