Chapter 16: Her Version

I was glad I cleared things up with JJ. I was obviously overreacting to why he wanted to meet with me alone. I don't know what I was thinking. I have known JJ for years and he has always been cool. After we talked this morning, I felt so stupid. So, when he suggested we meet up tonight, of course I agreed.

When I got home from school, everyone was there except for my mom. She had to work late, which meant Tino, and I were in charge of getting dinner heated up and making sure the house wasn't a wreck. He was on the phone with his girlfriend when I was leaving, so I waved good-bye. He nodded his head and then turned his back. His voice seemed irritated; they were obviously fighting. I got lucky that he was preoccupied, otherwise I would have no choice but to explain where I was headed and who I was meeting.

I wanted to stop for some gum, before I met up with JJ. The Howie's was the easiest to get to and it was on the way to the mall. I entered the store and headed for the candy aisle. Howie was in the back stocking shelves and whistling. He smiled and nodded, then continued whistling. I grabbed two packs of Trident spearmint and walked towards the register to pay. There was a new girl working the counter, one I didn't recognize. She was struggling to operate the register and had to call Howie over for help.

"Sorry," she said scrunching her nose causing her face to appear as if she had smelled a foul odor.

I smiled to let her know that I wasn't upset. But I was definitely going to end up being late.

I made my way up Main Street and passed a lady walking a dog.

"Cute dog," I said to her.

"Thanks," she replied with a grin.

When I reached the top of the hill, I could see the movie theater and the mall, but not JJ Hmmm...maybe HE wasn't going to show this time? I looked at my Swatch Watch, 6:05. Should I just turn around and go home? No. I need to keep going. He could be running late too.

When I got to the front of the theater, I opened the gum and threw out the wrapping in the trashcan near the ticket window. The shade was pulled down, since according to the times displayed, the next movie wasn't until 8:00. Oh, there he is. He must have thought we were meeting around back.

"Hey," I said. "I thought you were no showing me this time," I giggled to let JJ know I was only teasing him.

"Nah. Just went around back to keep warm."

"So where do you want to go smoke?" I asked. JJ seemed surprised by this question. Don't tell me he forgot? I am going to be so annoyed if I walked all the way over here and he didn't bring it?

"Let's go behind the mall. We'll be well hidden back there. The woods provide convenient privacy," he chuckled at his suggestion.

"Sure, as long as you don't think we will get lost back there."

I was a little concerned about going too deep into the woods. There aren't any houses behind the mall like there are with the dunes or the woods in my neighborhood.

I followed JJ behind the mall and into the woods. I looked over my shoulder a few times and located a unit number so I would have some idea where we were.

"Here we are My Lady," JJ announced and waved his arm to show we had arrived. There were a few rocks large enough to sit on, so I made myself comfortable. JJ sat so close to me that our shoulders were scrunched together.

"I don't want to be out here once it gets too dark. So can we get to it?"

"What's the rush? The lights from the mall will be enough for us to get back with no problem," he said with confidence.

"It's getting cold too," I responded.

It seemed like JJ was stalling, but I wasn't sure. He must have picked up on my impatience because he pulled out a tin foiled roll from his jacket. JJ waved it in front of me and I tried to grab it. He snatched it back quickly.

"I only wanted to open it and light one up already," I explained.

JJ shook his head and snickered.

He placed the foil roll on his lap, unrolled it, pulled out a joint and lit it. He smoked nearly half of it before he passed it to me.

"This doesn't seem any different than the stuff we usually smoke. What am I missing?" I asked in between hits.

"Sure, it is. This supply is going to hit you, just wait," JJ promised.

I took three more hits. "Can't you tell the difference?" he asked.

"I guess so." I figured it wasn't worth arguing about. JJ was the expert. Maybe I didn't smoke often enough to know?

We sat in silence smoking until the joint was finished. All that was left was a small bud. JJ tapped the bud onto a rock to put it out.

"Want to do the honors?" he asked. And held out the tiny bud between his fingertips.

"No thanks. Not really my thing," I said moving my head back from his offering.

JJ shrugged his shoulders and swallowed the bud.

I started feeling really high. My fingertips felt itchy, so I rubbed my nails together hoping to get some relief. I tried to stay focused. I remembered I brought my small cassette player. I enjoyed listening to music even more so when I was high.

"How about some 1984?" I suggested.

JJ looked at me wide eyed and bobbed his head like an agreeable puppy.

I played the tape from the beginning, making sure the volume wasn't too loud. We both swayed and bounced along to the lyrics. Suddenly I got a burst of energy. I stood up quickly and started singing lead vocals, while JJ played air guitar. I belted out the words I now knew by heart. We were both laughing and having fun.

JJ was right. This stuff is definitely different from the usual. As the next song began, I started to feel hot, really hot. I was so hot that I took off my coat and tossed it. I couldn't catch my breath. Why am I so hot? I have to get out of these clothes. I am dying, I am on fire! I unbuttoned my shirt and let the cool night air hit my chest. That's better. But it's still not enough air. My heartbeat was racing, and my ears were pounding.

"What's happening to me? JJ What's happening?"

JJ took off his jacket and put his arms around my neck. He kissed me hard and sang in my ear as we rocked to the music.

"JJ? JJ? I am so hot. Help me!"

JJ unbuttoned my jeans and pulled them down to my ankles. I can't see. Everything is melting. The trees are melting. What's happened to the trees?

He kissed my neck and licked my lips.

"No. JJ No. What about Debbie? I will tell Deb," My voice sounded so far away. I could barely get the words out. He didn't stop.

I felt dizzy and confused. I dug my nails into JJ's neck, but he didn't stop. I wanted to scream, to yell out, but I couldn't. He covered my mouth. I bit down hard and caught one of his fingers with my teeth.

"Ouch! You bitch!" JJ shouted. And then he shoved me, and I fell to the ground.

The dirt and rocks poked at the back of my thighs. I tried to sit up, but my body felt too heavy. I could hear JJ panting and gasping. I looked up and saw his dark silhouette, the night sky filled the space behind him. His arms were raised high above his head and then he delivered the first blow.