A day in the life (fruk)

15

In 1988, the Canadian government created a centre to fight against substance abuse...

Apparently, drugs were a huge problem during the sixties to eighties.

I wonder why...

~~~

I looked around the area and noticed how Francis stood beside me. The rink was huge and had people skating already. The room was dark, and the neon lights hit every corner, reflecting the colours off. There were random shapes everywhere, just like that one night club Francis and I went to. The music was blaring, some that I recognized from my place but was popular in America and Canada. I could not describe how everything looked. It was odd seeing something like this in my lifetime. My younger self would freak out.

"Wow..." I spoke. Francis nodded in agreement, and I tried to look around for the boys. However, it was hard to focus when I could see many of our fellow nations actually having fun skating. Spain and Portugal stood beside us, looking amazed. It was how I imagined the American/ Canadian stereotypes to be. Although Alfred and Matthew shared pop culture, it was amazing to see it in person.

I wasn't sure what it was, but the style of clothing and aura was so youthful when it came to popular things at their places. They were much younger than Francis and me so it was expected, but it never ceases to amaze me. The boys looked eighteen, so fitting in with the much younger crowd was easier. While as Francis and I mostly fit in with people who were our "age." Which were the twenties.

For some reason, as I stared off into the room, the colours I saw began to heighten. Everything seemed as if it had strengthened, and my senses began to pick up. "DUDES! THE TWO OF YOU MADE IT! Canada was worried you two wouldn't show, but I told him that once y'all figured out who was driving, it would figure itself out!" Alfred came up from the right of us and looked extremely excited. The type of excitement where he wanted to hug us. I've never been much of a hugger.

I've only hugged someone on a few occasions.

"Oh, if you excuse me, I'm going to steal them away from y'all! I'm sure y'all were talking about something super duper killer, but excuse moi!"

"Stop saying 'y'all'! It is 'all of you' or 'you all' I swear, I didn't raise you in a barn the last time I checked!"

"Worse! I was raised, that means I do what I want!"

Alfred pulled Francis and me away from Portugal and Spain. Spain didn't seem to mind, but Portugal only looked annoyed. He was dramatic as usual. How much more time must pass for him to get over what happened? Hopefully, the nineties would be better.

Alfred put his arms around us and stood between us. "YOU ALL have no choice; we are getting you skates, and you will skate around! Plus, Your drinks will start to kick in soon!" He cheered. My eyes widened at what he said, and I separated from him. "WHAT? Did you roofie everyone here? Is that why everyone seems so oddly happy to be participating!?"

"Oh! It's not as bad as you are making it seem!"

"Mon Dieu! What did you give us?"

"Ah...high concentrated acid!"

"ACID?!"

He began laughing at us, and Francis pushed him away too. We had both gotten over the high feeling recently and were about to go through it again, but it was way worse and more intense. I looked around, shocked, and noticed that nations like Mr. Switzerland were having a good time, and it was because of the drugs.

They drugged everyone!

I'm not even sure whose idea it was. They are both that way! Matthew too! His home has legalized many drugs, so much of it seems normal for him. However, even for me, it could be excessive, and I was one of the biggest stoners during the nineteen sixties.

"Don't act like you haven't done hardcore drugs before; stop being a baby, and have fun!" Alfred demanded. I looked at him, baffled and speechless. "You've taken hardcore drugs?" Francis asked. He looked at me, shocked, but I didn't say anything. I occasionally did, but it wasn't as if I were a druggie. "No!"

"L.I.A.R! LIAR! Francis, he isn't so innocent, don't believe him," Alfred teased. He began to poke me, but I only felt annoyed. "Arthur is anything but," Francis added. He laughed a bit and didn't care that he was about to get high on acid. "This might be fine...yes, just fine..." he laughed nervously.

I take that back... he seems to be trying to stay calm during all of this.

"Screw you, America!"

"Ouch, come on, ease up a bit; it's time for the two of you old men to have fun for once!"

"We have fun!"

"Yeah, I don't think needlepoint counts...."

"ITS FUN FOR ME!"

He was laughing some more until Matthew began to approach us. "Matthew! Were you behind all of this?" Francis asked, a bit heartbroken. "Sorry, eh! The drink is my speciality, maple cream liqueur, but instead of the alcohol, I put LSD; that way, no one got crossfaded!" He cheered. He said it as if it were normal. As if it were normal to get high on drugs for every occasion, as if getting cross faded was expected, but he needed to take it back a little because he thought we couldn't handle it.

I am amazed and appalled.

"Okay...I give up...the two of you have turned into feinds...." I spoke. I laughed in astonishment, and the boys only looked at me with a confused expressions. I could only imagine all the drugs they were doing. The amount, and then thinking it was normal. Maybe this was on me? Perhaps I did go wrong somewhere.

"This one is on you," Francis spoke. I looked at him, shocked; he had this stupid smirk as if he were trying not to laugh. Matthew laughed at our reactions and began walking to one of the nearby counters. "Just for a bit! Once the LSD kicks in, you won't think about any of it. Then, once you begin to skate, all of it won't matter, I promise," He smiled.

Mathew grabbed two pairs of skates from the person on the other side. Alfred rushed to his side to grab them, and they stood beside each other, smiling at us. I looked at Francis, and he only looked as if he was tired of all these things. The boys drove us insane most of the time. They were trying to get Francis and me together if they weren't conspiring a scheme, which would also be devising a strategy. "Fine, but if it becomes too intense, I am going to my hotel room," I explained. Francis nodded in agreement. Our hotel rooms were in the same place. So were many of the other nations. In recent years, our world leaders have tried to pick a hotel and set everyone together in the same one, which could either end well or terribly.

"Well, I can't say no now if he is doing it. I wouldn't hear the end of it," Francis laughed. I shook my head at him with a smile. He was right. I would most likely make fun of him and call him a pussy, even despite not wanting to skate myself. However, he did not have to know that.

I took the pair of skates from the boys, and Francis followed my lead. He looked determined, and I could only assume what he could be planning. "You know, I have always been better at everything. I don't doubt this would be an exception," I spoke.

"OOOOO, will you let him talk to you like that?" Alfred laughed. The boys giggled, and soon Francis lit up like the night sky. "Oh? Is that a challenge, old friend? You know I can not say no to you. Especially since you want to be beaten so badly!"

"OOOOOOO!"

"Oh? That doesn't surprise me. I suppose it would be nice to see how far you've gotten your head up your arse."

"OOOOOO!"

"Oh? So? A race? That is what you want?"

"Ah, it would be considered a race if it were challenging. However, I doubt it will take much effort from me," I laughed. Francis looked at me with so much love in his eyes. It was almost hard to resist his charm.  Francis took the skate, and the boys looked at us excitedly.

Oh, It was on.