I finally finish up cleaning the garage with only an hour to spare before Combo's party. Like I told my mom, the dishes and laundry are going to have to wait until tomorrow. I shower and get dressed quickly since I have to pick up a pack of cigarettes on the way to Combo's.
"That'll be $7.56," the clerk says.
"Damn, alright." I rummage through my pockets to look for a few extra bucks. Being a teenager sucks. I never have money, I'm always being told what to do, and I still have to live at home with my parents. I can't wait until I turn 18 in a few months so I can get the hell out of here and go somewhere far away; for good.
I park my car across the street from Combo's. The party's already poppin' so I guess I got here just in time.
"Hey my man, what's good?"
"Hey! Jesse! Dude, where you been? Haven't heard from you or seen you at school lately bro! Glad you could make it." Combo seems excited to see me.
"Yeah man, I know. Just my parents, you know how it is bro. Where can I get a beer?"
"We got Corona's in the cooler in the back! Meet us down the street when you're done bro," Combo says to me.
I crack open my beer and man, does it taste good. My parents hate when I drink but trust me, if you had my parents, you would want to drink every moment of your damn life.
I meet up with Combo and the boys down the street.
"What's goin' on?"
"Dude Jesse, my cousin Eduardo brought me some dope bud. Want to take a few hits?" There's no way I'm passing up Combo's offer.
"Hell yeah man. You need a light?" I ask. The last time I smoked pot was a few days before I went to jail. I never realized how much I smoked it but man, I always felt my best whenever I did. Being high is something too difficult to describe. It's one of the greatest feelings in the world. You feel so relaxed with not a care in the world. My longest high lasted for about an hour a few year back when Combo and I were with his cousin, Eduardo. I'd love to pick up a stash from whomever Eduardo gets his from. It's some of the best weed I've ever smoked in my life.
Combo takes the first hit. "Man, that is some good s***," Combo says.
They finally pass me the join. Before I take a hit, I remember how shitty my life has been these past few months. I make a promise to myself that I have a great time tonight with my boys, just like old times. I finally put the joint to my lips.
I open my eyes, as best as I can, while feeling some chick kissing my neck. I hear Combo yelling my name from across the room. He's leaned against the basement wall trying to get my attention as he's pointing at some girl's butt. I try to give him a thumbs up, but it's definitely a struggle. I can now say that this is the highest I've ever been in my life. Combo's basement looks dope. Strobe lights are going off, music's playing, girls dancing, and there's an endless flow of booze. This chick next to me is super hot, so I start kissing her back. Once she tells me her name is Candy, I grab her by the thigh and take her upstairs. You can probably guess what happened next. About 30 minutes later, I go back downstairs to find Combo. I need another couple of hits as soon as possible.
"Bro, you got any joints left?"
"This is my last one Jesse! Whatever, hit it but go outside." I grab the joint from Combo and head out back. I finally get my high back and man, does it feel good. I hear sirens in the distance, not making much of a problem out of it. I take one last hit before putting out the joint when I see red and blue lights out front. I look around the corner of the house and see a cop circling my car.
"Hey! Hey! Hey! What the hell man?" I see the cop placing a ticket under my wipers.
"Sir, you cannot park your vehicle on the street past 2am."
"Well I was about to leave! I don't have $50 to pay for this s***," I explain.
The cop doesn't look too pleased with me. "Well too bad. Sir, is this your house throwing the party?"
"No, it's my buddy Combo's place. Is there a problem or something?"
"We've gotten several noise complaints and it is past curfew. Sir, have you been drinking?"
"No! I was just coming outside to check on my car." Now I'm screwed. I just need to get in my car and leave. If I get caught, I'm dead meat.
"Sir, I need to see some I.D. immediately." I grab my wallet and pull out my driver's license and hand it to the cop. He pulls out his flashlight and glances at my I.D. At this moment, I don't know whether to cry, run, or get in my car and floor it.
"Sir, I need you to do me a favor. I need you to walk in a straight line, one foot in front of the other, towards me. Now." I've seen this kind of stuff in the movies before. This is crucial. Not only have I smoked nearly 4 full joints of marijuana, I've had probably 8 or 9 beers. I have to focus. I take my first step. It's pretty good! My next step, even better. I make it all the way down the designated line. I did pretty damn good.
"Sir, I need you to turn around and put your hands behind your head."
"Wait, what! No! What! I'm clean! I didn't do anything!" The cop grabs my wrists and cuffs them together.
"Jesse Pinkman, you are under arrest for possession of marijuana and underage drinking. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right…" I don't even listen to a word the cop is saying. There's no way I can go back to that hellhole. My parents are going to freak! All I wanted was to have a good time tonight. I deserved it! The cop shoves my head into the cop car and we make our way towards the station. Once I get out of the car, I remember the last time I stood directly on these steps a few months back. "Long time no see," I sigh.
