* Six *

                                                               Rose

Kate: What brings you here? Oh my gosh, mom and dad are worried sick. Do you know that we have been trying to reach out to you but your line never goes through? They even thought you were kidnapped or something.

Wow Kate, A.K.A perfect daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Miller, I guess she was always mommy and daddy's favorite. Always fancied beauty contests and I the black sheep of the family loved sporty stuff and hanging out with Russel my bro/buddy, one of the things my parents disliked. She started hating me when all the attention was given to me, what can I say last born privileges'. She made it her life mission to ruin my life. Well, all of that changed when I came out as a lesbian to my parents. They disowned me. What makes this situation worse is when they found out from someone else. You guessed right. Kate. She caught me making out with a girl, she promised me that she would keep it to herself. One day we had a heated argument and she spilled the beans. She could not even keep her mouth shut. She claimed it was an honest mistake, but I am not buying any of that crap.

Rose: Well tell them I am alive and they should stop worrying about me, I am a grown-ass woman, and FYI I can take care of myself thank you. Besides, we all know that it is a fib. They would all be glad if I were dead. You even said so yourself.

Kate: Come on, seriously are you fucking kidding me. I did not mean it okay, it was a mistake.

Rose: Mistake? Wow bravo, miss perfect. Do you call instigating our parents to hate me a mistake?  Come on Bethany! We both know that is a lie.

Kate: Do you seriously wanna argue, right now and here in front of Sky? (pointing towards her).

Since when does she care what other people think, but she makes a point it would be embarrassing to argue especially right in front of Sky. I don't want her to see this version of me. Skylar just awkwardly stood there watching all the drama unfold and I think I need a blunt. 

                                                       Storms out

Kate: Rose? Come here this instant. Argh!

                                                   Skylar

Well, that escalated badly, family issues...

Skylar: Hey, are you alright? 

I placed my arm around her neck and comforted her. Just to make things clear, I am not on anyone's side. Kate and Rose are both my friends. Rose and I might have had something special but still, that does not change the fact that Kate is also my friend. I do not want to betray either of them. I admit that Kate is taken but I still have a soft spot for her. She is after all my first crush...

Kate: It is just a lot for me to take in right now. Every time I try to make up with Rose. She pushes me. Rose despises me. (She sobs).

I wiped away the tears in her eyes, we had a moment. She gazed into my eyes and I did the same, there was tension, like as if we were about to make out...

Skylar: Um, I am sorry... Let me go and talk to her.

I went outside, Rose was nowhere to be found. I think I should call her. The phone is ringing but she is not picking up. Where could she be? Then I remembered Steve the drug plug. Nyaope, Marijuana, cocaine, and drugs of other kinds, you name it he supplies him. How do I know this? I overheard some boys talk about him. Unfortunately, I don't know where to find him, so I head back inside to inform Kate maybe she can help. I tried to give it another go but still no reply.

                                                         Rose

I am sorry Sky boo, It is not that I am ignoring you, I am only trying to avoid my sister. All I wanted was for her and my parents to leave me the hell alone. I switched off my phone.

Steve: Is everything alright?

Rose: Yeah, It is just my sister. She would not leave me the fuck alone.

Steve: I think I know what you might need. Here you go, It is usually 200 pula but for you, I am making it 50 pula. Once you smoke this shit all your stress and troubles disappear and become history.

I have got to respect this man's entrepreneurial skills, he is a real hustler. Although he reduced the price he knows that I would be back for more because his stuff is always addictive. I respect him for that.

Rose: Sure, bring it on.

I lit the joint, man he was right. Woah. I feel... Flashbacks of me and Sky doing the nasty played in my head repeatedly. I think I might have fallen in love. 

Rose: I love you Sky...(I giggled as I looked at my hands).

Steve: Sky? (Puzzled).

he looked up at the sky. I could tell that he was lost.

Rose: No, silly. Sky is this girl that I met today, who is also my sister's roommate. I also think I have a crush on her. (I giggled as I took another puff).

