White Lines, Euphoric Highs and Trying Times

Happy Birthday

Despite the chilling presence and atmosphere brought on by the mid December weather that loomed over Riverdale, the mist that casually wafted through the trailer park and ice and frost that stuck to the barely thick windows of her trailer, Alice still awoke in a damn near perfect mood that Saturday morning.

Why? Because it was none other than her birthday. Her 17th year on earth had finally rolled around and she was more than ready for a day of pure praise, attention, admiration and spontaneous gifts; which wasn't much different to regular days for her, except today it was just more amplified.

Another thing that had lifted her spirits was the $300 burning a hole in her cropped leather jacket that hung over her desk chair which she earned from an unexpected job she and FP were dragged onto in the early hours of the morning. Who knew her new life of crime could be so rewarding.

She's pulled out of her dazing thoughts the second her younger sister comes bursting through the bedroom door with a large wrapped gift in her arms, face full of enthusiasm and filled with energy before leaping onto Alice's bed.

"Happy birthday big sis!" The 14 year old cheered, immediately coaxing the large gift into her sisters arms, but instead was met by a playful hit to the face with a pillow.

Alice sat up on her elbows, pushing herself up against her headboard before excitedly taking the present, eagerly but carefully removing the wrapping paper to make sure it stayed in decent condition to be reused, something her Mother was quite adamant about.

Her tired crystal blue eyes bulged open as she revealed a large A6 glass framed poster of Madonna's Vogue promotional shot, autographed by the woman herself.

Alice couldn't believe her eyes, and almost had to pinch herself for a moment. She had idolised the Queen of Pop her whole adolescence, mimicking her dance videos, requesting her songs for karaoke, copying and paying homage to her style and some of her most iconic looks, recording all her interviews on Betamax, collecting her records, albeit off the back of trucks, and now she held a copy of her autograph, it was only natural to remain in a state of pure shock and disbelief.

"H- how did you even get this?" She stammered in a gasp, her glistening baby blues darting her sisters direction.

"Weeks and weeks of washing Miss Bensons car, watering Mr Pierre's plants and sitting on hold with Michael's memorabilia." Penny exasperated, recalling the strenuous work she did in order to obtain that, but she didn't regret it, not a single thing, because her sister deserved the best, and she had no doubt in her mind that Alice would do the same for her.

"I knew one day you'd give me a good enough reason not to sell you." Alice revealed ironically, placing the frame to one side and leaning into her sisters cheeks with puckered lips, placing an adorable peck on her blushing dimple. "Thanks baby sis." Alice praised, before springing up out of bed and racing to her closet.

"You're welcome??" Penny replied questionably, briefly wiping her cheek as she followed her sister and rose from the bed to leave.

"Oh! And Mom's made you pancakes." The younger Smith sister gleefully added before exiting.

"What am I? 12?" That was her faux way of seeming too cool and mature. Truth is, she loved when mother made her pancakes, but she wouldn't let anybody get the satisfaction of finding out what a Mommy's girl she was.

Once ready, selecting a tight fitted black turtle neck, a high waisted red checkered pleated skirt with leather buckles on the side and thickly made dark tights ideal for the harsh winter weather that had hit the Northeastern region, she strolled down the hallway and turned into the kitchen area to be met with a beaming smile from her Mother and sister as they stood around the dining table.