-Well, you already know a bit about the inner workings of San Jose University, - Caron said.
-Nearby, there's T-box Burger. Do you know the place? - Billy asked.
-Oh, of course, it's the new burger joint. No, I like to stay away from red at; I gave up hamburgers a long ti ago. I haven't had one in three years, but I still miss the taste. So friends like to go there; it's affordable, and the food is good. Do you want to go? We can go next week, - Caron said.
-No, your answer is enough for . Just curious, I saw students talking about the restaurant, - Billy said.
-The bar-restaurant is undoubtedly the best around. Just never order a salad, - Caron said.
The small bar was undoubtedly a student hangout. There were many young faces all over the bar, as Caron promised, a powerful jukebox playing music at full volu, two billiard tables, and a large bar for ordering all kinds of drinks.
-Isn't it illegal to enter here? - Billy asked his tour guide.
-Oh no, it's not. They don't sell many drinks here; essentially, it's a restaurant. But there have been so changes. The music and billiards are just tools to attract more custors. Bob is in charge, and, well, they sell a small cocktail, a bit of vodka with soda and li. I can order two, - Caron said.
-I don't want the darn cocktail; just sothing regular is fine, - Billy said.
-Okay. Give a second; there are so friends nearby. I'll invite them to join us, - Caron said.
He returned in five minutes with a group of four won who appeared to be first-year psychology students. Caron, as a teaching assistant, had taught them so classes.
-Ladies, let introduce you to Billy, a high school senior who's getting ready to join university life. I hope you give him a warm welco, - Caron said.
-Oh, nice to et you, Billy,- said a young-looking girl. Her appearance didn't quite fit that of a university student; she had a youthful face that the years hadn't taken away.
-Billy Carson, a pleasure to et all of you, ladies, - Billy said.
A brunette in the back smiled upon seeing Billy's charming smile.
-I'm Clarissa,- said the youthful-looking girl.
-I'm Amanda, and this is Rachel, - said a girl with black hair, pointing to herself as Amanda. She was by far the most enchanting of the four girls.
The brunette remained silent, only winking at Billy.
-Let's sit down, - Caron said.
The brunette sat next to Billy against the back wall, while Caron sat between Rachel and Clarissa.
-How have you been, ladies? Is Professor Brown's class going well? - Caron asked, pouring a pitcher of soda he had ordered upon entering.
-Everything's been fine, Caron, although I wish I had more ti to work on a project," Rachel replied, with Clarissa nodding in agreent.
-It depends on the assignnt; so don't have flexible deadlines with Mr. Brown, - Caron said.
Billy stopped paying attention to the conversation, which had turned to discussions about assignnts and university preparations.
-What school are you from? - the brunette asked.
-Notre Da High School, - Billy replied.
-Oh, I know that school; I have a friend in my major from there, - she said.
-I see, it's a good school, - Billy said.
-I can't say that; it's a school for rich kids, - the brunette said.
-Not at all, it's an ordinary school. It just excels in arts, humanities, and music, - Billy replied.
"I see, Rick didn't pursue any of those," she remarked.
"Maybe his friends were from Notre Da; that often happens," Billy said.
"Do you plan to study here at San Jose?" she asked.
"Not at all, I only know Caron from a course offered by the university. I still have doubts about studying or getting involved in the family business," Billy said.
"Family business?" she inquired.
"We have a modest book manufacturing factory," Billy replied.
"It's good to have opportunities. The business administration faculty isn't my dream, but I have to continue; after all, I have responsibilities at ho," the brunette said.
"What did you want to do?" Billy asked.
"Nothing special, but I'd like the freedom to focus on sothing, to take my ti and find the right direction," she said.
Two drinks arrived in front of them. Billy tasted the sweet flavor of the drink but couldn't detect the unmistakable taste of vodka mixed in with the soda.
"You still haven't told your na," Billy said.
The brunette smiled.
-I'm Karina; I was hoping you'd ask, - she said. She turned her gaze to see Caron kissing the petite and sweet Clarissa, while Rachel was talking to Amanda.
-I think we should play pool,-- Karina said. -- The tables are empty, and it's an opportunity we shouldn't miss. -
-I don't know how to play, - Billy admitted.
