Into the Darkness

by Kat T. Masen

  “DRUGS?” I repeated, surprised how raised my voice was.

  “Geez Charlie, would you keep it down? Yes, caught smoking marijuana at a local party.”

  My sister spoke about Alex? I didn’t remember any of these conversations but this was years ago and most likely I also didn’t give a rat’s ass about it but fuck, talking to Mom? I wanted nothing more to call my sister and ask her about him but then I remembered she was travelling in a remote part of Africa so there goes that idea.

  “Honey, I think Carter is here,” Debbie said as the doorbell rang. Thank God for the interruption. Alex smoking pot wasn’t something I really cared about, unless of course he was still doing it which would be hypocritical since he was an intern at the local hospital.

  Making my way to the front door, I pulled it open to be greeted by an enthusiastic Carter eyeing me up and down. Gross.

  “Charliiieee,” he whistled.

  My dad cleared his throat, and immediately Carter regained his posture and extended his hand for Dad to shake. He put on his fake smile, not that it went unnoticed by my dad. “So anyway, I was thinking of driving you guys to the prom.”

  “Seriously, Dad?” I groaned. Like I would fucking let Carter feel me up in the car.

  “That’s fine with me, Mr. Mason,” Carter agreed. What a fucking douche.

  Dad kissed Debbie goodbye and headed to the car. Just what I always dreamed about, strolling up to my senior prom in a pickup truck. The drive was an awkward silence, the arrival even worse. Kids were pulling up in fancy cars, limos, the works. To add insult to injury Dad spoke to Principal Sinclair to double check there was no alcohol on the premises. After their combined search came up empty, he decided to leave but of course he warned Carter where his hands should remain the rest of the night.

  The gymnasium was immaculately decorated. Adriana was part of the decoration committee. Actually, head of the committee as she referred to herself. The theme was A Night in Paris. The room was strung with fairy lights that sat amongst the artificial trees creating a warm glow. Street signs scattered the room replicating famous Parisian streets. Parisian paintings covered the walls; the attention to detail was astonishing. The most impressive part was the Eiffel Tower. It looked amazing, drawn to perfection. Spotlights were positioned in front of it highlighting its beauty. They did such an amazing job and for a moment you could easily forget you were in the Carmel High gym, not roaming the streets of Paris, the most romantic city on Earth.

  I sighed as I watched couples entering the hall, carefree, fun, enjoying themselves and probably here with someone they actually liked, while here I stood wishing that I had my prom date, my prince charming to dance and be silly with. To create memories that would last a lifetime. That’s what prom was right, but instead I was here alone, not even on good terms with Alex after our huge fight. I was determined to have a good night. One day I would look back on this night when I’m older and senile in a nursing home and want to smile about it because it was a night to remember. How I would make it a night to remember was beyond me.

  I was minding my own business and enjoying the fashion parade that was surrounding me until Kaley, the school whore, decided to grace me with her presence. She stood before me, dressed in a pale pink ruffle strapless gown. Her boobs barely covered as they popped out and greeted me hello. Her makeup was overkill but at least her hair looked decent. Yeah, decent for a five-year-old practicing on her Barbie doll.

  “So Charlie, where’s the love of your life tonight?”

  “I really hope you are not referring to Carter because I heard you claimed him in the restroom at the truck stop on the interstate,” I sneered.

  “Funny, Charlie. No, I’m referring to Alex Edwards.”

  Oh God, why would she think that? “Um, dingbat, Alex is Adriana’s brother and a good friend. Don’t go spreading bullshit around town. I’m sure your mouth has better use, like giving that Ukranian exchange student a blow job in the janitor’s closet.”

  “You’re a bitch, Charlie!” Storming off, she walked back to her friends only to trip on her dress. Maybe this wouldn’t be such a bad night after all.

  I looked at the clock on the wall. It was a little after seven. Where the hell was Adriana? She should have been here an hour ago. I started to worry but being a typical girl, my damn cell wouldn’t fit in my purse so there was no way I could even call her. Impatiently I decided to have some punch while chatting with Logan, Jen, and a few of the girls in my class including Heather a new student. Logan and Jen decided to hit the dance floor as Bobby Brown’s Every Little Step blared through the speakers.

