Caught Inside

by Mandi Greenwood

  'I totally get it,' Chandra assured him. 'You're right. You can't just give up on something because it's too hard. I hear you.'

  Stewart gazed at him sadly. 'I used to be crazy about her, you know,' he said. 'Well, I think I still am. It's just… I dunno. What's the point? I can't make her happy no matter what I do.' He pushed his fingers through his hair. 'She's playing with my mind and I swear sometimes I wish I'd never seen her face. That's how bad it's getting.'

  The three of them fell silent for a while and then Stewart cast a shamefaced look at Chandra.

  'Sorry about earlier,' he muttered. 'With Aisley, I mean. Willa was right. I was out of line. Ais was just sort of… there…you know? Right in front of me and … anyway, I'm red-blooded, male and heterosexual so ... yeah. Sorry.'

  Chandra waved his hand. 'Forget it,' he said.

  'Do you want to know something?' Stewart said. "I've never dumped Willa. Not once. She's the one who dumps me and then …'

  All of a sudden they were distracted. From downstairs, there came the unexpected sound of yelling and then glass breaking.

  The boys looked in the direction of the stairs.

  'Sounds like someone is an unhappy camper,' Archie remarked.

  'Too much to drink?' Stewart guessed.

  'Doubt it,' Chandra replied. 'There's nothing stronger than ginger beer at that bar.'

  'Oh, but there is,' Archie said, nodding knowingly. He tapped the side of his nose. 'You've just got to ask the right questions.'

  'Rubbish,' Stewart snorted, his mood lifting a little. 'I don't see you holding a beer, Arch.'

  Archie chose to ignore that comment. He replaced his helmet and activated his light sabre. 'Will you gentlemen excuse me,' he said, taking a step towards the stairs. 'I believe I might be needed to defend my death star.'

  Suddenly there was another crash, a bigger one this time and a few girls screamed. Archie stopped in his tracks.

  'On second thoughts,' he said. 'I think someone braver than me can do the defending.'

  'What the hell …' Chandra climbed back onto the deck of the boat. Stewart followed just as Lucan arrived at the top of the stairs with his arm around a very cross Freya.

  'What's going on?' Archie asked, removing his helmet again.

  'Drew has arrived,' Freya snapped angrily. 'Half off his face and with his entire bloody entourage! They're going to ruin my party! Someone needs to call the police. Dad hired two bouncers but they're nowhere to be seen! It's really annoying!'

  'Who's the entourage?' Chandra wanted to know.

  'Troy King,' said Lucan. 'Tynan Wells and Mark Fletcher. Several others who I've never seen before.'

  'Did you invite Troy?' Archie stared stupidly at Freya making her scowl even darker.

  'No, silly!' She smacked him. 'Of course not.'

  Suddenly there was a big splash. Looking into the water, they saw Batman and Robin were in the river, floundering around. As they watched, the Dynamic Duo made their way safely to shore.

  'Now they're throwing my guests in the water!' cried Freya, throwing her arms up. She marched back to the stairs. 'I'm going to deal with them myself!'

  Chandra chased after her and grabbed her arm. ''We'll all deal with them together, okay?'

  Downstairs, the strobe and the smoke machine made visibility almost zero and the fairy lights were only pinpoints of coloured luminosity.

  'Well this is fun,' Archie said. 'I can't see a bloody thing.'

  'Mark Fletcher,' said Lucan, pointing. 'The one with the bottle. And that big guy with the shaved head over there. I don't know him but he came with Troy.

  Brice emerged from the smoke in his Tinky Winky suit minus the mask. He was clutching his midriff with one hand. 'Friggin' Mark!' he croaked. 'Kicked me in the stomach!'

  Nearby, another of Troy's buddies jumped at one of the Australian Rules footballers. The footballer side-stepped and got him into a tight headlock with a grace that was beautiful to watch.

  Archie ducked as a plastic bowl of nachos flew through the air, narrowly missing his head. He stood up straight again as Tynan Wells appeared, unsteady on his feet and looking mean.

  'Hey Tynan.' Archie smiled, going for the diplomatic approach. 'It's been a while. How're you doing, man?'

  'Screw you!' said Tynan, advancing on him. Archie gulped. Things were looking grim. All of a sudden, the two girls in matching Lady Gaga costumes came out of nowhere and pounced on Tynan from behind, wrestling him to the floor.

