you// c.g.

23

"hey jane." alexia's lean body entered the apartment surrounded with bags of groceries fanning out around her. i got up from my chair, sliding bags from her wrist to sit on the table. "how's today been?"

"boring, just like it has been the last two months." i shrug, closing the fridge behind me as i finish putting what needs to away.

"well, i have terrible news that i'm sure you'll be pleased with." her face lights up, leaving me completely in the dust.

"well, out with it!" i plead, having no patience.

"carl had to get tested for gonorrhea because of that little bitch dominique." immediately i start bursting out in uncontrollable laughter. "are you fucking kidding? how rich is that! fucking cheated on me with a girl just for her to be playing him the whole time. i had to go to school with her. having to deal with seeing her face everyday, but he was too much of a pussy to ever show his face."

"karma's a bitch." she smiled venomously, moving over to the couch. "you know what? it's officially summer, why don't we celebrate this new discovery."

"yes, fuck yes. go get drinks i'm calling mickey for weed." within an instant alexia had flung herself out the door and i had retreated to my seat on the couch to call mickey. 

by nine o'clock i had three blunts rolled and alexia had strawberry vodka, whiskey, and gin. we were going to get fucked up.

"alright, then what was your greatest mistake in high school?" i ask handing her a shot.

"god, so many memories to choose from. probably letting phil lamberts do anal. that was shitty." we both burst out laughing at the randomness of her mind, downing a shot along with it. 

"is carl still texting you?" she asks as i pick up the un-opened gin bottle and spin the cap off.

"haven't heard from him in weeks." i respond, my physical reaction being taking a ten second pull from the bottle. 

"you think things will ever get back to normal between you two?" i shrug, letting out a deep exhale. 

"i'd really like them too, but let's face it lex. i've been enamored with this kid my whole life, though i never admitted it." i pause, thinking deeper about the situation, " you know, he's my best friend too. i miss him, but after that i don't think things would ever be okay between us. he knew, about everything and he still did that."

"we should go, oh my god, we should go egg their house."

"what?"

"we should go egg their house!" she stands, wobbling as she balances herself out, "fuck carl. you never got closure and he's a piece of shit."

"holy fuck, we should go egg his fucking house!" drunk off our asses, my twenty-six year old sister and i stumble into an uber to the gallaghers' house with all of the eggs she had just bought at the market today. we get out, laughing loud as hell at three in the morning on the sidewalk.

"ready?" she hiccups mid word and i smile, loosely grasping an egg in my hand. aiming directly at the boys' window and throw. it makes a loud noise as it clashes against the glass causing alexia to shout with joy.

"keep going girl! tell him how you feel." i loved her this way. she was so illuminating and accepting. she gave me courage and confidence just from her own radiance.

"fuck you carl gallagher!" slurring on my words, losing balance as i yell and toss another egg. alexia joins in with me before we see lights turn on. we both yelp, grabbing onto one another as we run further down the street to hide behind a car. nonstop laughing as we sit between two cars on the dirty chicago street.

"thank you so much for tonight, lex. i love you, a lot." she smiles, her head falling to the side while wrapping an arm around me.

"i love you too babe. i'm always here for you... okay, okay. lets head home-- jesus fuck its 4 a.m.? why'd you let me take you out this late?" i laugh, walking side by side with her down the street.

"who gives a shit? im just worried about eating those popsicles when we get home." i groan, patting my stomach.

its hard to paint a picture of what its like to be wandering the streets of chicago so late while intoxicated. its a fading movie. all i could really describe are the vibrant lights i can see or the greyness that sickens the city buildings. i could feel alexia's hand in mine every once in awhile, she kept me balanced as i swayed down the road. my body was so unaware of itself, but it was freeing of the mind. it was like a relief, a weight being lifted.

but all in all, if there were to be a lesson from tonight: fuck men.