by Raathi Chota
“Hmm, kinky,” Liam joked as we laughed.
“What are you going as, Lana?” Benny asked. I let out a shrug and sipped my drink.
“I’m not in the party mood.”
“Yeah, we don’t want anything happening like the last time.” Liam wiggled his brows at Benny and me. Memories of when Benny and I did a body shot went through my mind as I punched Liam. Even though Parker and Austin weren’t in my good books, I didn’t want to spoil everyone’s fun. Other than hanging out with the guys, I’d focused a lot on my work. I’d applied to a few colleges, which Mom and Dad helped with.
I got home and watched a random series. Mom was at the surgery while Dad was in his study. In the second episode, the doorbell rang. I placed the hot bowl of mac and cheese on the table, wrapped the blanket around me, then rose to my feet. There was a bowl full of candy by the front door, and I grabbed it on the way.
“Coming!” I yelled as I heard the doorbell again. When I opened the door, I was met by Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
“Are you wearing that to the party?” Marcus asked as he looked at my panda pajamas.
“I’m not going. What are you guys doing here?”
“I’m sure there’s a costume store ope—” Miranda cut me off as she whipped out her phone.
“Good to know, but I’m not going. I thought I made myself clear earlier.”
“You can’t keep yourself isolated here all the time, Lana. If you moved on, then you wouldn’t care if they were there,” Miranda said.
“So going to Parker’s party and getting drunk off my ass will make me feel better? Err…no thanks, Miranda. Just go and enjoy.”
“All right, but I gotta use your bathroom quick,” she said, then sprinted upstairs.
“Will you ever forgive them?” Marcus asked as he leaned against the doorframe.
“Marcus, I—”
“They’re not the same anymore. Ethan is continuously on the court nonstop, Carter is quieter in class, Aidan barely smiles anymore, and Blake…”
“Wha-what about Blake?”
“He’s become violent,” Marcus muttered. I deeply sighed, as I knew there was something up with them. I heard Blake got into a few fights, but I didn’t bother to ask. “You’ve changed them, Lana. You have an effect on them,” Marcus whispered. “They don’t even talk to each other that much. Since Carter has no truck for heck knows what reason, I give him a ride. Every morning I watch him come out his house slouching, no smiley sarcastic Carter Halls in sight.”
“Trick or treat!” a familiar voice boomed from the open front door. I looked up to see Jack Sparrow, Dracula, and a mouse. I picked up the bowl with candy and thrust it into Liam’s arms.
“Cheap ass.” Benny grinned as he looked at the candy.
“Excuse me, Nielson?” a deep voice asked behind me. I kept in a laugh as Benny’s face paled. “Now what the hell are you supposed to be?” Dad asked as he looked at Nick.
“Err…a ma-mouse, sir.”
“That’s Sheriff to you, and you look like a rat.”
“Mr. Willson, stop scaring them. It’s Halloween!” Miranda said as I heard her footsteps behind me.
“Where you kids heading?” Dad asked as they stood by the door.
“A party.”
“What are you supposed to be?” Dad asked as he turned to me.
“I’m supposed to be on the couch watching a vampire jump out of a plane.”
“So you’re not going, honey?” Dad asked as the corner of his mouth raised.
“Nope. Now buh-bye! Enjoy the party!” I smiled, then pushed my friends out the door.
“Wait, should I stay?” Benny asked, but I cut him off when I shut the door.
“You need more female friends,” Dad muttered. My jaw dropped as I followed him into the kitchen.
“I don’t need more female friends, Dad. I have Miranda, and she’s genuine.”
“I know. Listen, I’m on duty since there’s going to be a bunch of Halloween parties on tonight. I gotta go.” He grabbed his jacket. “Your mom will be home after one, but in the meantime, I’ve got you a babysitter.”
“I’m too old for a babysitter. Besides, who on earth will be free tonight?” I asked as we walked to the front door. The person behind it knocked as I grew curious.
“Griffon.” Dad smiled, then opened the door for Mr. Bronx.
“Hello, sir,” I mumbled since I was jaw dropped.