  Archie blinked; sure he was having some bizarre dream. 'Thanks, ladies,' he managed to say before turning around and walking straight into Troy King.

  Troy pushed him and Archie tripped over his own cape and sat down hard. Troy reached down to grab him by the front of his top but Chandra deliberately put himself between them. Troy clutched wildly at Chandra's pirate bandanna instead and of course the whole thing came off in his hand leaving Chandra free. Troy frowned at the wig stupidly.

  'What the hell?' he muttered.

  'Troy!' Stewart was yelling. 'It's us. Drew's mates, remember?'

  But Troy was in no fit state to recognise any of them. He was completely whacked, his pupils so dilated that his eyes looked alien. He shirt-fronted Stewart but backed off in a hurry when Freya kicked him in the shin.

  'Ouch!' Troy roared. 'You little bitch!'

  That earned him a second kick in the shin from an incensed Freya as she spat every swear word she could think of at him, her Irish so strong that she was incomprehensible. While this was going on, and with a little speed and a lot of luck, Stewart slipped out of Troy's range and broke away.

  Meanwhile, Chandra was turning in a circle. 'Aisley!' he called out. 'Hey, you guys? Has anyone seen Ais?'

  Aisley wasn't too far away. When she and Cate went looking they'd found Willa huddled in the captain's wheelhouse having a good cry. Together, they'd consoled and cuddled until she got herself under control again, found a tissue and fixed her raccoon eyes, and eventually they'd managed to coax her back down to the dance floor.

  When Drew King arrived with his brother and four other guys, he spotted Cate immediately and grabbed her from behind, making her jump.

  Even Aisley had to admit that Drew looked good, despite his slightly drunken state. He must have been inspired by Cate's eighties music theme, because he had a long-haired wig, tight leopard print pants, and high-top runners. A heavy metal rock-star, just as Cate had said.

  Aisley was just about to compliment his effort when Troy slung a heavy arm around her shoulders.

  'Who's this?' he demanded of his brother.

  'That's Aisley,' Drew said.

  'Oh, so this is Aisley!' Troy slurred breathing enough alcohol in her face to cause an explosion should someone decide to light a match. He winked at Willa and then squeezed Aisley's shoulders. 'I'm Troy,' he told her.

  'Yep.' Aisley managed to dislodge his arm. She exchanged a look with Cate.

  'Does she know?' Troy raised his eyebrows at his brother and Drew frowned.

  'Shut it,' he muttered.

  Troy laughed. 'Oh, so she doesn't know. You want I should tell her?'

  'Stop being such a prick.' Drew's words tripped over each other because of the drink but he looked seriously annoyed nonetheless and Troy laughed again. He gripped Drew by the arm.

  'Secret's safe with me, little bro,' he slurred. 'Come on, let's do the tour. I've never been here before.'

  Drew threw a quick look at Aisley that was impossible to read and then he disappeared into the smoke with his brother. She watched them go, feeling Cate's eyes on her.

  'What was Troy talking about, Ais?' Cate asked. 'What do you know?'

  'I dunno,' Aisley shrugged. 'Nothing.'

  'Does Drew like you?' Cate looked upset. 'Is that his secret?'

  Aisley hugged her. 'No! Of course not!' she cried. 'Troy was talking rubbish, Cate. He's smashed, can you not tell?'

  And to herself she thought, sure, Drew likes me because I'm female! Cate was more naïve than she'd
realised.

  When Chandra finally found Aisley he grabbed hold of her, hugging her with relief. 'Are you alright?'

  'I'm okay.' Aisley said hugging him back. 'Where's your wig gone?'

  'Got pulled off in the fight.'

  'What fight? Omigod, are you hurt?'

  'I'm fine.' Chandra pointed. 'Hey look, they're leaving.'

  The elusive bouncers had finally appeared so Troy decided it was time to go. Freya's party was obviously not his kind of scene after all, thankfully, and he took off across the gangplank with Mark, Tynan and the others.

  Freya pushed through the crowd. She had Lucan, Stewart and Archie with her and she was still fired up, her eyes flashing and her frizzy curls bouncing as she strode up.

  'Is everyone alright?' she barked.

