"Damn, your mom is fucking crazy.", Nora complained, as the two walked down the pathway, digging through her pockets for her wand.
"Well, I've gotten used to be to be honest.", Linnie laughed nervously, tugging slightly on his sweater collar, "She doesn't really like it when I go out by myself, unless it's for school or babysitting in the neighborhood."
"Why not? You don't go to clubs or parties or anything?"
"Oh goodness no. That's more of Daisy's thing. I just find them way too noisy, and I get kind of uncomfortable during them."
"Lame ass.", Nora muttered, just barely loud enough for Linnie to hear her.
"I'm sorry?"
"I'm just saying, you're only in high school once. I don't understand why you waste it watching other people's brats..Ugh! Where is that damn wand?"
"Well..I-I guess I just like to..um…you know, It's always been a dream of mine to raise a family of my own, and I do think the babysitting gives me practice with that. Plus, it's good money on the side."
"Uh huh…", Nora muttered, no sign of her wand, "Shit…I think I left my wand back at the house. Can you poof us there?"
"I don't have a license."
"Of fucking course..", Nora sighed a rather annoyed sigh, making Linnie squirm almost apologetically. They stood around silently for a moment until suddenly, a small smirk grew on Nora's face.
"You know what, forget prom. You want to have some real fun?", Nora asked, her fingers riding up and down Linnie's jacket, "There's this bar down the street from where I used to live. They don't ID."
"They don't ID? Isn't that illegal? How are they still in business."
"Meh..owner must have figured that they'd attract more customers.", Nora shrugged, "The signs say they ID, but judging by some of the customers I've seen, I seriously doubt they actually do."
"B-But wouldn't we get in serious trouble? What if they did ID us, and we go to jail? A-and alcohol isn't something I'm very fond of.", Linnie complained. Nora rolled her eyes at him.
"Ok seriously? Quit being chicken shit. You're ruining my night out.", Nora groaned, "In case you just so happened to forget, I'm your guest. I didn't HAVE to agree to take you to prom, and I did, despite everything that I've been through and all…you know, having an abusive mother has taken such a toll on me..I figured it'd be nice to get some drinks. But since you're so insistent, I guess I could go without. I could just go to bed and replay all those thoughts instead."
"Oh Nora, no no! I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean to be so rude! I'm really sorry.", Linnie said with a rather high pitched voice, bending his knees slightly to match her height, "Um..I guess one night is fine if that's what you want. I'm sorry Nora. I-I didn't mean to make you feel bad."
"Good. I'll lead the way. Might wanna have that taser handy."
As they made their way towards Nora's old neighborhood, Linnie hugged himself tighter, grateful that his mother had reminded him about his taser and pepperspray. They were groups of sketchy looking fairies that looked up and down at Linnie as if he were fresh meet, while other hung around the outside of shops and graffiti covered walls, smoking cigarettes and cigars. They turned a dimly lit corner and continued to float until they saw a neon-green, 4 leaf clover sign illuminated towards the end of the block.
"Just down ahead, Lin!", Nora cheered, "They've got some really good beer. I tried a cup on my way home one evening, but I think they've got some wines if that's what you're into."
"Nora please, I-I would really rather just a soda or some water."
"Well, what's the damn point of going to a bar if you're not going to drink, huh?", Nora yelled suddenly, making Linnie cringe with fear, "Do you WANT tonight to be a disaster for me? After all I've been through with my mother?"
"N-n-no please Nora! I'm sorry! I-I'll get something. I promise. I'm sorry, I know you want tonight to be special."
"Damn straight, and don't you forget it! I don't think I'm the one being unreasonable here, Linnie!", Nora yelled, grabbing Linnie's hand tightly as the two entered the bar. The room was filled with endless chatting and loud, rude laughs, while illuminating itself it a harsh, yellow light. Luckily for them, they were able to find two front-row seats near the stained bar, despite being close to happy hour. Stella, a blond haired fairy with wrinkles and tan skin, smiled at the two newcomers.
