Crossing the Line Read Free Page B

It’s hydro and hybrid. One hitter quitter shit and he literally gave me a quarter pound of it.”
    “He gave you a quarter pound?”
    “Yeah, but there was a condition to it,” Chandra said. A mischievous smile spread across her face.
    “Do I even want to know?”
    “I promised I would get him a date with Anna.”
    “That’s so totally not going to happen. Anna doesn’t want anything to do with Thad. He damn near raped her at the Halloween party.”
    “He was on X and he’s apologized for it countless times. Besides, you of all people should know that I never keep good on my word. He’s been smoking this shit every day for the last month, by the time we get back he’s not going to even remember giving me the dope.”
    “I hope you’re right, because if he tries get Anna to go out with him she’ll most likely cut his balls off.”
    “And he’ll deserve it. I have no sympathy for the devil, believe me.”
    “Yet you will still beg dope off of him.”
    “Once you smoke a joint of this shit you’ll understand why.”
    “Driving around with that much pot is stupid as hell. You’re lucky you didn’t get pulled over or something.”
    “You know me, Trace, I’m the luckiest bitch on the planet. I smoke weed every day, drink like a fish, never study, and still have a three-point-nine.”
    “Yeah, but that’s because you blow the teachers.” Tracy laughed and nudged her friend in the ribs. Chandra feigned anger and acted as if she was going to punch Tracy.
    Tracy had known Chandra since the third grade. Their friendship had guided them through life and once Chandra was accepted to UCLA it was a no-brainer that Tracy would go as well. Tracy had been accepted to four of the six colleges she applied to, including two prestigious Midwestern colleges, but she refused to leave her best friend’s side.
    After all of the luggage, booze and dope was inside everyone moved to the back patio. Dinner was done and set out on a table cloth that Lynne had thrown over the picnic table. Lynne’s irritation was forgotten. She chattered along with her friends as they prepared their plates.
    Som ething glinted in the forest across the lake. This time both Lynne and Anna saw it. “What the hell is that?” Lynne asked.
    “What the hell is what?” Chandra asked.
    “There’s something in the forest across the lake.”
    “Call it an educated guess, but I’m figuring it’s probably a tree. That is what forests are made of.”
    “No, smartass, it was something metal or a mirror or something. It caught the light and glimmered.”
    “Ooh, maybe it’s one of those sexy vampires from Twilight ,” Marcy grinned. She got to her feet and raised her shirt, revealing her breasts to the forest. The glimmer repeated and this time all of the friends saw it. Marcy quickly lowered her shirt and crossed her arms over her chest.
    “What the fuck was that?” she asked.
    “I don’t know, but it definitely responded. I think we should get inside,” Anna said.
    “How do you know it was a response? It could just be a reflector on one of the trees. The light hit it and made it seem like it was responding.”
    “Whatever it was, I don’t want to be out here anymore.”
    Everyone was in agreement. They gathered up the remaining food and wrapped the garbage up in the plastic tablecloth. Once inside Lynne and Anna stared out the window overlooking the lake for a fu ll five minutes but did not see the glimmer return.
    “This is posted property, isn’t it?” Marcy asked.
    “Yeah, there’s not supposed to be anybody around for miles in any direction.”
    “It was probably just a reflector. They most likely have them all over the place so you won’t get lost if you go hiking in the forest,” Ivy said.
    The explanation made logical sense, but at the same time logic did little to defuse the creepy sensation they were all feeling. To Marcy the glimmer had looked more like a flash; a camera’s flash.

4
     
    “What do you think?”