The Train To Nowhere

chapter 4 - treetops

        "Wait, wait, wait...so okay - wait, what? You'd rather sleep with Damian than Harry?"

It was God knows how late, and the forest around us was dark and eerie. Inside our tree house though, it was a second home. It was large of course, but eight was around its maximum capacity, ten at a squeeze. We all fit comfortably in though, with enough space, and yet cosy closeness. Priya was holding the empty beer bottle, which we used to show who's turn it was, and Rosie couldn't believe her ears at her decision between Damian, Harry and Steve for Fuck, Marry, Kill. Some bright spark had suggested it but I honestly can't remember who. It must've been one of the girls though. I knew it was met to a majority of groans and "no!"s, but - well, we were here.

It wasn't even awkward anymore. Although I wasn't sure if the tension wasn't there because we'd known each other ages and were friends, or because of the alcohol. Some people had brought blankets and cushions in their bags, clearly having an idea of camping out for the night, and even in the chilly darkness we were warm.

The scene was a funny one. The wooden hideout was lit up with the warm, slightly sickly yellow glow of the camp lights hanging from the ceiling and the harsh, electric white flashes of a couple torches. The wide room with its low ceilings that stopped you from standing was filled with cushions and patchwork/tartan blankets. There were empty beer bottles, cokes and chocolate. A rather unpleasant smell of alcohol and smoke wafted through the room compared with the overpowering deliciousness of the fast-food. People were still nibbling at the McDonald's takeaway we had brought back here about a half hour ago, even though the chips had long since passed warm, and all else that remained were a few chicken nuggets and half a burger. We were all either drunk and excited, drunk and tired or drunk and asleep (Phil and Nina to be specific).

I took another drag of the joint being passed around that Isaac had managed to smuggle. Marijuana, most likely. I didn't remember that either. All I knew is that everything was warm and exciting and funny. Man, I loved weed and beer. What a wonderful combination.

"Yes!" Priya replied. She was snuggled under a blanket with Isaac in the corner and his arm was around her. They kissed every couple minutes. "Damian is way hotter. Plus, his eyes-"

"Ugh, fuck you girls and your eyes!" Ahmed burst out, slurring his words a little. I mean, we all were. "All you ever talk about is 'oh, he has such lovely eyes! those eyes are amazing!'" His fake, high-pitched girly voice was far from accurate but not far from amusing, and I laughed as I passed the joint to Noah. "Let's be honest here," he took a bite out of the chicken nugget in his hand, chewed on it and then grinned, "If his dick's not long will you really give a shit about his fucking eyes?!"

Noah smirked as he blew smoke from a thin gap between his lips and I looked down as I laughed, embarrassed to see everyone's reactions. I heard Priya groan disapprovingly and Isaac face palm, smothering a fit of laughter. When I did look up, Rosie's rolling her eyes to the moon but with a little smile on her face. She leaned back and bumped into Phil, who was lying on his side, snoring against a cushion next to her. She muttered an "oops" that's barely audible and Phil rolled over to face the wall but didn't arise.

"You know what, Ahmed?" Rosie leaned forward instead of back this time, sounding probably the most sober out of all of us. I doubted if she'd even had a whole beer. She'd smoked though. I found myself listening intently over the giggles and shuffles. "We do. We do actually give a shit about a guy's eyes because - newsflash! It's not all about someone's body, you know?" At that Ahmed thoughtlessly flickered his eyes down to something about eight inches south of there. But she didn't even flinch. She continued. "We actually take interest in character, and eyes and face can reveal a lot about a person's character. Just a body is so impersonal. What you just did basically proves my point."