Life's A Drag

Chapter 2 Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Chapter 2

I woke up at noon the next day lying spread eagle on top of my covers in the same clothes as last night. Basically, a typical situation after a night of partying. I groggily got up from bed and went to take a long shower, making sure my hair didn't smell like smoke. I thought back to last night and the kiss I shared with Tyler. I definitely wouldn't have the guts to make out with him like that if I wasn't high. I mean, if the cops hadn't come, would we had...? I tried to clear my mind and forget about the guilt that was lingering from last night's activities.

After I got out of the shower, I got dressed in my nice black skinny jeans, and a pretty red flowy top, with my red converse on. I then threw everything I wore the night before in the washing machine not wanting my maid, Gladia, to notice that they smelt of weed. Another typical routine after a night of partying.

By now it was twelve thirty and I realized I had to move quickly if I still wanted to do what I'd planned for a couple of weeks now. I hastily grabbed my phone to call a much hung over Danny.

After four rings he finally picked up.

"What do you want from me?" whined Danny.

I chuckled and responded, "Get up Danny, boy! You're going to get your ass over here by one o'clock or I will beat you to a bloody pulp the next time I see you!"

"Miaaaa!" He continued to whine. "I don't wanna!"

What a brat. But at the end of the day, he was my brat.

"Fine. Then I'll just eat all the bacon and chocolate chip pancakes myself!"

There was silence for a moment and then he said.

"I'll be there in twenty."

"But remember the rules I have."

"'Don't smoke before or during the time I shall spend in your house or I will be whipped to death and have my ears cut off.' Jeez, Mimi, I got it the first twenty times."

I set those rules to make sure that the maids wouldn't be able to smell anything off him. I didn't want word going to my dad about the type of activities my friends and I enjoy.

I laughed and said, "Okay, okay. Just making sure. Now hurry on over here, monkey boy!"

He let out a groan and then the line went dead.

Ha! I got him. No one could resist my huge breakfasts. I didn't do them often, so he'd jump at any opportunity to fatten up with my cooking skills. I hastily went to the kitchen and started making everything and setting the table as fast as I possibly could. I wanted everything to turn out perfectly.

By the time Danny came, I was finishing up the scramble eggs and putting it on the plates. Danny didn't even bother knocking since I was always home alone unless I warned him otherwise.

"Oh my goodness, I smell deliciousness wafting in the air!" Danny exclaimed as he walked into the kitchen.

I went up to him and gave him a big hug, as he looked at all the food I made over my shoulder.

"Are we using the leftovers to feed all of Africa? Honestly, Mia, I'm gonna die trying to eat all of this."

"Well don't die just yet," I said while stepping away from the hug and grabbing his hand. "Come with me for a sec, and then you can stuff your face to your heart's content."

I led a hungry, whining Danny to my living room and toward my piano. I let go of his hand and sat down at the bench in front of the piano. I looked up at Danny who was giving me a very grumpy and confused look. I just beamed at him and started to play the melody.

"Happy birthday to you,

You belong in a zoo,

You smell like a monkey,

And you look like one too!"

I ended the song abruptly and looked back up at Danny. He was flashing me a huge grin. "You remembered," he said simply.

"Of course I remembered, monkey boy!" I laughed. "I called the gang and we're all going to Raven's tonight, your favorite club, and all expenses are on us. And I figured until then we can just feast on my amazing food, and then hang out at Central Park for a bit. Some best friend quality time. What do you think?"

Danny then grabbed my arm so I could stand up, and gave me the biggest bear hug known to man.

"I think I love you," he said jokingly.

I laughed and said, "Oh, you're about to love me even more. I made your favorite."

He stepped back from the hug and put his hands on the upper part of my arms, looking down on me with the happiest face I'd ever seen on him.

"Special brownies?" He asked eagerly.

"Special brownies," I said in confirmation.

He wrapped his arms around me again, this time lifting me off the ground making me squeal continuously until he settled me back on my feet.

"My Mimi's just too good for me," he said softly, referring to my nickname.

"Aww, look at you getting all soft and sappy," I said teasingly.

"Yeah, yeah. Now lead me to the grub, babe. This monkey's gotta eat!"

I laughed and led him back to the kitchen where we feasted on breakfast, in a very unclassy manner, and enjoying every bite.

After cleaning up, Danny and I headed off to catch the subway to get to Central Park. The whole time we were goofing around and making total asses of ourselves. But I liked it when we were alone together, especially when there were no drugs involved. I think those were the rare moments that I was truly happy while in New York.

Once we were at the park, we went to a spot under a tree and laid down under the sun. I was beginning to get lost in my thoughts and enjoying the silence when Danny spoke.

"So, you and Tyler huh?" he asked.

I turned my head to the side to see Danny with both his hands under his head as he looked thoughtfully up at the sky. I wasn't sure how to respond to him when he was looking so serious.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said teasingly to try and lighten the mood.

Danny just rolled his eyes and said, "Oh come on, Mia. Just because I was totally trashed last night doesn't mean I didn't notice your little moment together."

