The Third Stall Part 2

Mara’s new friend at school seems perfect, until she learns things aren’t as they seem

The next days at school, Celie became my favorite part of going to school. I'd meet her before school, and at lunch, we even figured out we had almost the same schedule. The teachers wouldn't stop me from talking with her, and we'd chat in the back of the class. People gave us looks, but I ignored them.

It was a week later, and at lunchtime, Celie and I walked to our spot under the bleachers. We took our spot, and I took a bite of a Subway sandwich. I offered her some, but she shook her head, saying she was fine.

I watched as she took her two blue pills, and I watched her. "Can I try one?" I asked, and she looked up at me, surprised.

"Some of mine?"

I nodded, "Just one, I want to try it."

She made a face, "I don't want to run out, my doctor doesn't give me them anymore, and I have to pay like thirty bucks for a tin." she said, "I can hook you up with someone though." she looked around, as if she was trying to find someone.

"I- I don't think I need a whole tin, Celie?" She got up and waved me over.

I followed her, folding my sandwich in the paper and placing it back in my lunch box, we walked through the school, and stopped just outside of a door, a janitor wiping the glass of a classroom.

"Ask him, give him ten bucks, and he'll know," she said, her head peaking around the corner as she beckoned me in there. When I was in the janitor turned and looked at me, surprised, his face contorting into confusion.

"Hey, you're not supposed to be in here," he said, face lined with wrinkles and voice aged, stern.

"Sorry, I just..." I fished out a ten-dollar bill from my pocket, "I need some of those blue-"

He shushed me, taking the money, "Not so loud, kid." he slipped a metal tin into my pocket, "Here."

I felt the weight of the metal container and nodded, "Thanks."

He gave me one jerky nod, "Get out of here." I nodded and exited, Celie and I heading down the stairs and back outside, where we settled under the bleachers.

"Take one," she said, her face bright, as if she was excited for me to do drugs.

I picked one from the half-empty container and rolled the tiny blue pill in between my fingers, "It won't kill me?" I muttered.

She watched me, ignoring my question and beckoning me to try it, scooting forward.

I popped it in my mouth, swallowing it with a bit of water. "Now what?"

"Take another one," she said, "two is the best amount."

I hesitated before putting another one in my mouth, downing it with water, "Now I wait?"

"Yup," she said, "It's so nice."

I lay down on the ground, the grass tickling my ears, I waited and waited and frowned, "Celie... I'm not sure if it's working."

She smirked, "It is, sit up."

I sat up and felt like I was on water, wobbly and... happy. I laughed and settled back in the grass, feeling my body get more in whatever illegal haze I was in as I imagined myself on a boat, tanning.

"Wow," I said, "That's so cool." I breathe, like I just got done with a rollercoaster.

"I know," she smirked, tossing her black hair off her shoulder, "Want to just skip next period? Live in this for a bit?"

I nodded, "This. Is. Great." I said, sighing dreamily