by Allie Gail
“I know. Only bad part.”
“So . . . wait a second - how are they powering the sound system, with no electricity?”
Karen shrugged. “I dunno, generator someplace, I guess. By the way, if you decide you want any, we brought some wine coolers and beer.”
“How’d you get that?”
“Dalton’s brother bought it for him. He’s, like, twenty-two or something. He’ll probably be here later.”
“Oh. Thanks, but I probably won’t have any.” Anna didn’t relish the idea of having to pee in the woods where any one of a hundred might walk up on her at any time and catch her with her pants around her ankles. Besides, she thought beer tasted nasty.
Dalton rejoined them, grabbing Karen around the waist and spinning her around, causing her to shriek. “Let’s dance, baby doll,” he yelled over the music.
“Come on!” Karen shouted to Anna, and so she followed them into the crowd and joined the dancing.
****
Watching a sitcom rerun on TV with his mother, Alex couldn’t concentrate. He stared blankly at the program while his mind wandered off on its own volition. Creed had driven off with Jennifer in her car over an hour ago, with the lame excuse that they were taking her vehicle because his truck was low on gas. He wondered what their mom would do if she knew Creed was more than likely getting drunk as a sailor on leave right now. Man, he really didn’t want to have to cover for him again. Last time Creed came home from one of these things, Alex spent a nauseating hour trying to clean puke off the bathroom floor before their mom woke up. Not an experience he cared to repeat.
Not that he was really worried about his brother - he was just trying to avoid thinking about the real issue here, the nagging thoughts that bothered him and wouldn’t go away. Like, what was Anna doing right now? He should have gone. He should be there right now, hanging out with his friends and having fun like any normal human being. It was just too risky to be in the midst of a large group of intoxicated people. Things could so easily get out of hand. He knew from experience.
Like that night two years ago. He couldn’t live through that again. No way. There’d been days afterward that he honestly thought he was going to die. For a while he’d wanted to.
Is she drinking? I should have asked Josh to keep an eye on her, make sure nobody takes advantage of her. Too many horny-ass guys there, liquored up and looking to score. She’s a good-looking girl. Will probably get hit on all night long. What if someone slips something in her drink? Okay, let’s not overreact here. That’s not going to happen. I wonder how she’s getting home. She better have more sense than to get in the car with somebody that’s hammered. Didn’t she ride there with Dalton? How’s she getting home in one piece if he’s not sober?
Oh, hell. Stop procrastinating. You already know what you’re about to do. You knew all along.
“Mom, I need to go out for a while. Can I borrow Creed’s keys?”
Charlotte glanced up from the television. “Sure, honey. You’ll have to put some gas in the tank, though. I think he said it was on empty.”
“No problem.” Standing, he stretched and went to take a quick shower.
8
Anna was having fun. Josh and Erica finally arrived somewhere around nine-thirty, when the party was in full swing. The bonfire was just being lit, and the air was charged with the frantic energy of a hundred and fifty rowdy people. Dancing made her throat dry, and she headed over to the table where she spotted Sebastian Westbrook pouring red punch into a plastic cup.
“Can I have some of that?”
Sebastian smiled broadly. “One drink for the lady, coming right up. I’ll fix you the house specialty.”
“Actually, just some punch is fine. With ice.”
“Punch and ice it is.” He pulled a plastic cup from a package and began adding ice. “Are you enjoying this little soirée?”
“I am.”
“So who did you come with?”
“Karen and her boyfriend.” An acrid, vaguely familiar smell wafted through the night breeze. Marijuana. She’d smelled it before on her mother. Someone was lighting up nearby.
“No date?”
“Afraid not. I like to keep my options open.” Anna grinned.
“A girl after my own heart! I knew we were destined for each other.”
“You’re so full of it.”
“You love that about me,” he smirked, handing her the cup. “Enjoy.”
“Thanks.” Anna took a huge swallow and wrinkled her nose. “Uck! What did you put in this?”
“Rum. Lots of it.”
“You’re incorrigible, you know that?” Actually the drink wasn’t too bad, once you got used to the aftertaste. Thirsty, she gulped some more.
Sebastian watched her with interest. “Why don’t you let me give you a ride home later tonight?”
“I have a ride. Thanks.”
“I could give you much better ride.”
She laughed into her cup, almost spilling some of the drink on herself. “Why do I get the feeling you aren’t referring to transportation?”
“Always so suspicious! I’d get you safely home. Trust me.”
“Trust you? There isn’t enough rum in the world!”
“All right then, Little Miss Killjoy, at least come dance with me.”
“That I can do.” And tossing the empty cup into a trash can, she followed him back into the throng of people.
****
It was eleven o’clock, and Anna was seated on the ground with her back resting against a tree, watching the hypnotic flames from the bonfire changing colors, from orange to red to blue. In spite of attempts by several of the boys to keep it burning, it was slowly, sleepily dying down, much like Anna. The two drinks she’d had earlier had instilled a soothing, mellow feeling. Most of the songs played now were slow ones, and she could see Karen and Dalton clutching each other in the distance, still dancing. Though she couldn’t see them from where she was, she knew Josh and Erica were somewhere in the crowd too, as well as Creed with his girlfriend Jennifer, a petite brunette with a pixie haircut.
