Sam could not fall asleep. Her body was exhausted, but terrifying memories of Bonfire Night played through her mind like a horror film. Big, wolf, gorilla monsters slashed and shredded their way through her nightmares. Sam had not had a full night's sleep in more than eight weeks. It was a new year and Sam needed to put the horrific events of the previous year behind her. She was beginning to suspect that she had post-traumatic stress, and her lack of sleep was affecting her work. Her supervisor at the hospital had warned her that she was skating on thin ice. A few more absences or any more tardiness and she would be sacked. She knew what she had to do to get some sleep, but it was far from an ideal solution.
Ron's flat above the 19th floor had been completely restored and the front door was now a cheerful yellow. Sam knocked tentatively next to the peep-hole. She wondered why she was once again knocking on the weed dealer's door at close to midnight. She was turning away to go back to her 1st floor flat when the door cracked and a sliver of face with a bright blue eye appeared.
"Sam!" Brewis exclaimed. He closed the door to remove the safety chain and opened the door wide. "Come in. Come in." Brewis waved his hand toward the interior of the flat while Sam smiled at him and entered the room.
"Hi, Brewis." Sam was genuinely happy to see the lanky, scruffy headed stoner. She had spoken to him briefly while attempting to return his borrowed clothes, but had otherwise not seen him in the weeks since "that night". She pulled Brewis into a quick hug which he enthusiastically returned. She looked around and saw Ron sitting on a large, black leather sofa. He was staring intently at a nature program on the telly. The only other occupant of the room was a teenage girl who was sitting on the floor by a low table and rolling a huge joint. The girl looked up at Sam and grinned. Sam thought she looked very familiar, but couldn't place the face. There was something about the girl's huge, blue eyes that Sam thought she recognized. "Hello." Sam said while walking slowly closer to the seating area. The girl pushed herself off the floor, took a few limping steps toward Sam, and gave her a tight hug.
Sam's eyes opened wide as recognition dawned. "Pest!" she gasped. Sam stood back and looked Pest up and down. A confused jumble of thoughts raced around Sam's mind. She wondered how she had not realised Pest was a girl and thought she remembered a surprisingly smooth leg when she had patched Pest up. "How is your leg? Did the bite wound heal properly?" she asked. Sam's nursing instincts took over and she squatted down to lift Pest's trouser leg.
Pest laughed and showed Sam her healed alien bite. "It hurts a bit after a long day, but I have a wicked cool scar, so that's alright." Pest smiled at Sam and sat back down to finish rolling her joint. Brewis walked back to his seat in the chair behind Pest. He paused to place a quick kiss to the top of Pest's honey blond curls before sitting down in a ratty brown recliner. Brewis' eyes softened and a small smile appeared on his face as he watched Pest work. Sam thought they made a cute couple.
Sam made her way over to the empty spot on the sofa next to Ron. As she sat down, Ron turned his head away from the telly and followed her with his eyes. "Alright?" he asked quietly. Sam shook her head to indicate "no". She was afraid that if she started to speak, she would either start to cry or laugh hysterically. She had become quite unhinged from lack of sleep. Ron patted her hand gently and said, "We'll get you fixed up."
Ron looked over to check Pest's progress on the joint. He preferred to smoke from the bong, but Pest had argued that his nasty tap water made the bong hits taste "like ass". Since Ron was currently out of bottled water, Pest was rolling a fat spliff to pass around. "What's the hold up, sweetheart?" Ron asked Pest. Her only response was a quick "V" sign. Pest picked up a lighter and held it to the end of the freshly rolled joint. She took several short puffs to get it lit and then took one long drag before passing it over her shoulder to Brewis. He also took a long pull on the joint and skunk perfumed smoke soon filled the small flat. Brewis stood and walked the joint over to Ron before pulling Pest up off the floor. He sat down on the recliner and drew her into his lap. Pest sat sideways on Brewis' lap and rested her head on his shoulder. Her legs were over the armrest of the recliner and Brewis used his hand to gently massage the calf of her scarred leg.
