CH 25

People tend to pay special attention to their first memories. First kiss, first love, first farewell, etc.

For Peter, it was the memory of his first drink. He grew up chewing tasteless organic vegetables under the supervision of his mother, he was not allowed to eat unhealthy food, let alone alcohol, because he was weak.

When Jenny held out the beer can she had hidden under her clothes, Inseop was more excited than worried. Finally, he himself can drink what is called alcohol!

It was completely different from drinking the eggnog that his grandmother allowed only one sip at Christmas. After discussing with Jenny about where to drink, Peter suggested that they go to the lake. It was good to avoid people’s eyes because there were few people at the lake, and they had to walk for 30 minutes on the mountain road.

Even if they were still underage, even if they were drinking, it was a place where people who pointed fingers or gave them attention would not come.

The two of them made a decision and acted immediately. Peter and Jenny left the house to go for a walk. The two of them were able to get to the shore of the lake in no time because their physical condition was better than usual that day.

“Let’s drink here.”

“Isn’t that better?”

To commemorate the first beer he drank, Peter went to great lengths to find a place. After wandering around for a while, the two took a seat on a large rock overlooking the lake.

“Have you ever had a drink?”

“Of course.”

Jenny groaned and pulled out the already lukewarm beer can from her arms. Peter ripped open the ring of the can with his finger.

Beer foam came up with a popping sound. Drink, drink, Jenny gestured.

Peter put his lips to the dripping beer foam. The taste of the beer that flowed into his throat as he took in his breath would not be forgotten even years later.

“Ugh… kuk…”

“How is it??

Jenny, who experienced drinking earlier than Peter, showed a relaxed expression.

“… Oh, it’s not tasty.”

“What do you mean? Who drinks alcohol for fun?”

“Then why are you drinking?”

“I drink it because it’s cool.”

“… My father and mother drank it like it was very delicious.”

Peter, who had never drank beer, wanted to try it every time he saw a can of beer thinking it was delicious. 

Peter took another sip of the beer.

“Oh, it’s not good.”

Jenny laughed softly. The wild birds sleeping were startled at the sound of her laughter and left their seats. The sound of the tree rustling was heard. Peter liked Jenny’s laugh. When she smiled, he felt better. So much so that he made unrealistic wishes that she would always want to laugh.

“Would you like a toast?”

Jenny asked, holding a can and waving her feet. Her legs, visible under the worn-out skirt, were covered with scars. It was pointless to ask where the injury was from or who did it. Jenny’s mother beat her daughter for nonsensical reasons. She was a woman who beat her daughter for no reason, she would even make up a reason. Jenny habitually said that on the day she became an adult, she would buy clothes from the most expensive department store and then say goodbye to her mother. Peter waited for that day. They even promised to go together to buy clothes that day and pick out clothes for themselves.

“For what?”

“For the love of me and the prince.”

When he heard the word prince, the broad shoulders he had seen that day came to mind. It felt like blood was rushing to his face.

“Are you drunk already, Peter? Your face is red.”

“Is it… ”

“That’s lame. If it’s like that, then you can’t hang out with the other kids.”

Jenny laughed loudly as Peter pouted his lips. Her large body shook with laughter. Peter wanted to make her laugh whenever he could. Because once Jenny crawls into depression, there is nothing Peter can do to help.

Jenny was severely bipolar. He was clearly aware of that. But knowing that didn’t make it any better. Peter almost didn’t recognize Jenny the first time he met the depressed Jenny on the street, not the cheerful Jenny. She didn’t speak to him, nor did she make eye contact.

Worried, Peter went to Jenny’s house for the first time that night. Contemplating whether to ring the doorbell or knock on the door, he heard Jenny’s cry through the crack in the open door. He swore he had never heard such a cry. It was hard to believe it was a human voice. Peter saw Jenny lying in the living room through the crack in the door and knew that the cry was Jenny’s.

Jenny, who was making a strange sound with all her emotions suppressed, abruptly got up and started eating ice cream. She was eating it with so much greed that he couldn’t tell whether she was eating it or crumpling it in her mouth.

