Senior Year Box Set

The best way to describe it might be that I’d been watching TV on an old-style CRT all my life; everything had soft edges, and the background was slightly blurred. Now, my eyesight had become sharp and clear. It was probably similar to when people went from watching black-and-white movies to Technicolor.

I also started to feel flushed, as though I’d been sitting in a hot tub too long. A fine sheen of perspiration began to cover my body. Any other time, this might have worried me, but it was nice, like when you got out of a hot tub. I had that relaxed feeling that makes you want to go back again.

“It’s starting to kick in,” I shared.

So far, so good. But I wasn’t sure what the big deal was; I hadn’t noticed anything really special.

Ashley had a little queasiness, but she said that had happened the last time she took it.

My energy started to ramp up, comparable to when I finished a good run, energized and ready to go. Okay, this was better. Then someone cranked up the music outside.

Hmm-mmmm. Yes.

My toe started to tap to the beat. The song I’d thought monotonous and repetitive before taking the ecstasy was now utterly captivating. The music seemed to flow through me. I had to dance. I walked outside with a stupid grin on my face, and Ashley and Scarlet followed me. Our bodies began to move of their own volition. How to describe suddenly being one with the music? It resonated deep within my soul.

Then the pressure on my bladder hit me. I’d excused myself to go back inside to take care of that when I noticed all my minor aches and pains had disappeared. As an athlete, there always seemed to be something trying to bring itself to my attention, whether it be my knees from running, old injuries flaring up, or whatever. Now, I sensed none of the background ‘body noise’ I would usually have to work to ignore. I felt great.

When I got to the bathroom, I had another problem. Mr. Happy was half swollen, and the muscles that control letting go didn’t seem to work. Despite having to go really bad, for some reason, what I’d been doing all my life had short-circuited.

I decided to try the pee-pee dance that my nephew Nate did when he had to go. As silly as that sounded, it worked. The sensation was fantastic as relief came.

Before going back outside, I checked my appearance in the mirror. My skin looked a little pink from the sun the last few days, but I could tell this was more than that. The MDMA had made me flush. I looked at my eyes and chuckled. The first thing I thought of was the children’s book, Little Red Riding Hood, where the wolf poses as the grandmother, and the girl comments on his big eyes. My two huge pupils looked back at me.

The mirror also showed that I looked happy. Better yet, I was happy. I started to get an inkling as to why they called this drug ecstasy. The next time Tracy seemed depressed, I would have to score her a tablet. I honestly felt the best I ever had to this point in my life. I loved that innocent sensation of being joyful. There wasn’t really anything causing me to be happy, like when we’d just won State. I simply was.

When I walked back out, my emotional state must have been evident because everyone looked at me and smiled.

“Let’s get this party started!” I said.

Cindy clapped.

“This is going to be epic!” she said as she bounced over and grabbed my hand.

I let her lead me back to the dance floor where I could shake what God had given me. I was in heaven as everyone joined us. It was more like we all danced together than that any of us danced with one person.

I let my head fall back as I saw the stars for the first time tonight. I’d never really seen them like this. The night was simply magical, as though time had frozen in one blissful moment. A newborn crescent moon hung in the sky like an eye cracking open from a heavy sleep. Its reflection gave the sea an eerie glow. I just prayed that ecstasy wasn’t addictive because if it made me feel this good, sign me up.

◊◊◊

We all took a break to rehydrate, which Cindy had told me was important when on this drug. Looking around, I found Alex, Camilla, and Nat having an animated conversation. I walked up to Alex and gave him a hug.

“I love you, man,” I announced.

He didn’t hesitate in reciprocating or act like guys hugging was weird. We knew it was about friendship.

“When I first saw you, I worried you would be a typical rich kid, and I wouldn’t be able to stand you. You turned out to be great,” I announced.

“I’m glad you feel that way. I like you a lot, too. After you leave tomorrow, I want to keep in touch,” Alex said.

“And Camilla …” I said as I opened my arms for a hug.

She flowed right into them and molded her body to mine. If the Viagra had gotten me halfway there, her exquisite body got me the rest of the way.

“It’s like you should always be in my arms,” I said out loud.

“David,” Nat warned.

I looked over Camilla’s head, not letting her go.

“What? For an old lady, she has a rockin’ body.”