How To Get Out of Florida

Claire and Regan Hedley were sisters. They would always complain about how hot and humid and sticky and gross it was outside. Sometimes, they would have to shower two or three times a day, yet as soon as they would step outside, the moisture in the air would immediately coat their body in sweat and moisture. There was no point in showering. They shared one bedroom, and hardly spoke to one another—eons away in their own separate worlds. Their phones were unlimited galaxies into the traveling media of rumor and digitalis. Weeks would pass before they might share a quick, shocking, or inimitable glace at one another—a warm, sister-like familiarity—jolting them back into blood-related existence. In compliance, Claire and Regan complained about how unusually hot it was today.

“Oh my gosh! It’s so freaking hot!”

“It’s always hot!”

“I honestly hate it here.”

“Yeah, this place sucks.”

“A total drag!”

They peered of their one small window, measuring the flat surface of the empty street, the slapped-together houses, the skinny trees that resembled tired things that did not want to grow anymore. Above, they watched the slow-moving clouds in the sky, seemingly, the only thing that was moving away from the desolate, suburban stroke of their existence.

Claire whispered into her sister’s ear: “I don’t think I’ve even seen a single person our own age this entire time!”

“Oh my gosh, you’re totally right!” Regan said, feeling small and sad. “I just know everyone is happier in other places, living purposefully, and full of color!”

They spoke at the same time—much like sisters would sometimes do—and said: “We have to get out of Florida!”

Together, they laughed.

“Let’s go see what Kevin Knell is up to,” Claire said as she turned away from the window.

“Oh, not Kevin!” Regan cried, afraid to even look at her sister.

“Shut up. Anyways, I feel like shit,” Claire complained and dramatically laid on her bed. She immediately sat up because the sheets made her hot and irritated. She felt like she would melt and blend into the furniture, transforming into an indolent structure that held no true meaning.

Sometimes, Regan would get nervous or intimidated around Kevin Knell because he was much older than them. A lot of the time, he would act wild and uncommonly because he usually had a number of strong chemicals that would swim nicely inside the young bodies of Claire and Regan Hedley. Regan also had a small feeling that Claire secretly liked Kevin Knell. He also had the best weed in town because he was the only one they knew who had an actual medical marijuana card. He had paid a sketchy doctor of the family a lot of money and lied about a lot of issues to get his medical card. Regan never like the idea of smoking weed because it made her quiet and dissociated. Sometimes, Claire would force Regan to take a hit or two. Regan always listened to her sister because she did not want to embarrass herself in front of Kevin. And then, through the thick and lazy smoke that swirled through Kevin’s cold dark room, Regan could have sworn she saw her sister kiss Kevin Knell.

Claire and Regan Hedley walked down to Kevin Knell’s house, who lived at the edge of their sun-blistered neighborhood. They wore the lightest clothes that they owned, already anticipating the strong sunlight that would battle their light skin. Just as they made it to Kevin’s house, their hair was already wild and wet. Regan felt gross and self-conscious. Claire took her hands and tossed her hair into a messy, yet playful bun, internally knowing that Kevin liked her style—she felt included in the enraptured atmosphere surrounding Kevin.

“You want to what?” Kevin cracked at the girls. He wore a dark expression as he smiled, showing off a row of resin-yellow teeth. He pointed his long fingers at the girls, shaking his fingers in a fashion of disappointment or disillusion. His bony body hummed like a jackhammer as he laughed in a juggernaut of attitude and steam.

“We’re sick and tired of living here!” They cried and rapidly confessed all their dislikes about Florida.

Kevin Knell did not seem to acknowledge their silly renditions. He tested them heavily with reason and benedictions. He went to his cluttered desk and worked his magic fingers upon a brilliant powder. Then, almost in embarrassment, he offered the girls each a hit.

Like silent orbits in space, they obeyed their habits. The strong powder disappeared collectively into their cavity.

Soon, Kevin’s magic swooned over Claire. She melted and agreed with everything Kevin said. Regan had to tug her sister’s shirt to snap her back to Earth and away from Kevin’s tricks. Regan did not want to be “in” on the mystery of the bondage of their ruined lives. Without thought or consequence, Kevin acted out in a devil fashion. He used sharp and cunning words, dancing around like a dark fox.

Suddenly, Claire realized what was happening and grabbed her sister’s hand. Claire did not feel happy anymore. She felt tricked. Regan was happy that her sister was coming to her senses. Slowly, they moved to the front door, forgetting about conversations, forgetting about Kevin Knell. They did not seem to feel any emotions; they could hardly feel their own bodies.

As Claire and Regan left, Kevin said, “No one ever leaves Florida. You girls are stuck with me! Born and raised!” Then, he shut the door.

They left.

“Jesus, he can be a really A-hole sometimes,” Claire said with small astonishment.

“You were the one who wanted to go over there!” Regan snapped.

“Kevin always talks mad shit. He thinks he’s entitled over everybody else.”

“We’re stuck! We’re stuck!” Regan cried.

Thus, Claire began to cry. A small hug took place between the sisters. They tried to shun their unique version of hellion life, desperately trying to shake the shambling underworld that would forever haunt them—swallow them in heat and mirage of escape. Inimitable. They knew that if they did not get out now, they would be forever forgotten on an insignificant peninsula where the tides will always wash away their hopes and dreams.

After a moment, Regan said, “You just like him. You just like the drugs he has.” There was a rebellious sound in her voice.

“I officially will never do his drugs ever again!” Claire declared.

The sun did not dilute the energy in the addicted grasps of their bellies.

“So, now we are going to get sick!” Regan said with a frantic voice.

“Let’s go back one more time, then we wouldn’t have to even go back again,” Claire, the empyrean damsel, said.

“Okay, good.”

“Okay.”

With desperate desire, Claire and Regan Hedley slowly walked back to Kevin’s house. They did not seem to care about the sun anymore. They would only care about the cutting alchemy that would make them forget, if only for a few hours, the shambling lives of their own hellion.