after dark

"Hello? Anyone home?" I say, barging into what seemed to be an empty apartment.

"HELLOOO???" I scream a few seconds later at the top of my lungs, getting annoyed that no one was answering.

"I'm here, I'm here. Jeez, do you ever shut the fuck up?" Rai says, exiting the bathroom with a gray towel wrapped around her body.

"Okay, mommy, where's Ricky?" I responded to her crude remark.

"Napping." She said, strolling directly past me, making a beeline for the kitchen and towards the fridge. She snatches a half full of water bottle and a handful of cherries from the first shelf. With her back turned to me, she brings it up to her lips and chugs it. She then walked to the recycle bin and throw it in.

"So, what's the plan for today?" Following behind her, I remained by the kitchen island. I began tapping with my nails delicately on the marble surface.

"I mean we have nothing today, I figure we can just hang out." She replied.

"You want to go to a party?" I asked with a little smirk, peering down at my chipped black nails.

" Oh, fuck no.," she said, giving me the you know this look.

"Fine. Let's just go somewhere and drive. I'm antsy as fuck right now." I answered.

"Sure, just go wake Ricky up. I'll get changed." She says, walking past me and down the hall where our rooms are.

"Oh, and by the Way, Rai, you have blood in your hair," I said, walking into Ricky's room.

"Fuck you asshole, why'd you wait til now to tell me?" I heard Rai shout from behind the door.

Chuckling at Rai's anger, I made my way to Ricky's bed, and slightly bent over. I took a breath in. I exhale, knowing what was coming. I leaned down and put my mouth right by her ear.

"WAKE UP YOU IDIOTIC BITCH WE HAVE THE DAY OFF, GET THE FUCK UP." I screamed at the top of my lungs.

Ricky flinched, and her eyes fluttered open. They rubbed their eyes with the back of their hands and looked up at me with a pissed off expression.

"Good morning, sunshine." I grinned down at her.

They flipped me off.

"Aw, you wound me, 'ky. Now get your lazy ass the fuck up. We got places to be." I replied sarcastically.

"What time is it?" Ricky said.

" 9: 3 2 pm," I said, exiting their room.

I sat down on the red couch while I waited for them to get ready. After about 15 minutes, Rai came out of her room. She had on a black hoodie, and red sweatpants with her Black high tops that had red accents zippers and a little chain going from one side to the other. Her hood was up, and her hair was in her hoodie, but some strands were framing her face. Her nails were painted purple, and she had on some silver rings on and a bunch of necklaces, but one stood out it was silver, and it said "Aquarius" on it. She sat down next to me and automatically went on her phone.

We waited another 10 minutes before Ricky came out of their room. Ricky was wearing a black over sized tee with a pair of black sweats. They were wearing White Air force 1's with black accents. Her initials were in the back of their shoes instead of the word Nike. Their nails were painted a burgundy red. Her short red-dyed hair was in a half up, half down style. They had on many layered necklaces and, like Rai, they had on a necklace that said "Aquarius" on it.

Guess we're all wearing that necklace today.

"Finally you sloth." I said, irritated at how long it took her to get ready.

"It's not everyday someone wakes me up telling me we're going driving." They replied, making me roll my eyes.

"Can you both shut the fuck up?" Rai said, standing up, heading towards the door. She opens the door and holds it open for Ricky, and Ricky does the same for me. After I was out, I took my keys out of my pocket and put the key to our apartment in the keyhole. 'Ky and Rai stood behind me in silence, waiting for me to finish locking up.

I turn the key to the right, tuning in for a tick. When I hear it, I turn the key back to the left, then pull it out and put it in my pocket. I bring my hand up to the door handle and attempt to open the door. It didn't open. I turned around to the face the girls then point in the elevator's direction.

Rai was walking in front of me with her right hand in her pocket, and her left hand was fidgeting with her keys, swinging them in a clockwise circle around her pointer finger. Behind me stood Ricky, looking down at their phone, texting someone back.

Who could that be?

We finally reached the elevator, Rai clicked the button, signaling for the elevator to come up. She let go of the button, which made a blue light shine behind it. A few seconds later, I heard a ding coming from the elevator, meaning it was here. When we stepped in, I click the button that had a star and a 1 next to it. I stood on the far left side opposite of Ricky, who stood 3 feet away from me on the right side, and Rai was in the middle of us directly in front of the door. The elevator wasn't too big, but not too small. The walls were silver, and I could see my blurry reflection in them. There were mirrors on the ceiling. When the door opened, we all exited, Rai being first and me being last.

We made our way through the parking lot until we spotted Rai's car. It was a Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the exterior was matte black, and the interior was red. Suits Rai.

Rai clicked her keys, turning the car on, making the lights flash.

"Shotgun" I said, making my way to the passenger seat, opening the door and plunking down on the red seat.