  Drew reappeared. He walked a little unsteadily over to Cate and slid an arm around her waist. 'They hadda' go,' he said to Freya. 'They've got another party and …'

  Freya shoved him hard and he tottered back a few steps, almost pulling Cate over as he went.

  'You bastard!' Freya shouted. 'You knew they were going to come and ruin my party?'

  Drew tried to laugh. 'Settle, Freya,' he said. 'They didn't ruin it. They were only here for, like, ten friggin' minutes!'

  Freya glared.

  'Not cool, man,' said Lucan quietly.

  Drew looked annoyed. 'I don't see a problem here,' he said spreading his hands. He looked to Stewart for support. 'You agree, don't you, Stew? They were harmless.'

  Stewart shook his head.

  Drew squirmed. 'Look. They were just acting crazy, is all. It was just a bit of fun.'

  'Fun?' Archie's brows shot up. 'What? Telling your criminal brother and his deadshit mates to come and trash Freya's party? That's fun?'

  'Ah, here we go,' Drew sang. He held out a hand like he was introducing Archie at a public speaking competition. 'You wanna have a go at me, Arch? Go on then. I'm all ears.'

  Archie stared. 'Jee-zus, what the hell's happened to you this year, dude?'

  'Get off my back!' Drew snapped, jabbing his finger in Archie's face. 'Just 'coz you're pissed off that I'm with Cate. It's not my fault that you didn't have the nuts to make some moves on her first…'

  Archie moved so fast the others missed it. One minute Drew was standing there, pointing his finger in Archie's face. The next minute Archie had knocked him against the wall in a wild, flailing scuffle. A crowd quickly gathered to watch and Cate looked miserable, her arms crossed on her chest.

  Chandra and Stewart dragged the two boys apart.

  'Let me go,' Archie panted, straining to break free. He wriggled and squirmed in vain until Chandra put his lips close to his ear.

  'Calm down, Arch,' he said quietly. 'Or the bouncers are going to throw you out. Is that what you want? How do you think it will make Freya feel, seeing one of her best friends chucked out?'

  Archie instantly came off the boil, his loyalty to Freya killing any angst he had for Drew and he gazed apologetically at her.

  'Sorry Freya!' he hissed.

  'It's fine,' she said. 'Whatever. No harm done.' She was never one to mope and she was obviously well over the entire episode.

  'Hey! Harm done here!' Drew whined. Archie's attack had sobered him up somewhat and he was sprawled on the deck against the wall with his wig askew.

  Archie brushed at his Darth Vader suit and glared down at him.

  'It was just … a bit of fun,' he said sarcastically. 'You understand about fun, right?'

  Big Kids Sleepover

  Aisley, Chandra and Archie were on the top deck, leaning on the rail and looking down into the dark water far below.

  In Aisley's opinion, Freya's seventeenth was turning out to be more like an episode from some bizarre television reality show, than a party. So much drama! Make-ups and break-ups … Brice had apparently hooked up with Megan and meanwhile Stewart and Willa were still on the brink of disaster. Fights … Archie and Drew … and fun … tiny Freya winning the kebab-eating competition an hour ago.

  'I don't get why Willa's so hard on Stewart,' Chandra was saying. 'He's trying, Ais.'

  'I know,' Aisley agreed. 'Maybe it's because she needs help but she's afraid to admit it.'

  'What kind of help?'

  'Counselling.' Aisley shrugged. 'I dunno. She's very … needy.'

  'Moody,' Archie interjected. 'She's very moody.'

  'Why would she be afraid to admit it?' Chandra frowned.

  Aisley shrugged. 'Perhaps she's scared it will change how we all think of her.'

  'It won't though.'

  'So maybe we should tell her that,' Aisley replied.

  Willa Fry huddled on a couch on the middle deck. It was where she'd escaped to while the others were all busy watching Archie and Drew fight. She was alone both inside and out and this night was getting worse by the minute.

  If only Stewart hadn't looked at Aisley like that … but no. That wasn't fair. It had been innocent. It was she, Willa, who'd turned it into a big deal and run off in a tizz. She cringed with embarrassment just thinking of it. Everyone must think her psychotic!

  A guy approached her. He was dressed as Captain America and she didn't recognise him. 'What's a pretty girl like you doing sitting all alone?' was his predictable pick-up line. 'Want some company?'

  'No thanks.'

