Life of the Party

by Christine Anderson

  Some kids from our class got up afterwards and gave the traditional Most Famous For speech, singling us out one at a time and saying a few words about our most typical behaviours. There were a few predictable ones, like “staying home because of a bad hair day,” “freaking out over exams,” “having a new truck every year,” that kind of stuff.

  But then, it was Riley’s turn.

  “Riley McIntyre. Without a doubt, Riley McIntyre is most famous for … being with Mackenzie Taylor. Any year for as long as we can all remember, it doesn’t matter when, if you’re looking for Riley, you’ll find him with Mackenzie ….” My classmate was reading from her paper in a sweet for-the-crowd kind of voice, totally oblivious that she was breaking my heart a little more with every word she spoke. I bit my lip, wondering if Riley felt the same way as I did.

  I dreaded my Famous For as soon as I heard Riley’s—I just knew it would be similar. I braced myself for it.

  “Mackenzie Taylor. Mackenzie Taylor is most famous for … being with Riley McIntyre. As you can see, they’re completely inseparable, even when Mackenzie insists on skipping school as much as she does, he’ll still be with her ….”

  Holy crap. Were they kidding? Really? I stared down at the floor and felt my face blush bright crimson, waiting out the awkward moment until the audience laughed and they moved on to the next student. The entire student body was either totally oblivious or that list had been made up months ago. Riley and I were anything but inseparable now, a grim reminder I certainly didn’t need. I crossed my arms and hugged myself, wishing that the stupid kids would get off the stupid stage so this could be done already and I could go get high.

  The worst was that the Christian knew. She knew that Riley’s and my supposed inseparability simply wasn’t the truth. I could practically feel her gloating from a few rows behind me. Just for the record, she was proclaimed the most famous for … “being sweet.” Being “chubby” or “a Christian” must have already been taken, the only other two attributes I would’ve likened to her.

  By the time the ceremony had come to a close and we headed, single file, down the stairs and up the aisle, I was in desperate need for some more blow. I ducked out of the line and into the bathroom before anyone could notice I was missing.

  But someone noticed. Sure, when I wanted his attention, Riley was nowhere to be found, but when I was trying clandestinely to be alone and sneak away, he came looking for me. He was standing in the hall outside the bathroom when I re-emerged, his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall.

  “You okay?” Riley surprised me by asking. He did look sincerely concerned.

  “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?” I played dumb.

  “I don’t know, I just, I saw you running to the bathroom, and I thought maybe you were upset, about what they said up there ….”

  “Oh. No, I mean, it was totally awkward, but … whatever.” I shrugged, like it didn’t matter. My nose burned, and I rubbed at it without thinking.

  “Right.” Riley eyed me suspiciously. “So … What were you doing in there, Mackenzie?”

  “Um, going to the bathroom.” I chuckled casually. “That’s what people normally do in a bathroom.”

  “Yeah right.” He scoffed angrily. “You’re lit up, aren’t you?”

  “Ha!” I laughed again, good and high now. “Of course not.”

  “Don’t. Don’t lie to me. I can tell that you are.” He shook his head, as if he were disappointed or something. “Sweet. So you’re into the blow now, hey? Like, all the time? Nice. Good choice.”

  “Thanks.” I shrugged. I didn’t care for his judgement, but really, I was feeling too good to let it get to me. I shook my head at him. “So, are you and your Christian ready to head off into the sunset yet or what?”

  “Ugh … why do you call her that?”

  “That’s what she is, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, but that’s not all she is. Maybe if you got to know her—”

  I scoffed. “That is not going to happen.”

  “You’d probably end up liking her. Would that be so bad?”

  “Yes.”

  He shook his head. “Fine. Whatever. She’s better than your supposed boyfriend, anyway.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me.”

  I glared at him. “You have some friggin’ nerve, Riley. Why would you … what even makes you say that?”

  “Yeah, what could it be? I’ll just pick one from the hundreds of reasons. He’s totally irresponsible. Letting you ride on the back of his bike like that? What if you’d fallen off?”

