Carpe Diem - A Racharis fic - Prologue
Rachel covered her nose as Sonya blew smoke off her mouth, playing with her cigarette between her fingers. The blonde girl watched as the smoke dissipated into the night’s sky, finding it’s way towards the stars. Rachel loved to see that, but also hated to see Sonya ruining her lungs like that. She warned her several times about the dangers of smoking, but she kept ignoring her and lighting another cigarette.
“It might kill you” Rachel once said to her friend.
“We are all going to die anyway” was Sonya’s reply.
She was right. Everyone will die one day, but to Rachel, dying from cigarettes isn’t a good death. Because to Rachel, there is good and bad deaths. Bad deaths are usually the ones linked to murders, illnesses and accidents. Good deaths are rare, usually. The light dead in which you simply close your eyes and go doesn’t seem to exist at all.
As she was lost in her thoughts, she heard Sonya laugh.
“Y’know, you don’t need to cover your nose like that. You won’t inhale the smoke and die”
“It’s not that” Rachel said, snapping her hand away. “I just don’t like the smell”
They were sitting on Sonya’s house roof, their bare feet dangling off the structure, cold air biting their skin. Sonya curled her toes, and took another puff.
“I thought you were getting used to it. I’m always smoking”
“I’ll not get used to see someone killing their lungs”
Sonya laughed, and threw her cigarette towards the backyard. Rachel saw a little sparkle land on the grass, and she took her bag and took out a bottle of beer, cracking it open and drinking. She only stopped halfway.
“So, tell me about your life” Sonya started, crossing her legs. “We haven’t seen each other since a year, you surely have stuff to tell me about”
Rachel giggled. A year earlier, Sonya left to London, where she got a job. But she recently got fired and came back to Chicago.
“Nothing really special happened, to be honest… I had some photography class and did a little art exposition with Harriet, though”
“What about Winston ? Last time I saw the two of you you were literally having sex right in front of me”
“Don’t exaggerate” Rachel said. “And we broke up a few months ago”
The girl looked at the ground, chewing off her thumb’s skin.
“It just wasn’t working out. We had too different interests. And I’m pretty sure he is crushing on Teresa anyway”
“Teresa ? Who’s that ? Man, I’ve been away for only a year and you seem to have a whole new life”
“I don’t have a new life. But I met new people”
“Maybe you have another best friend”
“Never” Rachel immediately says. “I know you since I’m six, there is no way I could replace you”
It was dark, but she was sure that Sonya was smiling.
“How cute” the girl commented. “But seriously, who is Teresa ?”
“A girl I met in photography class. She is way better than me, and Winston is definitely crushing on her. But I don’t hate her. She is too kind to deserve that. And as I said, it would never have worked out with Winston”
“You’re so pessimist. It won’t help you. You know what ? Carpe diem. You know what it means ?”
“Seize the day” Rachel immediately replies.
“Exactly. You must take advantage of the present, and stop mourning over the past. Forget Winston and kick life’s ass”
Rachel smiled. This was why Sonya missed her: her “take life by the balls” attitude. It was helping Rachel a lot whenever she was feeling down.
“I know how to cheer you up” Sonya said. “A friend I know is throwing a party to celebrate my return. You should come, it will help you relax. Winston might be here, though”
“I don’t care” Rachel sighed. “We are still in good terms, it’s not like we hate each other”
“Alright. It’s at Thomas’ house. I think there will be a guy you’ll like”
“A guy I’ll like ?” Rachel repeated.
She had to admit she was a little bit scared. Sonya was always trying to match her with weird-ass people, and she didn’t seemed to understand it made Rachel really uncomfortable.
“Yeah. Well, he is an artist, just like you. His name is Aris. Aris Jones”
“Sonya, I just broke up with Winston. Don’t you think I need some time alone before getting with another guy ?”
“C’mon, do it for me” Sonya said, smiling.
“I’ll come to the party. I just won’t make out with another guy already”
“Carpe diem” Sonya smiled.
They both laughed and stared at the stars. The moon was slowly rising, providing light to everyone in the dark night. Rachel was glad to see Sonya again. But as soon she was here, weird things usually start to happen without any warning. This is Sonya: a hurricane. She comes without warning and changes everything as she passes. And Rachel is sure something will happen. It always does.
But she won’t try to avoid like she used to do.
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