3. | Merry Go 'Round

LIFE WAS LIKE A CAROUSEL IN MALL. Elodie was like a carousel, specifically the mermaid; beautiful, haunting in the darkness of the mall, twisting and turning before disappearing.

The lights had already shut off in the mall, and security had done their half-assed sweep. We wandered around, dodging and hiding, until we came upon the carousel we used to visit after class, even in our high school senior year.

Elodie lit the blunt she'd hid in her pocket, and reached over the grate, switching the lights on for the carousel, throwing a golden glow around us. Smoke wafted around her, making her seem much more ethereal than she already was, like a ghost who would soon disappear at the first glimmer of sunrise.

I stepped onto the slowly rotating carousel and leaned against the pole, watching her weave herself between seashells, and mermaids, and pirate ships. A siren gliding through a sea of golden glow.

"Why here?" I asked, eventually breaking the near total silence, accepting her extended hand with the blunt in it. "Is this your so-called adventure, some teen rom-com carousel scene where we kiss and make up?"

  Elodie laughed. It echoed in the court, bouncing back around us.

  "I mean," she quirked her eyebrows up, making a mocking attempt at a seductive expression, "I'm not opposed to the kiss and make up." I rolled my eyes, passing the next hit to her. She giggled and wedged herself in the pirate ship, letting her long legs dangle off the side.

  I wandered over to the seashell and mimicked her position, albeit less gracefully.

  "So, your idea of an adventure and exploring the nightlife included breaking into the mall after hours?" I heard a metallic clanking in her direction, and then the flash of keys. I sat up straight, a struggle in the little seashell that barely held my left ass cheek. "You've got to be fucking kidding me."

  "Bea is security guard," Elodie said, dangling the keys like a prized Birkin bag, "and, well, after she stole my money and cheated on me, I figured it was only fair I returned the favor." I gawked at her; at the information she just dumped into my lap. I don't know why I was surprised, Elodie wasn't one to "let things slide", and was definitely the more petty out of the both of us.

  And, yet, I always feel so shocked when I see the beginning of the hurricane Elodie brings into my life, throwing every care and caution aside to create a path for her petty destruction. An EF5.

  "Elodie," I said, carefully, "what are we doing tonight? We're not just getting drinks, are we?" Elodie jumped up, maneuvering her way out of the tiny seat easier than I could've ever attempted. The ride abruptly stopped, but the little merry go 'round of madness was just beginning. Her dark eyes were alight with something, and I didn't like it.

"So, I want to be a little nostalgic," Elodie said, a devious smile gracing her lips. "Tomorrow, you'll have some fancy diploma, student loans to pay off, a situationship to block. This is, like, a new step into adulthood."

"Oh, my god." I sighed. "El, I don't want to repeat high school graduation night. I don't even remember half of it, I just remember waking up in your bed after barely avoiding jail."

"You can still end up in my bed," she cackled, stepping off the carousel and into the darkness of the mall. I had no choice but to wiggle my way out of the seashell and follow her. "You need this, I need this."

"I don't need jail time."

"You're not going to jail for trespassing if that's what you're worried about."

Elodie dug her phone out of her pocket and shone her flashlight into the dimly lit mall, the light reflecting off the metal security grates over store doors. She faced me, and I squinted, gesturing for her to lower the light.

"Ken, can you just... roll with it tonight?" She inhaled deeply, and flashed a dazzling grin. "For nostalgic sake? I promise, after tonight, I won't randomly appear on key dates to break into anymore property."

We stared at each other.

"What's really going on?" I asked, crossing my arms, "college graduation isn't that significant, we've been adults for a good three years, and you've been gone for seven months. You've avoided the question three times now, and it's starting to freak me out."

I wouldn't know what her next words would be. Because the next words out of our mouths would be, "shit!"

Footsteps echoed in the distance, and a flashlight swept along the ground. Elodie snatched my arm and dragged me to the food court, both of us weaving between pillars as the footsteps drew closer.

I jumped the counter of an indie sandwich shop in one smooth movement, a surprising feat for me, and Elodie followed suit. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I watched Elodie mutter a constant string of profanities under her breath, her eyes clenched shut.

A voice called out, almost hesitantly, "hello?" The light swept over us, their shoes squeaking on the floors. Elodie clutched my hand. I squeezed back.

After what felt like hours, the footsteps and obnoxious squeaking of new shoes on linoleum floors faded into the distance, their light bobbing in the distance.

Without hesitating a second longer, I dragged Elodie up and towards the exit, both of us staggering over each other, glancing over our shoulders.

We shoved through the doors, stumbling into the parking lot, giggling and gasping for air, as if we didn't just commit several felonies in the span of an hour. I'd almost forgotten how upset I was with Elodie, with her careless ways, her disappearance, her sudden desire to be a menace to my life.

"I think," Elodie gasped, "you're right. Let's just grab a couple of drinks, and watch some cheesy rom com where they kiss and make up."

It was a good plan.

Except, there was a new problem.

Our cars were gone.