The only thing Kagome couldn't have foreseen with not drinking was all the extra time she had. Studying suddenly became easier, keeping her away from other less scrupulous addictions as she buried her face in her textbook at all hours of the night. Retaining the new information came easier, too, and for once, when memories of reading by firelight surfaced, she was able to smile.
She was getting better.
She'd even been able to go out with her friends recently, though she'd stayed away from the bars. Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi knew she didn't drink anymore and had offered not to do it in front of her, and she'd broken down all over again, grateful for their understanding.
Kagome knew she couldn't hide forever, so when her college study group had invited her out to celebrate their exams being over, she'd warily accepted. She'd immediately called up her friends and begged them to come with her, and they'd agreed without hesitation, which was why she was currently seated between Yuka and Eri at a long table.
She'd made sure to order an appetizer before any drinks were served, as well as water, but one of the girls from the study group had offered to buy her some juice, and she hadn't wanted to seem ungrateful, so she'd nodded silently.
The drink was tart but enjoyable, so another was bought, and then a third. She alternated between sips of water and her food, but it wasn't until the fourth one touched her lips that she knew she was in trouble.
'Kagome.'