Sam was happy for the young couple, but could not help noting that Pest was far younger than Brewis. Pest and Brewis were clearly helping each other through the pain of "that night." Sam could not control the ripple of envy she felt for their closeness. She wondered if she would still be such an emotional wreck if she could be with someone who really understood what "that night" had been like. Sam was startled from her reverie by Ron. He was patiently holding out the joint to her. She looked into his eyes as their fingertips brushed lightly. Sam had first come up to Ron's two weeks ago when he had moved back in to the renovated flat. She had asked him to contact Brewis to so that she could return his jeans and hoody. Ron had informed her that Brewis was on his way over and that she could wait for him, if she wanted to. Sam and Ron sat quietly on the sofa watching nature programs while waiting for Brewis to show up. It was the most relaxed Sam had been in weeks and she had quickly fallen asleep curled up at one end of the large sofa. Since that night, Sam had been coming to Ron's flat every three or four days.
Ron handed Sam the burning joint and watched as she carefully took a drag on it. She had started smoking weed after her third night time visit to his flat. He enjoyed watching her face scrunch up in concentration when she took a pull on a joint. She was prone to long coughing fits if she took too deep a drag. He was glad that they were passing a joint around. The first time Sam had tried to take a bong hit she coughed into the mouth piece and had blown burning weed and bong water all over herself and Ron. Ron smiled at the memory before remembering his favourite track suit that had been ruined by the revolting bong water stench.
Sam stood up from the incredibly comfortable leather sofa and stretched. She walked over to Pest and Brewis who were sharing a packet of crisps while lounging in the ugly brown recliner. Brewis reached up to take the joint from Sam's hand. Pest looked at Sam and made a "tsk" sound between her teeth. "Don't they teach nurses that smokin' weed is bad for your health, luv?" she asked Sam with a wink. A pink flush crept up Sam's neck as she blushed in embarrassment. Sam reached down and snatched a handful of crisps from the bag in Pest's hand. Pest took another hit from the joint and stood up taking Sam's free hand. "Come on, let's find some real food in the kitchen." Pest said as she limped to the kitchen and pulled Sam along behind her.
Sam followed along behind Pest into Ron's small kitchen. She opened the refrigerator and looked at the leftover curry containers in disgust. "We may have to order pizza." She said. Pest nodded her head and asked, "So, what's going on with you? What would your boyfriend in Africa say about you turning into a pot head?" Sam was surprised by Pest's frank questions, but she could use some girl talk, so she answered them. "We broke up after the attack. He didn't want me living in the block. I couldn't talk to him about what had happened. I just didn't feel like we had much in common, anymore." Pest leaned back against the counter and crossed her arms over her chest. "I know what you mean. It seems like the biggest thing Brewis and I have in common is that we both survived the attack."
Pest watched Sam peer into several of Ron's cupboards. Sam was wearing old jeans and a ratty pullover. She had dark circles under her eyes and her hair looked like it had not been shampooed in days. "You look like shit. Believe!" Pest said to Sam. Sam looked up at Pest with hurt eyes. "Thanks a lot," she replied. Pest made another tsk sound and said, "I just mean that you look tired, and I thought you might want to tell me what is wrong so we can get it sorted."
Sam didn't want to talk about her nightmares or fears. Looking at Pest, she realized that the girl in front of her had been through the same horrible events and had survived a physical attack from one of the aliens. There was probably not another person in the world that would have a better understanding of Sam's problems than Pest. Sam rubbed her face with her hand and stared at the floor. "I don't even know where to start." She stated. Pest said, "Let's go down to my flat to find some decent food. We can chat on the way without bothering the boys." Pest rolled her eyes toward the sitting room where Ron and Brewis could be heard arguing about what sandwich they would take to a desert island. Sam nodded in agreement and they left Ron's flat together.
Sam and Pest had walked in silence to the lifts. After pushing the call button, Sam said "I've been having nightmares. I can only sleep if I'm stoned or napping on Ron's couch." Pest glanced at Sam from the corner of her eye and quickly looked back at the elevator doors. "Are you and Ron hooking up?" Pest asked. Sam's eyes opened wide in shock. A few weeks ago, she would have shuddered in disgust at the idea of being with Ron. That was before she really knew him, though. She answered Pest's question with a short, "No." Pest smirked at her and said, "Ewwww. Now you're thinking about it!" Sam laughed out loud. It felt really good to laugh. Was she really thinking about it? Sam pictured Ron in her mind. He was fat, but he was also very cuddly and had really pretty, chocolate brown eyes. He was lazy, but he was always around when she needed him. He was easily distracted, but he was funny and kind. He was a drug dealer, but it was just weed, right? Sam decided she had a lot to think about.
