Read Online A Semester Abroad by Ariella Papa - Free Book Online Page B

enthusiasm was clear and contagious. She pulled me over to the bar for another drink and then onto the stage, where you got the letters. It was mobbed, but we each found a pile of letters for our numbers. I translated the letters for both of us. They had a common theme, 
I saw you from across the floor. You are beautiful, I would like to meet you.
 As I read these to Michelle I put on a fake Italian accent and we both laughed, hysterically.
    Janine ran over, pretended to look annoyed.
    “I got one of those letters. Roberto is pissed. He’s so Italian.”
    “Look, G, our numbers are up again,” said Michelle, smiling. “Let’s check our stash.”
    We both had bigger piles than before. Janine had three. I translated these again in the same accent. There were some new admirers and some from the last batch who were upset that we didn’t respond. Michelle enjoyed this a little too much, and Janine took her lack of letters a little too personally.
    “It’s because I have to wear my fucking number on my skirt. He’ll be mad if I don’t.” Janine was making excuses, trying to convince herself more than us. Michelle nodded.
    “You should get another drink, Janine, and then you won’t care what he thinks.” She didn’t sound as sympathetic to Janine as usual. Michelle was different tonight, more independent, no longer simply Janine’s appendage. “Let’s get another drink, G.”
    When we got back to the guys, they looked at us sheepishly. I accused them of writing the letters, but they denied it. They asked us if we want to smoke hash.
    “Do we want to smoke some hash?” I translated for Michelle.
    “Sure. I mean I guess. I never smoked hash, have you?”
    “Once,” I said, “it fucked me up. Though it may have been because I was doing a lot of other stuff. But I think it can really fuck you up.”
    “Let’s get fucked up.” Michelle said, widening her eyes. I had the feeling that she would have been up for anything. “Let’s do it.”
    And so the four of us went off into a little dark corner with a low lounge. We smoked a cigarette laced with a bunch of hash. Homemade by Gennaro. We passed it around. Mauro taught Michelle how to inhale it.
    The last time I smoked hash, I was a wreck. I literally could not move. This time I began to feel a haze, but it worked with the lights and scented smoke that filled the club. I suspected from Michelle’s expression that she felt the same way. We went back to the floor and danced together, not speaking, not smiling, just moving. This was the closest I had ever felt to Michelle. Those times we sat awkwardly together in bars we lacked this energy that floated between us as we danced now
    When Janine found us, I didn’t care about anything. I realized that I usually was aware of my looks around her, because of the way she always looked me up and down. Now, when she did it, it meant nothing. I just wanted to get back to dancing. I couldn’t focus on her face. Michelle could handle it.
    “We’re gonna go. His ex-girlfriend is here”. Across the dance floor I saw Roberto talking furiously to an Italian girl with long brown hair. She had that regal look that I noticed on some of the women in Siena.
    “Are you guys ready?” Janine expected us to be. I nodded, assuming that Michelle would want to leave. But Michelle hesitated.
    “I’m having fun, Janine. I don’t feel like watching you guys fight all night. G, don’t you want to stay?” I didn’t really want to get involved, but I wanted to stay. I was getting fucked up, and I didn’t want to feel Janine’s bad jealous vibe.
    “Well, how are you guys going to get home? Roberto has the car.”
    “There’s a bus. Pam took it she told me,” Michelle said.
    Janine shook her head and said, “Pam.” Information not shared between them. It might have been the first time that Janine realized that Michelle was her own person and not just a sidekick. Maybe the first time for Michelle, too. “Fine then.