Closing her eyes, she absorbed the sensation of the night breeze caressing her skin, the sound of the Massive Attack song that was floating through the speakers, and the pleasant feeling of drowsy contentment. Tonight would have been perfect if only Alex had been here. Why wouldn’t he come? I could have put my arms around him and held him close while we danced . . .it would have been so romantic . . .
Yawning, she stood up, having no intention of falling asleep beneath a tree and missing the rest of the party. She caught sight of Sebastian, making his way toward her. Oh, great. Him again. From what she’d seen, he’d been drinking nonstop for the past hour and was well on his way to complete inebriation. Already he wasn’t quite walking in a straight line.
“Anna! Whassup, baby! You havin’ a good time?” His usual smooth charm had devolved into something obnoxious, loud and annoying.
She brushed the stray leaves off her skirt. “I can see you’re having a good time. You’re about ready to fall down.”
“You’ll catch me if I fall.” He snaked his arms around her waist and pushed his body against hers, pressing her back up against the tree. “Dance with me, baby.” His breath smelled of alcohol. Anna placed her hands against his chest and ineffectively tried to push him away.
“I don’t want to dance right now. My feet hurt.”
“Then gimme a kiss,” he drawled against her cheek. “Mm, you smell good. Makes me wanna do nasty things to you.”
Anna pushed harder. “Oh, cut it out, Sebastian. I don’t feel like dealing with you right now. You’re drunk.”
“So? You could use another drink yourself. Loosen up your tight ass. How about I fix you another drink and we go for a little walk.”
“No, thank you. Would you please move?”
“Make me.” His arms were now on either side of her, pinning her to the tree.
“Damn it! I’m not kidding! Move!”
“Get the hell off me right now, Sebastian, or I swear to God you’ll be singing soprano tomorrow!” She was starting to get mad.
He backed up a bit, glaring at her. “What’s your problem?”
“What’s my problem? You’re acting like an asshole!”
“Oh, so you don’t want me touchin’ you, huh, but I bet you wouldn’t have a problem throwing yourself all over that queer you like so much!”
Her mouth dropped open. “What did you say?”
“You know who I’m talkin’ about, you little pricktease, that fag you’re always . . .”
He didn’t have a chance to finish his sentence before Anna hauled off and smacked him across his leering face with all the strength she could muster. The crack seemed to reverberate and nearby, several people turned their heads to look and began to convulse in hysterics.
The blow appeared to have a sobering effect on Sebastian. Instead of getting angrier, he just stood there, stunned, rubbing his jaw speechlessly while Anna stalked away.
****
Shaking with fury, Anna headed toward the mouth of the trail, intending to go for a short walk to calm down. Her docile mood was gone, replaced with a surge of angry adrenaline. Spoiled little rich jackass! Who does he think he is? Can’t handle not getting what he wants so he retaliates by slamming someone who never did a thing to deserve it! Son of a . . .
In one brief instant her heart lurched painfully against her chest.
Because there he was. Hands shoved into the pockets of his khakis, casually leaning against a tree and watching her intently, was Alex.
She walked over to him on legs that threatened to buckle, reminding herself to breathe, and as soon as she reached him she could sense his veiled amusement.
“Hey,” he said blithely.
“Hey, yourself. What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming.”
“Changed my mind. Happens sometimes. You having some trouble with Sebastian?” The twinkle in his eyes told Anna he’d witnessed their altercation.
“Nothing I can’t handle.”
“Mm, I can see that. Got a little too frisky, did he?”
“Something like that.”
“Some guys just don’t know when to quit.”
God, how she loved his smile. And those eyes! When he looked at her like that, the universe ceased to exist and all that remained was the two of them. How did he do it? Still propped against the ancient oak, aquamarine sleeves carelessly pushed up to his elbows, he looked so sexy that Anna wanted nothing more than to touch him. The refrain of a slow Coldplay song drifted through the air, surrounding them.
Anna shivered. She could feel herself falling even as her body remained frozen, attached to the ground by gravity that refused to let go, but the world around her was shifting, breaking apart into a billion celestial pieces while she was falling, falling deep into those soft blue eyes.
He finally moved toward her. This time she didn’t back away, instead slipping her arms around his neck while his hands rested hesitantly on her hips, then continued their journey around her waist. Swaying ever so gently in time to the music, they held each other closely, two perfect snowflakes melting to form one sparkling drop of water. Her head rested on his shoulder while they surrendered to euphoria. If time could stand still, if there was a single instant in a lifetime to be captured and held forever, this would be her chosen moment.
****
The song ended too soon, the spell broken. Anna reluctantly released Alex and stared at her feet, too shy to evaluate what might be in his expression. He took an unsteady breath, then sighed.
“So. Have you seen the grave yet?”
She’d forgotten about that. “No, I haven’t. Where is it?”
“I can show you if you like. It’s kind of a long walk, though. In the dark.”
It sounded like Anna’s idea of heaven. “I’d like to see it, if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind at all. Let me just get a light and I’ll be right back, okay?”
