Date: Friday, September 17, 2013
Time: 4:12 A.M
The room was dimly lit by the small table lamp, centered on a night stand next to a queen sized bed. The corners of a lavender fitted sheet had been either tugged or kicked from their placement, the bed now appearing as an unmade mess. The mattress exposed at all four corners, the pillows resting just in the center of the bed. The rest of the bedroom was settled pretty ordinarily: a tall dresser, which was noticeably chipping from its lazy paint job, a square, plastic tub near the bedroom door which was continuously collecting laundry, and a wide bookshelf filled with novels, plays and short stories that could satisfy any bibliophile’s interest or craving. There was a television which only collected dust as it sat atop the tall dresser, hardly ever used, and other gadgets, trinkets and essentials which were commonly seen in someone’s bedroom. The only things that would set this room aside from being ordinary would be the sketches, paintings and photographs that completely covered the white walls. The amount of art and random photographs definitely made the room seem and look cluttered.
The warm breeze rushed in, white curtains riding the gust. A snicking sound broke the silence in the room, the spark from the top of his lighter in sight. A task which could easily become a struggle to an impatient fiend was proving to irritate the man. With a grunt, he shook the lighter in his fist before attempting to let his thumb roll over the rigid wheel. Snick, Snick, Snick, Snick. And just as he was ready to chuck the faulty lighter across the room, the flame rose from center edge, illuminating his face. A grin appeared, widening his mouth with satisfaction as he placed the tightly tucked blunt between his lips. Igniting the end, he inhaled a large amount of the cannabis, his chest rising. He held on, refusing to exhale and letting it settle within. She watched, feeling the burn he was feeling in her own chest. But his lips could not hold back the pressures of his wandering thoughts, as large puffs of smoke began to escape, choking coughs and laughs following closely behind.
“-but I’m tellin’ you, E! Right there on the corner of –I think its Waimanu?” he paused, relieving one last cough before concluding his thoughts, “-yeah, Waimanu. Best bon-bons on the island. We have to go, think they’re open?” his tone suggesting excitement. It was amusing to Eli just how serious he really was.
She rolled her eyes, her smile shaking as her laughter tried to steal the show. She forced it back into a snort, as she pulled her knees towards her chest. Skin became flushed against skin as she sat just below the front of her bed. He was in front of the window to her left, knelt down as if that was any more comfortable than actually sitting. He too, was nude. And surprisingly, it wasn’t the sight of him bare that made her laugh or giggle. After all, she was completely comfortable with the sight of others nude, and completely comfortable with having her own bare flesh exposed. It might have just been the drugs causing her to laugh at everything he said. But truthfully she had already come down from her own high. She was now simply tickled by his attempts to revive his own attenuated high. He continued on, inhaling and exhaling as he pleased. But quickly growing tired, she rose to her feet, the sudden rush of wind embracing her entirely as she retreated to her bed. Knees dented in to the mattress as she swung her arms to move the pillows. She curled comfortably in to a fetal position, her hands folded prayerfully as she tucked them under her cheek. She let her eyes rest on the man who was now, invading her space. So eager for his company and now wishing he would just find his way home. She let out a sigh past her smile, peering through the clouds that surrounded him, trying to find his eyes.
"Well I'd be game if it wasn't 4 in the morning. Emphasis on 4." she raised her eyebrows as she playfully smiled, delivering the gentle nudge to the idea of him leaving. Obvious enough for him to get the point. At least she hoped it was obvious enough. As loose as he was becoming, she might just have to drag him out this time. "Maybe I can take a rain check on those bon-bons." she raised her head, looking towards the open window above him, "Speaking of rain, looks like its letting up."
She looked away as she rolled on to her back, her arms now propped just behind her head. She heard his movements, but made no mind to look in his direction. Instead, she closed her eyes, breathing in the remnants of the smoke. He was surely, in her mind, collecting his things to leave.
"Yeah about damn time." he forcefully said, a grunt following as he stretched out his legs upright, and reached his arm to the ashtray propped near her lamp, "So I guess you still don't believe in breakfast after sex?" he questioned, grinning as he put out the roach and began to dress.
