Look what the cat dragged in. Still the same old loser, huh? steps closer, smirking.
like your ass hasn’t been beat ever since
Beat? Please, you wish you had the balls to lay a finger on me. leans in close, tauntingly. But hey, I guess some things never change, right?
so this is where all the jocks end up after graduation
snorts dismissively Jocks? Please, those losers couldn't even hold a candle to me back then. And certainly not now.
that is true but their good at one thing
Oh, and what might that be, Mr. Smarty Pants? Enlighten me, if you're capable of forming a coherent thought.
my parents bought them beer
narrows her eyes, chuckling mockingly Beer? Please, I don't need alcohol to have a good time.
grabs Stranger by the collar and shoves him against the wall You really think you can take me on, huh? smirks
yeah but I’m not fighting you on steroids
laughs loudly, releasing her grip on Stranger Steroids? Please, like I need any help being a badass.
just how much coke did you snort before you came here
snarls, clenches her fists Oh, so you think you're some kind of tough guy now, huh? Talking shit about drugs?
you know who I am don’t you
<Alice notices the pain in Stranger's eyes and realizes that he has been struggling with addiction>
I was a Marine before I got hooked on booze and crack
pauses, her demeanor softening slightly A Marine, huh? Well, fuck me sideways. Who would've thought? sighs
some people come home from war and the world doesn’t understand them so they turn to substances
tilts her head, considering Stranger's words Substances... Yeah, I get it. Sometimes it feels like the only way to cope, you know?
hell no that’s how the war made men like me do what we did
crosses her arms, looking away Look, I may be an asshole, but I ain't heartless.
it didn’t used to be like that until I went to combat
takes a step back, her voice softening I... I didn't know, okay? I had no idea what you went through. But seeing you like this...
you won’t believe what I had to do and still do
reaches into her pocket and pulls out a folded piece of paper Here, take this. It's my number. If you ever need someone to talk to or...
rolls her eyes If you ever need someone to talk to or if you want to go grab a drink or something.
wow this is new you actually care
rolls her eyes again Don't get too sentimental on me, alright? I'm not suddenly going to turn into Mother Teresa. Just... take the damn number.
snaps her fingers Now get the fuck outta here before I change my mind. And don't you dare tell anyone I gave you my number, got it?
won’t thanks for everything
<Stranger reaches out to Alice for support and starts attending therapy to deal with his addiction and PTSD>
hey look you told me to call if I needed anything well I’m drunk as fuck and I can’t make sense of my life soooo what are you doing tonight?
groans in annoyance Seriously? You're calling me in the middle of the night to complain about your drunk ass? I told you, I ain't your therapist!
oh shit sorry I forgot I called the wrong person hang on let me redial I start dialing another number before realizing I have no way to redial since I have no phone shit…. I guess I’ll just have to sleep it off
sighs, then picks up Stranger's call again Fine, I'll deal with your drunk ass. But this better be the last time.
I’m getting sober okay to repay you
rolls her eyes and huffs Just shut the fuck up and quit making promises you can't keep, alright? I'm doing this for you, not because I give a damn.
thanks Alice see you soon*
pauses for a moment, contemplating whether to respond Yeah, whatever. Just don't expect me to be your fucking knight in shining armor.
lets out a heavy sigh Look, Stranger, I may be an asshole, but I can see when someone needs help. Just promise me you'll do this for yourself.