“Okay.” Dazed, Anna waited, staring up at the stars that had grown brighter somehow in the past ten minutes, until he returned with the lantern.
“This way.” Alex headed for the opposite end of the clearing, weaving through the crowd between all the couples still dancing around the dying bonfire. At the edge of the circle, he located a narrow path that led deep into the darkness. “Give me your hand,” he said to Anna. “It’s hard to see out here, and I’m familiar with the way you walk.”
Happily, she slipped her hand into his and they started out, walking side by side down the path in darkness broken only by the glow of the lantern. The music from the clearing began to fade somewhat. After a time, Alex commented, “Some wild party, huh?”
“It was actually a lot of fun.” Perfect now. “You should have come earlier. I wonder how they can have these without being raided by the police?”
“Probably has something to do with the fact that Randall Harrison’s father is the chief of police.”
“Who’s Randall Harrison?”
“The guy who’s usually behind these things. His dad may let him get away with murder, but he’s not completely stupid. He’ll have a lot of his men patrolling the roads tonight looking for drunk drivers. Speaking of which . . . how many have you had?”
Anna smiled demurely. “A couple. But I’m not driving. I don’t even have a license.”
“Well, I do and you’re riding home with me. I saw Dalton tonight. There’s no way I’m letting you in a car with him.”
“I didn’t know you drove. How long have you had your license?”
“A little over a year. I just don’t have a car yet. I borrow Creed’s truck when I need it.”
Anna was surprised. “Over a year? How old are you?”
“Seventeen. I missed a lot of ninth grade so I had to repeat it.”
“Oh. Were you sick?”
“No.” Alex hesitated. He seemed reluctant to talk about it. Eventually, he just told her, “I got into some trouble in Indiana. I missed a lot of school because of it. I’d prefer not to go into any details right now. Okay?”
“Okay. I didn’t mean to pry. It’s none of my business,” Anna reassured him. She couldn’t fathom, even for an instant, someone like Alex getting mixed up in any kind of trouble. What could possibly have happened that would cause him to miss that much school? Had he been arrested? No, that was ridiculous. Ninth-grade boys weren’t sent to jail. Were they? Some sort of juvenile hall, maybe. What a bizarre thought.
“I think it’s right up here,” Alex was saying, holding the lantern up and surveying the area. The light rested on a tiny spot fenced in by some rusty barbed wire on wooden posts that were rotting away to dust. They drew closer, and Anna could see the grave now, a weathered headstone whose once-rounded top was now missing a chunk. Eroded by time, the inscription in the limestone was impossible to make out. Weeds and grass tangled unchecked around it.
“Do you have any idea what it says?” Anna wanted to know.
“From what I’ve heard, his name was Lucius Pratt. The clearing is supposedly where his log cabin stood before it fell apart and was torn down. I don’t know how true any of that is, though.”
Their hands still clasped, they stood in reverent silence for some time, listening to the night. The wind ruffled their hair and delicately blew Anna’s skirt about her calves, tickling them. She moved closer to his side. “Alex?” she said softly.
He turned to look at her. “Yes?”
“How come you changed your mind? About coming.”
There was a long pause. Then, “I guess I was worried about you being here by yourself with a bunch of drunken guys in the middle of nowhere. I’d hate to see anything bad happen to you.”
She grinned. “I can handle myself.”
“So I noticed. But you know, sometimes you can be helpless to defend yourself. Could you fight
off a group of intoxicated jocks who suddenly got the bright idea to take you off into the woods and gangbang you? Would you notice if someone slipped a roofie in your drink? Stuff happens. Especially at places like this.”
“All right, Mr. Optimism. So following that logic, I definitely shouldn’t have come way out here with you then, right?”
Alex raised his eyebrows. “Maybe not. How do you know I’m not dangerous? Maybe I was planning to get you out here and sacrifice you in some kind of blood ritual. Offer your virgin soul in exchange for passing my finals.”
Anna found that funny. “If you’re going to sacrifice me, at least do it for something a little more interesting than passing grades. I think my virgin soul is worth more than that. Ask for a Porsche.”
“Ah, so you admit your soul is virginal.”
“I don’t know about my soul, but the rest of me might be.”
“Is it now? Sweet sixteen and never been kissed?”
“I’ve been kissed!” Anna protested.
“Hundreds of times, right?”
“No! Can we change the subject?”
“You must have had a least a dozen boyfriends back in Florida.”
A dry laugh escaped Anna. “Yeah, dozens. Right. That’s hysterical.”
“How so?”
“It just is. Maybe we should head back. Karen might be wondering where I am.”
“Did I touch a nerve? I was just kidding around. You know that, right?”
“I know.” They gingerly stepped through the thick grass and back onto the path. She wondered what Alex would think if he knew her charmed past was an illusion. For some reason, it now seemed important to her that he know.
“Can I tell you something?”
“Tell me anything you like.”
“I . . . lied to everyone about why I moved here. My mother didn’t really take a job in New York City. She didn’t even have a job. She wasn’t a fashion designer – she was a cokehead. We lived on welfare most of the time. She spent all her time partying and hooking up with random men.”
Alex looked at her, but she couldn’t read his expression. She continued on.