Suicide Bridge

6. Tipsy

Ethan

     It had been hard for Ethan, living with Ruby. He could barely deal with the pain of having a crush on her but never opening up about it. He saw her every morning and every night of every day. Then, she started asking him for little favors like fastening her bracelets and necklaces. Next, if her hair was curled or straightened in the back and if she looked good in general. Next, the awkward three of zipping up her dress, putting a towel in the bathroom when she showered, and even untwisting her bra strap.

     He was sure he was beyond the friend zone and straying into the brother zone. She also mothered him by making sure he didn't oversleep, made him meals almost everyday, and reminded him to do any work he needed to. The saddest part was that he was just glad to have the attention. Or maybe it was that most of the time when he was assisting her, she was going out on a date. At least she'd never committed to a guy. But Ethan knew he didn't have long.

     Was he okay? No. Was it killing him? No, but sometimes, it's hard to know when you've been stabbed if you've already been punched.

    One day, Ruby came home really happy. She told him Gordon Ramsay was coming to the restaurant she worked at for his show. Ethan knew Ruby looked up to Ramsay a lot and that her job might get a little less awful. She was excited.

    Ruby told him when he came that she had served Ramsey herself. She subtly warned him about the food and her boss. A few days in, Gordon had said that even though there was seven servers, she still made up two-thirds of the serving staff but should still be in the kitchen. Ruby nearly fainted. Her boss nearly did as well.

     Two days later, she came home in an awful mood. Ethan was watching Stranger Things when she came in. Ethan paused it and was about to greet her when he saw the tears. "What happened?" he asked tenderly.

     She sat down next to him, and he pulled her into a hug. "I hate him. He called me arrogant and threatened to fire me," she muttered.

     Ethan held her tightly. "Mr. Stone is clearly an actual stoner. What'd you do after he said that?"

     "Tell him he wouldn't have to and quit. I walked out with my middle fingers high over my head," she whispered. She laughed slightly into his chest.

     "I'm proud of you. His restaurant is gonna fail now though. Also, I think Gordon Ramsay is pissed at him."

     "Probably," she said. She let go of him but stayed close and looked at his eyes.

     "If need be, I'll destroy his life anyways." She hugged him again and smiled through her tears.

Ruby

     The next day, Ruby was happy. She never had to step foot into that place and deal with Mr. Stone again. Ethan told her she should go to Mark's party with him to celebrate, but she decided against it.

     After a while, she got a phone call from Gordon Ramsay. He wanted to have a discussion with her. They agreed for him to come to her apartment. He asked her about coming back. She explained that she wasn't coming back for anything given the way Mr. Stone had treated her. He didn't pressure her. They were going to go over her future when they were interrupted by the sounds of stumbling.

      Ethan was just inside the door. He was tipsy again, but it was cute. "I'm sorrrrrrry," he told her.

      "It's fine. Go lay down. I'll be in after a few minutes."

       "Okay. I love you," he said happily.

       "Love you too, dorky," she told him.

       "Hey, I'm not a dork. Never mind, I'll lose this argument." She nodded and helped him to his room. "I want huuugs," he whined before she could leave.

       "Wait," she commanded.

       "No." He pulled her close. "You smell like vanilla," he slurred.

       "That's wonderful. Lay down," she commanded.

        "Fine." He laid down on his bed and stared up at the ceiling.

        Ruby went back to the kitchen. "What was that?" Gordon asked.

        "The other dork that lives here. He's pretty tipsy, tip toeing on drunk."

        He nodded as if this were to be expected. "Anyways, what do you plan on doing in the future?"

       "I want to own a restaurant that serves a good variety of food, stuff I grew up with. I'd also want a bar in it but a homey atmosphere at the same time."

     "Good plans. If you ever need help, get in touch. As far as I've seen, you've got potential. If your standards go down hill, I'll find you and curse you out."

     "Don't worry. I learned from you one thing that's vital: don't freeze food, especially a fucking oyster. Or you will find me and scream and bang your head on a table."

     "That I will," he said before standing. They shook hands, and he left. Ruby breathed for a minute before making Ethan an anti-hangover remedy.

    When she walked back into the room, he was in the same position she left him. He didn't move as he said, "How can I feel light as a feather but pained at the same time?" He groaned quietly as he sat up.

    "Drink this," she said as she came up to him.

    "That's what Mark said." She scowled and decided she was going to talk to Mark later.

    "Shh. Drink if you don't want to feel worse in the morning."

     He sighed. "Fine." He sipped it. "Wait, this doesn't taste bad."

     "Thanks. Be quiet and drink." He giggled as she sat next to him. He drank the rest completely wordlessly while looking at her intently. Once he finished, Ruby asked him if he had a headache. He nodded, and she left to get some pain reliever and water.

    As he took the pills, he said, "I'm soooo spoiled."

    "Yes, you are. Please tell me you weren't driving. Ethan, please," she begged. If he'd taken the same risk as the person that killed her dad, she'd explode.

    "No, no, no, no, no, no, no. I would never. I care about you too much." He wrapped his arms around her again. "You're nice and make me food and smell like vanilla."

    "Is smelling like vanilla one of my most important qualities to you?" she asked.

    "Do I have to answer?" He giggled again and leaned back. His smile was so warm and genuine Ruby couldn't help smiling back.

    "Do you want me to stay in here for a bit?"

    "If you would. You never spend time with me anymore," he whined. He patted the bed beside himself, inviting her to lay beside him.

    She laid on her side and said, "Imagine if we didn't live together."

    "I'd come over until you called an exterminator." He pulled her close. "What did you and Gordon Ramsay talk about?"

    "You getting drunk," she teased. She poked him and rolled onto her back. She explained their talk. After a while, Ethan fell asleep. Ruby wished she could fall asleep right there. Insomnia didn't like that idea, so she watched TV in the sitting room.