Page 26 of Life of the Party

“Yeah. We’re going to record our first album soon.”

“What? That’s so amazing.” I exclaimed. “We should celebrate!”

“That’s the idea.” He chuckled.

Our eyes met, and we smiled at each other, downing the sharp, cold, bubbly.

After that, we ordered more drinks, preparing to really party. I chugged my whiskey almost as soon as it came, trying to stay buzzed. Grey watched me take one last gulp and smiled.

“That’s impressive, but really not necessary.”

“What? Why not?”

“Because.” He grinned wickedly, looked around, and passed me a hand mirror from the other side of him. There were two smudgy lines reflected on the glass, and I could see my face looking down on them—could see the confusion, the comprehension, and then the anxiety that overtook my reflected expression.

Cocaine. Grey was offering me cocaine.

“I promised you a good time, didn’t I?”

My stomach did a little flip. Cocaine was always something I avoided. I didn’t really know why, but it was on the other side of the line I’d drawn for myself. The stupid line. I’d never had an interest.

“If you don’t want to, it’s no big deal. Just pass it on.” Grey spoke softly.

“No. I want to.” I decided. Of course I would do it. It was no different than Ex or mush or weed, just another means to a desirable end. And I wanted that end. I wanted to be higher than I’d ever been before. I smiled at Grey.

“I don’t know how.” I giggled, ashamed.

“Just pinch your other nostril shut.” He leaned in close to me, explaining under his breath. He handed me a rolled-up twenty-dollar bill. “Then suck it in with this, and chase the line.”

“From the mirror?”

He nodded. My heart beat convulsively in my chest, I was so nervous.

“Don’t make fun of me.” I pleaded. Grey laughed.

“I won’t. Look, no one’s even watching. Just don’t blow out, whatever you do. I promise you’ll love it.”

“I will?”

He nodded again. That was it for me. Sold.

I leaned over and did it the way Grey said. I sucked in quickly and moved the bill down the line. Then I straightened up, sniffing, feeling an immediate burn in my sinuses. I sniffed and sniffed, rubbing at my septum, and pushed the mirror towards Charlie. Grey laughed, watching me.

“What do you think?” He wondered. I looked at him and honestly felt no different. Just that my nose was on fire.

“I…I don’t…” I was about to say, “feel anything,” but was suddenly unable to speak.

Because I did feel something. I felt amazing. I looked at Grey with wonder. My hands were shaking and I felt so good I wanted to cry. I can’t even describe the euphoria that flooded over me, the total and complete joy and contentment that became mine in that instant. I was physically numb but mentally clear, completely awake and alert. Totally confident.

I looked at Grey and smiled, buzzing.

“Wow…it’s just so, and I never realized it was like this. Is it always like this? Did you do some? Do you feel the same? Can we do some more?” I was whispering. He laughed, hard, like I’d said something outrageously hilarious. I wasn’t even worried he was laughing at me. How could he be? I was so awesome at that moment.

The mirror was passed around a few more times, clandestinely. Grey showed me how to pull my forehead back afterwards and inhale sharply to get better absorption.

He was right. I loved it, more than anything I’d ever tried.

After a few more lines, I wasn’t content to sit anymore. I grabbed Charlie’s hand and we went to the washroom, then to the shooter bar, then back to the booth, then back to the washroom, gabbing the entire time. Neither of us could talk fast enough or run out of things to say. Everything we said was so profound, so right on. My entire body was humming; I could feel my heart beating rapidly.

---