  “He wouldn’t have let me fall.” I defended. “It’s no big deal Ry.”

  “Right. Right, I forgot. He can do no wrong, can he?” Riley stated wryly.

  “It was my idea anyway.”

  “Okay, then, how about getting hooked on coke? Was that your idea too?”

  “No!” My voice rose in frustration. I dropped my hands hopelessly. “No. I’m not hooked on coke. Riley … I can’t … ugh … I can’t do this with you anymore.”

  It was just too hard. It didn’t seem to matter how many times we swore off our friendship, because we were still inevitably drawn to each other, even now, even when we both knew it would cause us nothing but pain and frustration. We couldn’t sever the ties of our relationship no matter how doomed it was, and we seemed destined to act out the same argument time and time again, to live in a state of constant conflict with no reconciliation in sight. Because we were afraid. Afraid to really end it, to end us, even though that was exactly what we needed.

  I had to get away from him. I turned and started walking, suddenly in desperate need of the cool night air on my skin. I felt heated to the very core, and mixing words and feelings with Riley was not helping, even despite the coke-buzz. I pushed my way through the crowded foyer and out the front doors. It was pleasantly calm and cool outside, dim with the dwindling light that remained from the sunset. I breathed deep the sweet evening air.

  “Mac, wait up.” Riley called to me through the mass. He caught up quickly. “I’m sorry. Please. I don’t want to leave it this way with you.”

  “I don’t think we have a choice, Riley.” I realized grimly. “We can’t even talk to each other without one of us getting upset. You should … you should just go.”

  “I know, I am,” he grabbed my hand to stop me, “I’m going … we’re going, tonight. We’re going to the airport in half an hour.”

  This news was shocking to me. I had known he was leaving, but I hadn’t anticipated so soon. I stared up at him, suddenly speechless. It was the answer to our problems, his leaving, but I wished it didn’t have to be so. I would’ve given anything in that moment to make him stay, despite everything else.

  “Riley—”

  “I know. I know.”

  “But … will …” I bit my lip. “Will you be coming back?”

  “I don’t know. Probably. We’ll come visit at holidays and stuff.”

  “Will I see you then?”

  “Maybe.” He relented. “If I know where you are … and if you’re still alive by then.”

  “Of course I’ll be alive.” I rolled my eyes.

  “We’ll see.” Riley frowned. His dark eyes focused on me seriously, like there was something else he wanted to say. He opened his mouth to speak. But then, from amongst the throng, I could hear someone calling his name. The Christian was calling him, beckoning him away from me.

  It was time for Riley to leave.

  “I don’t want to say goodbye.” He admitted. He looked torn.

  “Just say it and get it over with.” I demanded. The coke must have been wearing off, because I could feel again. And I didn’t like what I felt, like my very heart was hurting, like it was throbbing with pain. I took a deep breath.

  Riley wrapped me in a sudden, fierce hug. I couldn’t believe the strength in his arms as he held me tightly to him. I snuggled into the chest of his tuxedo, fighting with all my might to keep from crying all over him. F
or that moment, I was safe again in my best friend’s arms and everything was right between us. I clung to the moment. I clung to my friend.

  “You be careful on that bike.” Riley whispered in my ear. He kissed the top of my hair and then he let me go. He pulled away from me and I was all alone again, cold and exposed. I wrapped my arms around myself and gave him a weak smile, blinking furiously to keep from crying.

  Riley walked away. Towards the Christian. I couldn’t watch him go; I turned away and looked up at the calm, quiet night, seeking solace from my sudden emotional upheaval in its dim, dark stillness. It wasn’t enough though. I needed something more, I needed the blissful numbness and complete tranquility that only more cocaine could bring to me.

  “Hey, gorgeous.” A different pair of strong arms suddenly wrapped around my waist and pulled me close. Despite everything, I found myself smiling and curving up against the warm strength behind me—less alone now, less exposed. Riley was gone, but I still had Grey.

  He kissed my cheek. “You okay?” He wondered.

