CHERRIES & PEACHES!

Flushed

The darkness was nice.
Janie supposed.
It was nice to sleep, to not have to explain yourself to anyone.
To not have to do anything but let the darkness pull, and pull and pull, to let it hold you in it's slithering arms.
To not have to think.
To not have to worry if someone is mad at you, or if you perhaps left the hair curler on in the bathroom.
Because you just forget.
You forget everything, you should want to reach and tug, and tug but you just can't because you don't —
C
A
R
E

Janie Lewis is deep in that sleep, when she heard the bathroom door open and shut, and Sadie's light footsteps come to the foot of her bed.
"You awake?"
That voice. she knew that voice better than her own— even in her sleep.
"I am now, you're so fucking loud," Janie rolled to her side, looking at Sadie who was drying her sopping hair.
"Sorry, your highness. I'll be less loud next time," she bit easily back.
Janie felt a strange pang in her chest.
Were they getting tired of each other?
"I'm tired of laying around," Janie complained, and hoisted herself up into a sitting position.
"Oh,"
Janie frowned.
"Oh?" She repeated, hoping for a little more of a substantial conversation with her nonchalant friend.
"C'mon, work with me Sades. It's New York. The city that never sleeps, we're in the big fucking Apple and you don't want to do anything,"
Silence once more.
"I don't know, Janie! What do you suppose we do? I'm tired, we've been on the road for a day and all I want to do is sleep because of my jet-lag that doesn't seem to be going anywhere at time soon, and you're on my ass about wanting to explore while I've paid for your trip, I worked my ass off so we can actually AFFORD to go on this trip for YOUR birthday," Sadie huffed.
"And this is the thanks I get?"
Janie was stunned, her eyes widened.
They've never had a fight like this.
Never.
"I didn't ask for this. Sadie. I mean— it's amazing but if we couldn't afford it, you should've just told me,"
Sadie was silent.
"I don't want to fight," Janie had whispered, moving to sit next to her silent friend.
"I'm sorry, it seems like we've been fighting a lot more. I don't want that," she squeezed her hand.
"So re-do?" Janie lifted her free hand, and hooked her pinky through Sadie's, tugging on her hand just the faintest bit.
"Re-do."
Sadie rolled over and tugged her suitcase closer to her, unzipping the sticky zipper.
"We're going clubbing," she had only said, tossing Janie a dark green dress, the straps slim and the build loose.
Janie stripped out of her clothes, and shrugged her dress on, the soft fabric slick against her smooth skin.
Janie heard Sadie's clothes hit the floor with a dull thump, her own dress slipping on and snapping against her shoulder blades.
"Holy shit," Janie exclaimed, jaw slack as she looked at her best friend.
"You look fucking hot, you're about to be in a cesspool of hot guys," Janie almost gagged on the words.
Janie was right, Sadie looked amazing, her plum dress was fitting and hair fell flat against her shoulders.
"You like it?"  Sadie moved to the mirror in the bathroom.
"Yeah, I'm serious. Why don't you wear that to school, see all the fucking asshole jocks swarm you," Janie Joined her in the bathroom, makeup bag in hand.
Janie dumped the contents out of her makeup bag out, the cosmetics tumbling on the pristine marble counter.
"Do my makeup, will you?"
Sadie sat on the side of the white, shiny bathtub.
Janie knelt on the floor, her hands grabbing for the concealer.
"Want me to go light or heavy?" Janie asked, rubbing the wand of the concealer under her friend's eyes.
"Surprise me,"
It was silent for several minutes, the only sound the giant ticking of the small circular clock above the pale wooden door.
Janie worked quickly, and quietly — brushing powders and creams across Sadie's cheeks and relaxed face.
Pink tones under warm highlights, dark shadows and thick eyeliner.
Janie swiped a sticky gloss on her lips, shiny and plump.
Janie was out to everyone, she had told her family and Sadie all at once — she didn't want a big deal to be made of the situation, so she laid it out and that was that.
