Two lives.

35. fumbling the bag

June 3rd
8:47 PM

We had finally made it out of the forest, stepping onto the faintly worn path that led to the lake. The group—me, Ophelia, Andi, Caylus, and Colby—had been trekking through the dark, twisting trees for what felt like forever. Most of the others were either already at the lake or planning to show up later, but we were the brave (or reckless) early arrivals.

Caylus was leading the way, of course. For once, he actually seemed to know where he was going, probably because he’d been out here earlier to scope things out. His confidence didn’t stop him from pulling out his phone every now and then to check the flashlight app like he didn’t fully trust himself.

Ophelia walked a few paces ahead, casually chatting with Colby. Her voice carried softly through the still night air, talking about some new artist she’d discovered. Colby, quiet as always, nodded along, his hands tucked deep into his hoodie pocket. Despite his silence, you could tell he was listening—he always had this way of making people feel heard, even when he said nothing.

Andi was next to me, her lighter flicking as she sparked up a blunt she’d expertly rolled while walking. The smell hit the air, blending with the faint earthy scent of the forest.

“You want a hit?” she asked, exhaling a cloud of smoke and holding it out to me. Her tone was so casual, like we weren’t trudging through pitch-black woods with only Caylus’s semi-reliable navigation to guide us.

I hesitated for a moment, the blunt hovering in Andi’s outstretched hand. The earthy scent lingered in the cool night air, mixing with the faint aroma of pine and damp soil. My fingers brushed against hers as I finally reached out and took it.

“Sure,” I said, trying to sound casual, even though my stomach did a little flip.
Andi grinned, a knowing look in her eyes. “That’s the spirit,” she said, stepping back to give me space.

I held the blunt up to my lips, the ember glowing faintly in the dark as I inhaled. The smoke was sharp and warm, hitting the back of my throat before curling into my lungs. I let it sit for a moment before exhaling slowly, watching the wispy tendrils disappear into the night.

“Not bad, right?” Andi asked, her tone light and teasing.

I coughed lightly, waving a hand in front of my face. “It’s... something,” I said, laughing a little as the burn in my chest faded.

Andi chuckled and took the blunt back, tucking it between her fingers like she was born for this. “You’ll get used to it,” she said, taking a smooth drag before exhaling with practiced ease.

The forest around us felt a little less intimidating now, the music from the lake growing louder as we walked. I glanced ahead at Caylus, still leading the way with his flashlight, and Ophelia, who was laughing at something Colby had quietly said.

Andi nudged me with her elbow, breaking my thoughts. “How’re you feeling?” she asked, her eyes glinting in the dim light.

“Better,” I admitted, a small smile tugging at my lips. “I kinda get why you like this now.”

She smirked, her voice playful. “Told you.”

I rolled my eyes but laughed anyway, the tension in my shoulders easing as we continued down the path. Something about the moment—Andi’s carefree vibe, the faint bassline in the distance, the way the forest seemed to close in and protect us—made me feel lighter, like the weight of the week had finally lifted.

We kept walking, the faint music and laughter from the lake growing louder with each step. I kept taking hits off Andi’s blunt, the warmth settling into my chest and spreading through my limbs. By the time we reached the clearing, my feet felt like they weren’t even touching the ground anymore, and the earth beneath me seemed alive—like it was gently rising and falling with every breath.