finisheddddd a lot quicker to do this via adobe illustrator + Inkscape (good FREEE alternative i found) than csp/with raster layers
completely recommend inkscape so far btw it has a lot of tools similar to illustrator and that's a relief to find out after getting used to adobe's tools now if only i could figure out how to increase the size of the icons...
still haven't figured out how to make pdfs transparent or make a png ver. of this but when i do i will probably update this
Warnings-(if I have left any out please let me know) friends to lovers, slow burn, she/her pronouns, cursing, mainly nickname will be used, weed mention and usage,
Word Count- Almost 2k
Notes- There will be straying from the storyline. Also sorry Eddie will be in the next part I promise.
Masterlist
Part 1 Part 2
~Lena~
It felt like I was seeing the world through a different lense every time. Smoke filled my lungs with every hit I took. Mind turning to mush. Thoughts crashing together. Body relaxing and just enjoying the company. I couldn’t stop the smile creeping on my face. Gareth took notice.
”Whatcha thinking about Peaches?”
“Everything and nothing. I’m glad I found a smoking buddy. I was afraid I’d be alone all the time since I moved. Not that I don’t mind being alone. Gotta have space sometimes, you know?”
Jesus I’m rambling. Shut up!
“My best friend was my buddy.” My smile became sad at the thought of them. I missed them so much. Sure we talked on the phone, but it wasn’t the same as hanging out together. “You would like them. We have similar tastes, though I’d argue she’s a bit more girly than me.”
”Well, can’t wait to meet her eventually. Who knows? Might fall in love.” Gareth raises his eyebrows and I could help but giggle.
”You can try but she plays for the same team if you catch my drift.” I took a sip of my drink to avoid cotton mouth.
I can see his eyes widen like it clicked and he nods in understanding. “Do you?”
I choked. I wasn’t expecting that question so soon.
Gareth patted my back to help me, “I’m sorry. That was personal. You don’t have to answer that.”
Once I regained my composure, I reassured him. “No no, it’s okay. It just caught me off guard. I, uh, I play both sides.”
“Hey, that’s cool. I don’t judge. I think one of Eddie’s other friends likes girls too. You should meet her.”
I giggled, “Trying to set me up, Gareth?”
He playfully scoffs, “Ha, you wish.” then passed the joint back to me.
I must admit as soon as he mentioned Eddie, my mind went astray. Gareth did say he was a fellow stoner. I wonder what he’s like when he’s high? Does he mellow out or get more amped up? How many rounds can he go? And I’m not just talking about smoking. What do his lips taste like?
I had not realized how deep in thought I was until lungs began yelling at me. It felt like they were on fire. Like a tiny dragon had set them ablaze. A coughing fit erupted as I passed the joint back to Gareth. He took it from me laughing as I scrambled for my drink to ease the pain.
I shoved his arm, “Fuck you! I’d like to see you take a big hit and not almost die!” My voice raspy as I still try to recover.
Gareth took that as a challenge.
I watched him inhale, his chest puffing out and the joint burning fiercely.
A few seconds pass by right before he has his own coughing fit. Immediately regretting his choice. He shoves the joint back to me. Now it was my turn to laugh, cackle even.
Between my laughing and his coughing, the music that was playing from inside my room was being drowned out.
Wiping the tears from our eyes for different reasons. I hand him his drink to ease his suffering.
“I didn’t mean for you to actually do it, you lightweight!”
Gareth looked at me like he was busted, “What gave it away?”
I took another hit then blew the smoke in his direction. “When I asked if you had a spot and you hesitated.” He rubbed the back of his neck looking embarrassed. “Stoners always have a spot. With or without company. I wouldn’t have thought less of you if you didn’t want to.”
”No no no, you’re right. I am a lightweight and to be more honest, you're way cooler than all of us combined Peaches.”
I couldn’t help the blush that spread across my cheeks. “Oh shut up! I just met you guys and you’re totally cool!” I offer the roach to him but he declines. Signaling that he has tapped out. I respect it and place it on the table in my room to remind myself to place it with the others that are for emergency use.
“I mean I don’t know how you guys can get any better?”
~3rd person~
This was it! His chance, his opportunity to be a wingman for his best friend. Gareth wasn’t an idiot. He saw the way Eddie looked at you and you him. There was something there.
“We’re a band.” He tells her seemingly nonchalant. But inside he's nervous.
Peaches snaps her head to him, her expression unreadable. “Are you serious?”
“Yeeeaahh. Me, Eddie, Jeff and Doug.” Gareth rubs the back of his neck nervously. Doubting that his plan wasn’t going to work. “Are we still cool?”
”Are you shitting me?!? That’s fucking awesome! I’m friends with a band?! That’s the best brag I could ever have!”
Gareth let out a breath he didn’t even know he was holding.
Peaches on the other hand couldn’t catch a breath.
“What’s your band name? Do you guys perform? Do you have music recorded? Can I hear it please? Are you guitar or drums? I’m leaning more to drums but that could just be me.”
”Peaches! Breath!” He grabbed her by the shoulders.
She was stunned for a moment then let out a giggle. “I’m sorry.”
