Beauty School Drop Out

IX

"What do y'think?" I smirked.

I showed off my latest tattoo, which took four sessions to do. A few months ago, Cynthia had given me a six month sonogram picture, and it was exactly what I was looking for. I had the design start up near my shoulder, with the baby laying comfortably in between my bicep and tricep muscles. It went all the way down to my elbow, creating a half-sleeve that I'd have to finish eventually. Maybe her first hand and foot prints—I'm not too sure yet.

"Wow, it came out so nice," Chris said.
"Yeah, who was your artist?" PJ added
"Cherry."
"Beautiful work as always," PJ gawked.
"What do you think, Dan?"
"'S nice," he shrugged.
"Thanks," I huffed.
"Are we done here? If so I'm gonna head home," Dan said.
"Yeah, man, you're all set," Chris said.
"'Kay, I'll see you guys tomorrow."

Dan angrily got up from his seat and stormed out of the bar. I rolled my eyes, set down my drink, and followed him out.

"Dan!" No response. "Daniel!" Nothing. "Blue!"
"What?" he shouted.
"What's wrong with you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Why have you been acting so cold towards me?"
"Are you serious?" he scoffed. "All I want is a boyfriend who will love me and treat me like a decent human being! You treat me like a sack of shit!"
"You knew exactly what our relationship was going into this!"
"But I was hoping you'd change..."
"You knew I wouldn't, Blue. You knew I had a girlfriend. You knew I cared for her. You knew I just wanted a good fuck. Don't play the victim here."
"I'm not playing the victim!"
"Really? Cause it sure seems like it."
"Fuck you."
"Excuse me?"
"Fuck you!" he screamed as he pushed me. "Don't ever fucking come to me again if you need just sex. Find another floozy to fuck."
"Fine," I shrugged. "See ya, Dan."

***

"I don't fucking need him," Dan slurred. "Like yeah, he was a good screw, but he treated me like garbage."
"Mhmm," his brother, Adrian, mumbled.

The kid wasn't even trying to pay attention—he aimlessly scrolled through his phone as his brother nearly drank himself to death.

"I mean, I can do better than him, right?"
"Yup."
"Are you even listening?"
"Yup."
"Ugh," Dan scoffed. "I'll be back."
"Whatever."

***

"Ah, shit!" I yelled.

I had pierced myself with the needle and shot up what Chris had given me. I leaned back in my chair and my eyes felt like they rolled into my brain. My hand went limp, as the needle slowly fell out of my arm—Sophie grabbed the needle just in time before it fucked up my veins.

"Oh my god..." I gasped. "That shits good..."
"I know right..." Chris smirked.
"Hey, Phil," PJ said.
"Yeah?"
"Does Cindy know that you're still doing drugs?"
"I'm sure a part of her knows."
"Dude, not cool, you have to tell her."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because she'll leave me. I don't want to be away from my kid, y'know.  Cyn and Bonnie are my life."
"Bonnie?"
"Oh yeah, Cyn and I decided on Bonnie Blue Lester."
"Real original, Lester," Sophie teased.
"What?"
"That was Scarlette and Rhett's kid in Gone With the Wind."
"Never read it."
"Oh... well then..."

Cynthia is calling...

"Hey, babe. What's up?"
"Dan's here. A-And he's drunk. I'm worried about him. Can you please come home and handle it?"
"Ideally no, but I can't say no to you. I'll be home soon."
"Thank you."
"Yeah, no problem."

End Call.

"I gotta go."
"Why?" Chris asked.
"Dan's at my house for some fucking reason. I'll see you guys tomorrow."
"Will you be okay to drive?" Sophie asked.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Bye."

I got into my car and drove off to my flat. I parked in the garage and raced upstairs to find Dan and Cynthia talking in the lounge. Cynthia looked like she had been crying when I ran in.

"A-Are you okay? Did you go into labor?"
"No..." she sniffed. "Is it true? Are you still doing drugs?"
"Cyn–"
"And please tell the truth..."
"Yeah," I sighed, "I am..."
"I can't fucking believe you," she cried. "And I had to hear it from your drunk mistress..."
"Hey, I ended stuff between us."
"I'd rather you keep fucking him than you kill your body with all the shit you're putting into it."
"Don't act all innocent."
"Excuse me‽"
"You use to be right there with me snorting lines, taking hits, and getting crossed."
"Yes, but I stopped for our child!"
"You didn't have much of a choice!"
"You're so fucking unbelievable! I-I can't be around you right now."
"Wait, Cindy, you don't mean that."
"Yeah, I do," she breathed.
"Cyn..."
"Out..."
"Whoa you just peed," Dan chuckled.
"Oh-Oh my god," I stuttered, "Cyn, I have to take you to the hospital."
"I can drive..."
"Not while you're in labor." I went into our bedroom and grabbed the stuffed duffle bags that were under our bed.
"What are you doing?" Cynthia huffed.
"Grabbing the overnight bags. What does it looks like?"
"Don't be an ass."
"Come on."
"I'm not driving with you."
"Stop being ridiculous and let's go!"
"You're not sober..."
"I got here didn't I? I'm fine, let's go. Dan, stay here until you're sober then get the fuck out of my house. Come on, babe."