“Well as fun as this is,” Sticks said a few minutes later, the group lazing around the trolley park in the dimly lit car park, “we’ve still got three hours until the first bus. What are we gonna do?”
Bender spoke up. “Wese could –.”
“No,” the group groaned.
“Youse didn’t even let me finish,” he huffed.
“You’re right,” Susannah said. “Go on, darling.”
Bender tutted. After a swig of cider, he pointed to the trolleys. “Wese could race.”
“Race what?” Tom said.
“Da trolleys.”
“That sounds dangerous,” Emily said.
Bender rolled his eyes. “Live a little, Ems. How fast can dey possibly go?”
“It’s illegal,” she said with less certainty.
“So is underage drinking,” Sticks sniggered.
“I’m in,” Erika said. It was exactly the type of reckless behaviour she needed.
“Me too,” Anna said, ignoring the unimpressed expression on Dave’s face. Erika was surprised he was still there after what she’d heard from Anna about their argument. He could afford a cab home but had chosen to stay. Erika wasn’t sure whether it was out of a gentlemanly obligation to his girlfriend or because he genuinely cared for Anna. Something told her it was the latter, her best friend was too self-critical to see it.
“Get me in a trolley!” Tom cheered.
Like that, it was decided. They were going trolley racing.
“What are the rules again?” Anna asked, positioned in a trolley. She took a long glug of cider.
Rocking Erika’s trolley back and forth in preparation, like a Formula 1 car warming its tyres on the tracks, Sam explained, “The pushers will push the trolleys to the centre of the car park, roughly the fourth row.”
“Which row?” Will asked, peering into the darkness. In his trolley, much to everyone’s shock, was Emily, gripping the sides with terror. Erika, on the other hand, knelt up in hers, heart racing in anticipation.
“The fourth,” Sam said.
“Yeah but,” Dominic said, “the fourth row or the fourth line?”
“What?” Sam frowned.
“Ah don’t get it,” Bender said.
“The fourth row, you fucking dunces.”
“Yeah but the fourth row of cars,” Jasper said, Susannah in his trolley, already squealing excitedly, a bottle of cider between her knees. “Or the fourth set of rows?”
“What?” Sam gaped. “Look, for fuck’s sake, this shouldn’t be this hard.”
“Can we just get on with this?” Emily exclaimed.
“Yeah, come on!” Erika jeered, slapping the sides of the trolley. “Let’s go! Let’s go!”
“Are we clear? The fourth row?” Sam said.
“Yeah but –,” Will started.
“Just push, you fucking idiots!” Sam said, shoving his trolley forward. Erika plummeted onto her hands and knees, rocking violently as he pushed the trolley across the empty car park. She screamed in shock and delight as they went sailing through the orange glow of the streetlights. The raucous rattling of trolleys and their cries of laughter exploded across the car park. Erika clung on, eyes peeled open. She didn’t want to miss a second.
“Faster! Faster, Sam!” she beseeched.
He did as she asked, running harder and pushing the trolley closer to that imaginary line. Beside her, Tom and Dominic were gaining on them. On her other, Susannah squealed and screamed, arms in the air, her corn-coloured hair flowing out behind her.
“Faster, Sam! We’re gonna lose!”
“No, we won’t. I’ve got this, baby.” And she believed him. Had he ever let her down?
Reaching the middle of the car park, Sam gave one last almighty shove and let go.
Like a rocket, Erika flew through the air. The trolley drifted off to the left and almost crashed into Tom’s if he hadn’t swerved and tipped to miss her. He spilled out onto the asphalt with a bleat of laughter. Next, she caught sight of Anna hurtling towards her, her piercing shriek ringing in Erika’s ears. They missed each other by inches, the two girls rattling along in their trolleys, heading for the verge at the opposite end of the car park. Behind them, the boys were cheering like betters at a horse race, Sticks whooping the loudest as Bender’s trolley caught up with Erika’s. He tried to push her off course. She gave his trolley a kick with her boot, sending him ricocheting off to the left.
She stood up to feel the wind in her hair, arms outspread like wings. She knew it was dangerous. She could tip and fall and crack her head. Erika didn’t care. She felt alive for the first time in months. Even as the curb drew closer, the end of the car park a breath away, she stayed standing, suspended, just the beat of her heart in her ears and her quick drawn breaths. The world ceased to exist and she was finally free. It was like no other high she’d ever tasted. And she never wanted it to stop.
“Sit down!” Emily screeched.
Erika didn’t hear her. Barely acknowledged as the front wheels of her trolley hit the curb, sending her careering into the air. For a brief minute, she flew like the bird she always wanted to be, unbound and liberated. No one could touch her. She was safe. If only for a second, before she plummeted into the darkness.
Just like I always do.
Her head smacked the ground. It was softer than she thought it would be. Her body came to a halt, the thorns of the bush scraping her face. A branch or two stuck into her sides and Erika found herself on her back staring up at the starry night above. The clouds had gone, taking the rain with them, leaving the beautiful expanse of the universe staring down at her. So small, a tiny grain of sand, she was insignificant as she lay on the damp ground, the undergrowth twitching in her ears. A spider made its way carefully across her neck. She didn’t flinch. She stayed gazing at the stars. They were the same as they had been when she was a child. It was she who had changed. Did they look back at her on earth and make a wish? Or was she just drunk?
Sam appeared above her. “Babe? You okay?”
“I’m fine,” she said. She took his outstretched hand and allowed him to lift her to her feet. “Did I win?” She brushed herself down, avoiding the various expressions on her friends’ faces.
“Are you alright?” Anna said, removing a twig from Erika’s hair.
“I’m fine, why? Wait –.” As quick as she’d crashed, she keeled over and vomited up the contents of her stomach. Her friends staggered back to give her room, Anna staying by her side, Erika’s hair in her grasp. Sam guffawed, applauding her as though she’d won a competition. Wiping her mouth with the bottom of her dress, Erika straightened and turned back to the group. “Okay, now I am. What next?”
Her friends gaped back at her, Emily particularly horrified. All the while, Sam chuckled, and soon, the rest of them did too, a mixture of disbelief and admiration.
Good.
Can’t have them knowing what’s really going on inside this head.
“That’s my girl,” Sam said, throwing an arm around her shoulders and kissing her hot temple. She wouldn’t feel the bruises until tomorrow. The alcohol and drugs kept it away, along with all the rest of those intrusive thoughts.
“You’re insane!” Sticks laughed.
Yes, she was.
Hillside Academy: October (Volume II) Copyright © 2024 Jodie May Mullen