Saturday rolled around, the night of the Grads party. It was the second year in a row for this party and I knew next year, it would be me as one of the honorees. I made sure to work the morning shift at work so that I would be free that night.

My cousin James was the representative from my family. Tyler and his brother Aaron were the two Mason's graduating. Aaron had skipped a grade back in elementary school to put him on par with Tyler. Ari and Brenna were the ones graduating  in the Evans/Munro household. Annie and Landon Leighton, Nina and Reece Flores, and Declan stone rounded out the graduating class for the families.

Once my group graduated next year, the only three that would be left would be Miri Mason, Danny Flores, and Ryan Stone.

I had spent the last two years hanging out with mostly the grade ahead of me. It made me feel like I was getting left behind. I couldn't go with them on this next stage of life yet.

I lived closer to the Stones where the party was being hosted so Elle came over to get ready with me. We curled each other's hair and played around with makeup. It was fun just to have some girl time. I still wanted to talk more to Elle about the anxiety I was having. I knew she would understand. Aaron might just be going down the road to university but she wouldn't have him on our campus any more.

I started with the topic of Ari first, "Did you hear about Ari and Jensen?"

Elle rolled her eyes, "That was a long time coming."

"Really? I thought they were cute together."

"They were in the 'they're just dating not to be alone' kind of way. His first two years of high school everyone called him the Prince of Darkness. Jensen is the bubblegum queen. They only reason they worked so well for so long is because both of them were dating Satan and Mrs. Satan before they got together."

"I mean, they're teenagers. Aren't we supposed to just date to date?"

"Well there is two types of dating to date. The first winds you up like Declan and Darcy. The second, gets you through high school without being lonely."

"And you think they're the second?"

"Yep. Which is great because they can still be friends. That's the only one where you can. Example A) You and Ari. Example B) Brenna and Tyler."

"So what about us? You and Aaron, Tyler and me?"

Elle looked sad for a moment, "If I ever break up with Aaron I don't think I could be in the same room with him again. My feelings would take up all of the oxygen in the room. There wouldn't be enough space for me to breathe."

I understood her point of view. But I didn't necessarily agree with it. I felt like I was more than 'just dating' Tyler. I hoped though, if we did break up, that I could be friends with him like I was Ari. Of course it took almost ten months for us to get back to friends after we ended.

I kept my mouth shut and finished my makeup. I was doing a lot of that lately. How could I ever explain to Tyler or Elle or anyone for that matter what I'm feeling? 'I'm in love with you but we need to break up so we don't hate each other in the long run.'

That sounded insane even to me. But it was how I was starting to feel. I kept telling myself that I needed to try out Tyler's way for the summer at least. I owed him that much. I just hoped we made it that far in once piece.

Elle and I headed downstairs. We were walking over to get Tyler and Aaron since their house was on the way.

I did one last look in the hall mirror. I had paired a pair of high waisted bell bottom jeans with a crop top. I felt very 1970s. Elle was wearing a pair of black tights with a crop top. It was definitely summer here.

Tyler and Aaron were both in jeans and t-shirts.

"Y'all really went fancy for your own party."

Tyler rolled his eyes. "I don't know why we even call them parties anymore. It's just the same people hanging out at the same houses."

"Because people outside of the Families actually come to these."

Aaron rolled his eyes and pulled something out of his pocket. I looked closer and realized it was a joint and a lighter.

He looked at Elle, "A little puff puff pass before we deal with this shit?"

Since when the fuck did Aaron smoke weed?

Elle nodded happily.

Elle too?

Aaron lit the joint and passed it to Elle. Elle took a surprisingly large hit and then passed it to Tyler. He looked at me, almost asking permission.

When I didn't say, 'Why are you smoking the devil's lettuce reefer' or some other 1960s euphemism, he took it as the green light.

Oh you've definitely done this before.

Tyler locked eyes with me, "Have you ever smoked weed?"

"Apparently I'm the last one not to around here."

They all giggled.

"It's not like we've been at it for years." Tyler joked.

"Well Aaron might have." Elle retorted.

Aaron shrugged, "guilty."

"Why does that not surprise me?" I quipped.

"Hey this shit comes from your boy's dealer." Aaron said nodding to Tyler.

Tyler looked caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

I rolled my eyes, "He spends every other weekend playing shows at a club and has been recording an album. I'd be surprised if he didn't smoke something."

Tyler smirked, "You want to try it?"

I had never contemplated smoking before. It made me feel like a total square. I was seventeen and had never even been offered a hit until then. Did I come off as that much of a loser?

I took the lit, cigarette? Joint? Spliff? What the fuck was this actually called?

I took a deep breath put the cigarette in between my lips and sucked in a drag.

I tried to hold it but it felt like fire in my lungs. I started to cough. The others laughed playfully. Tyler slapped my back.

