It was finally Friday, and time for Sky and Arlan's annual beginning-of-the-year "party." Arlan and Sky carried a few bottles of Smironoff and vodka to their usual spot in the garden. They each lit a cigarette and sat down against a statue of an Angel. They each opened a bottle and got comfortable.1
"Truth or dare?" Sky asked.2
"That's so old," Arlan groaned.3
"Oh, come on."4
"Truth," Arlan caved, laughing.5
"If you could be with one person right now, who would it be?"6
"I do't date," Arlan stated flatly.7
"Oh, puh-lease. I know better-"8
"Sky, I don't date."9
"Well, someone's got a hold of you. You've been acting... diferent. You're less bitchy and you're not acting right. So who is he?"10
"No one," Arlan replied honestly. "We do go to an all-girls school, you know."11
"Arlan, I know you, and your eyes have been that purple-color they get when you're in one of your deep moods and you can't convince me that nothing's up. In the fifteen years that I've known you, I've never seen you like this."12
"Like what?" Arlan asked with a smile.13
Sky shrugged her shoulders.14
"It's just nice seeing you smiling more and looking alive. You aren't trying to act all independent and macho."15
Arlan put out her cigarette and lit another one, then took a deep breath.16
"I can't tell you who it is," Arlan said quietly.17
Sky blinked. Finally, Arlan had admitted that something was up.18
"Why not? You tell me everything," Sky said.19
"Because I don't want this person to get in trouble."20
"I won't tell anyone- you know that."21
"Her name is Emley..."22
"Ms. Bradshaw?"23
Yeah."24
Sky nearly choked on her drink.25
"Why didn't you tell me sooner? Not only about her, but... God, I feel dumb."26
"I've known since middle school. You and Kayla Harper dated secretly, but I knew. I just didn't want you to know I knew until you were ready for me to know."27
"Wow. Oh, man, alchohol goes through me quick. I've got to go in a minute. But do you plan on telling Emley?"28
"No. i might one day, but not yet. there's too much to take into consideration."29
"Well, I have to go. I'll be in our dorm later."30
As Sky left, Arlan lit another cigarette and finished drinking what was left of the bottles. Then, she got up and stumbled, catching her balance on-31
"Emley? I mean-" Arlan stammareed, then fell down flat on her face.32
"You are totally wasted," Ms. Bradshaw said.33
"How did you know I was here?"34
"I saw Sky coming out of here and I figured you were here, too. Let's get you to your room," Ms. Bradshaw said, helping Arlan stand up. "Don't ever let me catch you drinking again."35
"Sorry," Arlan said sheepishly.36
Once they reached Arlan's room, Arlan stopped walking and tried to make the room stop spinning. Then, Arlan began stumbling to the bathroom. Ms. Bradshaw pulled back Arlan's hair just in time before Arlan puked. Once Arlan was done, she tried to walk, but Ms. Bradshaw had to half-carry her to her bed. Arlan nearly melted at the feeling of Ms. Bradshaw's arms around her. Arlan sat down and held her head in her hands.37
"I feel like shit," Arlan mumbled.38
"Well I imagine you do."39
Arlan groaned and Ms. Bradshaw sat down beside her and rubbed her back.40
"Why were you drinking?" Ms. Bradshaw asked.41
"Every year, Sky and I go to the same place and we each drink a beer. This year is our last year, so we kicked it up a notch. I didn't eat all day, so I really got screwed up."42
"I can see that. I remember the first time I ever got drunk. I was seventeen and my best friend, her brother, and I were watching a hockey game."43
"You like hockey?"44
"Love it."45
"I'm a San Jose Sharks fan."46
"Heck yeah," Ms. Bradshaw said. "Well, I ended up drinking five beers, three mixed drinks, and several shots of stuff I don't even remember. I had to go to church the next morning with a hangover."47
"That sucks."48
"You're telling me. Oh- tomorrow I'm hanging up some lights in the theatre. Do you think you'd be up to helping me? I'll start at arond 10:30 and we can go get lunch when we get hungry."49
"Sounds great," Arlan said with a smile." But I feel like crap."50
"Doing this tomorrow will help you feel better.Trust me.I'll meet you there," Ms. Bradshaw said, getting up. "Meanwhile, you get some sleep."51
After Ms. Bradshaw left, Arlan looked at her clock. It was 10:53. Arlan sighed and looked out the window, the smell of Ms. Bradshaw's perfume lingering in the air like a think veil of temptation.52
Can you feel th etension?
Comments
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I like this. I like how you manage to tell the story a bit through dialogue. I was confused, though, by the part where the girls are coming out to each other. It got a little hard to follow and I had to read it over. There are also little typos to look out for, but a spell check should take care of that.
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