"Hey there. What can I get out."
"Gimmie this whiskey on the rocks.", Nora said, looking at the drink menu, "Feeling adventurous tonight.
"Excellent, and what about you, darling. Oooh.", Stella looked up and down at Linnie, "Aren't you just the prettiest thing? What's a guy like you doing in a shit hole like this?"
"Aye! Back off! He's with me.", Nora snapped, Stella backing off with her hands up in the hair, "What do you want Linnie?"
"Um…I guess just some red wine please. Thank you.", Linnie said softly, grabbing his bag out, "Um…Did we need to bring some IDS or…"
"Linnie! SHUSH!", Nora said between her teeth. Luckily, it went unnoticed by Stella, who merely smiled at Linnie.
"Don't worry darling. I'm sure you guys are fine. I'll bring them right out.", she said, winking at him before she left. Linnie continued to look around at his surroundings, feeling very much out of place, until he felt a sharp, vibration from his pants pocket. He took out his phone and read the message that Daisy had sent:
Linnie? Are you ok? Where u at? Thought u were gonna meet us there?
You were supposed to bring me with you, remember? That's what mom wanted.
Oh…shit yea. That'd explain why she was yelling where I left LOL. Prob gonna be so grounded. But seriously where are you? Can't seem to find you anywhere.
I'm with Nora right now.
That doesn't answer my question. .You?
Before Linnie could answer, the drinks were placed in front of them, and Nora nudged him to put the phone away.
"She'll be alright. I'll have you home by midnight.", Nora said, taking a swig of her drink as she grabbed her phone out, pulling out Daisy's number, "Don't worry I got this."
Hey. This is Nora. Linnie and I decided to hang out at the house for the evening. We were both just kinda tired from exams and everything, so figured we'd chill out at home.
Little did Nora know, Linnie really couldn't handle his liquor. After the first round of drinks, Nora watched as Linnie swayed slowly in his seat; his nervous nature now subdued with a goofy smile, looking at Nora with a somewhat loving glance.
"Your hair…Your hair kinda looks like ice cream hahaha.", Linnie laughed, squeaking out a hiccup, "Oh! Excuse me! Oh..I need the restroom. Excuse me."
Nora tried to keep her laughter in as Linnie wobbled around towards the men's room, nearly losing his balance when the floor turned from the lobby's wood to the bathroom's tiles. Swallowing down the rest of her whiskey, she ordered a second round of drinks and waited for Linnie to get back, still with his goofy grin, and his hair all frizzed out; his face blushing, and his glasses askew.
"I-Nora…you're really hot.", Linnie purred, moving himself closer to Nora as he sipped on the second wine glass, "Would it be ok if I…"
Suddenly, Nora pulled Linnie into a kiss, pressing her hands onto his shoulders to help him keep balance. They rubbed their arms around their waists and bodies as the couple got up from their seats; Nora throwing money onto the counter. Nora pushed Linnie out to the floor first and grabbed him, dragging him to a dark, more private corner in the alley in which they couldn't be seen. Linnie laughed and giggled as Nora kept kissing him, making sure his taser and pepperspray were nowhere close to her as she got closer, kissing as the darkness engulfed them..
It wasn't but the weekend after that trouble started to brew. Linnie had passed out after puking during one of their final exams, and his mind couldn't help but flood itself with memories of that faithful night with Nora.
Oh goodness oh goodness…ugh, my stomach is killing me…and my period should have been a few days ago…wait, did Nora? Wait…no she couldn't have. Could she?
Keeping all of this in mind, Linnie made a pit stop after school and bought one of the pregnancy tests near the men's section, sneaking it into the backpack so that no one would see him with it. Locking himself in the bathroom, he watched nervously as the pink heart that represented positive stared at Linnie as if he had a giant black dot on his forehead.