after hours. | r.c.

five

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THE CAR BARRELED down the narrow road, swerving just enough to make my stomach twist. "you're driving like a lunatic, closson," i stated, clutching my seat belt for dear life. honestly, i didn't trust these stuck-up druggie bitches. why am i even with them right now?

she barely glanced over at me, smirking as she hit the gas. "i am not driving like a lunatic. you just drive like a bore."

my eyes rolled so far back i thought they might stay there. i don't drive like a bore; she just drives like a whore. it made me chuckle to myself, but i kept quiet.

"why are we going to the country club, anyway? don't we have a party to go to tonight?" i asked, frowning as she sped through a yellow light. sofia was always up to no good, dragging me along for the ride.

"we're meeting up with charlie first, then we'll go back to your place to get ready," she replied, her tone firm, making sure i got the point. "no visitors. no invites. it's just gonna be us, like old times."

"okay, whatever." i was getting annoyed, but i tried to keep my tone steady. "what's that even supposed to mean?" i asked, my voice rising a bit. i didn't know if she was trying to insult me, but it felt like it.

"you know what i mean," she replied, giving me a side glance. "you've been... slumming it with the pogues lately."

i grimaced. the words felt like poison. "god, sofia. they're my friends. don't call them that," i snapped, feeling a surge of anger tighten in my chest.

"no, no! i totally get it," she said, as if she was backpedaling, but her tone stayed patronizing. "miles and rafe messed you up. i absolutely -"

"shut the hell up, sofia!" i cut her off, not wanting to hear his name come out of her mouth. she didn't know anything, not really.

the rest of the drive was silent, tense. her words lingered in the air, but i focused on the blur of trees and sky outside the window. miles. she brought him up like he was some ghost that haunted me. i was over him, or at least i tried to be. he was a dick, end of story. life moves on.

we pulled up to the country club, and i was out of the car the second we stopped. "i'm going to the bathroom," i muttered, not even looking back. i didn't wait for her response as i stormed inside, letting the door swing shut behind me.

i found the bathroom and slammed open the door, grateful it was empty. quickly, i pulled out a small bag from my pocket, my heart racing just a little faster. i laid a line of powder across the counter, using a bill from my purse and rolling it up.

with the edge of my card, i shaped the powder into a long, thick line, bending over to bring the bill up to it. i inhaled, finishing the line with a swift move, and threw my head back, feeling the rush set in. i poured a bit more from the bag, realizing it was almost empty. shit. this was the last of it.

i shoved everything back into my pockets and checked myself in the mirror, wiping away any excess residue. then, i strolled back out, putting on a half-hearted smile as i made my way over to where sofia and charlie were sitting, waiting for me.

"hey," i said, forcing a smile. this was going to be a long day.

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