  “Yeah.” I decided quietly. At least, I would be. “Riley just left.”

  “I figured.” He hugged me tightly.

  “Grey?”

  “Yeah?”

  I sighed heavily. “Will you take me away from here?

  “I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

  CHAPTER 28

  I met Grey and Charlie at her car. I had basically bypassed my family, finding them only to say goodbye so at least my relatives wouldn’t be offended. My parents looked a bit put off by my abrupt departure, probably because I left before they could enforce their intended curfew. I walked as quickly as I could in my sky-high heels towards Charlie’s sedan.

  “Congratulations!” She smiled and wrapped me in a hug, which lasted a bit long for just a celebratory embrace. Grey must have told her about the whole Riley scene. “You okay?” She wondered quietly.

  “Yeah, I’m good.” I nodded, pushing the sadness away. I added a smile. “About to be even better.”

  “That’s my girl.” She laughed and opened the passenger door for me. Grey climbed in the back as Charlie got in to drive. We sat for a moment and all lit a smoke.

  “So, what’d you think of our grad theme? Pretty cheesy, huh?” I giggled.

  “Shoot for the moon. I’d say its green cheesy. ” Charlie laughed. She put the car in reverse and backed out the parking lot. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay for your grad party?”

  “Are you kidding me? No thanks. I actually want to party tonight.” I blew my smoke out the opened window, the warm wind washing in. “It’s going to be this super lame dance where you can’t even drink if you’re not of age, which I’m not.”

  “Well, then, I’m afraid you’re just going to have to party with us.” Charlie winked at me. “We’re going to Grey’s house.”

  I giggled excitedly. “Shot for shot again, is it?” I challenged her.

  “Baby, I could out drink you any day. Don’t you remember last time?”

  I laughed. “That wasn’t fair. I hadn’t eaten anything for like a week that night.”

  “Wait,” Grey chuckled from the backseat. “Wasn’t that the night I walked in and you were in nothing but your underwear?”

  Charlie burst out laughing. I blushed. “Yeah.”

  “So … you guys should probably do it again.” He decided innocently. “You know, just for curiosity’s sake.”

  “Yeah right,” I turned to face him in the backseat and giggled. “You just want to see me in my underwear.”

  A sexy smirk lit his perfect face. “Hell yeah I do.”

  I blushed an even deeper red.

  There was already loud music pumping from Grey’s house as we pulled up in front, cars were parked up and down the street. I was surprised. I had thought it’d just be the five of us like usual, I didn’t realize they were having an actual party. I grinned enthusiastically as I stepped out of the car, fully prepared to have an awesome time. Grey took my hand and led me up the front walk while Charlie wasted no time rushing to the house for a lip-lock with Zack.

  I laughed. “Is she already drunk or something?”

  Grey stopped. He looked guilty. “Uh … yeah, a bit. We came here during your reception and kind of … got a head start.”

  “You did?” I looked up at him, noticing for the first time the slight blear of his beautiful blue eyes and the unsteadiness of his stance. I remembered also the exuberant cheering they had done for me at the reception. No wonder they’d been so enthused, since they were already so wasted.

  “Are you mad?” Grey wondered.

  I thought about it a moment and I couldn’t really decide. I was a bit put out that they hadn’t waited for me—I mean, it would have been only a few more hours and it was my graduation, after all. But as I looked up at Grey, into his perfect, impossibly handsome face, I decided that it didn’t matter. I wanted to be the best girlfriend he ever had, I wanted him to brag about me to his friends about how awesome I was. I didn’t want to be one of those whiny girls that got all naggy with her boyfriend when he did something without her.

  I smiled. “Are you kidding me? Now I’ll kick her ass at shots for sure.”

  Grey laughed with relief. He looked down at me happily as his hand cupped my cheek, his other turned up my chin so we could kiss. I tasted whiskey on his breath, but his lips were sweet and enticing.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to bypass this whole party thing and just go straight to my room?” He wondered, his voice thick.

  “… No ….” I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck.

