life before mad // r.s.l au

6 : the beautiful ones

I brought the pencil to my lips, chewing on it slightly before adding some more shading to the hands I drew on my notebook. It was nothing but a quick sketch of a pair of hands, clinging to a fence.
Purple Rain played softly in the background, and the scent of tea filled the room.

It was a chilled Saturday for me, especially after yesterday.

According to Rocky, I came in singing and giggling, my eyes red and my clothes reeking of weed. To my luck, Mom and Riker were asleep, because had they seen me in that state, I wouldn't be alive right now.
He said that my chauffeur was a "pretty black girl" who somehow "held you up despite being quite short".

Skye hadn't messaged me ever since last night even, and I was too embarrassed to even message first.

There was a gentle knock at the door, followed by Rydel twirling around the room, humming. She flopped down beside me. "What are you doing? Mom told me to ask you why you aren't downstairs."

"I don't think it's good for me to be down there, because one of you will open your traps and mention last night." I shrugged.

"Jeez, I trust you too bro," she rolled her eyes, then touched my notebook. "This is so good."

"Thank, Skye showed me a cool shading technique a few days ago."

She nibbled on her nails. "Hmmph, was she the one carrying you last night?"

"Yeah, is she pretty or what?"

"She's gorgeous, actually." Rydel nodded. "Just didn't seem like your type; she was actually intelligent."

"That's what I really like about her, she is so intellectual and smart but can be the most fun person ever at the same time." I pulled myself up, reaching for my phone, typing away an apology and a potential meet up for coffee.

She called, and I picked up. "Hi Ross, my phone froze when your messages came through. What's up?"

"Nothing, I uh- well it is something if I sent you a text-"

"Talk!" Rydel mouthed.

"Would you like to meet for coffee? Like, in 30 minutes?" I blurted.

"Sure.." She replied dubiously due to the urgency in my voice. "I haven't properly been out here, and it's a chance to walk my dog." She exclaimed. "So, where should I meet you?"

"I'll text you, see you in a bit." I hung up and closed my notebook, walking to my wardrobe to change into something other than sweatpants and socks.

"She seemed nice." Rydel said. "But I still think you should be careful, especially after everything. I don't want you to get bad again-"

"Rydel!" I exclaimed, smiling at how much she cared about me. "I'll be fine, alright?"

"I just wouldn't be able to cope without you here. It would suck."

"Well, I'm here aren't I? So it can't be too bad." I threw my arm around her. "And it can't get any worse. My idols are dead and my enemies are in charge."

"I suppose," she stood up after kissing my cheek. "Go have fun, I'll be in my room if you need me."

+++

The dog was almost up to her waist. It didn't bark at me, just remained sat relieving scratches from its owner, his head perched on her leg. Skye grinned. "Alfie meet Ross, Ross meet Alfie."

"How old is Alfie?"

"Two," she replied, and I went forward to pet him. "How are you feeling, Snoop Dogg?"

I rolled my eyes. "Dandy. I thought it would be like a bad hangover but I just woke up really full after eating half of my house."

"I can imagine. Did your parents not notice anything?"

"Mom was asleep and Dad left years ago, so nope." She looked at me, wide eyed. "Did I not mention? Yeah, my Dad left when I was young, yadda yadda sob story. Just don't give me sympathy, I beg you."

"I won't, promise. It was just how casually you put it," she looked down at her feet. "I'm adopted if you didn't know."

"I didn't. Are they nice?"

"They're overprotective, but lovely." The smile on her face illuminated every inch of her. It was stunning. "Anyway, shall we walk? I want don't Alfie to shit right in front of this cafe."

I chuckled. "Sure. How's California treating you, then?"

"It isn't too bad. Everybody seems friendly in school, I mean I bumped heads with this girl pretty badly, I think her name is Abbie..?"

"That's my ex."

"Oh. Explains the hostility." Skye shrugged, suddenly tugged forward by Alfie. "It happens often, don't worry. He's knocked me over a few times; if it happens and he runs off, please go after him."

"Sure." I laughed at the image. "Now, tell me about yourself. What do you do for fun except from dancing and roasting people in your mind?"

"I enjoy painting, and drinking tea. And photography is fun on a good day - Alfie voetsek!" The dog pulled her forward with little warning.

"What does that mean?" I questioned.

"It's get lost in South African." She giggled. "Would you like to come over? I think I can only bare to walk him back home and then put some ice on my wrist, it really hurts."

"Sure, I'll take him for you," I took the lead from her and placed my free arm around her shoulders, twirling one of her curls with my fingers. Immediately, she rolled her eyes. "Boyfriend material or what?"

"You are the literal meaning of give them a hand & they want an arm." She sighed.

"Come on, we're friends and you don't hate me do you?"

"After yesterday, I should. You weren't just drunk and high, you were somehow stronger and almost pushed me into a bush because you couldn't dance to Can't Feel My Face properly with me helping you up," Skye answered.

"I have no memories of that."

"I'm not shocked, you hit your head on the top of your car so that may have killed the last two brain cells you had - I mean, what?"

"Gee, thanks."

She grinned proudly. "You love me really."