The lift doors opened and Sam and Pest stepped onto it. Pest pushed the lighted 9 button and the doors closed. Sam turned to Pest. She was not ready to talk about her nightmares yet, so she asked, "What about you and Brewis? Are you two hooking up?" A blush crept up Pest's neck. "Not yet." Pest replied. "But my birthday is next week and I'll be 18. I'm thinking of giving him a present on my birthday." Pest could not make eye contact with the older woman. Sam smiled at the teenage girl and said, "That's a big step and a hell of a present. Are you sure you're ready for that?"
Pest thought about her boyfriend, Brewis. He was tall, cute in a rumpled sort of way, smart, funny, and kind. He was a pot head, but so was she. He had beautiful blue eyes and soft wavy hair. He had long legs and tight abs. His lips were soft and he was a great kisser. He treated her like a princess; a foul mouthed, tough, tomboy princess. Pest grinned at Sam and answered, "I am well ready." She continued, "I'm not really sure how to seduce him, though."
Sam thought that Brewis wouldn't really require "seducing" so to speak. If the expression on his face when he looked at Pest was any indication, he really cared about the girl. She said, "I'm sure that won't be a problem." Pest nodded but said, "You may not believe this, but he can be a little oblivious to hints. I've been waiting for him to make a move, but he never does." Sam thought about Brewis and could totally believe it. "I see what you mean. Maybe you should present yourself in nothing but a big, red bow." Pest choked on laughter and said, "Yeah, I could jump naked out of a birthday cake. That might get his attention." Sam smiled and said seriously, "I think you should just be yourself, tell him what you want, and make sure you have plenty of protection." The lift doors opened, so Sam and Pest made their way to Pest's flat.
Pest collected bread, cheese, meat and condiments on her kitchen counter. She proceeded to make Ron's favourite ham, cheese and jalapeno sandwich. She also made some "normal" sandwiches for herself, Brewis and Sam. While she worked she listened to Sam describe her nightmares.
Sam spoke quietly about waking up in cold sweat almost every night. "It's usually the same dream. I'm turning on the gas in Moses' flat when I hear a noise behind me. At first I can't see what is making the sound, but then I do. Dozens of the aliens have followed me from Ron's and I am trapped. They close in on me and I wake up screaming." Pest could understand how that would disturb someone's sleep. She asked, "Is that why you can sleep at Ron's, because if you are still at Ron's then the aliens can't have followed you?" Sam looked surprised. She had not considered this explanation for why she could sleep at Ron's. She thought Pest was very insightful.
Meanwhile, in Ron's flat:
Ron could not believe how stupid Brewis was. "You can't take any mayonnaise based sandwich to a desert island! It would spoil and make you sick." He was really thinking about the situation, now. "I think my sandwich will be pumpernickel, Stilton, ham, chutney, mustard, gherkins, and jalapenos." Brewis made retching noises and watched the ladies leave the flat. Brewis said, "They're gone." He turned to Ron and asked, "What should I get Penelope for her birthday?" He was the only one allowed to call her by her real name. "I've asked the lads, but Moses and Biggz are no help. They suggested fireworks. It's her 18th birthday for God's sake! Besides," he added sheepishly, "I gave her fireworks for Christmas."
Ron tried to switch his profoundly stoned thinking from sandwiches to birthday presents. He had never bought a gift for a teenage girl, before. Pest wasn't your typical girl, though. Maybe she would like fireworks. He relaxed into his seat and attempted some deep thought. "Maybe she would like some jewellery." He said. Brewis frowned and said, "She doesn't wear any jewellery. I don't think she likes it." Ron replied, "Maybe she doesn't wear any because she doesn't own any." Ron's eyes lit up, "Why don't you get her a promise ring?"
Brewis stopped breathing for a moment and then let out a whoosh of air. "What if she hates it? What if she doesn't want that from me? What if she thinks it's too soon?" Brewis was working himself into a panic. "We've only been dating for 8 weeks. We haven't even had sex, yet." Ron's eyebrows rose at this declaration. He had assumed that they had been sleeping together since the night of the attack. He knew that Brewis spent several nights a week at Pest's flat. Ron asked, "What do you mean you haven't had sex yet? Do you mean not at all?" Brewis looked slightly embarrassed, but sat up straighter in the recliner. He said, "She's only 17. We've been together less than 2 months. She's a good girl!" Brewis looked indignant that Ron would think otherwise.