  “Hey guys! It’s you!” Alex flung the door open and stood leering in the doorway, dressed in nothing but a pair of long underwear. “Get in here! You get in here!” He demanded, a wild, crazy grin lighting his face. He couldn’t even stand straight, he was so drunk.

  I groaned and covered my eyes with a laugh. “Alex! Put some clothes on! I can see your junk!”

  “Not until you get in here!”

  “Okay, okay.” I smiled up at Grey. He grinned and rolled his eyes at his friend.

  “Alex, get in the house, man! You’re scaring all the neighbours.”

  “Get in here, Grey. You especially. Get in here!”

  “We’re coming, we’re coming.” He chuckled. Sadly we disentangled ourselves, but Grey held tight to my hand.

  “Later.” He promised me. A shiver of anticipation tingled down my spine. I smiled as we walked up the front steps and through the door.

  There were tons of people inside, many I had never met before. Most everyone said congratulations to me though, like they knew it was a party for my graduation. Grey introduced me to a bunch of them—all were older than me, some were even older than Grey. I smiled politely, but knew I’d never remember all their names.

  Some people full on stared at me. Well, I don’t think they were staring at me so much as they were me and Grey together. Apparently it was a sight to behold, Grey with a girlfriend. He held my hand the entire time as we mingled around, and I loved it—it felt amazing to know that I was the only girlfriend he’d ever had, even if I did get looks of doubt and surprise because of it. Like they were all thinking, why the hell would he choose her, of all people?

  I ignored them and held tightly to Grey’s warm, strong hand instead. I didn’t know the answer to that myself, really. But he had chosen me. And that was all that mattered.

  Lucas and Jimmy were there from the city and they had brought Natasha and Tracy with them. I tried to strike up a conversation with the two girls in an effort to ease the constant pout of sheer boredom on their faces. But after some tedious, one word replies, I gave up. There just wasn’t any interest there at all.

  “Mackenzie!” A voice called to me then, coming from the kitchen. “Get your ass in here!”

  “Uh oh,” I laughed to Grey, “that’s Charlie. I think it’s time for some shots.” I smiled excitedly. I had some catching up to do, everyone else seemed pre
tty loaded already and I wanted to get as wasted as I possibly could.

  “You go. I’ll be right in.” Grey promised, dropping my hand for the first time since we had arrived. I nodded and headed eagerly for the kitchen, my heels clipping on the linoleum floor. I was still clad in all my grad attire, but I had a good reason to be dressed up, so I didn’t mind. I would never have come to a party in a dress if it weren’t for my graduation.

  “What’s up?” I smiled on my way into the kitchen. Charlie flipped back her blonde hair and pointed to the center island, where two shot glasses and a bottle of Crown Royal were sitting. We were the only ones in the room—some kid came in to grab some ice once, but that was it. I looked longingly at the beer-can castle and wanted badly to knock it down.

  “This is up, bitch.” Charlie laughed and poured us each a shot. “Get up here.”

  “You’re so on. And this time, Charlie, you’re going down.” I threatened, setting down my purse and climbing up onto the stool. Charlie sat down as well, facing me from the other side of the counter, smiling at my challenge.

  “Then go.” She dared me. I picked up my shot and swallowed it in one gulp.

  “One.” I declared. The whiskey burned all the way down my throat, hitting my empty stomach and spreading in lazy, pleasant warmth throughout my body.

  “One.” Charlie duplicated, after slamming back her shot.

  “Two.”

  “Two.”

  “Three.”

  “Three.”

  “Four.”

  “Four.” Charlie set down her shot and cheered. A crowd was gathering around us. Alex had come and was now sloppily taking bets on who would win. I couldn’t stop laughing at the disparaging remarks that were being thrown around the room at our expense. First I was the lightweight, then Charlie, and then we were both lightweights, and then the bet changed from one of us winning to either of us even making it past five. I was ramped up with excitement and in the mood to prove them wrong—the mood I was in, I would last all night. I poured us another shot and flipped it back.