I sighed. "That was the first kiss, alright? I don't know what's going to happen now because he's such a mind fuck, but I've liked him since forever. I don't think it's such a surprise that something finally happened between us," I said.

Danny continued to look intently at the sky when he responded, "No one was surprised, Mia. It was about fucking time you guys did something about all that sexual tension. It was seriously getting ridiculous."

"Danny," I said. "I can tell that this is all leading to a point, so why don't you just get to it. Just say what you have to say."

Danny finally looked over at me and I was surprised when I saw his expression. He looked as though something was really paining him and I couldn't understand what was making him look like that.

"I just don't think you're ready for someone like Tyler. It might be too late to say something now, but I really think you should stay away from him. Far away, Mia."

I laughed at that. "Seriously, Danny? The older brother 'he's not good enough for you' talk? I'm honored. Honestly, you're my best friend and I appreciate your intentions but I'm fine. I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself." I told him reassuringly.

He turned his body towards me, bringing him a lot closer to me, and propped his head on one arm. "Mia, this isn't just a typical talk. This isn't me being overprotective. This is me telling you the fucking truth; because you're my best friend and I...I care about you a lot." He said. I looked into his eyes and saw that he was genuinely concerned for me.

I reached up and stroked his clean shaved face while looking deeply into his brown eyes, "I'll be fine, Danny. If I can handle having a best friend like you, then I can definitely handle Tyler. I mean, please. Piece of cake!" I said while chuckling. He smiled at me warmly and leaned into my hand.

"Just...just be careful around him, yeah? I don't think I can find anyone else who can deal with all my shit the way you do," he said honestly.

I smiled up at him. "I promise," I said. I stroked his cheek for a few more seconds and then slowly let my hand down. Danny sighed while closing his eyes for a moment, then opened his eyes again to look back down at me. "You do realize what's going to happen with him soon, right? I mean you know he's not the type of guy to sit around and wait until you're ready, right?" he asked.

I fidgeted and looked away from him, feeling extremely uncomfortable with this new topic. I did know that that was a possibility, but I kept it at the back of my mind and never thoroughly considered it. I mean, how do you know if you're ready or not? If I thought about it, I felt weird considering going that far with someone. But I've liked him for a year, surely that's justifiable. Right? But what if I wasn't any good. Tyler is definitely well-experienced in that sense, so what if I wasn't good enough? Would he just dump me? No, I couldn't think like that. I'd freak myself out.

I didn't want Danny to pester me anymore so I tried my best to hide my insecurities for now. "I'm not stupid," was all I managed to say. I bit my bottom lip and contemplated my situation. On one hand, I mean, sex is a part of everyday life. Everyone does it, why do I have to make such a big deal about it? But on the other hand, this was my virginity. Wasn't the guy supposed to serenade me and tell me that he'll wait for me? Was I supposed to hold out for the romance? Does stuff like that even happen in real life?

While I was in mid-thought, Danny placed a finger under my chin and turned my head so I was facing him. He looked at me with a tender expression. "Mia, you're still a virgin, aren't you?" He asked quietly.

I blushed profusely and tried to look away again, but his hand cupped my cheek and refused to let me turn away. So I just averted my eyes from his face and didn't say anything. Danny chuckled and said, "Okay now it's obvious that you are. I mean we all suspected but I was never completely sure."

I groaned and said, "Can we just drop it already? Okay, I'm a virgin, big deal. I've obviously fooled around a bit with guys at parties, but I just never let it get too far. I mean, I'm only eighteen."

"That's exactly it, Carmen!" He exclaimed. "You're barely eighteen for fuck's sake. I mean, I know the others give you shit all the time because you still have that goody good girl hidden behind all you're swearing, that same girl we met when she was a cute doe eyed little freshman. I mean, I liked her. I like the way you are, Mia. Don't listen to their shit. You don't have to rush into everything."

"Why are you saying all of this?" I whispered.

This time it was Danny who was stroking my cheek. "Because, Mia. I don't want to see you get fucked over. I don't like that you're a part of all this shit. Which I realize is totally hypocritical, but it is what it is. You're better than me, Tyler, and definitely better than miss prissy Francesca." I laughed at that. We both loved to hate on that girl, it was seriously an obsession.

I looked at him and saw that he was smiling kindly at me. This was a side of Danny that not many people saw. The tender side, when he wasn't acting like a total idiot or taking drugs, he was an amazing guy.

"All I'm saying, Mimi, is you don't have to do anything you don't want to. If anything happens just come and find me. Got it?"

"Yeah," I agreed quietly. He gave me another warm smile, and then pulled his hand away from my cheek to lie on his back again.

"Alright, enough of all this mushy shit," Danny said. I couldn't help but laugh at that. How does someone go from being genuinely kind to an idiot in two seconds? Only Danny.

"Alright, then tell me, monkey boy. Who'd you hook up with last night?" I asked while wagging my eyebrows. He let out a nervous laugh and tried to evade the question