Gracie Freaking Hall

Gracy

Everyone had a burden, but our type was always something that would be our downfall. Belinda's was the love of money, never believing in true love. Sydney valued validation. Itzel was her religion, she didn't pray for redemption like many thought, but out of guilt. Then there was Brianna who would never admit it but hers was family. Then there was me, who wanted acceptance in a world that only mistreated me. So when offered the chance for that, I took it. We all found what we were looking for in each other. That's how a strong friendship is born. You seek another broken soul in hopes that together you can mend each other.

We all sat in a circle in our pajamas, that Brianna had gifted us. It seemed the girls had matching ones that they all stashed here at her house and after telling Brianna my size, she had a similar pair in hours. They were a fuzzy yellow with colorful little cranes that seemed like they were soaring through tiny clouds.

"Did you know that in ancient drawings from Turkey, cranes represent new beginnings and friendship," Brianna says as she catches me admiring the pajama set.

"That's why she chose them," Belinda says as she flips through a magazine I could only guess was Sydney's. My suspicion is correct when she closes it and looks over at Sydney with a bored look and says, "Syd, this is so boring why do you read them?"

"It's not for the uncultured," Sydney responds as she leans over and snatches it from Belinda who rolls her eyes.

Amidst the small commotion between the two girls, I find my eyes making their way to Brianna who had been silently staring at me with amusement, and timidly say, "I just knew that in Korea they symbolized eternal youth and peace."

Brianna's smile widens as she places her interlocked hands under her chin, supported by her elbows on her crossed legs. "I love that you knew that." Then she shrugs, "different places give meaning to different things. Isn't it fascinating?"

"Would you ever want to be- you know-" I start to stammer as they all look at me with raised eyebrows, "eternally young."

"You mean like a Vampire?" Sydney questions with innocent puppy-like eyes, "because I would LOVE to be a vampire." She then jumps on top of Itzel and pretends to stab her with her teeth. "Drink blood, fuck bitches, and look this fine for all eternity? Sign me up."

"That's probably not what she meant-" Itzel says and pushes Sydney off her. I can see her reach for her cross necklace and begin to run it through her hands in a soothing manner. She catches me staring and we both immediately avoid eye contact.

"No-'' Brianna speaks up, "I wouldn't want to live forever." Then she looks at Sydney who is about to object, and points her index finger at her, "not even as a vampire." Sydney's face deflates and turns into a pout.

"Fine, but when I'm still young and pretty and you are all wrinkly and ugly- don't ask me to turn you into one because no offense but like ew."

I hug my knees closer to me as I mumble a, "me either."

"Way to bring down the mood-" Belinda says as she takes out her cigarette. Brianna instantly narrows her eyes at her as if testing her. Belinda responds with an eye roll and says, "Calm down Mom- I'm going to smoke it near the window. Don't throw a hissy fit." I watch as Belinda does just that. She goes and opens the window and begins smoking out of it. Half of her body is through the window as she yells into the cold crisp air. "Whoo-"

My feet have a mind of their own, but before I know it I'm standing up and standing next to her. She notices my presence and scoots over as I join her and we tightly fit into the windowsill. She grins at me and holds out the cigarette for me. I hesitantly look at it before reaching for it. "Take it slow, the first time isn't always as fun as the next time," she says with a wink and I can't help but think this is an innuendo of sorts.