“Hey, Willsons, happy Halloween!” Griffon exclaimed, then hugged my dad.
“Lana, you know when we’re out of school, it’s Uncle Griff.” Mr. Bronx smiled as he pulled me in for a hug.
“Sure, Uncle Griff,” I mumbled. Griffon Bronx had different attire; he wore a casual sweater, jeans, and sneakers. “I’m gonna get my phone,” I said. I don’t think they heard me because they conversed. I walked upstairs, and I opened my door to some déjà vu. “Not again,” I mumbled at the teenage boy who sat on my bed. He didn’t look at me; he stared at the wall where my poster was placed. He decided to make himself comfortable since he was sprawled out on my bed with a cigarette between his lips. As he exhaled the tobacco smoke, he pointed to the poster.
“You’re not into them anymore?” Blake asked.
“I put it in the drawer.”
“I like the song, California—”
“Blake, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be at the party?” I cut him off. The moon seemed bright as it glowed into my room and outlined his figure.
“Not in the party mood,” he replied and stood up. I watched as he dumped the cigarette in my trashcan then covered it with a blank paper. “I need to talk to you.”
“Blake, I don’t want to tal—”
“Then don’t! Just listen, Lana!” he muttered, then gripped my arms. I looked up to see his eyes darken; he didn’t wear his usual attire. He wore a baggy hoodie, sweatpants, and sneakers.
“You do realize my dad and our math teacher are downstairs,” I muttered, then pushed him away. I didn’t want them to catch me with Blake in my room; they’d naturally think the worst.
“I don’t care. I need to talk to you. Things just aren’t the same anymore.” He groaned in frustration.
“Blake, I’m not going to listen to you while they’re downstairs, so I suggest you quit being a pussy and get the hell out that window and knock on the door like a man!” I hissed, then pointed at the window. Blake stared at me while I glared at him. His blank expression changed into a smirk.
“Nice pajamas,” he pointed out as he looked down. My cheeks reddened in embarrassment as I met his eyes. “See you soon.” He winked and walked toward the window. I rolled my eyes, then walked downstairs to see Uncle Griff in the living room.
“Hey, that’s mine.” I motioned to the mac and cheese he ate.
“I’m the adult here, so—” he said with a mouthful of macaroni but cut off when the doorbell rang.
“Expecting anyone?” I asked since Blake wouldn’t ring the doorbell.
“No, are you?” he asked, then opened door. There stood Blake Gunner with a flustered look on his face.
“Blake? Aren’t you supposed to be at Parker’s party?” Uncle Griff asked. Mr. Bronx knew all the parties that happened, and the cool thing was that if it were on a school night, he wouldn’t pile work on us the next day because he knew most of us suffered from a hangover.
“Err…no, I came to speak to Lana,” Blake insisted as he tried to walk into the house. Griffon looked at us a few times, then gave a short nod and motioned Blake to come in.
“I’m gonna make some popcorn,” Griffon said, then walked into the kitchen. I invited Blake into the living room and sat down as I watched him.
“I’m listening.”
“That night when you heard Parker and Austin talking like that, you heard wrong. I admit that at first, it was about who’d get to sleep with you first, but then you became our friend, a person we trust, and that night back at the cottage, I knew this was more than a bet.”
<
br /> “Then why did you say once the bet is over I’ll just be another one?” I whispered. Blake stepped closer, then crouched down; he placed his hands on my thighs as I looked at him.
“I said that because I didn’t want them to suspect anything,” Blake mumbled. “I miss our talks that we used to have, arguing over whose safety is more important when riding my motorcycle, sharing a cigarette, how your glasses fell to your nose when you got nervous…I miss us.”
I didn’t know how to respond because even I missed those things. As I opened my mouth to speak, Blake lowered his head and rested his forehead against my knees.
“Have you talked to the guys lately?”
“Now and then. We just give each other space,” he mumbled into my lap. I took my hand and ran it through his hair. It was quiet, too quiet, so I knew Uncle Griff eavesdropped from the kitchen. “You never gave me a second chance,” Blake blurted out. I stopped as he looked up.
“What?”
