˟perfect world

“Are you even listening to me?” he asked with a laugh as the person’s eyes returned to his. “This is important.”

     “It’s very possible I might not be...” She laughs back, looking at him from the tree with all the birds. “Sorry.”

“It’s a Saturday night and this is really the best we could come up with? Why don’t we do something fun? Maybe adventurous? We’ll only be stupid teenagers for so long, after all.”

     “I’m sorry I’m not creative enough for you, Imogen.” She still grins, trying to be sassy. “What do you think we should do?”

The brunette watched carefully as the other took the first hit, feeling her lips stretch into a smile when the sound of her giggles filled the room. It was strange how it felt as if the mood around them had changed, something in the air despite the smoke that now left Parker’s lip as she took her own hit and smiled even more at the simplicity of it all. “It’s probably nothing though.” She kept picking at it, laughing as she did so and taking another hit— letting it invade her lungs before breathing out again. “Just simple attraction. Nothing to be worried about.” 

     There was something different that made Rae different from pretty much everyone else in the world. They saw things as simple, and Rae couldn’t wrap her head around it. She bit on her lip, moving herself so her legs were pulled to his chest. “I don’t think attraction is every simple.” She looks at Parker with a simplistic expression. “It’s complicated, and sometimes, in a time when you’re very unsure of the things your body is telling you, something foreign to you, you can’t help but get worried. It’s not bad, it’s just life.”

Parker’s fingers worked with both familiarity and delicacy, her hair falling over her face as she looked down and tested out her lighter. Rae’s comment brought out a chuckle from her, Parker glancing up at her as she handed her the pipe. “Oh?” She arched an eyebrow as she motioned her to go for the first hit, turning on the lighter and smiling softly as the swell of burning pot intoxicated her nostrils. “You should get that checked out. Getting nervous all of a sudden— it’s got to be stressing you out.” Admittedly, Parker was teasing. Also admittedly, she didn’t find anything wrong with that.

     As Parker brought the pipe closer to her, she leans in, bringing it to her lips. Watching closely as she spoke, as well as lighting the pipe for her, her cheeks were already hot, so they couldn’t get anymore. But in the middle of inhaling the thick smoke, she erupted in small giggles, making her coughs a little. Instead of blushing even more, she just giggled. “Maybe I should.” She agrees softly, playing with her frayed shorts again, letting Parker herself take a hit.

“No. I haven’t got much of a sweet tooth.” 

    “I find that very unfortunate.”

Rae’s words made Parker laugh softly, giving her a curious look but setting up her things anyway: weed, pipe, lighter. “Trust me” She gave her in return, her rosy cheeks not going unnoticed and making Parker laugh. “Don’t be so nervous.” Parker laughed as she put a gram inside her pipe and moved so that she was facing the blonde now. “It’s harmless.”  

     Her cheeks just go hot, and she’s watching Parker as she sets up the pipe. “It’s not the weed that makes me nervous.” She says softly, playing with the hem of her pants. Coming to terms with herself lately, she recognizes how girls make her feel. That it’s not just general social anxiety, but simple attraction. She smiles, though, waiting for Parker.

“No problem.” She watched as the girl poured the chocolate over her ice cream. “Sweet tooth much?” Baylee looked up at her when she offered her ice cream. “No. Thank you.” 

     “Life’s too long not to have one.” She shrugs, licking her finger after swiping the bottom of the jar. “More for me, then.” Putting the jar back on the shelf, she scooped some into her mouth. “Aren’t there any sweets you like?”

“Hey, m’just making sure.” Parker stopped for a second as she raised her arms in defense, a chuckle still managing to escape her lips. “Last thing either of us needs is some kid getting on us because they can’t handle the Earth’s natural scents.” She winked as she said this, finally returning to her actions of rummaging through her bag and finding a little plastic bag and her handy pipe. She thought about Rae’s question as she transitioned herself over to her bed and took a seat next to the blonde, crossing her legs. “More times that I’m willing admit.” Parker shrugged but kept the easy going aurora around them, all too used to smoking it up with her friends. “Although this will be my first time with you. There goes our virginity.” She joked with a soft smile. 