  “Oh my God, he is so fucking hot. I can’t believe she brought him. Oh my, Charlie seriously, look at him,” Heather gasped.

  The other girls in the group were also fluffing their feathers. Who the fuck were they going on about? I turned around and was met by those hypnotic emerald eyes, the ones that belonged to my Alex. His eyes were already on me, and I had no doubt that I looked just like these girls, jaw dropping with drool dribbling out of my mouth. He looked like a fucking male model sent from Dior in this flashy-looking black suit and white collared shirt slightly buttoned down. His hair looked different, a little shorter and actually styled. His face was freshly shaven and I couldn’t ignore the smile that radiated from his face as soon as his eyes locked with mine. I tried not to smile back, only because I didn’t want anyone to notice which only confused him as the smile faded followed by him whispering into Adriana’s ear. Adriana of course looked stunning in her short ballerina style dress matched with a very high pair of pumps. Her face looked somber, and unfortunately I had to ask her what happened to Elijah which meant I needed to be physically near Alex. Restraint had to hold my hand right now because I couldn’t go it alone.

  “Hey Char. Sorry I’m so late.”

  “Um, never mind that. Where is Elijah and why are you here?” I asked.

  “Thanks Charlotte, nice welcome,” Alex answered sarcastically.

  “I didn’t mean it like that…I uh…was just surprised to see you here since you aren’t a senior.” I stumbled on my words trying to compose myself as all the girls kept gawking.

  From the corner of my eye I could see Kaley with her big fat ‘You’re in love with him and I’m going to spill it to everyone’ face.

  “Elijah came down with that bug that’s been going around. He puked up twice before getting in the limo. He looked awful and he didn’t want me to miss out so he suggested I take Alex.”

  “Well you could have gone dateless,” I blurted out.

  “Wow Charlotte, anyone would think you didn’t want me here,” Alex said, his face annoyed by my hostility to his presence. Shit, this was all playing out wrong.

  “I didn’t mean it like that—”

  “What the hell’s wrong with you two? Oh that’s right, Samantha told me about your big blowup over covering for me. Well big bro, since my man is incapacitated you guys can kiss and make up now. No harm no foul. Oh my God, someone knocked that street sign over!” Within a flash she disappeared. I stood there, uncomfortable with her suggestion to kiss and make up. If only she fucking knew.

  “So now you want to tell me why you so desperately don’t want me here?”

  “Look Alex, I just wasn’t expecting you.”

  “No shit. And it’s a problem because?”

  “Because after a week of you not speaking to me I’m afraid that people will catch on to the fact that we have some beef with each other and the fact that we are acting all like a couple in love but angry with each other.”

  “Well, I didn’t see you pick up the phone to text or even email me.”

  “Maybe because the last conversation we had you had your wife all over you reminding you of the fantastic sex you were going to have that night!”

  Okay so that was over the top melodramatic Charlie at her finest. It didn’t erase the hurt I felt that lingered a week later. His silence felt like an admission of what I said. I felt a stab in the hea
rt, a punch in the gut. What did I honestly expect?

  “Charlotte, please.” He extended his arm to touch me but retracted it almost immediately, aware of the watchful eyes that preyed on gossip. “Samantha was being ridiculous.”

  “Probably, but for all I know you welcomed the ridiculousness with your pants down.”

  “Charlotte, I told you I haven’t touched her since we started nor will I for as long as we are together.”

  “What does that even mean, for as long as we are together? How long do you expect us to keep up this charade without getting caught?”

  I knew there were too many questions in that one sentence. But now they were the burning questions, the ones I had avoided with a passion. The ones I knew had no answer that would erase the ache in my heart. His silence was enough to aggravate me. Thankfully we were interrupted by Logan and Jen because I was ready to have it out then and there.

  “Charlie, you gotta dance… IT’S PROM!”

  I laughed at my best friend. “Jen, have you spiked Logan’s drink?”

  “You know how crazy he is when it comes to music. Sorry, as his best friend I think you’ll have to take over soon. My feet are killing me.”

