Casteel Juvenile Detention Centre?”
“It’s fine, mostly,” Autumn began, slumping in the opposing chair. “All of the blue is annoying. Most of the teachers are cool, especially the Creative Writing one. Oh, and I told you about my Nurse Ratched, right?”
“Yes. She sounds spectacularly bitchy. I’d love to be a student here, just to torment her. Constant pranks.”
“Channeling your inner Weasley?”
“You know it, Hermione. I bet she wears fluffy pink outfits away from here. We should try and find another address for her. Take pictures of her with her pet poodle.”
“Poodle?” Autumn laughed.
“Dude, those dogs are the antichrist. Why do you think rich bitches like them so much? What about the guys and gals of Casteel? Any hotties?”
“Not interested in that, M, and you know it.”
Miraj shrugged. “The Goddess gave you tits and ass. It’s a shame to waste them. Are any of them cool enough to drink with, at least?”
“There’s one,” Autumn admitted, smiling faintly. “You’d like her too, I think. She’s a Drama major, and definitely shares your sense of snark. But I have to establish boundaries.”
“Why? Is she a boarding school fauxbian?”
Autumn shook her head sadly. “Not everyone can take care of themselves like you. And if he ever comes back into town, who will he target? Do the math. I’m a liability to anyone.”
Miraj groaned, leaning forward and slapping Autumn’s arm. “Oh will you freaking stop already? Why the hell does this douche get to control your life still? Is he here? No. And if he shows, you call me up and I’ll take care of him.” Her expression softening, she added, “I can’t always be here for you. You need people or you’ll go crazy locked away in Joke-ville. You’re trying to blend, right? Be the scenery?”
“Yeah, that’s the plan. But she noticed me right away -”
“So? One friend is not a cotillion. Having no friends? That’s total Columbine. That’s Ally Sheedy in The Breakfast Club . But one or two friends? You just look studious and choosy. Let her in a little. Have some fun. Spike the punch at the prom.” Miraj winked, and Autumn giggled. “God, isn’t the shrink supposed to be telling you all this?”
“I’m afraid to talk to her.”
“Why? Is she a bitch?”
Autumn shook her head quickly, shifting sideways and dangling her feet over the arm of the chair. “Not at all. She plays music during sessions – good music. She doesn’t like the Headmistress, either. But it’s scary, you know? She’s still a stranger, and I just… Mom and Dad can’t ever know. I’ve told you that before. I also just don’t… wanna go back there. Moving forward is better. Isn’t that what they say?”
“Not if you’re dragging your ex like Marley’s chains, knocking on Scrooge’s door. Look at me, babe: I travel light. I left home with a backpack. As much as they’ve put me through, I don’t let it hang on me. Life is mine to live and enjoy. You’re spinning in circles, Red. It’s time to cut a few ties – which means actually going up to those ropes, saying, ‘Hey, what’s up? Fuck you very much’ and cutting them. That’s her job, you know? She’s the scissors.”
Autumn stared a moment, then laughed. “Miraj, you’re high.”
“So?”
The two girls laughed, heads silhouetted in moonbeams cast from the adjacent window. Autumn felt the knots in her stomach loosen and uncoil, her body itself sighing in relief. Miraj always knows what to say . Her friend had a point: if she didn’t put an end to his legacy in her heart, he would haunt her forever. He lurked in every shadow, hissed in every creak and moan of her home. This was her shelter now, her bastion of safety and sanity. He can’t get you here. He doesn’t belong here .
“It’s so good to see you,” Autumn
“It’s fine, mostly,” Autumn began, slumping in the opposing chair. “All of the blue is annoying. Most of the teachers are cool, especially the Creative Writing one. Oh, and I told you about my Nurse Ratched, right?”
“Yes. She sounds spectacularly bitchy. I’d love to be a student here, just to torment her. Constant pranks.”
“Channeling your inner Weasley?”
“You know it, Hermione. I bet she wears fluffy pink outfits away from here. We should try and find another address for her. Take pictures of her with her pet poodle.”
“Poodle?” Autumn laughed.
“Dude, those dogs are the antichrist. Why do you think rich bitches like them so much? What about the guys and gals of Casteel? Any hotties?”
“Not interested in that, M, and you know it.”
Miraj shrugged. “The Goddess gave you tits and ass. It’s a shame to waste them. Are any of them cool enough to drink with, at least?”
“There’s one,” Autumn admitted, smiling faintly. “You’d like her too, I think. She’s a Drama major, and definitely shares your sense of snark. But I have to establish boundaries.”
“Why? Is she a boarding school fauxbian?”
Autumn shook her head sadly. “Not everyone can take care of themselves like you. And if he ever comes back into town, who will he target? Do the math. I’m a liability to anyone.”
Miraj groaned, leaning forward and slapping Autumn’s arm. “Oh will you freaking stop already? Why the hell does this douche get to control your life still? Is he here? No. And if he shows, you call me up and I’ll take care of him.” Her expression softening, she added, “I can’t always be here for you. You need people or you’ll go crazy locked away in Joke-ville. You’re trying to blend, right? Be the scenery?”
“Yeah, that’s the plan. But she noticed me right away -”
“So? One friend is not a cotillion. Having no friends? That’s total Columbine. That’s Ally Sheedy in The Breakfast Club . But one or two friends? You just look studious and choosy. Let her in a little. Have some fun. Spike the punch at the prom.” Miraj winked, and Autumn giggled. “God, isn’t the shrink supposed to be telling you all this?”
“I’m afraid to talk to her.”
“Why? Is she a bitch?”
Autumn shook her head quickly, shifting sideways and dangling her feet over the arm of the chair. “Not at all. She plays music during sessions – good music. She doesn’t like the Headmistress, either. But it’s scary, you know? She’s still a stranger, and I just… Mom and Dad can’t ever know. I’ve told you that before. I also just don’t… wanna go back there. Moving forward is better. Isn’t that what they say?”
“Not if you’re dragging your ex like Marley’s chains, knocking on Scrooge’s door. Look at me, babe: I travel light. I left home with a backpack. As much as they’ve put me through, I don’t let it hang on me. Life is mine to live and enjoy. You’re spinning in circles, Red. It’s time to cut a few ties – which means actually going up to those ropes, saying, ‘Hey, what’s up? Fuck you very much’ and cutting them. That’s her job, you know? She’s the scissors.”
Autumn stared a moment, then laughed. “Miraj, you’re high.”
“So?”
The two girls laughed, heads silhouetted in moonbeams cast from the adjacent window. Autumn felt the knots in her stomach loosen and uncoil, her body itself sighing in relief. Miraj always knows what to say . Her friend had a point: if she didn’t put an end to his legacy in her heart, he would haunt her forever. He lurked in every shadow, hissed in every creak and moan of her home. This was her shelter now, her bastion of safety and sanity. He can’t get you here. He doesn’t belong here .
“It’s so good to see you,” Autumn
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