"You think you're gonna see any pretty girls?" Sadie asked, as Janie swiped a line of white eyeliner on her lash lines.
"We're underage," Janie lent in close, her eyes focused on her work.
"That doesn't matter," Sadie finished, opening one sparkling eye.
"Well, it does to me," Janie brushed thick coats of dark mascara to her friend's eyelashes, lengthening them.
She ushered Sadie to her feet, and pushed her to the mirror.
"You like?"  Janie asked as Sadie pressed careful fingertips to her pink coated cheeks.
Without a word, Sadie opened the medicine cabinet and pulled out a pair of packaged Barbour scissors.
"What—"
"Will you?" Sadie pulled her cascading hair out of her lazy elastic, eyes pleading.
"You did such a good job on my makeup, and I know you'll do well on my hair — you did your own remember?" Sadie pressed her icy hands on top of Janie's.
"Fine. But if I mess up, this is on you, Sadie."
She maneuvered her to face the inside of the tub, her back facing Janie.
Janie took a deep breath before getting to work.
Sadie had explained that she wanted her hair to rest three inches above her shoulders, and a neat layer of dark bangs.
No pressure.
Janie rested the cool blades against the section that she prepared to cut, the blades open.
"Ready?"
Sadie was quiet a moment, a shuddering breath and one choppy head nod.
That's all Janie needed.
Her palm opened and closed.
Snip.
"Oh,"
Sadie was surprisingly still, and it took minutes before she finished, trimming the edges and turning her friend towards her.
"Now for the bangs," Janie mumbled, her hands pulling pieces forward and into Sadie's face.
Janie had done bangs before, hell — she cut her own, but she's never done them on anyone else. Maybe her mom when she was younger, but that was with her mother guiding her and doing mostly — all the work.
Janie noticed that she worked with grace, a light snip here and there — a light; feather touch.
"You almost done?" Sadie began to bounce her leg.
"One second,"
Janie's tongue darted out, and wet her lips.
One final swipe of her blades and she was done, she swivelled her friend in her arms, before smiling — curious of what she thought.
Sadie didn't say anything for what seemed to be hours, just squinting at her reflection in the glass.
"So,"
Janie urged, voice timid.
"I love it. I really do. " she puffed her chestnut hair up. 
Janie's eyes lit up, she's glad that her friend liked it.
"Okay, do me," Janie had told her friend, grabbing a water bottle from the room fridge.
"If you want me to get in your pants, all you have to do is ask, sunshine." Sadie pushes Janie's shoulder.
"Just up!" Janie yelled through her laughs, her eyes watering.
As they laughed, and Sadie did her makeup, Janie thought that maybe, but just maybe they'd be alright.
-——————————————————
Staring at their reflections in the large, squeaky clean mirror Janie thought they were hot — extremely hot.
Their dresses rested nicely on their hips, and their makeup fit their faces.
Sadie's hair was now curled and her dark bangs framed her face in a way Janie's never seen. Janie's hair was wavy, and her bangs trimmed.
"Ready to go pumpkin?" Sadie stared at the clock, her eyes glittering in the bright light.
"Let's rock and roll,"
The walk was nice, the sky was a bright blue, and it was busy, far more busy than their small town, millions more.
The smell of fast food and oil made Janie's stomach growl.
"How are we going clubbing, Sades? One we're underage, and two we don't have ID's."
Sadie stopped in her tracks and pulled out two fake ID's, the plastic cards shimmering, they had their faces printed on them, deeming them twenty two —Sadie; Jenny potter & Janie; Catherine Thomason.
"How'd you do that?" Janie asked.
"I have my ways, J. You don't know everything about me."
Then she was off, her black high heels clacking against the pale pavement.
They walked side by side, their footsteps matching.
The club was in an alleyway, a small dark blue door with a neon open sign, the doorknob rusted and a low beat coming faintly from the other side.
Sadie yanked the door open, the bright LED lights blaring through the darkness of the alleyway.
"Lets go,"
The place smelt like mildew, stuffy and wet.
It was dark other then the fluorescent lights, two bouncers stood tall as they stood in front of the two girls.
