“Not that much cough syrup! You need to save some. Just put in more Sprite!” I said, moving my hand to cover the cups.

“You wanna lean or not?” J said, knees bending and body bouncing to the beat of the music.

“Yeah, but that stuff’s prescription. I can’t get any more very easy! I only have any ‘cause my sister had pneumonia. Besides, I already had three beers,” I said, noticing that the floor was already undulating in rolling waves like the ocean on a breezy day.

“Fuck. Codeine & Promethazine is so fucking everywhere. Don’t worry about it.”

“Whatever. I’m not going to the doctor faking a cough to try to get more, stupid.”

“You don’t have to, Teresa. I got you.”

“You always talk like a badass, but you’re a frickin’ marshmallow. You don’t got anything!”

“Yeah? Well, you’re a bitch.” I couldn’t read her expression.

“Takes one to know one,” I said with a grin.

J took out two more cups, put some ice in the bottom, then dropped the cups containing the concoction into them. She dropped a few Skittles in each cup and handed one to Teresa, gulping down half of hers immediately.

“Jesus, J. Slow down! You’re gonna be on the floor!”

“I got this.”

“I told you already. You don’t got anything!”

I wasn’t proud of this, but I either needed drugs or a whole lot of alcohol to be able to do what I was about to do. I didn’t have the nerve without it.

“Drink up, bitch!” J told me. I could see her eyes beginning to feel the effects.

I took a big sip. It didn’t take long to kick in on top of the alcohol. I stumbled to the couch and plopped down next to a couple making out. I watched the lean emo guy sliding his tattooed hand over his skinny-jeaned partner’s ass.