LIFE AFTER DEATH.

RETRO!

It was retro day! I had a hard time deciding what to wear. I didn't want to end up appearing like the neighborhood bozo, I didn't want to stand out, I wanted to fit in but make a statement. A statement to Scott.

I had worn an ocean blue long skirt, with a parting by the right side. The skirt had two pockets planted by each sides of the skirt. The pockets had a picture of hello kitty on the front sides. The skirt was a gift from my sister, Frieda.

I had a dark brown crotchet, it was a crop-top. I felt awkward wearing the shirt. I was still getting used to exposing skin, although, I had a yearn to wear it.

I wore the shirt, but covered it up with a big jacket, matching the colour of my skirt.

*****************

We all got to the location, Mel sat at the passenger sit while Jojo was the driver. We parked at an open field. I remembered running my eyes thoroughly through the environment, in search for the supposed retro park.

All I saw was open field filled with cars, bikes and bicycles. I expected to see a place parked with teenagers, I expected to see a park.

***************

" Is this the retro park? " I asked.

Mel touched me by the shoulder as she came out of the car, " Don't worry, we are getting there. "

I arched a brow in surprise, " This is not the park? " Although I didn't expect it to be, regardless, I had to ask.

" It isn't. " Mel, placed her bag over her shoulders.

" Then where is it? " I was curious to know.

" When you get there, you'll see it. " Mel answered me.

****************

They lead the way, and I merely followed. We moved away from the field and into what was an underground bunker. When we approached the bunker, I felt my heart jump heavily.

What I was seeing was far from what I expected, which increased my concerns. How was a park located underground? was the question I kept on asking myself. But then again, Curly had thought me how to skate at a dump.

I carried my heart on my sleeves and I ventured under the opening. The scenery was now dark, like expected. We walked down a staircase, until we were exposed to another scene.

My eyes brightened, my mouth unknowingly opened as I set my eyes on where we now were.

I assumed they must have planted sound proof machines on the desired place, because while in the staircase, I didn't hear the music as I did now.

I finally met the crowd I expected to see, the place was crawling with kids my age, and some slightly older. I called the place a cave, it was far from a park would look like. Why would they even call it such?

There were several tables located at designated places. On the table were different drinks of all types, I know alcohols when I see one.

The table had chairs on them, which some individuals sat and considered alcohol. Right away, I already saw some kids making out. There was another table at the far end, that was where the speakers were located, the disk jockey performed his job there.

The general lights that illuminated the area, were a mixture of light blue, red and white. Which gave the entire place a sense of darkness, mysticism and also a room for light.

At the center of the crowd laid the place where the main action took place, skating. There was a large metal material planted on the ground, larger than the one in Fire man's dump.

The material was so large that there was enough room to add another skating tool. A circular substance stood strong at the side of the material, used for extra skating skills.

****************

I stood at the entrance to the view and kept on feeding my eyes, when Mel pulled up behind me and took off my jacket.

" Wha.... what? " I was caught off guard.

" Sshhh, " She made the hand gesture too.

" What are you doing? " I asked as my hands now wrapped around my chest, in a bid to cover myself up. The cold wave hit me without warning.

" I'm doing you a favor. " She replied.

Jojo pointed at a table further inside the crowd, " Okay, this is lame, let's go get a drink. "

Jojo and I still hadn't performed any means of direct conversation, I also felt some type of way.

As I stood watching Jojo disappear into the crowd, Mel tapped me by the shoulder and gestured for me to join them.

" C'mon! " She yelled and jumped into the mix. I followed.

******************

We found space by the side of a table and each grabbed a bottle of alcohol. I awkwardly watched them as if waiting for them to usher me to drink.

Jojo cracked open her bottle with her bare teeth and commenced with the contents. Mel on the other hand, used the edge of the table to open hers. I basically stared at my bottle and then back to my company.

" Give it. " Mel took my bottle and repeated the same action, when the bottle was now accessible, she handed it over to me.

I haven't gotten a hang of digesting alcohol yet, but I had to fit in, in order not to stand out and become noticeable. With caution, I delved the bottle into my mouth and proceeded to drinking.

While I drank, I ran my eyes through the crowd, in search for Scott. I didn't see him.

*************

" This place is lame, I should have stayed back at home. " Jojo began.

" And do what exactly? Mel asked her.

" Maybe paint her walls and journals black. " I answered out of nowhere, it was definitely the alcohol having a toll on me.

Mel laughed, " She does like the color black, so yeah. "

I was sane enough to see Mel give Jojo a look urging her to drop her bad attitude and go with the flow of the moment.

