A waitress came around, interrupting us as she handed Juan a bottle of champagne. Juan apparently partied like that. He just drank straight from the bottle and intends to get hammered, as he planned to achieve tonight.
"I don't think brownies are Spain's specialty. Weirdest tasting thing ever." I made a contorted face as I shivered from the aftertaste that still lingered on my tongue.
"What brownie?"
I pointed across the lawn to where he had found me. The sweet display was situated before the pool area, in a little nook that had a six-foot waterfall with water dyed in hot pink.
He frowned, eyes boring into mine as he gave me that 'how could you not know look'. "They're concentrated with marijuana and some other crazy things these kids like to get high off of."
Horrified, I let out a sharp gasp as I licked my lips. "You mean, I just ate a magic brownie and several of whatever that was … " Why hadn't that entered my head? "Oh, fuck!" Juana and her friends seemed the kind to be serving such treats. Since I had barely eaten anything all day, when I saw dessert, I thought of nothing else but the sugary sweet kick it would give me. I was appalled at my naivety and the fact that everyone knew except me. And I took not one but four! "What will happen to me?"
Juan cupped my cheek; trying to reassure my panicked state. "Don't worry; just have fun with it, and whatever you do, don't panic! I'm right here. I won't leave your side. I'll take care of you." He kissed my forehead before seeking my eyes again. "I've seen a few who started crying, screaming, hallucinating that a dragon's chasing them, and they have to run and hide. If that happens, I'll make sure to give you a sword to fight it off."
"That's not funny," I said as I became agitated at the thought of hallucinating some crazy stuff. Juan was obviously teasing me a little.
"It's a true story."
I blanched. "What kind of party would serve drug-induced sweets and pastries?" Mixed drugs; how bad could it get?
"The crazy kind. I told you my sister was a crazy one. You wouldn't believe me then."
"I believe you now." It was no wonder her peers didn't want to get uninvited; she catered to all the crazies. "I don't feel anything … " I murmured against his cheek when I realized my senses were the same and nothing had been altered.
"Just you wait. Don't look so happy yet."
I rolled my eyes, feeling as though he was making a big deal out of it.
How strong could it be?
I didn't have to wait long to get my answer. It came ten minutes later. It wasn't subtle. I had expected it to be like a slow build-up, making you aware the changes in your senses, but no, I was dead wrong. Once the effect hit you, it seized you instantaneously. Unforgivingly.
I was wired. Body electrified. Senses modified.
Holy fuck. I swallowed nervously as I tried to adjust my sight, wondering if I had just stepped into another dimension. It was like being drunk and being trapped in a circus fun house. Everything was wonky. And the noise … God, it was like a kingdom full of bees buzzing in my ear. Then there was my heart. It was as if it's lodged in my eardrums. The loud thudding sound was deafening.
My eyes adjusted to blurry effect before it became so vividly clear. Everything was in high definition. I swear I could see the tiny atoms floating in the air. My eyes expanded, widening as I took in the ambiance, then ever so slowly, I began to turn, full of wonderment while taking in the vividness of my surroundings. Bright, vibrant fluorescent colors, echoed in neon and gold. Everything came alive, dancing and spinning before my eyes. Everything was so beautiful. I swear I could almost taste it on my tongue.
I want to touch it …
I was just about to take a step to touch the rainbow colors when I felt a hand around my waist, stopping me.
"Cara?" Juan held me down. "It's not real. It'll pass."
My eyes gravitated to the dancing rainbows, swirling like a lava lamp, but a hundred times more intense. It was quite the psychedelic experience.
Hypnotized, I felt my throat close up as if I hadn't had anything to drink all day.
"I'm so thirsty … " I grumbled. "I want something … This will do!" I hijacked the champagne bottle from his grasp, taking a few lengthy gulps and sighed happily. Thirst moderately quenched. "Thanks, Juan-two-three," I laughed at my own joke as I handed him his bottle back. I was high as a fucking kite, and I had just ridden the psychedelic flow. I was comforted that Juan would take care of me if my hallucinations became too much to bear.
"Let's get you somewhere to sit and ride this out. You need to hydrate, cariña."