"Fuck you!" Ricky groaned.

I buckled my seatbelt. When I finished, I reached into my pocket for my phone. I tapped on the screen, which showed my lock screen, which was a picture of me, Ricky and Rai. It read the time 10:02 I had a few texts from my friends, which I ignored. Without looking up, I heard Ricky enter the car and their seatbelt clicked, I turned around and peeked over at them to see they were in the middle seat in the back.

Rai got in the driver's seat and buckled up. Since she already turned the car on, she automatically shifted gears and pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street.

"Can I get the aux?" Ricky said from the back.

"Sure." Rai answered the red head's question

"So, Rai, where are we going?" I asked.

"IHOP," Rai blandly responded.

"Yes, Ma'am" Ricky and I said in sync.

Is it too late to say Rai is a reckless driver? Given the fact that she's literally a race car driver, it's not surprising. We try our best not to piss her off while she's driving. So that means small talk =big no no.

I reached into my gray pocket and grabbed my pack of cigarettes and my red lighter that had a black Chemical Romance sticker on it. I rolled down my window, taking out a cigarette from the pack, then closing it back up and putting back the rest of the pack into my pocket. I stick the white stick in between my teeth and bite down lightly to keep it in place. I bring my lighter up to the end of the cigarette and cup my hand around the cig I then spark a fire which doesn't last long. I put the lighter back, proceeding to slightly suck in, letting the smoke into my mouth I breath in, inhaling the smoke. I hold it in for three seconds than exhaling it. After exhaling, I bring my middle and pointer finger up and take the cigarette out of my mouth, letting my arm rest on the open window with the cigarette still laced in my fingers. I look at my hand which had multiple rings on it, my favorite being shaped like playing cards.

We pull up in the IHOP parking lot. I take my seat belt off, then roll my window up. Ricky had already gotten out and was standing by the car door waiting for me to get out. I open my door, stepping my right foot out, then my left foot. I toss my cigarette, then step on it. Rai got out from the driver's seat, then shut her door. She clicked her car keys once again, making the lights twitch for a second, then turn off. Ricky and I jog over to the left side by the driver's side, which also was where the entrance was. This time I lead the way, jogging over to the door and opening it for Rai and Ricky to walk through. Ricky walks through first, with Rai walking right behind them and me behind Rai. I shut the door behind me and follow wherever the pair went.

I spot the hostess standing in the front. She was young and pretty, with long brown hair and beautiful brown eyes her, pretty cheeks were red. From where I stood, I would say she was 3 inches shorter than me, which makes her around 5'7. Just by looking at her, I could tell she had one hell of a personality, yet she still looked kind. She smiled at us as we walked up to her.

"Hi, my name is Claudia, and I'll be your hostess. How many people are in your party? ," She smiled with a gentle voice. She was breathtaking.

"Hi, can we get a table for three?" I asked her.

"Sure, right this way, please." She grabbed 3 menus, then walked ahead of us, leading us to a booth by the windows. "I will send a waiter over" she smiled at us one last time then walked away.

"Thank you." Ricky responded.

"Whewwww, she's hot as fuck." I said, watching her walk away.

"Fuck yeah, she is." Ricky responded.

Rai, who sat across from me next to Ricky, was chuckling.

"What're you guys getting?" Ricky asked.

"I don't know. I'm in the mood for the cinn-a-stick pancakes right now. How about you guys?" I replied, looking at the menu.

"Red velvet pancakes, they have them on the secret menu."
Ricky responded.

"What about you, Rai?"

"I'll get the same as Ricky."

We put our menus down, patiently waiting for the water. Finally, a tall blonde starts approaching us. He looked to be around my height, maybe a little taller. His eyes were brown, and his hair was a little short, definitely shorter than Eren Jeager's hair.

"Hey ladies, what can I get started for you tonight?" He smiled down at us. He looked at me and Ricky, then he laid eyes on Rai and his cheeks grew bright red. He looked away quickly and took out his paper, and pen, getting ready to listen.

"Hi, we would like two orders of the red velvet pancakes and one order of the cinn-a-stick pancakes," Ricky responded to his question. He was writing what Ricky had said, looking up from his mini notebook to look at Rai occasionally.

"And what would you like to drink?" He said.

"Just 3 waters please,," I responded

"That was two orders of red velvet pancakes and one order of cinn-a-stick pancakes, and three waters, correct?"

We all nodded our heads, letting him know he got it right.

"Great, I will be right back with your food" He turned around and started walking away

"Did you guys see that?" I said with a smirk, looking at Rai.

"Oh I saw," Ricky said, smiling

"See what?" Rai questioned.

"He's cheeks turned red when he looked at you. How did you miss that?" I looked at the clueless girl.

