Call it Fate, Call it Karma

Catching Up

"So many choices, so little time." said Fab as he stared down the never-ending cereal aisle in the supermarket.

"Just pick a couple so we can go already!" I whined, nudging him.

He placed a finger to his chin as his eyebrows knitted together. "Hmm..." It was as if his life depended on selecting the right cereal.

"I am going to strangle you." I said through gritted teeth.

Once Fab managed to pick a couple cereal boxes and some numerous candy bars, despite his marijuana-fuelled indecisiveness, we finally made it out of the store and began our walk back home.

"So how have you been, Fab? I feel like we haven't been that close recently." I asked as we waited on the sidewalk for the traffic lights to turn red.

"I'm okay, thanks! And I guess we've just been busy with different things." he said with a shrug.

"I guess so...I've just kinda missed you I realised."

"Aww!" Fab wrapped his free arm around my waist in a hug, as his other swung a couple of grocery bags back and forth. "We need to hang out more! Just us! Let's drop these bags off and go chill somewhere." he said, rustling something in his pockets. "I've got some real good shit today."

"Sounds fun!" I beamed, hugging him back.

The lights turned red and we walked across the road, engaging in light conversation and Fab cracking the occasional joke every so often that would make my sides split with laughter. I felt bad I hadn't taken the time recently to really ask how he was doing, but I'd just been so preoccupied with work and planning Albert's party that I hadn't thought of much else.

I didn't really want to spend my afternoon high as kite, because I wanted a clear mind for shirt selling at the gig because I knew the crowd would be big, but if I got to spend more time with Fab and it made him happy, then I'd be happy.

We dropped the groceries off, telling everyone not to wait up for us, and we ran back out the door. I really wanted to invite Julian, as he looked at me confusedly as I ran out with little explanation, but I knew this was just Fab and I's time to catch up.

We ended up getting a quick lunch at some cafe, and then after window shopping while we smoked cigarettes for a short while, we ended up in an empty park, sat behind some bushes.

"Wanna roll?" Fab asked, offering me his bag of weed.

"Fab, you know I can't roll!" I cackled.

"That I do." he chuckled. "I was kidding...obviously." I watched him smile to himself as he rolled up two joints quite effortlessly.

I playfully slapped him. "No need to be rude about it!"

He poked his tongue out at me before stuffing a joint in my parted lips and lighting it. I rolled my eyes at him as I inhaled deeply, holding it in for a few seconds before exhaling.

Fab watched amusedly, then doing the same, but he held it in much longer than I could, like the pro he was.

We sat like that in silence for a while as we smoked. It was a peaceful silence, though, and wasn't the awkward kind in the slightest...until I remembered what happened to Julian and I began freaking out a little.

"What's wrong?!" Fab noticed my shift in behaviour and placed a hand on my leg to calm me down.

"I can't believe I did this. After what h-"

"After what happened to Julian?" Fab cut me off. "Jade...it's okay. I got this stuff from where I always get it. No one's done anything to it. I promise. You're fine."

I leaned my head on his shoulder, exhaling. "I'm sorry. The whole thing just...really freaked me out."

"It's okay. Now that I think of it, I probably should've suggested we do something else." he said as he stubbed out his joint. "After what happened, this was kinda fucked up of me to do. Sorry."

"No, no!" I pulled away from him to reassure him. "It's fine! Seriously! I was just being dramatic." I smiled at him sweetly, making him smile in return. "I'm having a good time. Thanks, Fab."

"Okay, good." Fab nodded. Then realising that the sun was beginning to set, he gasped. "The gig! We've gotta get there early to set up!"

"Oh!" I gasped as he pulled me up with him. "I forgot I'm selling shirts, too! Leg it!"

Fab and I ran as fast as we could through the streets, which ended up turning into a race. I almost fell into a trashcan at one point after slipping on a puddle.

As I recollected myself, leaning against a sign pole, Fab whizzed past me. "Come on, slowpoke!"

"Cheater!" I called behind him as I began to run again.

"And Moretti takes home the gold!" Fab proudly announced as he burst through the front door, panting.

"I tripped! Not fair!" I stumbled in behind him, so out of breath that I collapsed onto the floor, kicking the door closed with my leg.

"Where have you guys been?" Albert asked, balancing his guitar on his shoulder as he struggled to untangle some leads. "I got word about this gig literally half an hour ago! We've gotta go!"

"Where are the others?" I asked, noticing a lack of commotion. Fab kindly brought me a glass of water and I downed it in a second as I awaited Albert's response.

"They're already there! Let's go!" Albert yelped. "Don't forget your sticks again, Fab! I'll kill you!"

"Sir, yes sir!" Fab saluted him, then running off.

I stumbled to my feet and took the lead Albert was struggling with. I untangled it and wore it over my shoulder like a sash after pulling on another jacket.

Fab returned seconds later with his drumsticks and a cigarette hanging from his lip. "How are we getting there?"

"We don't have enough time to hit the subway, so I'm gonna have to spend tomorrows lunch money on a cab." Albert replied, sighing. He then pulled open the front door and pushed me out. "Out! Let's go, go, go!"