Chapter 2. Dazed and Confused.
While I was extremely grateful for a ride back to my new neighborhood, I was also incredibly annoyed the whole trip back listening to Donna's obnoxious, self-centered friend Jackie. Apparently she likes boys and rainbows, which is rad for her I guess but I couldn't care less. As it turn out, though, apparently I live on the same street as all of the others in the group, which would make it beneficial for me to befriend them for free rides home and to school without taking the bussing services. It's not using people if they benefit from me befriending them, right?
Donna and Jackie led the foreign kid – his name is Fez, I believe – and I down to Eric's basement where there was a group of guys together in a smoky circle laughing their asses off. After meeting Jackie, I was a bit skeptical of how their friends would be, but after seeing the circle, I knew I'd fit in just fine with this new group.
Donna laughed awkwardly, "Sorry, Saige, they might be a bit baked right now, but trust me, they're really cool when they're not high, right guys?"
"Oh, hey Donna? Can you go get us something to eat?" One of them chuckled.
There were three of them. I knew one was Eric and one was Michael, because of the conversation with Jackie on the way back from school. I assumed that the one who spoke was Michael, because he resembled a dumbass. The lanky one I presumed Eric. The curly haired one still remained nameless, but he didn't really seem that rad anyways, considering how dazed and confused he was high. I wondered how they all acted when they weren't under any influences but I wasn't sure if I cared enough to stick around and find out.
"No, Kelso. I can't. I'm hanging out with my new friend, Saige."
He didn't seem to notice that she responded and went back to being amazed by how 'big' his hands were. He kind of seemed like a lightweight…. Or complete idiot.
Jackie began coughing due to all the smoke, pouted at Kelso for a moment, and left. That was one annoyance gone. After some time of chatting with Donna and Fez, they said they had to go home as well and I decided to walk with them. There was no use in being in a room full of stoned adolescences when you didn't know them well enough to mess with them or partake in the fun.
"I'm sorry about them…" Donna apologized once we were at my house. She lived right next to Eric, but decided to walk with me to my house, which was only a few houses down on the opposite end of the street.
"Don't worry, Donna. It is completely fine." I opened my front door and offered a light grin. "See you tomorrow?"
"Yeah."
The following day I woke up late to rain showers outside. I figured that the bus had already left so I knew I'd have to, sadly, walk five miles through muddy sidewalk to school…. Or I could skip and explore the town, which was a perfectly acceptable option for a Friday before a three-day weekend. Skipping it is, I thought as I fell back into a deep sleep.
About what felt like an hour into my second round of napping, the doorbell chimed twice. My father was already gone, meaning that I'd have to get my ass out of bed and go get the door. Hair disheveled, makeup-less, in pajamas, I just crossed my fingers that it wouldn't be anybody that I knew.
"Oh, Donna…. Hey." I greeted uncomfortably as I opened my door. "Aren't you supposed to be at school?"
"It's three in the afternoon, Saige. Where were you today?" She seemed concerned. "I expected you there today, you didn't say anything about being busy. Are you sick?"
"No, I'm fine. I just missed the bus this morning and didn't want to walk in the rain," I admitted.
"Well, if you need a ride, next time just call or something. Jackie has her car and while it's small she usually only takes me or Kelso with her anyways."
"Thanks, Donna," I smiled.
I was about to close the door when she interjected with, "Oh, and there's a party at the Formans' tomorrow afternoon if you want to stop by. Everyone will be there and you'll get to at least meet them for the people they are when they're sober."
I chuckled, "Thanks."
After exchanging phone numbers and goodbyes, I went upstairs, burned some musky incense, and fell back asleep for the rest of the day and through the night. The party offer did sound nice though. There would probably be beer there. And if not, I could always leave. I decided I'd go the next day. I mean, it could be fun…..
