Took a short walk from the car to the dive bar, maybe around a half a mile, give or take some change. Arrived in a better mood having kicked a few cans along the way. The front door was crowded with Freshmen -- some waiting to meet their once-in-a-lifetime. Some, their one for the night.

  He told me to meet him here at nine. The bartender greeted me as soon as I reached for my wallet. I know that James is going to out-do me in some way, but I would be more concerned if he didn’t.

  One drink turned into two. Two to three. It’s half-past nine and James never showed up. I should probably take the hint. Took my last swig and decided to end the night.

  I guess he was too good for me.

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  That flaky bastard.

  I swayed a bit after hoisting myself up from the barstool. Looking around, I heard college kids clumsily making small talk. Everyone knew me as valedictorian then. A star student. I studied hard and hated to drink.

  Stumbling toward the entrance, bumping into college kid after college kid, I collapsed. Before I lost consciousness, I saw some guy that looked like James. But it couldn’t be him. With a girl.

  The sound of sirens rang louder and louder.

  I caught a glimpse of her hands, frantically motioning, steering the paramedics toward my direction. The bright lights illuminated them. Slender and agile, I think I saw something glinting from one of her fingers.

  The last thing I saw was a bag of IV fluid hanging from the ceiling.

  "What have I become?"