Safe

She could tell by the curve of his spine that the muscles had stopped working long ago. The ones that lift his head. Knew the view herself, even. All too well.

He tilted the bottle toward chapped lips – liquid slugging back and forth, compensating for the angle. Shivered inwardly against the burn.

They’d been here for years already. Her – legs tucked in together and pulled tight against her chest. Hands balled and frozen, shoved in the pockets of her hoodie amongst a day’s worth of bubble gum and cigarette wrappers. Him – legs stretching out for days. Shoulders half slumped against cinder block, half supporting his other half. The girl. His girl. Only… don’t tell her that. He’d never hear the end of it.

"Promise, kid," he coughs through liquor clenched teeth. Hands her the bottle. "Nothing’s up."

She accepts, holding tighter than necessary with her gloved hand. "Don’t give me that shit," she warns. Takes a pull. Swallows. "I haven’t seen your fucking eyes all night."

He laughs. "I’m fine."

She presents the bottle half way and he reaches…

Keeps reaching, as she slowly retracts.

She wants them. His eyes. Wants to see for herself – make sure they’re still blue. Dares him to look.

He does. And blue and green make cyan and she can breathe again. Releases.

"Okay," she shrugs, "you don’t want me to know-"

"It’s not that!" he interrupts. "I just…"

Stops. Like she knew he would.

Like they always do.

Seconds pass. The thump of house music ticking off each one inside the shit hole on the other side of their wall.

She can’t take it – moves. Positions herself so that she’s along side him now, Indian style, her knees tight against the length of his thigh.

"Dude-" he startles. Frowns at his best friend sitting there – eyes closed – her hands pressed against her ears.

"Hey!’ he smiles.

No response.

"Hel-looo…". Nudges her leg with his own.

Her eyes snap open – ears freed.

"Yeah?"

"What the fuck are you doing, you dork?"

She straightens, her body stiff like cinder blocks.

"I’m making it okay," she speaks quietly.

Confused. He leans in. "Okay for what?"

She grabs the bottle. Takes a hit – lowers it to the asphalt with a gravely clink.

Slowly, she resumes her position. Sneaks a peak at the blue before fading to black.

Whispers.

"For you to tell me your secrets…"