"Our waiter has a little crush on Rai." Ricky teased from beside Rai,

"Can you die?" Rai responded

"What is the truth, he was looking at you and turned red. What was his name again? Colton or something like that?" I said.

"No, it was just Colt." Rai said, which made a snarky smirk appear on Ricky and I's faces.

"WHAT?" Rai whisper shouted.

"Nothing." I smirked at Ricky, who was already smirking at me.

"Whatever." Rai rolled her eyes at us.

Not long after, Colt came back with our plates. He asked who ordered what, and after we told him. After we ate the delicious pancakes, he came back with the check, and he slipped a little note to Rai, which made me and Ricky smile non stop at Rai.

It was pretty cute how hard he was staring at her. I mean, who can blame him, though? Rai's hot.

We paid, then left the restaurant. As soon as we got in the car, me and Ricky were staring at Rai waiting for her to tell us what was on the note:

"Why are you guys staring at me?" Rai responded

"Because we want to know what's on the note," Ricky responded, making me nod my head in agreement.

"I don't know, I haven't checked."

"Well, what are you waiting for?" I said.

Ignoring my comment, she opened his note.

"It's his number" A cheeky smile appeared on the brunette's face.

"AWWWWW" Ricky and I said at the same time, finding it adorable how he gave her his number.

Ricky and I gave each other the 'are you thinking what I'm thinking? Look'

"Rai and Colt sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G, first comes love, then come's the marriage, then come's the baby with the baby carr-"

"Can you both die?" Rai said, laughing.

She pulls out of the parking lot and back into the street.

"So, where do you guys want to go?" Rai asked, driving

"We could drive around," Ricky said from the back

"Orrrr we could smoke on the abandoned rooftop,," I said smiling, trying to convince them.

"It's like you want us to get kidnapped,," Rai responded from next to me

"You didn't say no..." I said, smiling harder

"I mean, I'm down unless you're too pussy to go, Ricky." Rai smiled, looking at Ricky through the mirror.

"I'm not scared, but I'm not necessarily excited to sit in the dark on an abandoned rooftop."

"Pussy," I said under my breath

"I'M NOT A PUSSY." Ricky screamed

"Yeah ok" I responded

"Shut up and give me the aux." they said from the back seat. I leaned forward, grabbed the wire, and handed it to her.

"Thank you."

Not long after, they started playing music, mainly hip hop, some RnB and some pop. Some songs I knew, some songs I didn't, but finally she put "The reaper" by A Boogie on and we all started screaming at the top of our lungs. Mainly Ricky thought they sure love this song.

Finally, we pull up on the street of the abandoned house. Before I get out of the car, I grab the weed, grinder, filter, and rolling paper, which was all in a ziplock bag. Walking towards the back of the house, we spot the ladder that was left there and start climbing up. Once I got up, I took a second and just looked around. The air was cold and every now and there was a gust of wind hitting against my body. The moon was as beautiful as ever. It was a full moon tonight. The stars were shining brightly. The sky was a dark navy blue, almost pitch black, but not yet. I like this weather. It was March, so the weather was still chilly but it was getting warmer every day. I hear a fake cough coming from behind me, snapping me out or my haze. When I turn around, it's Ricky and Rai and they were already sitting on the floor, waiting for me to join them. I sat down, pulling the ziplock bag out of my pocket l.

"So who want's to roll today?" I asked

"Not it," they said at the same time

"Fuck you guys." I responded

I put the ziplock bag on the floor, opening it up and taking out the grinder, rolling paper, filter and pot. I open up the grinder, put the buds in the compartment, close it up and start twisting the grinder, which made the drug get smaller and smaller.

"Ricky, can you fold up the filter?" I asked while still grinding.

Saying nothing, Ricky picks it up and starts folding it repeatedly. When they finished, they held it up to me and said "This good?" She asked. I nodded, opening up the bottom of the grinder, which had the weed grated. I take the rolling paper, folding it in a small U shape. I then spread the weed all over the joint, leaving space for the filter.

After spreading it, I realize I don't have my nail file or anything I can push it down with.

"Fuck." I murmur underneath my breath, which 'Ky and Rai both heard.

"What is it?" Rai said

"I brought nothing to push it down with."

"Oh, I have something you can use." Rai said, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a Swiss Knife that had a nail file.

I take the nail file and push down on the weed to make sure it stays in place. After doing so, I take Rickys filter and put it at the end of the joint. I lick one side, making direct eye contact with Rai, who had a smirk on her face, and started rolling up the brown blunt. By the time I'm finished, my fingers hurt a little.

Long fingers do come in handy sometimes, hm?

"Tadaaaa" I hold up the perfectly rolled joint. They both clap their hands in sarcasms.

"Thank you, thank you" I stand up, do a fake bow. As I was sitting down, Ricky takes out her phone and puts on the song After Dark by Mr. Kitty.

