Who? Ernest & Abi Where? Brisbane, Australia When? Backdated to during the door What? A date sort of thing? Open? No Rating? TBD
Ernest knew that the time spent working on getting himself better and healthier was really the best thing he could have done. He was writing again, his relationships with islanders were definitely improving, he was sober again, and he was being treated for his mental health. Things were far from perfect, but they were on the right track.
Still, it meant that progress with Abi had been at something of a standstill, and that was driving him fucking crazy. Maybe it was dumb - the second he started texting her everything felt good and normal. It was early-them. Fun, interesting, exciting... full of potential. It was just frustrating. He had her back, but he didn't have her back. It was close, but not close enough.
The snorkeling had been absolutely amazing, and Australia was shaping up to be a really good trip. He knew of course that the evening was going to be the difficult part, and that there was going to be alcohol around. He'd told her he wasn't drinking, but did she know how serious it was really? Maybe. She'd read about him at least. But then there was the part of him that was quite convinced that people only wanted that version of him. The wild extrovert, taking shots and starting bar fights.
They'd gone back to the hotel to clean up and get changed after snorkeling, and then taken a walk along the river to find someplace to eat.