“I said trial and error, Hudson. They work forme. You’re already used to this one.” She nudges a familiar small blue pillnear the edge of my hand. “So it might not do much for you, even if you mix it.”
She separates two more pills from the bunch. “These? Strong. Like, full technicolor trip. And these three—” she points to the last grouping, “I once took wanting a nap and didn’t wake up for two days.”
I stare down at the rainbow in my palm, the pills like tiny gateways to different versions of peace. Maybe I should wait until I’m home. Tripping with someone already floating isn’t smart.
Does it even matter?
“Do you mind if I keep these? I can pay you…”
She smiles and folds my hand into a ball, securing the pills in my fist. “They’re yours. I know you’ve had a lot going on lately, so consider this my way of trying to help.”
I give her a small, grateful smile and tuck the pills into my pocket. I bring the joint to my lips one last time, then pass it to Ella.
My phone rings, but this time I just let it play out. I know it’s Cull, but I can’t bring myself to talk to him anymore tonight. I don’t think it will end well.
Not with where my mind is at.
“Aren’t you going to answer that?”
“No.” It’s all the answer she is going to get from me.
“Wanna talk about what’s been going on?”
No.But I launch into my sordid tale anyway. I tell her everything—from what happened after I was arrested at graduation, to seeing the stalker today, and everything in between.
She just listens, understanding in her glassy eyes.
“Well, maybe these pills will help you escape. I always have them, so you know who to call.” She flashes me a sympathetic smile.
I nod and stare out across the semi-lit park towards the street, my mind lost in more dark thoughts. My phone rings again, so I pull it out and see Cull’s name. I silence my ringer then shove my phone back in my pocket.
“So, scary stalker dude…”
I side-eye Ella. She’s absently playing with the pills in her bag, letting them trickle through her fingers like sand.
“Did you get a good look at him today?”
“No,” I sigh. “He was too far away.”
She’s gazing across the green lawn, still toying with the pills in the bag. It doesn’t seem like she heard me, so I nudge her with my elbow.
“What? Oh, sorry. I spaced. That’s too bad you couldn’t see him.”
“...Yeah.” I know Ella is riding the waves of her high, but she’s acting a little strange.
“I’m sure he will get what’s coming to him soon,” she says, voice still distant.
I doubt that. I’m the only one hell is raining down on.
Talk of this psycho is killing my buzz, but before I can change the subject, a car door slams nearby. I turn toward the parking lot just in time to see Cullen storming across the park, brows furrowed and fists clenched.
Shit. I shouldn’t have told him where I was going.
“You’re ignoring my calls to get high withher?” He yells, coming to a stop in front of me.
I lock eyes with him, lift the joint to my lips, and take a slow, deliberate drag, like I’m daring him to stop me.
“Relax,” Ella says, glancing at Cullen. “It’s only a little weed. He needs the escape.”
