Passing the Bottle

Russell - The End Is Near

Let's get one out of the way now. My legal name is Roselle Diana Baker. However, if you ask anyone - besides my mom - what my name is, they'll say it's Russell. Why does everyone call you Russell, Roselle? I'll answer your question. First off, apparently it's pretty easy to mix up Russell and Roselle. They're only about three letters different.

Though, that's not the real reason why people call me Russell. It all started seven years ago when I was ten. I was the leading character in this stupid play in elementary school. The principal read off the cast list and mispronounced my name as Russell. At that time, no one really knew who I was, just another student. So when I walked out, there were several whispers among the parents. I definitely heard "Why did her parents give her a boys name?" So, I gently tugged on my principal's sleeve. He asked, "What's wrong Russell?" INTO THE MICROPHONE. I told him that he said my name incorrectly and he asked, "Then what's your name, Russell." With all hopes lost, I walked away from him and let him announce the rest of the cast. After my amazing acting in the play, there were several shouts of "Whoo! Go Russell!" I did play a boy in the play anyway, so Russell stuck.

So just remember, call me Russell.

--

Obviously the first thing you do after your high school graduation is go out to eat with your family. Or at least that's what seventy-five percent of my class did. My dad drove me and my mom to Joe's Crabshack, since it was my favorite restaurant. Afterwards, it was party time.

Once I got home, I threw off my church dress - I didn't feel like having my parents buy me a dress for graduation. I dressed into capris, sandals and a camisole. Underneath there was a bikini. Once done changing, I grabbed my car keys and phone.

"Don't be loud when you come back!" My dad yelled as I opened the front door.

"Can I just stay at someone's house?" I questioned. No matter when I came home late, I set off the house alarm.

"That's better! Be safe, Russell." My dad said. Although this is overdramatic, I could hear tears dripping from my dad's eyes. He was losing his little girl after all.

"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow!"

--

I was motherfreaking late. Everytime Brian threw a party, I missed out on the beginning. Apparently to all of my friends, the best part of his parties was the beginning. They described it as indescribably amazing.

The music was already blaring. More than thirty cars were parked near his house. Thankfully it was more secluded, since it was on the beachfront. Once I got closer to the house from my car, I saw Bianca dancing on a table. All I wanted to was jump onto the table and kiss her, but she was dating Jayden. Jayden would go for it, but Bianca wouldn't. I'd probably get pushed off of the table and get my leg broken again. (I fell down some stairs once, just a bit too hard).

So instead of passionately making out with my crush, I headed over to Liz, who was laying in the sand sipping on a beer.

"How can you drink while laying down?" I asked her as I sat down.

"It's a talent," she sighed.

"Is everything okay?"

"Besides the fact that once I go to Rochester, I won't stand out anymore. And the fact that Danny is going to be 'across the pond' at Oxford, nothing."

"I'm sure you guys will make it," I lied.

"I'm breaking up with him tomorrow."

"Wait, seriously?" I exclaimed.

"Dude, I'm the problem solver of us. Danny has been complaining about it ever since I wasn't accepted to Oxford. He keeps saying that it's going to be hard for us to stay together, but he hasn't done anything about it. So, I'm going to finish this little game. I'm quite positive that we'll stay friends though. I wouldn't say that we're in love, so yeah."

"Why don't you just tell him tonight?"

"He's already drank his brains out, if that makes any sense."

"Liz, can't you give it a chance?"

"I will have a nervous break down if I try. All of those accents, knowing Danny, he'd be calling me within two months saying that he was sorry." She takes another sip of her beer.

"You have so much faith in him," I laugh.

"Even if we both went to Oxford, I don't think we would've lasted much longer, so I'm ending it." She sat up and looked at me. I knew from that look that she wanted to sit down and sulk some more, without me.

I got up and found a cooler that didn't look like it was touched. Searching through it, I found a wine cooler and took a swig.

"Russie! How's it going?" I heard a familiar voice behind me. It was Brian. From his smell, he had just finished smoking. "Want to go hang with some of us and take a few hits?"

"Sure." He grabbed my hand and led me inside of the beach house. In the living room, there was a strong smell of marijuana. I thought I wanted to have some, but sometimes the smell got to me. "Nevermind Brian, I think I'll need to take a raincheck."

"Want to go to my room?" I nodded my head. He pulled me upstairs and locked his door once we entered.

"So?" He rose his eyebrows as he questioned me.

"I don't know, I think I had too much seafood."

"How about you just sleep it off? I'll come back later."

"Sounds good." He kissed my forehead and left the room.

A/N:

After my proclaimed rut, I came up with this. It'll probably be more dialogue based, but that could always change. Otherwise, many things will be explained. However, I will answer a question. Russell is bisexual. It's the first time that I've really ever had a character who was bisexual, and I'm not really happy that I'm having a bisexual character (since I don't have the experience). However, it just fit as I started typing.

Let's hope that this'll work.