Dabbling in Danger

New Number, Who This?

Malina

Adeen gave me a phone today when he dropped me off. It's been two days since I saw my sister and it stings just as much as it did when we were little.

I've tried calling her three times before school started, now I'm sitting in second period just scrolling through all the things I've missed on Facebook.

"Psst!"

I look to where the whisper comes from, a girl sitting next to me points at a pencil that's rolled under my desk. I lean under and scoop it up and pass it to her, she mouths a quick thank you and returns to scrawling on her paper.

She taking notes? The hell for? This is World History, like book on tape just listen to and remember the droning of the teacher and you're set.

I go back to scrolling and my phone lights up with a message from Messenger.

It's Sasha, my only good friend, well I may as well say my best friend.

'Bitch whyd you leave me💔💔I miss you so much!'

I cant wipe the smile from my face.

I quickly type in my response and send, 'I miss you too girl, this is hell. I've got a lotta shit to tell you. When are we gonna chill again?'

'Gimmie ya address, I'll be there tonight babes.'

I realize I dont have a fucking clue what my new address is.

'Get on the highway, take exit 164 and when you get to the end of Fiesta rd there's a Marathon gas station I'll meet you there,' sent.

Finally some normality! I get through the rest of the day with ease excited to see Sasha later.

When the last bell erupts letting us all free from school I go to the usual spot waiting for Adeen. Approximately ten minutes go by and I decide to call him.

He answers quickly and brisk, "hello?"

I stumble for words, "I uh- are youuu still picking me up?"

He huffs, "is Tiana not there? She told me she was able to get you today," he sounds pissed.

A horn blares and makes me almost drop the brand new phone.

I reply quickly, "w-wait no I see her. She just got here, sorry."

I end the call, fast and let out a sigh of relief. I look to the car that beeped, definitely not Tiana. Unless she's transformed into a middle aged blonde woman with two kids.

I roll my eyes and open up the messenger app to call Sasha. She doesn't answer which agitates me. I waste a few minutes walking down a hall until she does call me back, I answer.

"Sasha!" I squeal giddily.

"Malina! How are you!?" She squeaks just as giddy.

"I'm good, what do you think of picking me up from school?"

She doesn't hesitate, "hell yeah! Where ya at?"

I give her the name of the school and she says she'll see me in half an hour. So for half an hour I sit under a tree close to the sidewalk.

I don't mind the wait, because for once I have control over what I'm doing again.

●●●

When Sasha picked me up, there was more squealing of course as soon as I hopped in her car. I was on the verge of tears when she pulled me tight into a hug, but I held them back.

We decided to drive to the mall. Neither of us had much money to get anything so window shopped until we got hungry. 

Now we sit at a booth in the food court and cram greasy pizza into our mouths. I sigh and close my eyes, this is possibly the best day I've had since clogging those toilets.

Sasha taps my hand and shifts her weight, "what's up babes?" She sounds concerned. "You haven't told me what it's like living with your sister again, how's that wild child?" 

I roll my eyes and swallow a glob of greasy dough, "right. It's more like living with her mental ass husband and sometimes Tiana stops by to visit."

Sasha looks confused, I go on.

"She just hasn't changed, she's still just partying all the time. And because this dude's rich, she really don't care now... I don't know why I thought things would be different you know?"

She sighs and gives my hand a few squeezes, "I'm sorry Lina... I wish you could move in with me."

Me too, too bad Sasha's parents think I'm a bad influence on her. Well, Sasha's mom has warmed up to me over the years, her dad still hates me though.

"What about her husband, what's he like? All you've said is he's rolling in the dough."

I start to tell her about how he grabs me, but I know she'll only get upset and the day is going pretty well so I skip that part.

"He doesn't talk to me a lot... Gave me this phone, he's alright I guess."

Sasha's eyes squint as she tries to read me, "that's it? What makes him so mental?"

I groan internally.

"He just gives me shit for cursing."

"Damn, that sounds tough. Don't get mad then, you curse A Lot when you're pissed... He must be lighting up that ass," she jokes cracking herself up.

I push out a fake chuckle, she doesn't see the difference.

We spent the rest of the day at a state park, lit up a blunt in the car and hot boxed while looking out over the city.

After we put the blunt out, Sasha starts having a coughing fit. I reach into my bag and pass her a water bottle, she coughs out a thank you and guzzles the liquid down.

Just then, my phone vibrates against my butt. It takes me a minute, but I finally fish my phone out of my pocket. It's a text from 'Mr. Hutchinson.'

"Where the hell are you?"

I know I should probably be just a little concerned, considering it's almost eight and I told him I was with my sister. But I'm faded as fuck and feeling a little beside myself so no, I don't care.

I lock the phone and tuck it back into my pocket. I feel like my own person again. Damn I missed this shit.