" Even that is more fun than this. " Jojo retained.

" That might be true, some of us may consider our personal activities fun than an interaction with the real world. " I said.

Mel and Jojo exchanged glances and then chorused,

" Nerd. "

" So, " Jojo laced me a look as she raised her left brow, " You gonna skate? I mean, thats why you had Gus give you private lessons. Does tess__

Mel hit her hands, which made her drink spill a bit.

" None of that, we already talked about this. "

Jojo wore a forced smile and emptied her first bottle. She went for another bottle and opened it the same way as she did the first.

" Gonna skate Peyton? "

" No, I don't think so. " I answered, " I think I'm starting to feel the effect of this beer, wouldn't want to end up falling again. "

" Drunk skating is the best! " Mel replied.

" How? "

" You don't feel a thing! " Mel let out happily, was she also getting drunk too? I had to ask myself.

" Normally, to skate, you need to be as light as a feather, " Jojo began, " Which means you have to evaluate every fear or worry, but when you're drunk, " She gestured at her bottle and gulped down another batch, " When you're drunk, you don't have to worry about anything, it's just you, your board and the wind. "

I slowly nodded, begining to understand jojo's plight. Just as we were all talking, I felt a hand curl my neck from behind. I instantly turned and saw Scott standing next to me.

Immediately, a smile surfaced as I set my eyes on his. The mood with the girls changed, but I didn't mind. The person I'd been searching for was finally here.

***************

Scott placed his hands around my neck.

" You look beautiful tonight. "

" Thanks. " I said.

Scott made contact with the other occupants at the table, " Are we having a nice time at retro ladies? "

As he asked them, I felt his masculine energy cover us. I found it very attractive.

" We are having a nice time, Scott, thanks for asking. " Mel initiated.

" And you, Jojo? " Scott went straight for her.

Jojo pulled out her forced smile once again, " I'm fine Scotty, "

" Just Scott is fine. " Scott corrected.

*******************

Scott assumed a spot close to us. I was relieved by the way things were going, I wanted him to familiarize himself thoroughly with us. I was tired of the upset wave my affiliation with him was causing, I would much rather us all getting to know each other.

He was so close to me, giving me dirty looks and admiring my shirt. I was uncomfortable at first, but the more it elapsed, I became flattered and enjoyed the attention he gave me.

" This booze is weak. " Jojo started, " Don't they have anything stronger? "

" I think it's perf... perfectly fine. " I said.

" Look no further, I'll be right back. " Scott did the unthinkable by kissing me on my forehead before departing us.

*********************

Jojo was having another moment, but she swallowed it and focused on her drink. I was happy, Mel's advice was somehow working. Maybe, just maybe, Jojo was over Scott and was willing to act normal.

Few minutes later, Scott came back with another bottle and three disposable cups. At first glance, I knew spot on that this new alcohol was not only more advanced, it was more expensive. I didn't know where he rooted it out from, but he was Scott, he had his ways.

*******************

Jojo sat up immediately, she wore an excited look on her face as she marvelled at the bottle Scott dropped on the table.

" Who wants to drink this pure beauty? "

Mel raised her hands in merry, " Me! "

" Pour that s**t up. " Jojo stated.

Scott gave me a look, I had to blend in, I returned with a cheerful smile, which hid some concerns.

The first alcohol we consumed was already having effects on me, how much more this?

Scott eagerly poured us all a drink, which me happily drank. When the others had swallowed theirs, their eyes met with me. Out of the dire need to fit in, I matched their energy and threw all mine inside my mouth. A loud cheer erupted from our table, they were happy.

*******************

Someone came on the microphone, which got not only us, but everyone in the cave's attention.

" Hello, ladies and gentlemen! welcome to retroooooo! " An albino boy started, " Get your drink on, some dancing on the side, while my man does the very first run for the EVENING! "

The crowd followed with a thunderous yell and clapping. Which ushered the boy offering the first jump, as he came to view, I realized that he was my neighbor and unofficial roommate, Gustavo.

I and my table crew were already fixated on Curly, especially Scott as he took his stand at a very high podium, armed with his skateboard.

I felt worried for him, I didn't want him to screw up in front of the crowd and be a laughing stock.

After igniting the crowd to yell once more, Curly went in for his first run. Like I wished, he aced it. Going, round effortlessly on the left wing, he gracefully swung past the material and launched himself in style on the other side.

The crowd were pleased, it was evident with the way they yelled. Scott bit his lips and dropped his cup on the table.

" I can do better than that. " He retorted and bounced away.