Before My Eyes

The Boys' Quarters P2

'Mazieeeee!' Raff shouts - the weed's obviously kicked in. He shoves my legs off him, jumps from the bed and runs up to her, arms open. I look at the wall opposite to me, anything but the tight hug between the two of them.

Rizo's quiet groans from across the room are only heard by me and we exchange looks of equal dismay and confusion for a split second.

Mazie laughs as she pulls out from the embrace - she must know how high he is.

'Sorry to burst in on you all, but I've got some spare canisters of nos from last weekend. You guys up for it?' Everyone's faces light up, as she takes out a packet of balloons and the canisters from her bag. Raff and her sit down on the floor and I'm on left on the bed alone, feet dangling off the edge.

After we've emptied them all, we sit with only the low pulsing hum of Liam's reggae track. Some people are lying on the floor and I spot the new boy from earlier this week. I hadn't realised he was here.

Rizo's leaning over Liam, probably searching for her lighter - she loses her favourite all the time, the one covered in silver glitter. I'm lying down now, my legs under the duvet cover. My cigarette's barely an inch over the filter, so I drag out its last legs.

While I'm turning over to put it out, I spot Mazie whispering in Raff's ear. His arm is draped over her shoulders, his fingers tapping along to the beat on her upper arm. She's smiling up at him, and has obviously fallen under his spell.

I sit up for a while, trying not to look back at them. Liam looks over Rizo's back towards me and mouths: 'You okay?' Liam's always looked out for me. I laugh him off, frown and then nod.

I divert my glance unwillingly back to Raff, who's now whispering in Mazie's ear. While she's laughing quietly, I catch his eye. It's no more than a second, but I know he recognised the jealousy in my eyes. He turns back to Mazie.

'Right, well I'm off,' I say as I pick up my backpack from the side of the bed. I walk over to where Rizo and Liam are sitting and hug them both. Riz pulls me in closer and whispers: 'See you tomorrow, Mali-bug.' The wafting smell of her stale cigarette breath lingers after she kisses my cheek.

As I'm walking towards the door, I feel a hold around my ankle. I shake what I know are Raff's fingers off and continue.

Raff calls for me to stop and I turn around. 'Come with me tonight to get the stuff off Kicks.' I nod and close the door behind me.