“You never gave me a second chance. I never hurt you.” He whispered the last part. He mentally hurt me many times, but I guess he was right since those things were silly little arguments. “I’m not saying you have to, but please forgive me, Lana Willson. I’ve been a jerk, coward, arrogant asshole, but somehow you managed to make me look at things differently. I only said that stuff that night because I didn’t want them anywhere near you. I care about you a lot, Lana, and through the weeks of becoming drunk and getting into fights, it made me realize that no matter how many times I do that stuff, it won’t bring you back, so here I am, skipping one of the best Halloween parties in Illinois to apologize to a person I really care about.”
“Who’s up for a mov—” Uncle Griff said as he came into the room. He stopped mid-sentence when he saw our position. We stood up immediately, and I tried so hard to avoid eye contact with either of them.
I never thought I’d watch a horror movie on Halloween with my godfather and Blake. We sat on the same sofa, but there were significant gaps as I sat in the middle. Thankfully, I’d watched Insidious 1, 2 and 3 so I knew when the scary parts happened, but it still didn’t help when I’d cover my face with the blanket. After the movie, Uncle Griff ordered Chinese food, so we sat in the dining area.
“Let’s play a game,” Uncle Griff spoke up.
“What game?” Blake asked as he struggled with his chopsticks.
“It’s where we each ask a question, and the other people have to answer and remember we’re not at school, so you won’t get into trouble.” Griffon winked. “I’ll go first. Have you ever lied to a person you cared about, but it was for a good reason?”
“No. Yes.” Blake and I replied at the same time. We stared at each other and thought over what lies we’ve told.
“Interesting. Blake, you’re up.”
“Which person here knows something about you that nobody else does?” Blake immediately asked like he knew his question already. Griffon and I pointed at each other then laughed. Blake raised his eyebrow and slowly bit his lip.
“Err…if you were stuck on an island, who’d you take within this room?” I asked because I didn’t know what question to ask. It’s like the questions they’d asked meant something.
“You,” they replied. Griffon raised a brow at Blake, whose jaw tightened.
“My turn,” Uncle Griff said as he rubbed his hands together. He looked at Blake with a look I hadn’t seen since he was young. He used to sleep around and drink all the time. Dad had to arrest him a few times, then Dad got fed up and gave him a whole lecture. So he built himself up and became a high school teacher. “When last did you get laid?” Griffon asked, and I noticed how he turned to Blake first. I choked on my food as I looked at them. There was the young Griffon Bronx I first knew.
“A few weeks ago,” Blake bluntly stated. They stared at each other for a while, and on cue, they looked at me and waited for an answer.
“Err…” I stuttered. Blake’s eyes seemed to darken as Griffon stared at me.
“I’m home!” a familiar voiced echoed through the house. My head snapped to the door to see my mother. I got up and walked over to her, then engulfed her in a hug. “Baby, you seem happy.” Mom giggled. Thank goodness I didn’t have to answer; I hated Griffon’s games.
“Ahem,” someone coughed. I pulled away to see Blake and Griffon behind me. Before the game started, I went to the bathroom and overheard them, which could be the reason why Blake was so quiet.
“Evening, Griffon. Thanks again for looking after her. Hi, Blake,” Mom said.
“Hi, Mrs. Willson.”
“Evening, Angie.” Griffon smiled and hugged my mother. He kissed my forehead then took a sneaky glance toward Blake. “I have to get home, but I’ll visit soon.”
“Bye,” we said as I watched him walk out the door.
“Have you kids eaten?” my mother asked as she walked to the kitchen.
“Err…yeah, Mom, there’s Chinese food if you want,” I said as I walked into the living room while Blake trailed behind. We sat on the sofa and stared at each other.
“You didn’t answer the question,” Blake grumbled as he looked at me.
“The game is over.”
“Yeah, but—”
“Blake, honey, are you planning to stay? If you are, the guest room is ready,” my mother yelled from the kitchen.
“Thank you, Mrs. Willson,” he shouted. Before he said anything else, she came into the room.
“You can call me Angie.”
“Thank you for your hospitality, Angie.”
