The World According to Susie

Ch 2: Our Last Night Out (For a While)

Just to clarify, I don't live with my mom. I just left Rina's roller skates there and had to return them. So, I grab a few snacks from her pantry, lock up, and head out to my trusty Prius, lovingly named Judas Prius.

Rina's glued to some silly game on her phone but looks up when I shut the door. "I got you fruit snacks," I say, tossing a bag onto her lap.

"Helllllll yeahhh!" she sings like it's the best news shes heard all day.

After Rina returned from Japan, Celestine and I helped her move all her stuff from her mom's house into our new apartment. I just moved in this August, but Rina was still overseas. Ever since we met last year, it was obvious: we needed our own place, mostly to... smoke in peace.

~Later at our apartment~

Rina slips on her Demonias, instantly gaining four inches and towering over me. I embrace being short, though—it adds to my "cute" factor. As I'm buckling up my Mary Janes, the front door flies open.

"Yooooooo!" A young woman's voice booms through the apartment.

"Is that Celestine?!" I glance at Rina, who's busy licking the blunt wrap, prepping for our hotbox session outside The Comma, the local college dive. Suddenly, a head pops into my room.

"BOO!"

Rina lets out a tiny scream. I shoot her a look of pure disgust. Seriously, how easy is it to scare this girl?

"Hi, Celestine," I say, deadpan.

"Susieeee, my friend! Forgive me for devouring your Japanese pudding. Rina made it soooo good."
I glare at Celestine. "You knew how much I wanted that pudding! You owe me!" I stick my tongue out and turn to Rina.

"So, are we almost ready? It's early, but... we could always pregame." We exchange mischievous looks, silently agreeing: smoke, shots, chaos.

"Heyyy, what about me?" Celestine pleads, sensing our 'spiral into madness' energy.
"It's our last free weekend before school starts," I explain. "So, why not go full dumb mode and end summer on a high note?"
"A very high note," Rina snickers.
"Can I be the designated driver?." Celestine begs.

Rina and I exchange glances, silently debating whether to let her in. Celestine used to go to our school but dropped out after two semesters to work full-time. Clarification: there is no real reason why Celestine dropped out of school, she just straight up hated it. She was Rina's friend first, but anyone who passes Rina's vibe check passes mine. Now we're all roomies, so... maybe?

Rina breaks the awkward silence that's suffocating the room. "Sure, Cici," she says. Celestine squeals and bolts to her room to ditch her barista uniform for something more 'night out.'

I glance at Rina, who's busy packing her tote like it's a survival kit. In goes a few lighters (she loses them every time we drink), clear lip gloss, the world's nicest-smelling hand cream, and random junk that only makes sense to her. You do you, Rina.

"Soooooooo... Rina," I giggle.

"Susie, what? I'm holding the perfect pineapple-flavored blunt here!" She lifts it toward the sunlight like it's the Holy Grail.

"Do you... still like Celestine?"

"No, and I never said I did."

"Yes, you did."

"When?"

"Before summer."

"Nah."

"Girlll."

Right on cue, Celestine bursts into the room, clutching a bottle of Hypnotic and some blue Kinky. "What's the tea, girlies?" Her wide eyes scream desperation to be included. I get it—Rina and I share almost every class, and she's gotta feel left out sometimes.

"Celestine! Right on time~~" I sing, snatching the Hypnotic from her hand. "I don't give an eff anymore, guys." I pop the bottle and chug it like I've been stranded in a desert.

Rina watches in horror, gagging at the thought of alcohol, while Celestine cheers me on.

Wobbling to my nightstand, I grab one of the six half-full water bottles I've been hoarding. Hydration, I guess.

"Rina?" Celestine gives her a suggestive look, creeping across the room.

"Give me a sec," Rina says, pulling out her weed pen. "I need this before any shots." She takes a hit and immediately starts hacking like a Victorian orphan.

Celestine, ever helpful, pours a shot into one of our neon glasses. "A drink for the cough?"

Without a word, Rina downs it, gags, and says, "Thanks, Cici. I'm a smoker, not a drinker."

I jump in, "Same, but I wanna feel something tonight. No worries, just vibes."

"Girl, you're not vibing—you're in psychological distress," Rina snaps, sass in full force.

Mid-chug, I spray blue liquor all over Celestine's shoulder. She shoots me a death glare. "Sorry, Celestine," I mutter, still not over her stealing my pudding. Without a word, she snatches the bottle from my hand and takes a small sip—designated driver duties and all.

After two chugs, I'm feeling ready. How many shots? Six? Maybe seven. And all I've had today is half a chicken sandwich with a side of water, because I'm trying to live that skinny legend life.

"I'm ready!" I declare, heading for my purse and the front door. Behind me, Rina's knocking back three more shots while Celestine waits, looking mildly exasperated.

Mmm, I think. Celestine says something, Rina laughs. They're bonding. Mmm, I think again, mind wandering.

"Drive my car. Trust in Judas Prius to get us to The Comma safely. Plus, Celestine drives a Chevy." Rina and I both give a dramatic thumbs-down as we head out.

In the car, I'm in the backseat of *my* car, while Celestine drives and Rina rides shotgun. Not sure why, but I feel like giving them some space. Heheheh.

Rina breaks the silence, "I'm getting a Blue Hawaiian. Maybe two."

As we near the bar, Rina lights a blunt, puffing like her life depends on it, then passes it to Celestine before me. "Excuse me?" I protest.

"CiCi's right there, it's only logical. Shut up," Rina says, catching my goofy grin and rapid side-eye at Celestine. She's lucky I'm hiding behind the driver's seat. Finally, Celestine hands me the blunt. "For you, Susie."

The car fills with smoke as Lady Gaga's *The Fame* plays. We sit in silence, parked behind the bar, dressed like little boys, except for me. Im wearing a tight pink shirt that said "Little Miss Perfect" with high waisted, wide blue jeans. A different contrast from my two friends.

Suddenly, a car pulls up, blasting "Many Men" by 50 Cent. "Oh crap," Rina whispers, because, yeah, we're obviously hotboxing the car. Celestine rolls down the windows a crack and blasts the A/C, full-on panic mode. I immediately drop to the floor, leaving them to fend for themselves.

"SUSIE, OH MY GOD!" Rina yells, looking for me but missing my ninja move to the floor. "WHAT? WHAT?" I shriek, hiding my face, terrified of whatever she's about to say.

"IT'S HER!"

Some random guy's with her, but there she is. Feet away. Tonight's the night I make my move.