Her eyes remained closed, and she thought it would be smart to just not answer. Hell, that would mean he would just get dressed even faster. But she couldn’t resist giving a sarcastic rebuttal.
“Oh I do. After good sex maybe.” She crossed her legs at the ankle, wiggling her toes, pleased with her rebuttal.
But she didn’t hear anything back. Not a laugh, not a sound of amusement. A tsk made with his teeth. Nothing. Until he mentioned her name, in a concerned yet curious manner.
“E..” he paused, and she opened her eyes, looking up as she watch him turn around from her open drawer. He held it by its thinner end, the rounded bulb exposed with its dark stained resin. He looked from the pipe and over to her, his despairing eyes locking on hers, “Don’t tell me you’re fuckin’ with that croak shit, E.”
Croak. A street word she was familiar with. Another word for Meth.
She misjudged this one. She knew it wasn’t something she would be able to laugh off, even with his high still elevated. He was too emotionally and mentally intact. And too aware of the seriousness of the situation. There was a thud in her chest and a lump in her throat, trying to quickly force the words out past it. All she could rebuttal was a sharp, “No.” And as she did so, she jumped off of her bed and charged towards him, closing in the distance between them until she was eye to eye, snatching the pipe quickly from his hand and tossing it back into the drawer. This time, between a layer of clothes. “A friend of mine left it here.”
Too concerned with masking her own lies, she didn’t bother to attack him with questions of Why in the hell he was going through her things in the first damn place, and instead, she closed her drawer, walking over to her plastic box of dirty laundry and fetching his shirt that was balled up in the mix of it. She tossed it towards him, keeping her eyes to the floor as she walked back towards her bed. She wasn’t sure if he believed her or not, but as long as nothing else was mentioned about it, it was enough for her. She heard his heavy sigh through her own clouded thoughts, and he continued getting himself dressed. She began to wrap herself in the fitted sheet, tucking her feet in the rounded corners and securing it around her small body. A caterpillar, tucking itself away in its self-made cocoon. But a butterfly would never emerge from it. Not tonight. She peeked over the sheet, her eyes watching as he began to clumsily lace up his shoes, occasionally tilting over, his balance disturbed from his increasing high.
“You’ll be alright getting home?” she whispered from behind the sheet, her words choked up and almost filled with.. shame and embarrassment. She waited for an answer, but all he gave her was a “Yeah, I’m good.” That was, after all, an answer, right? It was almost as if Eli was expecting him to say so much more. Maybe.. just maybe.. attempt to pull the truth out of her about his discovery. Like a friend would. He reached for his wallet, his jacket and his bag, throwing it over his shoulder and walking toward the bedroom door. “Later sour puss.” He said, his voice trailing off as he made way through her small apartment, and to the front door. She heard the chain clank against the wooden door from a distance, and with a loud creek, it closed just as quickly as he opened it. The sound of the door slamming, leaving an echo to shake throughout her apartment. And for whatever strange reason, it triggered a memory of a conversation she had with her landlord, Keilani. Mostly a blur, since it was some time ago. But the words ‘You look in all the wrong places. Trust me, I know, ku’uipo’ were forever burned in the back of Eli’s mind. But the back of Eli’s mind was in the back for a reason. Fuck it. What did her conscience know? Nothing. She turned over, her back facing her door as she clenched the sheets in her fists, closing her eyes to find some peace of mind. To get some sleep. Something she had been deprived of for the last few days.
But later that day, things would certainly take a turn..
They were no strangers to the 'night life' that Hawaii poured over them. They were quite acquainted. The streets were familiar in this part of the city, and most times, so were the faces. Conversations filled with roaring laughter filled her ears, as her eyes scanned and shuffled the faces surrounding her. Occasionally, looking to the front of her to assure herself she was still following behind Sebastian and not falling behind. She blinked as she redirected her vision, catching sight of his mischievous smirk as he motioned for her to stay behind. She smiled, shaking her head not sure what was next. Anything after a few lines of blow was possible. Eli always felt she lived an exciting enough life, but with Sebastian, he always managed to prove her wrong. Constantly keeping her on her toes, always nearing the edge. He kept her heart racing, the risk always just a tad riskier when she was with him. He was spontaneous, much like her, and always had something up his sleeve. She hated and loved it.
