Surprising moments of genius

The four of them were sitting in Dan's bedroom after school. Dan was sitting with his feet up on his computer desk, Randy and Emma were sat on the sofa, and Nicole was set by herself on Dan's bed. This was the first time that Nicole had hung out with her boyfriend's two best friends in this way. She had been around when they had filmed the second scene with Sarah, which she had taken part in, but tonight was new for her. Nicole was busy rolling a joint as she claimed she could do it better than Randy.

“So you put up an advert online looking for people to film with?” Nicole asked.

“And he put my number on it as well as Randy's, a special kind of asshole,” Emma added.

If they were expecting Randy to express any kind of shame or humiliation, they were setting themselves up for disappointment.

“I thought they would be more accepting if a girl answered the phone. But it worked she called me back.” Randy told them.

“Who was she?” Dan asked.

“Some downtown lawyer. Smoking hot as well. She would only film in a mask, though, but the mystique of that made it hotter as well. I think she might be up for filming other stuff as well,” Randy told him.

Dan brought up the website on his computer, which he currently had linked to the flat screen TV. They all looked on, aghast at the website Randy had created. It looked like something that would have been on Geocities back at the end of the nineties, and everyone present in the room would not even have been born until ten years after that.

“That somehow looks really ancient. How long did you spend on making it?” Dan asked.

“I spent hours on it until it looked perfect,” Randy replied with a straight face.

Emma elbowed him in the ribs like she normally did when she thought Randy was being economical with the truth.

“Five minutes.” He said truthfully.

The conversation was broken up for a moment by Nicole getting annoyed with the lighter failing to spark. After several attempts, it produced a flame, and she lit the joint she had rolled.

“I'm surprised that the people we've filmed with didn't make us do that, really,” Emma commented.

“We were filming our fellow students. Addison was into the idea, and Sarah has her own set of kinks.” Dan replied.

“What did you think of the new girls?” Nicole asked.

“I only spoke with Elena for a little bit in drama class. Gwen seemed cool though.” Dan answered.

“What if she's got psychic powers, freaks out at prom and burns it all down?” Randy asked.

“So prom would be like, interesting?” Emma joked

“Did you watch Mike Flanagan's new show while dropping a shitload of acid?” Nicole asked.

“I'm not going to say that didn't happen,” Randy advised.

Nicole started laughing and then coughing due to smoke from the joint. She passed it over to Emma.

“So how was the swim practice? Emma asked in between tokes.

“About what you expect when I didn't keep up with any training for a year. Schafer made me and Donna race against each other. She was very graceful in her victory.” Dan said with a hint of sarcasm.

Emma passed the joint over to Randy.

“Those guys never buy from me,” Randy complained while smoking.

“Maybe it's the whole wanting to be professional athletes thing they are going for,” Dan replied.

“The football team are my best clients for Coke...” Randy said to him.

“Go Tapirs. That might explain why we've been on a record losing streak this season. Plus the football team are all dumb meatheads.” Nicole said sardonically

“So what about Curtis?” Nicole asked.

“Donna and Lauren both said they would talk to him for me. I kind of think he's not going to forgive as easily. I think maybe he thinks I'm going to challenge him for male captain for the swim team.” Dan told her.

“Are you going to?” Emma queried

“I'm happy to go back onto the team. Well, after being encouraged to do so, at least after Schafer came back. I don't really care about being swim team captain anymore. He's welcome to it. “ Dan replied

“You know Lieke has a bit of a thing for him?” Emma advised Dan.

“So what if I get Lieke to go on a date with him in exchange for him not being an asshole towards me?” Dan replied to her.

“It's an option. I can always talk to her. I don't think he's dating anyone.” Emma said

“I'm still in favour of beating him up for you,” Randy commented while putting out the joint.

“He would fold you in fucking half with one hand,” Dan said to him.

“Both of us together?” Randy suggested

“I'm sure that would look great, Randy. Two white guys jumping a black student.” Dan replied, his comment dripping in sarcasm.

“Maybe he'll just calm down?” Nicole said hopefully.

“He's held a grudge for a year. I doubt it.” Dan said, sounding downcast.

“I saw Elena hanging out with Sarah and the others.” Randy pointed out.

“Ms Miller said she was on the cheer squad at her previous school,” Dan told them.

“That girl does not know what she is walking into,” Nicole smirked.

“You know if Sarah is going to plan something, that would be great for us if we could record it,” Emma stated

“We should ask what she is planning,” Dan suggested.

“You two just want to fuck the new girl,” Nicole said bluntly.

“You could join in with this one from the start,” Emma suggested.

“If Sarah lets you film things.” Nicole pointed out.

Dan was quiet for a few minutes while he was thinking things over.

“I need to bring you guys in on something,” Dan said to Emma and Randy.

“This sounds ominous,” Emma commented.

“That's what I said,” Nicole said

“Walk on, brother.” Randy

“The swim team wasn't the only thing I did with Schafer.” Dan started telling them.

Dan noticed Randy grinning at this remark, as he was expecting this story to go in a different direction.

“I went out to her parents' farm with Donna.” Dan continued and saw Randy's grin widening. “She had a sweat lodge set-up. Donna already completed one.”

Randy's expression changed although it was still one of rapt interest.

“Was it just the steam or something more?” Randy asked.

“She gave me some peyote. Donna just watched over me while I went on some spiritual journey. I saw Tessa. We were in the desert somewhere.” Dan voice started faltering at the mention of his ex-girlfriend and recounting his experience.

“That's not what I was expecting,” Emma told him

“She was my guide on whatever I needed to be shown. It was about Britney, and she was dancing at some club. The two of us watched her, and then she ran away.” Dan finished telling them.

“That's some heavy shit, Dan.” Randy told him.

“What do you think it means?” Emma asked.

“I don't think I would be having trips about my sister unless it meant something,” Dan said his voice breaking a little

“Anything we can do to help. I know she's never going to say anything directly. I know some people that know some people. I can make some discreet calls.” Randy told him.

All three of them were staring at Randy. The moments when their friend dropped the hedonist stoner persona and was far more serious, Randy occasionally had moments of exceptional genius.

“What are you guys staring at?” Randy asked.

“You and I don't say it enough, but I love you, man,” Dan replied.

“It's late; we should get moving,” Emma said to Randy.

“I'll catch you both at school tomorrow,” Randy said to Dan and Nicole.

After they left, Dan joined Nicole on the bed. They started kissing.

“I enjoyed this. The three of you talking to each like three friends who have known each other for years. I'm glad you told them about the trip. That they both just accepted what you were saying without question. I don’t think I’d get that with Starla,” Nicole said to him.

“Yeah, I just needed to process it a little first. Plus Randy might actually be able to help.” Dan told her.

“I can't stay over tonight,” Nicole said sadly.

Dan walked Nicole to her house rather than her walking home alone. They kissed again when she was on her doorstep.

“I was thinking of going to the gym after school tomorrow if you wanted to join me,” Nicole suggested.

“Do I want to see my girlfriend’s ass clad in Lycra?” Dan joked.

She punched him on the arm playfully.

“Such a charmer.” Nicole teased.

“I would love to. Plus Schafer wants me to work out more anyway.” Dan replied

“After school tomorrow, then,” Nicole said to him

She kissed him again before venturing inside. Dan wandered home to get some sleep.