  Jen was wearing killer heels and I didn’t blame her. I’d only been standing around and even my feet hurt. This is why converse were made and heels were for the Posh Spices of the world.

  “Edwards, what are you doing here?” Logan asked while placing his arm around Jen.

  “Long story. I’m sure Adriana will be more than happy to retell the story of Elijah’s sickly ways,” Alex answered light-heartedly. I had to admit it was kinda nice to see them getting along but that wouldn’t last. Logan would beat the living daylights out of him if he knew that something was going on between us.

  The silence became awkward even in the midst of the loud music. If I thought that was uncomfortable, I hadn’t mentally prepared myself for the shitstorm that was Carter, walking my way. His arrogant smirk was enough to make you want to hurl and on top of that he had to be the biggest jerk in the world by putting his arm around me in front of Alex, like he was trying to stake his claim. I gave him my no-fucking-chance-in-hell glare but of course he just laughed it off as usual.

  “Wow Charlie, could you surround yourself with any more losers?”

  “Seriously Carter, grow up.”

  “What, Edwards and Rodriguez can’t speak up for themselves?” By this point both Alex and Logan were glaring at Carter. The fuckwit was gonna get beaten any second now and although I would be more than happy to watch him take one, my dad’s voice rang in my head. I couldn’t afford to be grounded again. Alex was barely keeping it together. I made a mental note: he doesn’t like anyone else touching me. Okay yeah so making him jealous was kinda fun because there was no way he could even let on right now but I was with Carter and I would be the biggest douchebag that walked this planet if I tried to pretend I liked Carter’s attention.

  “Back off, Reed, or it’ll be my fist surrounding you,” Logan threatened.

  “Fuck you, Rodriguez. Welfare bums like you aren’t welcome here. Neither are medical dropouts requiring Daddy’s help,” Carter snickered as he walked off.

  “Charlie, why the fuck did you agree to go with him?” Logan hissed. Jen placed her hand on his chest to calm him down.

  “Because I was in shit with my dad for skipping school and missing geometry and I needed his notes. He may be the biggest douche but he aces geometry.”

  “Next time I’ll lend you mine,” Logan offered.

  “Did you not hear my story? He aces geometry. I don’t need help in flunking, I was managing that just fine by myself.” I rolled my eyes and Logan waved me off before swaying his body to the beat of the Jay-Z song that came on. Again I was left alone with Alex.

  “You’re awfully quiet,” I mumbled.

  “You’re stunningly beautiful tonight and I have to stand here and pretend you mean nothing to me and allow that lowlife to put his hands on you.”

  “Alex, I’m sorry.” I ached to touch him, but there was no way.

  “No, I’m sorry. For not trusting you with that jerk-off. Anyway, from what I’ve heard his dick is so tiny he couldn’t even get Kaley off.”

  I laughed so loud. It was true and there was nothing I loved more than seeing Alex smile, even if it was about Carter’s tiny dick. “That’s the rumor. Even my dad’s heard it.”

  “Wow, even Mr. Mason is in the know.”

  “Sadly yes. I didn’t mean to be so cold back there but people are catching on. I don’t know why but Kaley made a snipe and of course I told her she was an idiot but she obviously got the impression somehow. I don’t know where this is going or what will happen in the future but I know that right now we cannot be caught.”

  “We won’t, Charlotte. But tonight I need to get my hands on you somehow, just leave the brainstorming up to me.” He winked. I giggled like a lovesick fool at his suggestion. I had no idea how he would be able to make that happen but Alex always made things happen when you thought it was impossible.

  It wasn’t long before Adriana returned. We danced to a few songs and enjoyed the typical prom fest. An hour or so later the ceremonies began. In true Carmel High fashion Carter was named prom king and Kaley was named prom queen. Of course she gloated, waving like a fucking diva. We all clapped giving her the moment she wanted. I didn’t really care because I had no feelings for Carter. They danced the traditional prom king and queen dance. It was all one big hilarious show. It couldn’t have been any more stereotypical. They only lasted a few minutes before Kaley stormed off annoyed with something Carter said. Walking over to me only moments later, I shuddered at the request I knew was coming.

  “Dance with my date?” He held out his hand.

