In Love, On Drugs

the boy

Max, his name was Max.

"I'm outside", read the text from Millie.

Quickly, grabbing my puffer jacket and cash, I slid out of the bottom floor window crashing out into my grandmother's garden bed below.

I made such a ruckus, but I knew she wouldn't hear. She was half deaf and too old to be disturbed in her sleep.

I didn't even bother creating a fake sleeping body in my bed, I knew she wouldn't check.

It was just me and her now. I did love her and I loved how she let me do whatever I wanted.

She always thought the best of me, never expected me to do any wrong.

I slid out of the shadows to meet my new friend awaiting me in the streetlight.

"Hey, got the cash?" Millie asked as I reached her.

I nodded and we began walking down the deserted street.

"Since I'm introducing you, you don't mind buying me something right?" she asked.

I nodded again.

"Sure, thanks again for this." I replied.

She just smiled in response.

She was my grade at school, but she was a year older; 17. She had been held back last year because her attendance rates were too low.

I would never have spoken to her had I not been desperate. I had never brought drugs before, neither had any of my friends. She was the only person I knew would have access.

I think she was surprised when I reached out. But she didn't say no.

We walked the remainder of the journey in silence. We didn't really have much in common to talk about.

She was about a head taller than me and a bigger build. She wore ripped skinny jeans and an old hoodie. Her hair was down, it was home-dyed with red streaks through her natural black hair. She had an eyebrow slit and a lip ring. 

I couldn't have looked more different from her. I was short but thin with my hair sleeked back in a high ponytail. I was huddled in my puffer jacket and I was in my thick, plaid pyjama pants. I only wore small pearl earrings in my lower earlobe and the necklace attached to which were my parent's wedding rings. I hadn't removed that from my neck since they first came into my possession.

I didn't look like the type to buy drugs in the middle of the night.

To be honest, I was incredibly scared that I was about to meet a dealer. It being night and the park location did not help ease this nerve.

When Millie and I arrived in the park it was empty. Millie took a seat on the swing and I stood awkwardly beside her, nervously looking in every direction.

"He'll be here in a minute, he just texted me," she told me. "And try to not look so nervous would you?" she added, laughing at me.

I gulped trying to gain some composure.

Not long after, a dirty red car appeared from the distance and slowed down in front of the park.

Millie stood up and came to stand beside me.

I was really shaking now.

A boy came out of the car. He wasn't much older than me. He was very tall but lanky. He was covered in simple tattoos and his nose was pierced. He hair lay in messy, black curls on his head, occasionally falling over his eyes as he walked. He was quite hot if I have to admit. But never my type. In fact, not like any boy I had ever known.