Delia leads me to a spot where the rocks poke up from the ground but not pointy sharp rocks, smooth rocks flattened over time. She sits and shivers a little. I strip off my hoodie and offer it to her.
“You sure? Won’t you be cold?” she asks as I sit next to her.
“I’m fine. Promise.”
She smiles shyly and pulls it on. My sweatshirt never looked so good. From under the hoodie she pulls out a small pipe and a lighter. She looks to me.
“You want some? It helps me sleep.”
I’m caught off guard. I didn’t think she was the type to smoke weed. And now that I know she does, I don’t want to admit that I’ve never tried it. Sure, most of my friends partake but I’ve never really had any interest.
I stare at her as she lights the tiny nugget, wraps her lips around the pipe, and pulls. The red glow of the burning bundle of weed makes her face look soft. She holds it out to me.
“I… uh…”
Delia cocks her head, narrows her eyes. “You’ve never?”
“Does that make me lame?”
“Not at all. I’m just surprised,” she says and nudges my shoulder with hers. I knock mine against hers, back.
“Why are you surprised?”
Delia drops the pipe to her lap. Flicks the lighter a couple of times sending little sparks of flame into the night air.
She shrugs. “I feel like everyone’s tried it once even if it’s not for them.”
“My parents would kill me. And my diving coach too.”
“Well, I don’t suggest that you get caught doing it. I mean, my mom shared with me. But obviously, I’m aware that’s not necessarily normal. I get it.”
“My friends aren’t exactly trustworthy in that regard. I mean, this one kid, Conner, tried it and coughed so hard he puked and then was so squinty and blinky afterwardthat now the only thing anyone calls him is Blinky. Wasn’t worth risking being made fun of.”
“Your friends are jerks. I wouldn’t make fun of you.”
Her eyes twinkle in the moonlight. A breeze blows and my skin breaks out in goosebumps. Delia rubs her free hand over my forearm.
“You’re cold.”
I wrap an arm around her and pull her against me. “I’m fine now.”
“Smooth, Langdon,” she giggles.
I hold her closer. “Does it really help you sleep?”
She nods. “Yeah. It does.”
“And you swear you won’t make fun of me?”
She lifts her head from my shoulder until our eyes lock. “Of course.”
“Ok and I’ll be able to get home through the woods? I won’t be like… stupid right?”
Delia laughs lightly. “I won’t let you do that much. Just a hit. A small one is all you need. No need to overdo it.”
“Ok.”
“Okay?” she asks, surprised.
