April 2015 April 2015 | Page 30

friends a case of beer and 2 packs of cigarettes for his brother (paid two guys to do it). Ronnie and James went home and were getting ready for bed when James came back into their room after getting some food.

“You know James, I don’t wanna be like you guys. I want to save some of this money and get a new house, and go to a better school. Don’t start thinking that I’m going to sink down to your levels of stupidity now that I’m the one with the cash.”

James looked at him with a goofy smirk on his face. “Don’t you see Ronnie? You have enough money to last a lifetime! Why don’t you just try to live a little? It’s not guna kill you, a smoke and a beer ain’t a big deal bro.”

“Shut up James,” he said, “go to bed”.

Ronnie unwillingly woke up extra early the next morning. It was a Friday but he didn’t have class. He went into the kitchen and made a bowl of cereal, but he suddenly stopped. He sat down. His dream from last night was coming back to him. Ronnie dreamt of a different life. He dreamt that he was pulling up into Tyson’s driveway, in a fancy sports car. Tyson came out and was wearing the new clothes that Ronnie had bought him. Tyson got in the car and then they drove back to Ronnie’s own apartment. When they got there they took shots and Ronnie had officially become a smoker. Ronnie snapped out of the dreamworld, and began to eat. When he was done he realized that the life he refused to take part of was still lingering in his mind, as if it was what he wanted.

Since James was still asleep upstairs, he decided to grab his basketball and walk down to the court down the street to play. He dribbled and shot hoops for an hour or two until his brother called.

“Ronnie come chill, all the guys are here!”

Ronnie got a ride home from a neighbor who was there too. When he got home his friends were getting ready to smoke. They invited him to try it. He denied it, which was a surprise to himself after that dream. After the guys finished they decided to plan a trip to a race-track, amusement park, and camping for the next weekend. After they made the plan, they realized that it was time to get Ronnie a car. He got his license when he was 17, but he never was able to afford a car. They all took a cab to the nearest Ford dealership. In Ronnie’s head this could’ve been a dream, as his eyes strolled across the buildings and trees passing by the window he couldn’t grasp that he was about to purchase a car of any choice and any price.

Once they arrived at the their location Ronnie handed the driver an explicit tip and thanked him sweetly. They all got out of the car, and Ronnie already knew what he wanted. The salesman approached him and was brutally honest with him. He told Ronnie how he shouldn’t just purchase a Mustang, his dream car, without consulting someone who could help him effectively deal with his funds so he wouldn't go broke. In a matter of seconds, Ronnie’s attitude changed. No longer was he the sweet hearted passenger in the cab who was ready to make someone’s day. Ronnie’s reply was simple, “I’ll take 2.”. That day, Ronnie bought two Ford Mustangs. One grey, one black. In terms of the camping trip, purchasing two was a bright idea since not all of them would fit into one.

Once they got back to Ronnie’s house, they were discussing the sleeping arrangements of the camping trip when Ronnie suddenly decided to change the date. “Guys, I know we planned on going next Saturday, but instead we’ll leave Tuesday.” said Ronnie. The guys were confused but still excited.