I can't Hurt You - Marcus Lopez Arguello

35

We had finally made it to Las Vegas after hours of driving. When I say hours, I mean hours. By now it was around 9 pm and dark as hell. The only thing giving us light on our way here were our own headlights. That is, until we got to Vegas. Even at the entrance, every building was flashy, adorned with way too many bright lights. There were casinos, clubs, and other 18+ places that none of us could get into if it weren't for our fake ID's.

Most of us were sobered up by now, maybe a bit buzzed. That is, except Marcus. He was still high off his ass. His eyes were as wide and red as ever and they were paired with a high smile he had kept the whole way here. I'm guessing he was at the peak of his high by now.

Me on the other hand, I still high, but I had come to my senses a bit more now. I had a pounding headache caused by a shit ton of drugs leaving my system, which made me grumpy as hell. If anything, that was me coming down from my high. Less like coming down from it and more like being thrown face-first off of it, though.

We stared at all the bright lights of Vegas as we drove through the streets. They were beautiful, I had to admit, even with my pounding headache and shitty mood. We all looked at them in awe, not having seen such a beautiful sight in any of our tragic childhoods or shitty times at King's. I looked over at Marcus to see him staring at everything in even more amazement than the rest of us combined. To him, this probably all looked like a bright kaleidoscope of colors.

"Was it Sinatra who said that the Strip is a bummer on seven hits of acid?" Billy asked referring to Marcus as he continued to drive.

Saya and him traded spots an hour after leaving the hippie hangout. She was way too high for her own good, much less ours. Besides, I don't really feel like dying while high on acid and next to Maria.

"Or was that Louis Prima?" Billy asked again.

"Maybe it's not the acid, maybe he's just never been to Vegas." I piped up.

Marcus turned to me with a high smile.

"I get that your as high as a kite, Arguello, but fuck off." I said rudely.

I seriously just wanted to go to bed. This headache was no joke.

We drove for about ten more minutes before the car came to a stop. I snapped out of my zoned out state and looked around. We were staying at some hotel Billy booked, but I didn't expect it to be this nice. It was just as flashy as all the other buildings in Vegas, yet way taller due to all the apartments it had inside. From the car you could see how crowded it was. There were people pouring in and out of the building constantly, each looking crazy or cool as shit, nowhere in between. We barely had enough money for gas to get here, how could we even afford one night here?

"Let's go. We have to check in." Saya said as everyone started getting out of the car.

I looked over at Marcus who was zoned out as fuck.

"Dude." I said as I shook him.

He looked over at me quickly, snapping out of whatever daze he was in.

"We're here." I said pointing to the hotel.

He turned to look at it and then back at me.

"You know you have to get out before I can, right?" I asked rudely.

Marcus turned to the door and fumbled with the handle trying his best to open it. I think he was seeing double because he couldn't even do that right. I reached over and opened it for him, making him fall out face-first.

"Shit." He muttered as he lifted his head.

"Sorry, Arguello. You're way too high, though. Let's get inside." I said as I got out and helped him up.

Suddenly a bell boy came up to the car, looking at us weirdly as he took our bags.

"What are you looking at? Never seen a couple of high teenagers?" I asked rudely.

"Alright, that's enough." Saya said coming up to us and guiding us inside with her.

I get angry when I'm coming down from a high. She knew if she didn't watch me I'd go ahead and start an unnecessary fight.

Marcus and I both looked intoxicated as hell. I was stumbling over my own feet and he noticeably couldn't even see straight. We held hands trying to stabilize each other as we stepped through the doors of the huge building. It looked even more expensive on the inside. It was a fucking huge casino inside, crowded as fuck on a Saturday night. I'm guessing that's why so many people came here, though. God, I hope no one notices how high we are because I knew they'd point it out. With the hangover headache I had right now I was in such a shitty mood that if someone even breathed wrong next to me I'd scream at them. As we walked through the casino Marcus and Saya made conversation which I tried to ignore, but at some point I couldn't anymore.

"Time was frozen for a million years. I was alone... undying in a world of statues. Of course, once time resumed, none of you knew, but I did." Marcus said.

"Shut the fuck up. I'm tired." I said grumpily.

"Relax, Em. We're going up to the room soon." Saya said.

"Soon isn't soon enough." I replied angrily.

"Jesus, my girl is hot when she's mad." Marcus slurred.

"Your girl? You're high, dumbass." I said rudely.

"You are my girl, or I'd like you to be." He said letting go of my hand and swinging his arm around me, leaning all his weight on my small body.

I looked over at Saya asking her for help. She gave me a smile and walked away. Jesus fuck, really?

"You don't mean that, Arguello." I said pushing him off me.

Once I pushed him off me he landed on the floor and started making pretend snow angels on the carpet.

"Get up before I punch you." I said not making the effort to get down to pick him up.

Marcus let out a satisfied sigh as he continued to squirm around on the carpet. I let out a frustrated one as I gave up and bent down to pick him up.

"You're making it really fucking obvious that we're high right now, Marcus." I said as I struggled to pick him up, making him stop squirming around.

"Marcus?" He said as he continued to slump on the floor, not helping me pick him up.

I stood back up, a bit out of breath.

"What?" I asked.

"You called me Marcus." He said with a smile.

"That's your name, isn't it?" I asked rudely.

"You usually call me Arguello." He clarified.

"So?" I asked again getting fed up with him.

"So you like me." He teased.

"Oh fucking please, I flirt with you because it's fun. I don't like you. You're my best friend." I lied.

I think we came to the conclusion in the confiscation room that I'm fucking in love with him. I'd never tell him that though, no matter how high or sober he was.

"Bullshit." He disagreed.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night." I said sounding frustrated and crossing my arms.

He let out another sigh as he started making snow angels on the floor again.

"I'm not the acid king." He said.

"No shit." I replied rudely.