Aye, throw that ass in a circle, Crystal screamed while I was twerking so hard I almost broke my back. Even though my heart was beating 1000 beats per minute and I kept chewing on the side of my mouth, I was having a damn good time.
It was already 4 a.m., most guests had left, but me and Crystal couldn't sleep. It's like this pill had our adrenaline pumping, felt as if my energy was endless. By this time, I had drunk two bottles of tequila, but it was no match for this blue dolphin. It kept me from feeling intoxicated.
Before we knew it, it was 10 a.m.
Okay, I feel like I can go forever, I said while laying on my back and smiling, staring into the ceiling.
Well, I believe it's time to slow things down a bit, Crystal replied while pulling out a bag of weed from her drawer and a bong from her closet. How about we a little ZA, my dear, she said with her fake British accent.
Za? Like weed? I tried it long ago in high school, it did nothing for me, I'm good, Crystal.
No, you have to mix it with the pill, it's a whole different feeling. It really gives you a boost. Don't be a damn party pooper. You already done everything else, you might as well, said Crystal while packing the bong and passing it to me.
I mean, what the hell, you're right, I might as well.
Yayyyy, let's go hoe, said Crystal while fist pumping. So once I light this, you just inhale all the smoke in the bong. Are you ready?
I guess, here goes nothing, with a nervous ass look on my face.
Once Crystal lit the bowl, I took the biggest tug I could, to where it even shocked Crystal with her response. Damn bitch, leave enough for the rest of us.
As I exhaled, a humongous size cloud of smoke filled the room. I immediately began to cough so damn hard, felt like I coughed my lungs out and they had hit the floor. My eyes started to lower and I could hear my heartbeat start to slow down.
We smoked about four bowls. After that, I was so high all I could do was laugh until my stomach hurt for about 45 minutes staring at Crystal's cat that so happened to have a mohawk.
Finally, I felt myself start feeling tired, like I could finally get some sleep. I got in Crystal's bed and pulled her blanket over me, and Crystal came and laid right next to me.
Hey, Crystal, I said while my face was buried in her pillow.
What, hoe, Crystal responded, sounding irritated.
Thank you for really dragging me out the house. I know you don't really know much about me, but this was the most fun I have ever had. I went through so much and I'm just so surprised I even stepped out my comfort zone.
Ohhh, sounds like it's story time is what needs to be had, said Crystal as she sat right up and crossed her legs and scooted closer to me under the same blanket.
I turned around and faced her. I really opened up about some of the most painful experiences I had endured. I hated to mess up the mood, every time I spoke the words of what has happened to me, it always shocked me hearing it come out of my mouth.
I looked Crystal in her eyes. Tears streamed down her face.
I'm sorry, let's not do this, so anyway, I tried to change the subject.
Crystal pulled the covers off herself and leaned in and gently kissed me on my lips. I froze and had to blink a couple times, making sure it wasn't the ZA. Crystal came in again and kissed me, but this time she slid her hand under my shirt to grab my breast.
I pushed her back in complete shock. Crystal, what the hell is wrong with you?
Crystal quickly apologized. Feeling a mix of confusion and emotional overload, I grabbed my shoes and bolted out the door. I literally started to run home.
As I ran, a mix of confusion and nervousness washed over me. My thoughts raced as all this ran through my head as the wind followed through me, wondering why did she do that and how I would face Crystal at work again. The conflicting emotions of confusion and pleasure intertwined, leaving me unsure of what to do next.
It has now been a whole week. I took off work trying to figure out what I could do so I won't ever run into Crystal ever again. Despite the strange and wild feelings between us, I missed her presence.
One evening, I took a different route to go to the park so I could intentionally pass by Crystal's house. I walked past her front door back and forth multiple times until I got the courage to finally knock on the door and anxiously waited.
Crystal's brother answered. Hey, is Crystal home?
Without him saying a word, he walked away and Crystal came to the door, smiling and hugging me as if nothing had happened between us.