  My eyes pleaded with Alex for him to understand why I agreed. Almost like he understood instantly, he stood there with a satisfied smile on his face. “One dance,” I said, “and don’t try to cop a feel!”

  We danced for a bit before I started hearing gurgling sounds. I wasn’t hungry; I had become BFFs with the waiter who served the mini corn dogs. Strange, I thought. Again I heard the sound. It was quite loud. Carter had this uncomfortable look on his face. I turned to look at him but was distracted by Kaley’s interruption.

  “You are such a slut trying to have Carter and Alex. Why don’t you go fuck them, hey have a threesome!” she shouted.

  The gurgling sound erupted, but this time it was louder. Both Carter and Kaley stood in front of me. Carter immediately excused himself as I watched him run across the gymnasium with his legs squeezed together. OH! I couldn’t help but laugh. He must have caught Elijah’s bug or something. Totally gross.

  “Seriously Kaley, get a life. I’m not the one flashing my flaps like a winning lottery ticket all over town.”

  “No, just to Alex?” she asked mockingly.

  “What exactly is your fucking problem with him?”

  “I have no problem with him and clearly you don’t otherwise the two of you wouldn’t have been seen fucking on the hood of his car,” she sneered.

  Oh holy fuck, so someone had seen. I was royally screwed but denial would be my best friend for now. SHIT SHIT SHIT. “Yeah, nice try Kaley. Don’t go making shit up about my friends.”

  We were both standing there folding our arms in a face-off. Adriana, Alex, Logan, Jen, and a few other guys came over to stop what I thought was just about to happen. Kaley pushed me back. So the little bitch wanted to fight. I was just about to return the favor when I heard that sound again.

  “What the fuck is that?” I asked, looking at Kaley.

  Her face contorted as the sound intensified. She hugged her stomach attempting to run off but her heel was caught on my dress which trailed to the floor. She tugged on my dress with force, attempting to untangle the fabric from her heel.

  “OW KALEY, STOP FUCKING MOVING YOU’RE STUCK ON MY DRESS!” I yelled.

  “CHARLIE, LET GO OF ME!” she screamed.

  �
��OH MY GOD KALEY, LET ME FUCKING GET YOUR HEEL OFF!”

  It was too late. She covered her face and the gurgling stopped. Around me there was a massive eruption of laughter and it was only moments later I realized what happened. The corners of my lips curled. I fought back hard as my cheeks swelled momentarily with the pressure but it was no use. My laughter erupted, echoing through the crowd as I bent over, slapping my knee repeatedly. “Did you just shart yourself?” I shrieked.

  “SHUT UP! SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU STUPID BITCH!!”

  Alex leaned down, unable to contain his laughter as he undid the heel from my dress. A mortified Kaley lifted her dress attempting to cover the brown spot that had formed against the pale pink fabric. The group of us fell to the ground in hysterics.

  “Is everything okay?” Principal Sinclair asked.

  “Yes, sir,” we all said in unison. We leaned on each other to stand up. This was a night to remember all right.

  “Char, that was HILARIOUS! I have no idea why she is making up stuff about you and Alex though,” Adriana asked, looking confused as she attempted to catch her breath.

  “Please, like I would touch this jerk with a ten-foot pole.” I chuckled, punching Alex in the arm. I was worried he would take offense but he caught on quickly to the game we were playing.

  “Nice Char,” he teased, mimicking Adriana’s nickname for me.

  “OH MY GOD YOU GUYS!!”

  Our heads turned to where Adriana was looking. Standing there at the entrance of the gymnasium was Elijah in his crisp baby blue suit with black shirt buttoned down. He looked like he belonged in the 1960s, but he rocked that suit. It was a modern take and no one could have pulled that off except Elijah Morrison.

  “Baby cakes!” Adriana screamed, pulling Elijah into an embrace. She chatted animatedly to Elijah explaining every detail of the night so far. Their long reunion gave Alex a moment to whisper something into my ear.

  “Now,” were the only words he spoke. I followed him to the punch table which was conveniently located next to a hidden exit. Slipping our way through unnoticed, he pulled my hand and we ended up in a corridor not far from my Biology class. “Is this your Biology class?”