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7. Experience

I've never felt so calm before in my life.

Ever.

It tasted strange at first, like putting dry dirt into my mouth. But after a while or so it felt liberating, so soothing and very calmed down from all the stress in my life. I felt like on top of the world! As I sat in my spot and continued smoking all the stress was released and I soon forgot about Connie and Tina and homework and food and Glee Club and school in general.

I walked over to Brett, Lark and the others and sat with them and continued blowing my joint. Everyone but Lark had a joint, Lark continued his cigarette in his hand. "Hey Marley," Lark said. "Is that your first joint?" I nodded. "Feels good at first, right?" Again I nodded. "Just wait a little while longer and soon everything will be fine."

I don't know how long it was until I felt hungry. Like super hungry. All I wanted was a cupcake and some cookies and a milkshake. Huge amounts of those foods. Huge amounts. I then had the most strangest thought ever and asking it out loud to the others. "Hey…what if tomorrow, we go to the store….get huge cupcakes."

"BROWNIES!" One other guy yelled, then began laughing loudly. "Brownies!"

The rest of the began laughing too, even Brett and Lark. Brett lost it. Some girl, Zandra, I think she lost it too. Some girl named Chandler stated something and then I lost it too.

I never felt so alive before in my life.

God knows how long things passed before I felt someone shaking me to wake up. I coughed a few times before sitting up with a major headache, a huge hunger craving, thirty for an ocean of water and feeling my head as if it were on fire. It was one of the football players, one of the rare nice ones. He asked if I were okay and I nodded. I looked around and saw that the others were gone. But there was a note for me on my shirt.

Lark: Call you tonight baby ;)

I felt crappy but okay. I stood up and brushed the dirt off my jeans and shirt. The football player sniffed and asked, "You smoke?"

"Uh, someone….cigarette…..Brant?" I couldn't remember if I was given a cigarette or weed, but I was sure it was a cigarette. From someone named Brant.

Or was it someone named Bret?

"Hang out with Stoner?" The player asked me.

"No, not stoned." I answered, picking up my backpack. "Gotta go to…lunch or math…"

"School's over for the day," He told me. "It's seven thirty."

Seven thirty!? What the….how did that happen!? Oh God, did I fall asleep? HOW?

I pulled my phone out and checked. Mom called me several times and messaged me asking where I was. Oh crap, I thought, I'm dead.

"Hey your friends with Lynn, right?" The guy asked me. "Rose, right?"

I just nodded with the head ache worsening and I ran away, running home as fast as I could. Stupid pain, stupid headache, stupid cigarette.

I got home. Mom was in the kitchen and asked where I was. "Sorry," I told her. "I was with Brittany at her house and I left my phone on vibrate."

She said it was okay and then asked why I smelled so odd. "I ran pass a bunch of guys having a cigarette blow party. I ran in the dust." She believed it. I ran upstairs and took a shower just having one thought: I lied to Mom. But I felt so…liberating!

Before I finally fell asleep I got a text from several people.

Sam: Hey, what was the history homework? I'm not in your class, but we're on the same subject stuff. Ryder isn't answering his phone.

Tina: Okay so Artie told me what happened…..BUT STILL! Watch yourself!

Jake: I'm sorry….can we talk? I made a mistake. Can we talk?

Brittany: Eye miss U. We should go get peeza next weak!

Ryder: Jimmy talked to me today after he found you under the bleachers….what the hell, Marley!? Smoking with Brett Stoner? That's not cool, I'm going to kick his ass tomorrow and talk to you about it Marls.

Lark: Hey, call me when you get the chance.

I replied to all of them. And in the order I received them too.

Chapter 17, questions A1—B10.

Whatever, I don't give a shit about your opinions anymore.

Seriously!? Hell no! We're done, get away from me and don't ever talk to me again!

Sounds like fun, Britt! I can't wait! :)

No, Ryder it's okay. I'm fine. I didn't smoke I was just talking to a friend of his and I fell asleep. I'll be fine.

After I sent the last message I dialed Lark's number and waited for him to pickup. After several rings the other end picked up. "Hey Marley,"

"Hi Lark." I grinned.