Borrowed rebellion

Chapter 2

The smoke filled Isabella's lungs, caressing her throat with a gentle burn as she exhaled. The world around her seemed to slow down, time bending and warping like a reflection in a funhouse mirror. She felt a weight lift off her shoulders, a sense of freedom that she had never experienced before. It was as if she had been set adrift on a vast, limitless ocean, the stars twinkling above her like tiny diamonds scattered across a midnight sky.

But despite the euphoria, the lingering anxiety about her lie to Misty remained. She had crossed a line, and there was no going back. The thought of being found out, of disappointing Misty, sent shivers down her spine. She had to be careful, she reminded herself. She couldn't let this get out of hand.

As the evening wore on, the effects of the drug began to wear off, leaving her with a lingering sense of unease. She knew that if she wanted to maintain this new-found connection with Misty, she needed to keep the supply of drugs coming. Desperately, she called up a guy she knew who could get her some weed. He lived on the other side of town, but she was willing to take the risk.

When he finally showed up at her doorstep, she felt a surge of relief. She handed over the money, grateful for his silence about her lies. He handed her a small bag of weed, and she knew that this was only the beginning. She would have to keep this up, keep supplying Misty with what she needed to maintain their twisted friendship.

As she smoked the weed, she tried to ignore the guilt gnawing at her gut. She was caught in a web of deceit, and there was no turning back. The drug helped to numb the pain, to dull the edge of her conscience, but it was only temporary. In the quiet moments when the world was still and she was alone with her thoughts, she could feel the weight of her lies pressing down on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

Misty seemed to have forgotten about the whole thing, lost in her own haze of intoxication. Isabella wondered if she would ever be able to forgive herself for what she had done. She thought about the night they had first met, how innocent it had all seemed. How could she have ever predicted that she would end up here?

She remembered the first time she had seen Misty, sitting on the edge of the stage at the coffee shop, strumming her guitar and singing songs that made Isabella feel like she was floating on air. There was something about Misty, something raw and honest, that drew her in. They had talked for hours, about music and life and everything in between. It felt like they had known each other forever.

As Isabella smokes the weed, she struggles with guilt from her lies to Misty. The drug numbs the pain but doesn't erase her conscience. She reminisces about their innocent beginnings, wishing she could go back to that time. She wonders if she will ever be able to forgive herself for what she has done.

Now, as they sat in the darkened room, the smoke from the joint curling lazily between them, Isabella couldn't help but feel a sense of disconnection. She knew that this was the life Misty wanted, that she was happy here in this haze of drugs and music, but it wasn't for her. She missed the conversations they used to have, the times when they would sit and just talk, laugh and cry together.

She took another drag of the joint, feeling the familiar rush of euphoria wash over her. It was a fleeting sensation, like trying to hold on to a single drop of water in the palm of your hand. It reminded her of their early days together, when they were inseparable, when they could spend hours just talking about anything and everything.

"Remember that time we went to the beach?" Misty asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "We stayed up all night, just talking and laughing and watching the stars."

Isabella felt a pang in her heart as she nodded. "I remember."

They sat in silence for a moment, both lost in their memories. The smoke from the joint curled lazily between them, obscuring their faces in a haze. Finally, Misty broke the silence. "I'm sorry, Bella. I know I've been kind of distant lately."

Isabella looked up at her friend, the green of her eyes clouded with sorrow. "It's okay, Misty. I understand. This is your life now."

Isabella feels disconnected from Misty as they smoke weed together, missing their old connection. They reminisce about happier times, when they used to talk and laugh. Misty apologizes for being distant, and Isabella says it's okay, but it's clear she's hurt.

Misty took another drag of the joint and handed it to Isabella. "I'm sorry if I've been pushing you away. I guess I just...I just want to be happy, you know? And I think I can be happy with you, but..." She trailed off, her voice fading.

Isabella took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She had never been one for drugs, but she didn't want Misty to think she was unsupportive. She inhaled the smoke and held it in for a moment before exhaling. As the drug hit her system, she felt a brief wave of euphoria wash over her. "It's okay, Misty. I understand."

Misty smiled, her green eyes glistening with relief. "I'm glad, Bella. I mean, I know it's not for everyone, but I just want us to be together." She reached over and took Isabella's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "And I know we will be. We'll find our own way, you know?"

Isabella nodded, trying to force a smile. Inside, she felt a knot of tension tightening in her stomach. She wished she could share in Misty's euphoria, but the drugs just made her feel...odd. She was grateful that Misty was being so understanding, but at the same time, she wanted to feel more than just a fleeting sense of connection. She wanted to feel truly understood.

"I know we will, Misty," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "We always find our way together." She took another drag of the joint, feeling the familiar rush of panic rising in her chest. She knew that Misty was relying on her, that she was the one person who could keep her grounded in this world. But how could she do that if she didn't understand it herself?

As they sat there, the night sky fading into dawn, Isabella felt a growing sense of disconnection from her friend. It wasn't just the drugs; it was the way Misty had been acting lately. She seemed so confident, so sure of herself, while Isabella felt like she was floundering.

Misty took another drag of the joint and exhaled slowly. "You know, Bella, these drugs aren't just about having fun or escaping reality. They're a coping mechanism for me. They help me deal with the things that haunt me from my past." She looked over at Isabella, her green eyes filled with pain and regret. "I'm sorry if I've been using them as an excuse to push you away."

Isabella's heart ached for her friend. She knew Misty had been through a lot, but she never imagined it was this bad. She reached out and took Misty's hand, giving it a squeeze. "It's okay, Misty. I understand. We all have our coping mechanisms, and I'm here for you, no matter what."

Misty's gaze softened, and she squeezed back. "Thank you, Bella. I just want to find a healthier way to deal with it all. I don't want to keep pushing you away, or using you as a crutch. But I'm not sure how."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their shared pain heavy between them. Isabella knew they had a long road ahead of them, but she also felt a newfound sense of understanding and empathy for her friend. They would get through this together, she was sure of it.

Finally, Misty stood up, brushing the dirt and leaves off her jeans. "Come on, let's go home. I think it's time we faced reality and started dealing with our problems head-on."

Isabella nodded, taking one last look at the fading stars before standing up as well. "Yeah, let's do that. I'm right here for you, Misty. Always."

Together, they made their way back to the dorm, their arms linked as they walked. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm golden light across the campus. It was a new day, and they were both ready to face it.