The Pot Life

It was my usual Monday morning: get up; shower and dress; try and make my hair resemble something remotely normal; and attempt to get out of the house without bumping into one of the random men my mum usual brings home.

I strolled to school, not in any hurry and arrived 10 minutes late. I sauntered to my first lesson, art and only had to endure 5 minutes of lecturing about being late from Mrs Bennett before I sat down and started to finish the sketch I had been doing last lesson.

Nothing remotely interesting happened that day, I did my usual; went from lesson to lesson not learning anything or paying attention to anyone. I just sat there and doodled in my note book, whiling way the time until the bell went for home time.

You might be wondering why I even bother coming to school, well my answer to that would be it's better to be stuck here than the hell hole I'm supposed to call home. It's bad enough seeing my mum in the evenings (she's never awake in the mornings) without having to see her through out the day too. She doesn't care about me going to school, I doubt she notice if I never came home to be honest. But I don't mind, at least it means I can do whatever I want whenever I want and she never does anything about it.

When the final bell went I left school, but instead of heading home I went into town.

Where I live it's pretty small, so everybody knows everybody, there are some disadvantages to that but I don't really mind.

I sat down outside my favourite shop, 'hush', pulled out a straight, lit it and waited.

"You alright?"

I looked up at the speaker and smiled, it was Luke, he's my best friend, well he's my only friend. We've known each other for years, he knows all about me. He's the only person I really trust. He's hot too, not that I would ever think of dating him.

He's tall, with cute dimples that only show when he's really laughing. He has big blue eyes and very dark hair. He isn't buff, more lean, you can see his slightly defines arm muscles thorough his long black T-shirt.

"Hey", I grinned at him as he sat down next to me and I offered him a toke on my cigarette. He lent back against the shop window as he inhaled the smoke, "How're you doing Cassie?"

"Ugh, the usual. Shitty day at school surrounded by shitty people doing shitty stuff".

He looked at me and smiled, reaching up and scuffing up my brown hair, I swatted his hands away playfully.

"I wish you came to school with me! It would be so much better".

"Sorry babs," he said. "School just doesn't...suit me". He grinned at me again flicking some ash off the end of the cigarette.

"So, what're we doing then?" I asked looking up at him.

"I need to go and pick up some 'stuff', we need to go and see Drew." Luke looked at me sympathetically as I groaned.

"Why Drew? Out of all the guys we know, why Drew?"

"Because he deals the best stuff and it's the cheapest around here," he said standing up. "Now you can either head home or come with me", he finished holding his hand out to pull me up. I just frowned at him.

"I'll buy you a wagonwheel afterwards?" He teased. I grinned and accepted his hand. We set of down the street and I smiled, this is why I love Luke, sometimes I think him and I are the only two normal people on this planet.

***

As we turned around the corner leading to Drew's house I began to mentally prepare myself. Drew is about 50, he's tall and bald and a pervert. He's always freaked me out and I would never go and see him if it wasn't for Luke, but he is my best friend and I'm sure he'd to the same for me.

Luke banged on the front door of the small bungalow and instantly someone opened it. A woman stood in the doorway, she was wearing what could hardly pass as clothes - I could see more of her skin than the fabric of her dress. Luke said a few hushed words to the woman and she stepped back, letting us pass. I averted my eyes from her and stepped over the threshold, Luke in front, we headed down the hallway. Instantly the smell hit me, weed. I breathed in deeply, the boom of bass was passing throughout the house, it was dark and there were lots of people, most with a joint in one hand and a can of beer in the other. I kept my head down, don't get me wrong, I'm not a pussy but you don't have to be cleaver to know that you don't want to mess with any of these people. Once we got to the end of the corridor we went into a small room with a round table in the middle a stero blasting out music and 3 men all gathered onto sofas that were arranged around the table.

"Luke! My man!" Drew shouted, standing up to greet Luke, they shook hands and sat down.

Drew's eyes then travelled onto me and he smiled, I did my best not to cringe as he glinted his yellowing teeth at me.

"Hello Cass, long time no see", he growled letting his eyes groom my body. I grimaced at him, suddenly my black school skirt and unbuttoned shirt didn't seam like that much clothing and I tried to conceal as much of my body as I could by crossing my arms.

"Don't be shy lass," said Drew. "Come sit down," He patted the sofa next to him. I hesitated but couldn't see any way of rejecting the offer, the four men were staring at me. So I went and sat down next to Drew trying not to to breath in the scent of tobacco and sweat that was emanating from him. I averted my eyes from Drew's stare and looked at the floor, willing Luke to just hurry up and get this shit over with so we could leave.

Just then Luke coughed, averting Drew's attention from me, I smiled at him, greatful.

"Oh yeah," grunted Drew. "Now what can I do for you my lad".

A half hour later me and Luke left the bungalow, pockets £300 lighter and with 4 small pouches of a sweet petrol smelling powder and 10 grams of bud.

Once we were outdoors I grinned at Luke, saying "Right now to Sainsburys". He looked at me, confused. "You owe me a wagonwheel", I prompted shoving him playfully. He rolled his eyes at me and we set off to the high street.