When Jenny, who said she didn’t know why he was gaining weight even though she didn’t eat much, overlapped with the figure in front of him, Peter got goosebumps. Seeing the scene, Jenny’s mother began to swear and beat her. The two cursed at each other. Peter’s face hardened and paled at the sound of vulgar profanity that  he had never heard of.

In the end, he returned home without talking to Jenny. When the depression hit, Jenny didn’t even go to school.

When she came out of the long tunnel of gloom, she came to Peter with a cheerful face as if she had always been like that. In a gesture that was several times more exaggerated than usual, she talked about traveling for several days.

The place she traveled to was at Aunt Spencer’s house. Jenny’s eyes lit up as she described the story of a millionaire aunt who traveled the world. The story of the party at Aunt Spencer’s house, the jewelry, and the dress that her aunt gave her became more and more elaborate. Peter knew that she was making up stories just like he did.

The only difference between the two was that Peter knew that the story he had created was fiction and just enjoyed imagining it, and Jenny was addicted to the lie she had made up and considered it real.

Jenny made up a story whenever she couldn’t stand reality. Peter knew all that, but didn’t want to expose her wounds by pointing it out.

“Did we talk? I mean, the last time I met the prince was in the school cafeteria. I was passing by with a plate, and the prince looked at me and smiled. It’s clear. He’s also interested in me. One day he will definitely talk to me again.”

“Okay. I hope so.”

“You don’t have anyone you like?”

“I don’t.”

“Why? There are quite a few pretty girls in your class.”

Peter laughed silently.

There were many pretty children. Every woman in the world is pretty like a flower, Peter’s father said. Peter thought so too.

“You are pretty too.”

“Oh. What should I do? But I already have a man I like. If things don’t go well with the prince, I’ll think about it.”

“What. Am I a substitute?”

“No. You are my friend.”

Jenny, who was drinking beer, laughed bashfully. He thought it wasn’t enough, so even if he gave her his heart, it wouldn’t be a waste, he added.

“You are also my precious friend. So I won’t take you away from the prince.”

“Whew. Peter. Sorry. See you again in the next life. At that time, I will definitely put you first.”

Peter put his hand on the rock and leaned back. The cool breeze of the lake ruffled his hair.

“Feels…great.”

Peter muttered. “Me too,” said Jenny, and lay down next to him.

“Is this why you drink?”

“Hey hey. What are you talking about when you can’t even empty half a can of beer?”

“Ha ha ha ha ha. Is it?”

Peter took another sip of the beer. He was impressed by the feeling of lukewarm carbonic acid, but the feeling of alcohol spreading into his blood made him feel better.

“Peter, shooting star.”

Jenny, who was lying down, pulled Peter’s clothes.

“Did you make a wish?”

“Of course. A prom party with the prince.”

Ever since getting to know Philip, Jenny’s wish has remained the same. Being his prom partner, the prince of the school.

“I’ll dance with you too.”

“I won’t be graduating then.”

“You can still dance. Are you okay? I will lead.”

The way she spoke, which seemed to be sympathetic, was funny, and Peter burst out laughing. The laughter didn’t stop. The laughter that had continued quickly turned into the sound of hiccups.

“Did you get drunk?”

“Uh-huh… hic. Uh… Huuuu.”

“Oh. Poor Peter.”

She patted Peter on the back. Peter also laid himself on the rock. He felt much better.

“You as well, quickly get someone you like.”

“Is that going to happen the way I want it to?”

“First of all, you should get the feeling, growing fond is only the second problem . You just have to make up your mind. Then it will be easier.”

Peter laughed and nodded at the advice of Jenny, an expert in unrequited love.

“No one can stop what’s going on in your heart. The eyes follow that person first, and by the time you realize it, it’s already too late. You will realize that the heart has already gone before the eyes.”

“And?”

“When you wake up, the whole world is that person. Ah! Prince! My whole world is the prince!”

Jenny stretched out her arms towards the sky. Peter reached out to follow her. The cold wind tickled his fingertips.

The world shook as the wind blew. The first drink he experienced was absolutely delightful. Until Peter, upset, vomits up everything he ate that evening.