Ron was surprised. Pest was not what he would call a "good girl," but he was thinking about the thievery, drugs use, and general destruction that followed in her wake. Just that morning, he had watched through his binoculars as Pest used a rock to break out the window of a car and steal a stack of CD's. When he asked her about it she had shrugged it off as keeping in practice. He supposed that her immoral actions did not automatically mean she was promiscuous. "Sorry, man. I didn't say she was a bad girl. You two seem really close and in love. That's all, mate." Brewis admitted to himself that he was slightly defensive of Pest. People always seemed to assume the worst of her. Brewis explained, "I've been waiting for her to make a move, but she hasn't. I'm so much older than her; I don't want to put any pressure on her about this. She's the one who needs to take the lead." Ron and Brewis settled into a comfortable silence as Ron contemplated sandwiches and Brewis thought about rings, promises, and sex.
Brewis heard a knocking on Ron's door and jumped up to answer it. Sam and Pest had returned with provisions. Pest put the paper sack of sandwiches on the low table while Sam passed around plates. Pest handed a separate sack to Ron saying, "I didn't want this to contaminate the other sandwiches." Ron eagerly began to eat the sloppy, stinky sandwich while everyone else looked on in horror.
Sam ate her own sandwich in silence. She wondered how Ron would feel about her moving into his flat until she got over her nightmares. His second bedroom had been converted into the new weed room, but she could set up a small cot in there and help him with the care of his plants. She had always had green fingers.
Brewis pretended to watch telly while thinking about Pest. Pest sat on the floor and watched Brewis watch telly. He seemed to be really concentrating on the show. Pest glanced at the screen and saw a large snake attempting to eat a goat. She wondered how Brewis could eat while watching that and put her own half eaten sandwich down on the table. Pest decided to smoke some more weed. She was glad she had remembered to bring some bottled water from her flat and reached for Ron's favourite bong. While she worked, she thought about Brewis. She was pretty sure he wanted to have sex with her, but she still had some doubts. When they were snogging, he would often become aroused. Whenever it happened, though, he would carefully turn his hips so that he wasn't grinding on her. He would touch her breasts above her shirt, but he never even tried to get her bra off. When he spent the night with her, he always wore pyjamas or track pants. Pest took an enormous bong hit and began to formulate a scheme for her birthday.
Step one was dinner and wine. She didn't want to get Brewis pissed, but a glass of liquid courage might loosen him up. Step two would be to reveal her sexy knickers and bra set. She was too pale to look good in red or black, but she had bought one in a blue lace that matched her eyes. Step three would be sex. A grin spread across her face as she imagined stripping Brewis of his clothes and pushing him backwards onto her bed. She would crawl up his body and kiss every square inch along the way. It was definitely time for her to meet "Little Brewis."
Ron watched Sam as her head drooped and her eyes closed. He leaned over and quietly said, "Why don't you go sleep in my bed. I can sleep on the sofa." Sam looked at him with grateful eyes, whispered "thanks," and stood up from her seat. She staggered to Ron's bedroom door and let herself inside. Ron felt really sorry for Sam. She had been showing up every few days looking exhausted. He had never questioned her about it, because he didn't want to pry. He reckoned she would open up to him if she wanted to, but assumed her problems were due to the attack. He had been afraid that her presence in the flat would be awkward, but the opposite had been true. She was very easy to be around. She tidied up after herself. She seemed to enjoy snipping dead leaves off his plants and her nursing skills were put to good use as she checked PH levels and adjusted hydroponic tubing. She had even bought him a pair of sunglasses so that his eyes wouldn't be hurt by the UV lights. The only problem he could think of was that he was beginning to fancy her. This made him sad, because he knew there was no way a beautiful, smart, successful woman like Sam would ever want a guy like him.
Pest stood up and yawned. "Time for us to go, Ron." She said. She put her hand on Brewis' shoulder where he was sitting in the recliner. Brewis looked up at her with sleepy eyes and smiled. She was just so beautiful it made his heart ache. He would get her a ring for her birthday. He just needed to decide if it was going to be a promise ring or an engagement ring.