"ID's please," one man said, he sounds like a smoker.
"Here you go sir," Sadie had said, her hand holding out hers and Janie's.
"Why do you have this ladies ID, Ma'am?" The other said, his thick Texas accent shocking.
"My sister here loses everything, it's a real pain in the ass to get her to not lose her ID — I swear sometimes, I think she'll lose her head it if wasn't attached to her goddamn neck."
Damn she was good.
"You two look nothing alike?" The Texas man said.
Janie began to explain, before Sadie cut in, pressing a warning hand on her arm.
"— were step sisters," Sadie smiled.
They seemed suspicious, staring at their faces, trying to unravel their lies and kick them out.
"Go in ladies," Sadie sighed and thanked them, moving past their tall builds.
Janie gave them both curt nods, before following Sadie's disappearing body.
The club was packed, bodies rubbing against each other, music pounding against the giant ceiling, floor, bodies sopping the beat.
Sadie sat down at the bar, stuffing the ID's in her bra.
"What do you want, Catherine?" Sadie teased, filling through the drink menu.
"Whatever you're having," Janie couldn't care less about what to drink, she's not in the drinking mood, anyways.
It was inaudible what Sadie said to the bartender, but to be frank; Janie doesn't care.
Sadie turned as the man nodded, and pulled out glasses.
"She's cute," Sadie pointed to a girl — no older then seventeen, dark mocha skin and a revealing yellow dress. Her hair was in a neat, but floppy Afro and she seemed to carry herself with a confidence that Janie couldn't dream of having, but yeah. She's cute.
The bartender slid the drinks over to them, a colourful mix of something (by the smell of it,) strong.
"Thank you," Janie said as she was passed her drink.
When the cute girl smiled in their direction, Janie drained her glass faster than she could blink.
"Go ask her to dance," Sadie nudged her shoulder, giving the smiling girl a wave.
"What? No! No. I don't know her, and why-" she swallowed.
"Are you afraid?" Sadie asked, her dress shining.
"Of what?"
Sadie smiled, a knowing smile — although she knew something that Janie didn't.
"Of rejection."
Janie spluttered, now wanting nothing but another drink, particularly something like that bright one from before.
"No,"
Sadie still smiled that sickly smile she had; and leant in.
"Then what is it?" She had asked, her eyes telling something that Janie couldn't put her finger on it.
Janie didn't like it.
They both stayed silent.
"Then go get her," she pushed her off she chair to the girl. 
Janie felt heavy, her feet too hard to pick up — her limbs unmovable.
"Hi,"
Oh.
The girl was way prettier up close, her skin flawless, eyes gentle — her lips were a carnation pink and all Janie could think about is how she really want to kiss her.
"Wow, Uh lets hang out a few times first," the girl said, a British accent floating through the air, music to Janie's ears.
"Oh my god," Janie covered her mouth with shaky hands, and she realized that that drink was harder then she thought.
"It's alright," the girl said.
Janie thrust out her hand. "Janie," She said.
"Natalie," She took her hand.
"Like Portman?" Janie slurred, the lights became fuzzy and the pretty girl seemed hazy.
"Yes," she laughed, a sweet melodic sound.
"Exactly like Portman."
They looked at each other, a look of interest — a look of understanding, somehow.
"Wanna dance?" Janie asked, her voice confident and lax, she now realized that if getting a cute girl to dance with her — willingly; she'd be drunk forever.
Natalie looked sceptical, not knowing whether to say yes or leave Janie stranded in the middle of that glowing room, embarrassed and a new layer of self hate.
She said yes, her cool hand clasping with Janie's, and twining her hands around Janie's neck.
"How old are you?" Natalie asked, her slim fingers pressed against Janie's flushing skin. 
"Seventeen you?"
"I'm seventeen too!" She said, a look of interest consumed her, as they twirled.
Janie looked over at Sadie, over her shoulder.
Her friend was guzzling a shot and giving her a thumbs up.
"You moved to New York from England?" Janie couldn't help but ask.