“I’m going to call it a night, but I just want to make some tea. Any of you want some?” Mom asked as she looked at Blake and me. We shook our heads as she walked out of the room again.
“So will you give me another chance?” Blake asked.
“I suppose, but don’t think things will go back to normal, Blake. It’s not that easy,” I mumbled. He drew his lip between his teeth and nodded.
“Do you forgive the guys?”
“I-I don’t know.”
“We can meet up and talk things out if you want, but if you need spa—”
“Perfect.” I cut him off with a smile. Somehow, I missed when we’d meet up and joke around. The silence seemed to follow as I looked around the room; I noticed the kitchen light was still on. Mom was either on the phone or eavesdropped. “Blake, do you miss it?”
“What?”
“Me. I mean when I dressed like that and acted like that…do you think I should be that person?” I asked. I’d thought about it lately because I didn’t know what to do with most of the clothes.
“No. The whole purpose of the bet was to bring out the best in you. I didn’t mean for things to go overboard, but it didn’t matter what you wore or did. What was important is that you had fun and experienced things. You don’t need leather jackets and a bitchy attitude to impress other people. You are Lana Willson. Nothing will ever change you from being you. I know you hate living under the nerd stereotype, but if you want to be like that, nobody’s stopping you. Just promise me you won’t act in a certain way to impress someone. The most attractive thing is to always be yourself.”
“Promise,” I whispered as my lips formed a smile.
“Well, you two enjoy and don’t—” Mom said as she came into the living room but cut off when we heard a knock from the front door. “Expecting anyone else?” Mom asked. We shook our heads as I got up and went to the door. I told Blake to stay in the living room as my mother followed.
“Hell—whoa!” I cut myself off when someone leaned against me.
“Lana.”
“Benny? Are you drunk?” I asked as he raised his head.
“Yeah.” He giggled.
“Bring him in,” my mother called. I followed her instructions and dragged him into the living room.
“Wait! I gotta tell you something!” he exclaimed as he looked at me.
“What is it, boy?” my mother asked.
“I…I…luv choo,” he slurred, then fell
into my arms again.
“Oh, my…take him out,” Mom said as she pointed to the door. I sent her a glare as I helped Benny stand up again. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Blake walk in.
“And Mrs. Will…Smith? Willson! Yeah, that’s right.” Benny snapped his fingers. “Can I have permishon to marry your daughterrr?” He giggled like a seven year old. Mom’s eyes popped as she looked at him.
“He’s drunk.” Blake huffed beside me.
“What gave chu—hey, what the hell are you doing here?” Benny asked as he spun around. Once he spotted Blake, he pulled me away. “Stay away from my woman!” Benny growled and pushed me behind him as he stood up to Blake. They were the same height as Blake scowled at Benny.
“She’s not your woman. You’re not thinking straight, dude,” Blake warned Benny as he stepped closer.
“What about that quote? Drunk words are sober thoughts?” Benny asked as his eyelids drooped.
“Screw that shit!”
“Boys!” Mom yelled.
“You’re not in love with her. You can’t be. You’ve hurt her emotionally and physically,” Blake said and shoved him.
“Oh yeah? Well at least I’m not the one who just used her to get la—” Benny replied but cut off when Blake punched him.
Chapter Eighteen
Lana
It amused me to watch a drunken Benny Nielson fight Blake Gunner, who seemed monotone and exhausted half the time. Benny was tough, but I’d never seen Blake punch someone before except at the party. That was a random guy, but I knew both of them this time.
“Not in my living room!” Mom yelled as she tried to pull them apart. I snapped out of my thoughts and jumped in. I held Benny back while Mom stood in the middle of them. Blake glared at Benny while he huffed. Blake had a swollen eye while Benny had a bruise on his cheek. “Now I don’t know what the hell is going on between the three of you, but you better sort it out before my husband gets home. I’ll be upstairs, and if I hear any furniture breaking or yelling, I’ll kick you out myself,” my mother warned. She stared at the three of us for a moment, then took her cup of tea and walked upstairs. Once my mom’s door shut, I spun around to see the glares they sent each other.