"I'm glad to see you're doing great," I said. "I just wanted to check on you. About what happened last time, I just—"
Crystal interrupted. "Hey, do you want to party again? I have more pills."
I just looked at her like, um, is she crazy. I just shook my head.
"No, thanks," I said.
Crystal said, "Whenever you're ready, it will always be here."
I then noticed a couple slashes on her wrist. I didn't say anything, I felt like it wasn't the right time.
Well, thanks for the offer, I'm going to head home.
Crystal then hugged me tightly, saying, "Please come back to work, I miss you and I really need my friend back. Promise me, we will party again soon."
I felt happy, but at the same time worried. I could smell the strong liquor on her breath. I responded, I love you girly and I promise you will see me at work, and yes hoe, we gone party soon.
We laughed together as she walked me to the alley at the corner of her home. I said my goodbye and headed towards home.
As I was passing through the alley, I noticed a tall man standing in the shadows with lots of jewelry, counting wads of cash. Nearby him, a woman with little to no clothes, she looked homeless. I saw the woman walk up to him pleading for more with a $100 bill in her hand.
The man angrily snatched the money from her and tossed something on the ground. The woman immediately fell to her knees, grabbed whatever it was, and ran away.
I lowered my head, trying to avoid drawing attention. I don't need him thinking I saw any damn thing.
As I walked by, he spoke out, "Hey, beautiful."
I was scared, so I ignored him and continued to try to walk past him.
"Hey, I'm talking to you," he repeated, more insistently.
I took a deep breath, stopped, and turned around. "Yes, what's up?"
He then tried to impress me with smooth lines, but honestly while he was bumping his gums, all I could look at was all the money he had in his hand.
Interrupting him mid-sentence, I asked, "How did you get all this money? Are they currently hiring?"
He busted out with a laugh. "I work for myself, baby girl."
Intrigued, knowing the days were still counting down before we were thrown out on the street, I asked boldly, "Well, will you hire me?"
He looked me up and down, a smirk on his lips. "When you're truly ready to work, call me."
He took out a pen and wrote his number on the palm of my hand with the name Big Marco attached.
After arriving home, I wrote his number down and placed it in my drawer, washed my hands, and ran to hug my boys as I had missed them all day.
Hey, my babies, we have a bit of daylight left. Let's go have some fun in the backyard.
As I watched my babies run and play, so carefree, it really made my day so much better.
Just then, I heard the doorbell. Hey boys, stay right here, I'm going to answer the front door, I yelled out to them.
As I opened the door, it was a skinny Chinese man about 70 years old, eating seeds and spitting them all over the front porch. It was the landlord.
"Give this to Landa, your mother. It's urgent," he said, handing me a piece of paper before walking away.
Curiosity and anxiety getting the best of me, I just had to sneak and take a look at the document. It was another notice stating we had 14 days to at least pay $7,000 out of the large balance plus a $1,500 late fee by this certain date.
I got so angry, I felt my body begin to shake. After I had already taken that week off trying to dodge Crystal, I had nothing to contribute.
I left the note on the kitchen table and walked into my mother's room.
Hey mom, the landlord came by and left a paper, it's on the table. I need to study for a promotion at work, can you please keep the boys for a couple days?
My mother jumped up with fear in her eyes, not knowing what the letter could say, but also hoping I didn't read it.
I went straight to my room and packed a bag, kissed my boys goodbye, and walked right back to spend a couple nights with Crystal.
As soon as I saw Crystal, I held the number in my hand from the guy in the alley and gave it to her. She asked, what is this? I said, it's a long story, I promise I'll explain, but first let's do something to make me feel better.
Crystal, laughing with excitement, screamed, "Let's go!"
I stuck out my tongue, and Crystal placed a pill on it. The bitter taste quickly dissolved, and I knew whatever decisions I was going to make after today, if it had nothing to do with me anymore, it was all about making things better for the ones I love around me. So once I start, I knew deeply there was no turning back.