I take out my lighter, bringing it up to the end of the joint and lighting it. Instantly, I felt the blunt get hot under my fingers. Something I've always hated about blunts is how fast they got hot and how hot they get, but hey they get the job done right? I bring the blunt up to my lips, wrapping them around the end with the filter and sucking in, I feel the smoke tickling my throat, threatening to keep going past it. I take it out of my lips, inhaling the smoke, then exhaling it. I hand it to Ricky, who was impatiently waiting for me to hand them it. She sucks on the perfectly wrapped blunt, her cheeks hallow, they hold the smoke in her mouth for a little shorter than me considering the fact that they had asthma, her limit was shorter than mine. She looks down at the blunt in between their lips. She takes it out then hands it to Rai who put it between her pink lips. She sucks in, her jaw clenching from the action, her cheeks hollow then fill up with the smoke. Before exhaling, she hands me back the blunt. When I put it in between my lips, I could taste Ricky's lip gloss on the filter, which I'm not complaining about. We pass the joint around for a while until we finish it. Eventually Rai gets started on another one, Ricky helping her. I stood up from my spot, the intoxicating smell of weed was making my headache. I walked over to the corner of the rooftop, looking at the night sky. I heard foot steps approaching. Without turning around, I could tell they were Ricky's.

"Hey, you okay?" They asked, standing to my left.

"Yeah, I'm cool just need a little breath, my hurts a little though." I answered their question.

"You sure?"

"Mhm" I nodded, am I really sure? No.

I've been smoking since I was 14, I learned how to roll my first blunt in the back of a church, you would think by now I would like the scent of it, but no, just being around it for too long makes me nauseous.

I link my arm with Ricky's and we turn around and start heading towards Rai, who looks to be finished with rolling a blunt.

Ricky's POV

Zara stood up from her spot without saying a word, heading over to the edge of the roof. She had her pockets on her navy blue hoodie. She took little steps, watching where she was putting her feet so she didn't end up tripping.

"Hey, is she okay?" I glance over at Rai, who was busy grinding up the pot.

"I think so, she just hates the smell."

"I'm going to go check up on her." I said, using my arms to push my body up. Once I was up, I started approaching the brunette, careful not to scare her.

"Hey, you okay?" I said, standing to her left.

"Yeah, I'm cool just need a little breath, my throat hurts a little though." The moon was shining on her face, making her face clear as day. Her tan face had grown pale. Her lips were purple, and she was fidgeting with her hands

"You sure?"

"Mhm" she nodded

I know Zara can handle her shit, but right now she looks like a ghost. There was no color on her face.

She links her arm with mine and starts walking towards Rai, who had just finished rolling the blunt.

"Lighter." Rai reached her hand out for Zara to place the lighter in.

Zara unlinks our arms and digs in her pocket for her red lighter, she pulls it out and puts it in Rai's hand, Rai puts the stick in her lips, and lights the fire and cups her hand around the blunt and lighter to prevent it from blowing away with the wind.

Zara sits down next to Rai and lays her head on her shoulder. She looked exhausted.

"You want a hit Z?"

"No, no I'm good, someone has to drive us home tonight, right?" I chuckled

"Shut the fuck up, I'm not letting you drive my car." Rai responded

"Please Rai?"

"No Zara, you're not driving my fucking car."

"Ugh, fine be that way." Zara rolled her eyes and lifted her head off of Rai's shoulder, then started crawling over to me she laid her head on my lap looking up at me smiling. I tangled my fingers in her hair, playing with it and twisting the ends a little. She closed her eyes and didn't say a word. She was humming a song that I couldn't recognize, but she seemed to enjoy herself. Rai and I passed the blunt back and forth while Zara just laid down on my lap in silence, minding her business. Her left leg was still bouncing up and down against the floor, meaning she was anxious. She only ever shook her leg when she was anxious or getting a burst of energy she can't control. After a few minutes, me and Rai had finished the blunt. Rai cleaned up and put everything back in the ziplock bag.

"Alright, you guys ready to go?" Rai asked, standing on top of me and Zara, who was still laying on my lap.

"Yeah, I'm ready." She said, standing up, then reaching her hand out for me to grab, which I do. After we all stood up, we climb down the ladder me first, then Rai.

Zara's POV

I watch Ricky, who was carefully walking down the ladder, then stepping foot on the grass, giving us a thumbs up, letting us know we can head down. Rai goes next. I patiently wait my turn looking at the night sky one last time before heading down.

As soon as I took the first step, the air was knocked out of my lungs and the stars seemed closer than before. I lost all the strength on my body, every muscle in my body was paralyzed. I tried to turn around but my limbs were frozen in place and wouldn't budge. My lungs were throbbing, then all of a sudden I stopped feeling them. I felt the air against my body pushing me down. The only sound I heard was my heart racing, pleading, begging for help, then everything went pitch black.

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