     As far as she’s concerned, Kameron would probably smoke too, given the opportunity. So they wouldn’t mind. Sh watches Parker carefully, and laughs at her jokes. Rae adjusts herself on her bed so she’s laying on her back, knees up. Giggling at Parker’s last comment, she rolls on her side. “Just be gentle and take good care of me, ‘kay?” She plays along, putting her hand on Parker’s leg. She was kidding, but her own words made her cheeks dust with pink.

“Really? A jar of fudge?” Baylee rolled her eyes, but something about the other girl made her spare her the ‘fuck off, run it under hot water’ that was going through her mind. “Gimme”  She took the jar and gave it a good twist to the left. She heard a break in the seal and handed it back. “There ya go.”

     Whatever it was that made it so hard for Rae to get the damn lid off, but not the other girl, get her a little frustrated, but she was still thankful when she handed the jar back. “Thank you so much,” She tilts the jar over her bowl of ice cream, waiting to drizzle some of the thick chocolatey-ness on top. “Would you like some?” She offers, figuring it’s the nicest thing to do since she helpped her out.

Sofia furrowed her brows upon hearing the girl’s obnoxious laugh, cringing slightly. “I see…” the brunette replied, studying the girl. She seemed to be Sofia’s polar opposite in most ways. “I’m Sofia,” she introduced herself. “Since I’m not a new face anymore, you don’t need to peep in my doorway anymore. Got it?”

     It was’t like everyone loved Rae, she was used to being a distaste to some, but that didn’t mean she had to act any different. “Well now that you’re not a new face, I don’t think I will have to peep.” She holds her hands together in front of her, slightly swaying from the balls of her feet. “I will most definitely knock before staring.” She nods.

“Great!” The brunette perked up as Rae picked the better of the two options, reaching for her over the shoulder athlete bag she took with her everywhere. “Your roommate won’t mind the smell, right?” Parker glanced up at her as she grinned and dug through her bag. 

     Rae didn’t really think about that. But it wasn’t a huge deal, and she states her reason so, “Well, I don’t think so... I’ve smoked up in here before.” so if she did, she just never said anything, and at that point, it wasn’t Rae’s fault. She crossed her legs, pressing her elbows to her knees as she watched Parker get her things. “You often smoke pot with new friends?” She grins warmly, and a little playfully.

Baylee had been watching the other person struggle for a quite a bit.  She hadn’t meant to, but their obvious trouble had caught her eye. She wasn’t the type to offer help, mostly because she wasn’t the type to ask for it. Asking for help was a sign of weakness, you had to get things done on your own. “Do you think you’ll make progress with that any time soon?”

     Rae was hopeless. Completely, utterly hopeless. She wasn’t sick with pride, but instead filled with determination. However, trying to open the jar of fudge, she was hunched over, squeezing in hopes it’d finally pop off. She clearly wasn’t the strongest. The other girl had finally spoke up, and Rae huffed, standing up, she held it out in defeat. “I need help.” She pouted.

“For the love of God,” Eva laughed, swatting the other person’s hand away as they reached for her plate of fries. “We’re in the cafeteria — get your own damn food.”

“But I want your food, Eva.” Rae giggles, reaching again playfully. “Just one more. They taste better stolen from your tray.”

“It’s not polite to stare, y’know?” Sofia pointed out, raising an eyebrow at the stranger across the hall. She’d forgotten to shut her door, and she’d caught someone peeking inside. “Can I help you?” she asked expectantly.

     Wandering the halls, Rae was looking for something to do, whistling a tune and swinging her arms in a way that made her look more animated. She was just bright, and happy. Most door were closed, but she’d take a peak through the ones that were open, seeing if anyone she knew was occupying them. One of them had a new girl though, a grin spread across her lips, leaning towards the door. “I’m sorry,” She giggles, “I just always like to see a new face.” She’s standing in the doorway, radiating positivity, “I’m Rae.”

The answer to Rae’s question was often the usual and quite boring three worded response of ‘I don’t know’, but this time Parker found herself thinking only because she felt the need to impress. “We could be lame and stuff our faces until we explode.” She grinned as a better idea ran through her head, a mischievous look to her features. “Or, get high and then be lame.” 

     Rae giggled at the first suggestion, only to perk up with a grin at the second. She was a sucker for getting high with friends. It was always laid back and fun and she had a good time. “I like the second one.” She nods, putting her legs down. “Let’s do that.”