-I'll teach you. But be careful; Amanda tends to let you win a few rounds and then take all your money, - Karina said.
-I don't think I can take advantage of the high school kid, - Amanda said.
-I'll do my best to defend you, Billy, - Karina said.
Pool, a rather challenging ga for any beginner; even the easy shots proved tricky. Delicacy was lost after multiple missed attempts.
-You're getting better, - Amanda said. Her blue eyes were quite beautiful, a deep blue that made her quite attractive.
-It's just an excuse to hustle , - Billy retorted.
-I'd be incapable of that, but if you want to bet your allowance, I wouldn't mind, - Amanda said.
Billy took another sip of his drink.
The small "restaurant" began to fill up. The sll of cigarettes filled the air, and despite the open windows; the atmosphere grew heavier.
-Do you want to keep going? So friends are having a party at the apartnt five blocks from here, - Caron suggested.
-Sure! - Billy agreed.
-Whoa, slow down, Caron. I have work in the morning, - Karina said. - But we can get together next Tuesday; I have the afternoon free. -
-I hope to see you next Tuesday, Karina. Co on, let's head to the next party, - Caron said.
-You're leaving? - Billy asked.
Walking Karina to the exit, she said, - I have work tomorrow, and I can't afford to be late. But good luck, honey. -
-I hope you'll be careful going ho; it's getting late. Do you want to order a taxi to your place? - Billy offered.
-Oh, the bus stops two blocks away; don't bother. Goodbye. -
Billy watched as Caron laughed with a group of perhaps nine people.
-Ah, here cos Billy; we were waiting for you, my friend. These guys are itching to leave; the won went ahead. We have a matter to attend to,- Caron said, walking with Billy.
-Where are we going? - Billy asked.
-To the store. We're in charge of stocking the party with alcohol. We have a credit card from Romney, but it's our last resort, - Caron explained.
-Now, let's gather so money. I've got seven dollars, Lucas contributed nine dollars, so... - Steve, Caron's friend, started.
-I have three dollars, - Caron said.
-Well, that gives us a total of 19 dollars, - Steve said.
-Billy, can you chip in? We don't have a change, - Caron asked.
-Sure, I have so money, - Billy said, pulling out so bills. -Twenty is fine. -
-Friend, this is pure gold, - Steve exclaid.
Buying alcohol for broke college students is like a bargain hunt.
-Well, Billy, you need to be a bit more direct. You're quite discreet, and besides, that pitcher had so alcohol in it, so I suggest you slow down a bit, - Caron advised.
-What do you an? - Billy asked.
-You know, you're waiting for too many signals. These won just want to have a good ti. And about the alcohol, you look a bit too cheerful, - Caron said.
Billy nodded attentively. The party house was a small apartnt with tinted windows that curiously didn't stop people from talking again and again. The loud music, the makeshift dance floor, and most of the ti, Caron was off mixing drinks with this guy nad Steve.
-Well, I didn't expect to see you at the party, - Amanda said, along with a guy.
-I'm just going with the flow, - Billy replied.
-Billy Carson, a pleasure, - he introduced himself.
-Adam, - the guy said.
Billy headed to the bathroom to wash his hands.
-Hey, buddy, want a sip of this? - Two guys asked, waiting by the bathroom door.
-Thanks, but I just want to wash my hands, - Billy said.
-I don't think it's going to work; a couple is fooling around in the bathroom. If you go to the kitchen, you can wash your hands, - a guy suggested.
-Thanks, buddy, - Billy said.
The first party after a long ti usually results in discomfort. After a while, he ended up drinking with Caron, Steve, and Lucas. While they were having soft drinks, Billy ended up drinking alcohol, a mixture of orange juice with gin. He got ho in the early hours of the morning, unaware that his father was on the porch reading a newspaper.
Billy stumbled in, the drinks of orange juice mixed with alcohol causing more havoc than he had anticipated. In a rather archaic fashion, he crawled up the stairs on all fours, trying to find his room. He made it to the bathroom, brushed his teeth, and in his dizziness and unconsciousness, managed to reach his bedroom and fell asleep. The next day, the sunlight stread through his blinds, and he felt brand new. There was no hangover, and it was refreshing to be young.
...
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