"No," Natalie whispered, her eyes moving to Janie's lips.
"No, I moved from England to America."
The song switched to an upbeat song, something Janie didn't recognize. They moved off the dance floor, and walked over to Sadie.
"Hi, I'm Natalie," Natalie stuck her hand out for Sadie to shake — just as she did to Janie.
"Sadie,"
Sadie sipped a bright red drink, with a small yellow umbrella.
The three of them stood together, chatting and ordering drink after drink.
"Anyone good for round 2?" Sadie asked, her hair falling into her eyes, her lipstick smudged.
———————————————————
Everything was fuzzy, the lights a sharp red and the music blaring.
Janie couldn't think, she was leaning against Sadie, her left hand playing with Sadie's curls and her right nursing a glass of rum and coke.
"I think it's time for you ladies to hit the hay, your friend here has had a but too much to drink."
The bartender said, a sling striped dishrag on his shoulder and warm smile on his aging cheeks.
"Jus' let me finish m' drink' m'r," Janie slurred, her rum & coke sloshing over the side of her full glass.
"No, no honey. Your friends will package up your stuff and then I think it's time for you to leave,"
The man didn't budge.
"Of course, my sister here," Sadie pulled Janie into her side, her hair smelt like sweat and the curling iron she had used hours prior.
"Is a bit of a lightweight," Sadie continues, taking her glass and setting it on the counter behind them.
The bartender did a once over, and then left, waving over a waiting couple — the woman a short brunette, her knit sweater baggy on her tiny frame and the man tall, and bulky
Janie's always found it weird that couples look so different.
"C'mon," Natalie pushed Janie forward, now only noticing that the bland couple was glaring at them, harsh glances from the side of their judging eyes — almost to show their disgust in their eyes only.
"W'r are we g'n 'Nat'a" Janie slurred.
"Nata'li"
"Natalie,"
Natalie turned, red glowing on her dark skin.
"C'mon honey. We're going home." She finished.
"Home?" Sadie whispered, paying the bartender.
"You guys got a hotel you're staying at?" Natalie whispered, her accent like honey, rich and warm — spilling out of her lips in rivulets.
"How'd you know we're staying at a hotel?" Sadie asked again, helping Natalie carry Janie.
The sky was dark and crisp when hey stumbled out of the club, the wind whipping their hair in their faces.
Janie moaned as her knees buckled, unable to focus on anything — it was so blurry and the street was buzzing and all Janie wants is to lay down and maybe have Natalie lay down with her.
"You're special," Janie cradled Natalie's face in her blurry hand, their feet dragging them further away from the dark alley, further away from the men eyeing them like meat.
Closer to their safe, warm hotel room.
"Really," Natalie played along. "Special how, darlin'?"
"Mhm," Janie murmured, leaning her head on Natalie's shoulder.
"Didn't catch that,"
"You're just... awesome."
Sadie choked on a snort and Natalie blushed.
"You need coffee girl, lots of coffee." Sadie said, dragging Janie forward once more.
They walked a while, the hotel seeming farther away from the club then Janie remembered.
"We're home, Janie." Natalie said, dragging her down the lobby, past the old man, (with a weird obsession with Sadie,) and into the too bright elevator.
They went up, up, up.
Ding.
'My head is fucking killing me,'
Janie thought, her head swimming.
"C'mon honey, there's only a few more steps before we're in the room, you can do it." Sadie muttered, before shoving their room key at Natalie, her newfound friend shoving the door open.
"In, in in." Natalie said, closing the door behind them all.
"She's so drunk, Sadie. Oh my god I've never seen someone so fucking knocked on their ass like her right now." She laughed.
"I'm not kidding!"
Sadie groaned. "I know how to take care of a sick Janie, an angry Janie, a scared Janie, and a happy Janie,"
She ran a hand over her tired face.
"But for fucks sakes. I've never seen her drunk before, so let me get used to my best fucking friend being drunk!"
And on that last note, Janie moved towards the aloft bed and fell, her skin warm and her brain completely and utterly lax.