The bright fluorescent sign hung over the club, and as quick as she could register the words she felt her body being pulled. A kiss, that to peeking eyes would appear bawdy yet sensual. Instinctively, she returned the affection. She played the role of his psuedo-companion and what do you know, Success. Honestly, they had become masters to this sort of thing. Well, at least Sebastian has; she always let him take care of it. From night clubs, to bars, to now strip clubs, Sebastian knew how to talk his way over any 21 and over barrier. This was definitely, going to be one for the books. But it was fine with Eli, and there was no hesitation involved. Anything to get her mind off of her previous morning.
She followed closely behind, the loud techno music causing her body to pulsate, each exaggerated note shaking her throughout her chest. The thick smoke from lit cigars and cigarettes surrounded them as they neared closer to the stage. Men sitting as close as they could, their pockets a full of money and eyes full of lust. An appetite becoming satisfied with just the mere sight of a beautiful, nude woman. She took the money handed to her but her eyes were fixated on the dancing women in front of her. She had actually never been to a strip club, and couldn't see the pleasure behind it at all. But not at all was she against the idea of women dancing topless for money. It raised the thought that maybe she could be on that stage. Of course not. Quickly dismissed. The cocaine was definitely allowing her mind to wander.
She leaned over once Sebastian spoke, catching his words over the blustering music. She rose her eyes to the woman who had been dancing closest to them, but her face much harder to make than she expected. The lights continued to radiate and alter, but never long enough did they settle on the stripper's face. Left as a shadow for the most part, Eli just simply looked away. Before she could reply to his assumption that the woman looked familiar, she caught the end of a conversation that mentioned a 'VIP' room and a complimentary drink.
"Stella if you carry it. Uh -heinekin if you don't!" she shouted over the music to the waitress, following behind both her and Sebastian.
"You know you could be a stripper. Bring in some good cash, buy me whatever I want."
The loud music diminished as the door closed behind them, her eyes looking over the neatly kept room, smirking at his comment. She lifted the beer to her lips, knocking it back and taking in a colossal amount. A cold beer never lasted very long in Eli's hands. She let out a satisfied, gentle ahh, and proceeded to move towards him. She set her nearly empty beer bottle next to his glass of Brandy, beginning to straddle his lap rather than take a seat on the white couch next to him.
"Is that all I'm good for, Sebastian?" she gasped, teasing playfully as she began to nuzzle the nape of his neck, "To use.." she whispered, a kiss on his neck trailing to a bite of his earlobe, much harder than usual, "-and abuse?" she lifted her face from his neck and looked down in to his eyes. Those blue eyes that were loosing their glimmer of grey.
Brushing the hair from his forehead, she planted a kiss just in the center before reaching down to where her knee was resting, adjacent to his pocket. A look of eagerness and anticipation painted on her face as she quickly slipped her fingers in to his pocket to feel for the edge of the small baggie. Too small to even fit a few quarters in, but it was big enough to hold their high for the night. She had taken a small line before they left, but her reliance on the drug was hard to shake. She slipped it from his pocket, eyeing the corner that was just left. She held it up above both of their heads, as if to claim the prize as her own before swinging her leg from around him, settling down next to him instead. She looked towards the door, the music thudding just behind it, recalling his mention of the woman before. The woman he requested be their private entertainment.
"You do have a girl every day of the week, maybe she was last Friday night?" she said with a snort of laughter, leaning back, the baggie still in hand and her head now resting just on his raised elbow, her eyes still on the door, "Does it always take this long?" she asked, becoming impatient with the wait. Lifting her feet up, she placed them on the table in front of them, just next to left of her beer.