Love Me Love Me (English)

21

June

I was surprised by the unusual silence in Poppy's town house when I got there.

"June! You're here too!"

Poppy opened the door clearly buzzed. She was wearing a light-blue cardigan with a bikini underneath. I felt agitated as I followed her to the garden.

"Did you bring your swimsuit?" she asked, taking a sip from a drink with strawberries and mint leaves.

Jackson and Marvin were in the water with two girls.

Poppy realized they were smoking, and she ran to tell them off. I was alone in the middle of the garden.

"Finally, you're here."

Ari pulled me back inside and held out her hand expectantly.

Was I really reduced to this? Being a drug mule for a bit of attention?

"All of them or just one?"

"Give me everything," she said curtly.

"What're you gonna use them for?"

She blinked at me. "So I don't sleep, June."

She walked away, joining Brian in the kitchen.

He grabbed her hand. "What'd June give you?" he asked, glancing at me.

"Nothing. I have a bit of a headache. She just gave me some Tylenol." Ari just lied to her boyfriend, and looked him right in the eyes when she did it. I was inundated by conflicting emotions again. What if James was telling the truth? I immediately brushed away that thought. It wasn't any of my business, and Ari was too perfect to cheat on her equally perfect boyfriend. I went back to the living room, where Poppy was discussing tomorrow's homework with Sammy.

I felt jealousy take hold of me like a poisonous snake. My grades were mediocre, and all I did was study every afternoon just to keep up while they smoked, got drunk day in and day out, and were still straight-A students.

It was like being in a race knowing you'd lost as soon as you started.

"I'm going to the bathroom," I muttered.

I needed to get away from this mess.

"June, can I lend you a bathing suit?" Poppy asked as she rubbed a cloth on the Coke- and rum-stained carpet.

"No, thanks."

"Why?"

They had their secrets, and so did I. "I'll be right back." I cut her off.

I got to the bathroom, locked myself inside, and leaned back against the door.

"It's easy to hide away reading books, isn't it? No drama, no stomachaches, no fighting . . ."

The curtain pulled back, revealing a bathtub.

"Blaze! You almost gave me a heart attack!" I shouted, putting my hand on my chest. "Do you hide in the bathroom?"

"Sometimes."

He got up and jumped out of the tub.

"You all right?"

He nodded. "Did you have to pee? Do you want me to leave?"

"No, stay here." I cut him off, moving closer to the sink.

He looked at me embarrassed. "June . . ."

"I don't have to use the bathroom, Blaze."

We smiled for a moment.