I tried to breathe in fresh air.

"You know you just took a massive hit there Little H?"

Oh shit. Did I do it wrong?

"We need to get some edibles for her." Elle added.

Tyler nodded, "I'll see what I can do."

I'll let them finish it off.

A few minutes later my head was slightly buzzy. I noticed though, I felt relaxed. It was the first time I hadn't felt anxious in months.

Where has that shit been all my life.

We walked into the backyard of Mrs. Stones house and started making the rounds.

All of the girls there it seemed wanted to talk to Tyler. They wanted to know about the tour, when he'd be local again, and other bull shit. I was used to it by now.

When we went to the Garage, someone was always trying to get backstage or talk with Tyler.

Tyler ran his hand through his sandy blond hair. His skin was already starting to get a tan from the early summer sun. By the time he was done playing shows outside all summer, he would be a golden brown. 

I on the other hand would look like a lobster and then if I was lucky, would be three shades past alabaster. 

The small high I had been riding for the last half hour was fading fast.

It felt weird wanting to ask for more. I wanted to explore it more though. I pulled Tyler aside to the back part of the yard.

Tyler smiled, thinking I was pulling him away to make out or something. 

He kissed me softly, tasting like beer, "Having a good time, Baby?"

I nodded, "Elle mentioned earlier, something about edibles. You can get those?"

Tyler laughed, "Yes, ma'am. Would you like me to call in a favor?"

I nodded shyly. "Please."

"I really didn't think you'd be into this."

"Do I come off as that strait laced?"

Tyler smirked, "Honestly, yes. You don't skip school, break curfew, drink more than like half a beer at a party, or anything else other seventeen year olds do."

I cocked an eye at him, "What about what we do... together." I teased, referencing the fact that any time we spent together alone usually wound up with clothes on the floor.

Tyler's smirk turned into a full grin, "I will give you that."

Tyler wrapped his muscular forearm around my waist and kissed me harder. 

I pulled back, "I love you."

He kissed the top of my head, "I love you too. Let me make a call and see what I can do for you." He winked and started scrolling through his phone. 

Thirty minutes later, Tyler grabbed my hand and we slipped out the side gate to the back alley.

Could this be any more obvious of a drug deal?

Tyler greeted the guy driving. He had his black hair pulled into a bun. His hands were tattooed to the point I couldn't see skin. I realized it was Jace Dempsey the lead singer of The Station, one of the other local bands here in Cabagetown. 

"Hey Lexi, " Jace smiled out at me from his car window.

I tried not to wince at the nickname. It was usually reserved for my cousins only.

"Hey Jace."

"Tyler said you needed to relax a little tonight."

At least he didn't say I was trying to party. Lord I would have ended up with God knows what. I kept looking around like I was trying not to get caught.

Tyler smiled at me, "Lex, you know weed is legal here right?"

My eyes got wide, "Oh. Then what the fuck are we doing here in the alley looking like an episode of cops?"

Both boys laughed. Tyler answered, "Because Mrs. Stone is old school and will throw a fit if she sees me giving you an edible." He looked at Jace then, "She's been here almost two years and still acts like she's in the states."

Jace winked at me, "I picked these up the other day at the dispensary. They're legit. No crazy drugs, just some indica gummies. They're strong though, make sure to only eat a quarter at a time until you see what it does to you."

"Right, you can always eat more but you can't un-eat an edible."

I felt like a kid getting lectured by her parents on the safeties of proper drug usage.

I rolled my eyes and took a little jar from Jace. Tyler paid him what looked like over one-hundred bucks.

Holy shit, how expensive are these things?

Tyler took the bottle from me, "You can't be in possession of this yet. Let me hold onto it."

He turned back to Jace, "She's still seventeen."

Jace nodded, "Be safe brother." They shook hands and Jace drove off.

"How many did you just buy?"

Tyler shrugged, "Enough for about a month's worth. Longer for you. Figured it might help you out with the anxiety."

I smiled, "Can I have one?" I asked like a child asking for a cookie. I trusted Tyler to guide me on this one. 

Tyler nodded and opened the jar. The little gummy looked like an orange candy. Tyler ripped it in half and then ripped it in half again.

He handed it to me. I took it and chewed it. It was almost sickly sweet.

"Wait half an hour. If it doesn't take the edge off, tell me. No drinking. I don't want your ass cross faded."

"Yes Daddy." I said playfully. 

Tyler grabbed me around the waist, "Watch it or I'll bend you over my knee and spank you."

I liked the sound of that.

"Hmm, don't tempt me."

Tyler laughed and put the bottle in his jean's pocket before we headed back inside the party.

I didn't feel high. Not that I would know what that felt like. I felt relaxed. I felt like for once, I could breathe in a crowded room. 

So this shit is legal here? The Texan in me clutched my pearls. Maybe Canada was onto something?