ariana is deeply in love with her boyfriend demario. they've enjoyed a bliss-filled life while studying abroad in rome. she's certain her future with him will be long and joyous. but, this imagined future suddenly comes crumbling down once she disco...
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Ariana Belle Fletcher Matala, Crete, Greece 5:30pm
i join andreas with the others gathered in the main cave.
it looks like the same scene from last night. everyone sits around in a circle. except this time, they pass joints from hand to hand instead of singing beautiful songs.
i sit down beside andreas.
"everything good with your—"
"everything is excellent"
i cut him off before he can slide in another one of his unappreciated marks about my "lover."
"i—"
"don't say another word"
i put my hand up to stop him.
"or else you'll ruin it"
"fine, fine"
he places a joint between his lips and inhales, holding the smoke for a moment in his lungs. andreas exhales and effortlessly blows a ring of circles in my face.
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"how about i give you this instead?"
he extends his hand out to me, offering the largest joint i have ever seen in my life.
"take it as an olive branch, my simple token of peace"
i bow my head down as a wordless thanks and gracefully accept his peace offering.
with wide eyes, i stare at the joint now in my hands.
ah, it's been so long since i've smoked. since before going to rome
but, today is all about saying screw it.
i bring the joint to my lips, inhale the thick smoke, and soon enough start coughing up a storm.