Allison stood waiting beneath a huge cottonwood tree. School had just let out some 15 minutes earlier and Allison’s friend Gina had asked that she wait under the old tree for a “Special Surprise” Gina’s words. She couldn’t imagine what her Gina had in mind, but the 18 year old had had always been rather cryptic.
The red headed high-school senior sighed as she waited growing impatient. She had calculus homework, and while Gina may not care about her school work but Allison did; if she didn’t get home on time…
“Allison!” She spun when she heard her name and found a grinning Gina behind her. In fact, Gina’s goofy smile concerned Allison. The pretty Latina girl’s eyes were strangely excited and she was breathing rapidly.
“Gina? Are you all right?”
Gina’s grin broadened. “I’m better than all right! I feel… I feel… Awesome!”
“What’s up with this? This morning you were…
“This morning” Gina interrupted.” I didn’t have these!” Gina produced a baggie with a number of grassy green capsules. Allison raised an eyebrow dubiously, wondering what Gina was up to.
“Okay and what are those?” Allison smirked.
“Well, uh, I’m not sure, but hot damn they’re great! Here you gotta try some!” Gina held the baggie out.
“Whoa! You don’t even know what they are? And you’re popping them like M&M’s? Who did you get these from?” Allison demanded.
“Um, I can’t say, I promised. But I swear they’re safe, nothing the druggies use, just an herbal supplement. One of the girls on the track team gave them to me. Look I asked and everything, I was just as paranoid as you, she just said she ordered too much and didn’t want it to go bad.” Gina insisted, “Look, you’re supposed to take at least two or three. Just take one and see, okay?”
“I don’t know Gina… I gotta study tonight, I don’t need a buzz.” Allison argued. Gina’s smile broadened.
“No buzz, look, it helps you concentrate. Just take one, you’ll love it, I promise. Just one.”
Allison sighed and rubbed her temples. “Alright, alright, just one.”