  'Oh come on,' he said. He grinned and propped on the arm of the couch right next to her. 'We could hit the dance floor if you don't feel like conversation?'

  'Really. No.' She shuffled a few centimetres away from him. Captain America was probably a nice guy but she wasn't interested. The thought of dancing and smiling … that seemed as impossible right now as sneezing with her eyes open. 'Anyway, I'm with someone.'

  'Just a dance,' he smiled. 'Not marriage.'

  She shook her head. He was persistent; she had to give him that.

  You don't look very happy,' he observed.

  'I'm alright.'

  'If you say so.' He slid down from the arm of the couch onto the seat alongside her forcing her to shuffle over even further. 'Would you like me to get you something? A drink, maybe?'

  'Please…' She took a deep breath. Her chest felt tight, and she felt absurdly close to tears again. 'Just leave me alone.'

  'You sure you're okay?'

  'Leave me alone!' she snapped. She didn't want to cry in front of this stranger.

  Captain America stood up, holding his hands out in front of him. 'Okay.' He backed away. 'I can take rejection. It's sweet.'

  She inspected her fingernails until she was sure he was gone, and then wrapped her arms around herself again. A shadow fell across her. Oh no. He was back. She was going to have to move or something. She looked up and relief flowed through her, warming her soul as Stewart sat down and put his arm around her. She leaned against his shoulder and closed her eyes.

  'I'm sorry,' she whispered.

  It was well after midnight when Chandra came to find Aisley. She was on the dance floor amongst a random group that included Freya, Bria Moore, and Bria's date. The date's name was Ali, and as soon as he was introduced, Aisley remembered him from school. He was in year twelve and she'd seen him around.

  Cate was nearby. She was with Drew but they seemed to be doing more making out than dancing. In fact, they'd been kissing for so long Aisley wondered that they weren't both suffering from lip-burn. If Cate had been pissed at Drew for the Archie incident she was obviously over it now.

  Chandra made his way through the crowd. It was like he was doing the world's slowest strip tease. The bandana and the wig he'd lost to Troy. The waistcoat was gone and his shirt was untucked. He wasn't a pirate anymore. Now he looked more like a castaway.

  He came up behind Aisley and wrapped his arms around her from the back, pressing his lips against the side of her neck. She closed her eyes against the hypnotic strobe light, feeling the bass beat of the music pulsing in her chest.

  The DJ brought the mood down. A ballad replaced the techno thump and
the lights on the dance floor dimmed as the atmosphere became sleepy and romantic. Aisley twisted around so she could rest her head comfortably against Chandra's shoulder and when the song finished she looked up to find him smiling at her.

  'I'm so happy to be home,' he said.

  'Not as happy as I am to have you home,' she replied.

  The party was winding down. Upstairs, a few people had fallen asleep on the couches and the waiters were packing up. People were starting to leave. It had been a huge night.

  'Where's Archie?' Aisley asked.

  Chandra's fingers were restless, playing with the faux jewels in her hair ornament. 'Upstairs with Brice, Megan and some others. He didn't seem too thrilled to stay down here watching them.' He nodded in the direction of Cate and Drew.

  'Is he okay?'

  'With Arch, who knows?'

  She nodded. 'The sad thing is Cate really does like him.'

  'You think?'

  'I'm sure of it.' She leaned her head against his shoulder again, feeling weary. 'When is Archie's dad coming to get us? I don't want to dance anymore. My feet hurt.'

  To her delight and amusement, he picked her up in his arms and carried her over to the nearest table. Lucan was already sitting there, people-watching, and Chandra dumped Aisley on the chair next to him.

  'Hi,' Lucan greeted them both.

  'Howdy,' Chandra said as he knelt down. He slipped off Aisley's shoes and began massaging her feet. 'Better?' he asked, looking up at her.

  'Hell yes! You're wonderful.'

  'I am, aren't I?'

  Lucan pretended to pull his shoe off. 'I'm next,' he smiled.

  Chandra gave him a look. 'Not a chance.'

  Freya came wandering over. She'd lost the fangs and when she grinned at Aisley, she looked quite harmless.

  'Have you had fun?' she asked.

  Aisley nodded. 'It's been a wild night.'

  Freya stretched her arms above her head. 'And it's not over yet,' she said cheerfully. 'In fact, we've only just begun.'