Notes of a Teenage Glue Sniffer
Me and my best mate Jonesy are off to Aiden’s house for a joint 16th birthday party for a rare night out for me. Friday night for me is watching the footy in my room and whatever ABC comedy show they play before Rage comes on. I’m part of that joint with me other great Pies man Tim.
We couldn’t be asked having it at our own houses so we conned Aids to doing at his place. I’m being all punk wearing a Blink 182 shirt and spiking my hair. Jonesy, my best mate at the time comes to mine wearing some kinda 70’s jacket. He was into soccer and I was into football. So, we were not meant to be friends. But cricket we both loved, guess that was the link. My ma and dad try to talk to him and I drag him away as I don’t want my parents to meet anyone I know. No real reason why, just dumb typical stuff from a cranky teenager. We watch the footy for the first quarter then walk to Aides.
I see this girl Bear. I’ve known her for two years. I really like her a lot. She goes straight past me and gives Jones a present. A bag of M and Ms. Not much a pressie but more then I got. We look at each other like the fuck is this. At that moment three other mates of mine walk in. I’m mates with everyone Tim’s invited, but these guys I’ve invited aren’t. This is a world collide night. Three people I barely know give me cards which has $20 each. I give it to Aiden’s brother and tell him to buy us beer. Two slabs later and we got a party. Bear walks past and grabs me and takes me to another room.
She slams the door and makes sure it’s shut. She smiles at me. I can’t believe my luck. She is about to say something then pauses. I like Jonesy she blasts out. No, I can believe my luck. I MUTTER something like aye. I leave the room feeling down. Jonesy walks past. Oi Jones, Bear likes you I yell. He couldn’t care less.
Bear walks past a second later, I told Jonesy you like him. She yells something at me and runs off. Hey, the beers here. I’m so happy right now. DID I do something wrong? Beer will cure my problems, Again typical teenage answer.
I go to the yard, see Tim. We chink glasses, someone puts a fag in my mouth. Why isn’t every day like this? I walk and do the rounds. A mate is crying because a girl dumped him. I walk away as I’ve no time for this. Another mate says a bloke dumped her and she doesn’t know how she can go on. I walk away again. Fucking teenagers and their shit problems I think. Me and Jonesy find a room and watch the rest of the footy.
Aiden brother is in the other room screaming fucking cunt at every poor decision the umpire makes. A real person finally I think Carlton beat the bomber that night. Me and Jones talk outside to see our other mates have becaused a ruckus. Ned is being his usually dickhead self, every time Carlton did something wrong Zeke screamed GO Dons, now Aids brother is out for him, and Leigh just starts shit, Jones and I walk away as we can’t be bothered with his. At that moment, Sam grabs Jonesy and throws him up a wall. Says how dear you hurt Bear, she’s like my brother. I laugh, and get a fuck off for that. I find more beer, that cures the problems. Hey Rage has started. This is an awesome Friday.
I sit alone with a Vic. Happy as I can be. Jones joins me latter, gives me some thanks for the help look. I pass him and a beer and give him a drink it and shut up look. We sit and laugh and talk shit on everyone we see. Aids tell us to keep it down as people are sleeping. At that moment, Jase comes over with some vodka. This is the best Friday night ever now. Round 4 am I crash. Bear send me a text saying thanks for ruining her life. That hurt, but some sleep and I’ll be ok.
I wake after and hours sleep and me and Jonesy are still watching Rage. Bunch of crap they play at this hour. We watch ‘til 10 am then head back to mine. Aiden’s mum hugs me and says say hi to ya ma. Your long-suffering ma she ads for a follow on. Me and Jones walks through the park. Not much is said other than game last night was good. Oh, I just remembered. Happy birthday mate.
It’s Jonesy’s birthday too. We go to mine watch the rest of Rage, laugh at everyone we see again. He gets up to go to the toilet, when he comes out he find a bottle of PVA glue. He shoots me a look that says seriously. I shoot him one that says don’t fucking start Then his dad comes. I mumble as always. I bid my mate farewell and see him after the holidays. Mum says I was rude to his dad. I dismiss this and go to bed. I rarely went out those days. I was used to Friday night footy on the box and Rockwiz and Rage on Saturday.
This was a rare night out of the cave. Was fine, but makes me realise the world is full of people that will be a dick to you for no reason. I was a dick to for no reason. I’m no better than these people, maybe that’s why I never left my room in those days.
Sigh.
Then I think my mate was with me at the start of the night and stayed with me till stumps the morning after. I’ll take that.