Steve: Then tell her. Never wait too long to tell someone that you are in love with them. Else it would be too late by then. Ask me. (He laughed).

Steve is the sweetest guy you could meet in BIUST. He is my pal. He is an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. One thing I admire about him is his respect for my preferences. Unlike other guys, he never tried to hit on me or convert me.

Rose: Well I think she felt the same too. Did I mention that...

                                                      Skylar

Skylar: Kate! Hey, I think I know where we can find Rose but I need your help.

Kate: Okay...

Skylar: I think she might have gone to Steve. Do you know where we could find him? 

Kate: STEVE? Nah hell no. She is so dead if she really is with him.

Shit, I knew she would be mad. 

Skylar: Come on calm down.

Kate: Don't! Don't you dare tell me to calm down? My sister is out there taking drugs and you are out here telling me to chill. 

Jeez, well that escalated. All I wanted to do was keep everything under control. I got to admit I am a little bit hurt.

Kate: I am so sorry.

Skylar: It is cool. No offense taken, I completely understand. 

Nah I am mad. She shouldn't have yelled at me like that. If it was not for her pretty face I would have been mad but I still like her.

Kate: The thing is Rose was once a drug addict, mom and dad spent a lot of money on Rehabilitation Centers trying to help her to break the addiction. Seeing her go back is really a pain in the ass, it is like throwing our parents' effort down the drain, and on top of that, she nearly died because of a drug overdose.

Damn, that's deep. why didn't Rose share this with me? Why didn't she say that she was a drug addict?

Skylar: I am sorry, I never knew. Come on let us go and bring your sister back. 

                                                   Rose

Rose: Bro is it me or does that object look like my sister and Sky heading towards us. This stuff really is strong.

Steve: Oh shit you are right. (he giggled).

We both were high as hell. All of a sudden I felt a slap across my face. It happened so fast. 

Rose: Kate?

I looked around for Steve he disappeared.

Rose: Thanks for sticking around for me Steve. (I yelled as I held my cheek).

Skylar: Yeah you better run. (Skylar yelled at Steve).

Rose: What are you doing here, Kate. I said what I wanted now leave me alone. Not clear? I said leave me A-L-O-N-E, alone.

Kate: You are high? Unbelievable. Why are you doing this to yourself?

Rose: How is this your business. Last time I checked this is my body and I can do the fuck I want MOM.

Kate: Yes, but it doesn't give you the right to destroy your body. Especially if it is the temple of the lord. We must keep it holy and pure, meaning free from drugs and alcohol.

Rose: Blah, Blah don't you ever get bored? Miss perfect. Isn't it that what you are, perfect. Just because I am gay. admit it, Kate. Just admit that you are homophobic like our parents. You said you accepted me but you act otherwise.

Kate: I do accept you for being a lesbian, not a drug addict there is a huge difference.

Rose: No you don't Bethany.

Skylar:( Family drama. Right now I am just awkwardly watching the show in silence).

Kate: You think I am perfect? Well let me tell you something, do you know how much shit I go through. I get blamed for each and every foolishness of yours. They blame me for all your negative behaviors, your disappearance, and stubborn ass. I admit that it was my fault that I blurt out the truth, okay and I apologized for it continuously. All I want to do right now is set things right between me and you. I am tired of seeing you every day in school and not talking to you. This is ridiculous and I want the fight and beef to just all end at least between me and you.

She stretched out her hand. I looked at Skylar. Well, I do want to start on fresh sleet so.

Rose: Okay truce.

Skylar seemed kind of happy. Although that slap.

Rose: Did you seriously need to slap me that hard?

Kate: I am sorry baby sis. Celebration?

Rose: Capello?

Kate: Sure. let's go freshen up.

Kate and I started to chat again. It was like old times I really missed her.

Kate: Sky are you coming or what?

Skylar: Sure.

Kate: Rose, pinky promise me no more drugs. 

Rose: No more. Pinky promise.