Gareth chuckled and let go of her. “It’s okay. We’re called Corroded Coffin. Sometimes we do at a place called the Hideout. I think I may have a copy that we did and yes you can listen to it. You’re right, I play drums. Doug is bass. Both Jeff and Eddie are guitar though Eddie is lead and vocals.”
”Wow! This is so exciting! I will now be your number one fan!” Peaches couldn’t help but be giddy about it all. Her new friends were amazing. There was however one last mystery. “Wait, if your band is Corroded Coffin? Then what’s Hellfire Club?” She pointed towards the t- shirt Gareth as well as all the other boys were wearing.
”Oh. Uh, you don’t need to worry about that Peach. It’s nothing.” Gareth tried to deflect.
”That’s not fair Gare! You all have the same shirt. It has to mean something! Is it because I’m a girl?”
He could hear the sadness showing in her voice. But he was afraid you’d make fun of them. “No, it’s not because you're a girl. It’s just… you’re gonna think it’s stupid or weird. Or that we’re…”
”Freaks?” She finished. “Listen, I already told Eddie that if not conforming to society brands you a freak? Then count me as one.”
Hearing that from Peaches just solidifies for him that she isn’t like everyone else in this god forsaken town.
She can see the hesitation in his eyes, “You don’t have to tell if you-“
”It’s our D&D club!” Gareth blurted out with closed eyes. Too afraid to see her reaction.
When the silence became too much he slowly opened his eyes to see Peaches with her mouth wide open in shock. There’s no way she heard that correctly.
“As in Dungeons and Dragons?”
Gareth rubs the back of his neck nervously nodding. What he didn’t anticipate was Peaches punching his arm in excitement which nearly caused him to fall off the roof.
She reached out to steady him, “ I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to hit you that hard! Are you okay?!”
“Yeah I’m good.” Gareth chuckled. “So I take it, you know the game?”
”I’ve never played but I know some kids I went to school with did. I always wanted to play but found it so intimidating so I kept chickening out.”
”Seriously?! Can you get any cooler!?”
“I could say the same about you guys!”
They both shared a laugh then continued talking about anything and everything. Before they knew it the sky began to grow dark and a pair of headlights made their way up the driveway.
“That would be my mother. Would you like to stay for dinner?” Peaches stands and climbs through her window back into her room. Gareth follows suit.
”I appreciate the offer but I should head home to my folks.”
”That’s okay. I figured I would ask first before my mom does.”
Peaches then grabs their trash and tosses it in the bin. Her eyes catch the roach laying on the table. She takes and puts it away with the rest that she has saved.
As both Gareth and Peaches make their way downstairs, she hears her mothers voice. “Lena! Is your friend staying for dinner?”
Peaches winks at Gareth as if to say “told ya”.
They stand in the archway of the kitchen, “Mom, this is Gareth. Gareth, my mother.” Peaches introduces. “And no. I’m taking him home so I’ll be back.”
“Oh okay. It was nice meeting you sweetie. Drive safe Lena.”
“It was nice to meet you too.” Gareth waves then follows Peaches.
“Remember, drive safe Lena.” Gareth teases as they get in the car.
“Shut up! Now it sounds weird when you guys use my actual name.” Peaches shoves him playfully. To her it didn't sound right for the boys to say her name. She was now Peaches to them, even if in just a short amount of time that they’ve known each other. Although her mind wasn’t objecting to the idea of Eddie saying her name. He might be the only exception.
The drive was filled with more conversation and music playing. It wasn’t long until Peaches pulled up to the curb of Gareth’s house. “Thanks for the ride Peaches.”
Before she could think, Peaches pulled Gareth into a tight hug, “Thank you.”
“What for?”, he questioned.
“Everything.”, she pulled away, “Becoming my friend, introducing me to the boys, hanging out with me; I was so worried I wouldn’t find people I actually wanted to be around.”
”Well, now you can’t get rid of us.”
Peaches laughs, “That’s fine with me. And don’t worry, I won't tell the boys that you told me about Corroded Coffin and Hellfire. I could tell you wanted to keep them a secret.”
Little did she know, Gareth wasn’t planning on telling the boys that she knew either. He wanted to keep the game going.
“I knew I could trust you Peaches. See ya at school.”
Gareth exits the car, gives one last wave then heads into his house.
Peaches makes her way back home, eats dinner with her parents, finishes up some homework, and climbs into bed. The whole day replays in her mind. A smile never leaves until her eyes grow heavy and sleep takes over.
Meanwhile on the other side of town, a certain someone had trouble falling asleep.
Eddie was tossing and turning, his thoughts running rampant. Did Peaches like Gareth? What did they talk about? What did they do? Did he even have a shot to begin with? What did her room look like? Okay, that’s weird. Eddie shook his head trying to purge the thoughts. The little green monster was still festering and out for blood. Why does he get to spend time with her?
“I’ll just have a little chat with him tomorrow. Yeah that sounds good.”
Eddie took one last pull from his joint to calm him before closing his eyes and hoping that dreamland would be in his favor.
when the first thing they do when they get home from work is backhand you over and over until you cry because they had a hard day at work and they need to take out their frustration and that's what you're there for. you're not a person, you're just an object for them to use for stress relief
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