by Ruby Vincent
I giggled.
“Seriously. But I’m not so I have to settle for Ryan.” A laugh escaped my lips. “Don’t cry for Christian. Save that for a guy who’s worth it.”
I nodded, giving her a smile.
She clapped. “Now, we’re cheering you up. I’ll get the ice cream; you pick out the movie.”
Estelle left the bedroom and my smile faded with her footsteps. I sat down at my desk and continued clicking.
“WE DON’T HAVE TO GO if you don’t want to.”
I didn’t stop applying my razzle dazzle red lipstick. I thought the same thing when I woke that morning—that I didn’t have to go to Milton’s party, but now...
“I’m not going to sit here wallowing in my pajamas. Everyone is going to the party, and now that things have changed, I want to start enjoying my senior year. You made me scream it at the sky, Estelle. I thought you’d be happy.”
“I am, but...”
I got up from the vanity and went over to the mirror. I did a little whirl and the skirt of my little black dress flared out. My hair fell in soft curls around my face and I expertly applied my makeup to draw attention to my blue eyes and full lips. I looked hot and I knew it.
“But what?”
“You’ve got this weird energy going. Like you’re about to go into battle instead of a den of cheap beer and horny teenagers. You think Christian will be there, don’t you?”
I met her knowing eyes in the mirror and lifted my chin. “I don’t know if he will and I don’t care. We hung out for a few days, slept together—”
“Three times.”
“—and now it’s over. As long as he doesn’t go back to making my life hell, I’ll forget him and move on with my life.”
“How are you going to do that when he lives down the hall?”
“I went days avoiding my own mother. Christian is ghost as far as I’m concerned.”
Estelle leaned over my shoulder and rested her head on me. “I know you’re upset, but it’ll be okay.”
I huffed. I hated how well she saw through me, and I loved that she said what I needed to hear.
Now that we were done up, we ruined it all by pulling on baggy hoodies and sweatpants. I stuck my phone in my bra. No way was I going to a party after my outburst the night before, but Mom had grudgingly agreed to the two of us studying in a café.
The air was tense between me and Mom, but I didn’t know what to do about it. I had dumped a lot of my anger at Christian on her, but I meant what I said.
Estelle and I passed the dining room on our way to the door. A small smile appeared on my face.
Maybe things aren’t so bad after all.
Mom and Dad were inside, giggling over a candlelight dinner. They had gotten their Rachel-free night started before I was out the door.
“Rachel, remember your curfew,” she said without looking away from Dad.
“I will be home at nine fifty-nine on the dot,” I replied. I wasn’t going to push my luck. “You crazy kids don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Mom flicked Dad’s nose. “No promises.”
I made a face. “And now it’s time to go. Bye, guys.”
We piled into her car and gunned the engine for Meadow Creek Manors. We hit the line of cars taking up the street before we saw the house. This party was going to be huge.
We climbed out of the car and walked up to the house. I could see I was right. The music was so loud; it was thumping, bumping, and rattling the manor. I could hear every word of the lyrics on the sidewalk.
Kids spilled out of the house and spread the party out into the driveway. The keg stands were underway and people were dancing on the yard.
We stepped inside the grand entrance and I shouted over the music. “You can go find Ryan. I’ll be okay!”
“I’m not leaving you!” she bellowed in my ear.
“Go, Estelle! It’s fine!”
“No!”
She linked her arm through mine and dragged me off, putting an end to that argument. Walking into the living room was like stepping into another world. Milton, or whoever he got to decorate for him, had outdone himself with the black lights, glow sticks, and paint. I picked a glow-in-the-dark drink off the side table and marveled at it. Then I knocked it back.
I spotted more drinks on the table pushed against the back wall and made a beeline for it. I planned on drinking—a lot.
“Whoa, slow down!” Estelle wrested glow drink number five from my hands. “You’ll have your head in the toilet in the next twenty minutes.”
She took my hand and led me away from the alcohol. “Come on, let’s get some fresh air.”
We crossed the room and slipped out onto the terrace. Milton’s impressive backyard unfolded before us. There was a hot tub already filled to the brim. Meadow Creekers in their bathing suits and underwear were screeching and splashing each other in the pool. Lounge chairs lined the deck and Estelle pointed to an empty one.
“Sit for a bit while I get you some water.”
I walked over to the chair, passing a thick group of people along the way. They were all surrounding the lounge chairs next to mine but I ignored them and plopped down on the cushion.
Why did I come here? Why did I think this was a good idea?
The crowd shifted. Two bodies spread apart, and through the hole, our eyes locked. Christian sat on the lounge with two girls plastered on either side of him. They chattered at him while he gazed at me, and I abruptly remembered why I was here.
I pushed myself up and walked off. I wasn’t here for Christian or to watch him get off with some other girl. I was here to have fun.
“Bryant!”
A hand seized me moments after I stepped into the house. I looked up into Dean’s neon orange face. Dean pointed over his shoulder. “It’s time for that rematch!”
It took a second for me to remember.
Beer pong.
Well, I am here to have fun.
Estelle caught us coming into the kitchen. She ran up to me, eyes wide. “Rachel, you’re not going to believe who’s here.”
“I know. I saw Christian.”
“No, not him. Xenia!”
“Xenia?”
She jerked her head toward the doorway Milton had disappeared through. We followed him and ended up in the dining room.
It was true.
Not just Xenia, but Madison as well. She sported a massive bandage on her nose, but kept her head high as she and Xenia moved through the beer pong crowd. The class didn’t let them go without getting their digs in.
“I hope I don’t get detention if I lose.”
“I’ll punish you.”
“Don’t mess with her, guys, or you’ll find a scorpion in your locker.”
They erupted into jeers and laughter as Madison and Xenia walked past us and went into the kitchen. I noticed they didn’t have their squad trailing them, but they didn’t notice me.
I shook my head. “Why come here and deal with this?”
“To show they won’t back down,” Estelle offered. “Either way, that wasn’t a good idea.”
“What are you doing, Bryant?” Milton yelled. “You’re up!”
I promptly forgot about Madison and Xenia and got into the game. My freakish good aim didn’t fail me, but it also didn’t expect to run into some decent opponents. Dean gave me a run for my money, and even though I won, I had to down five cups in the first round. The cups were taken away and someone ran out to refill them.
Milton leveled a finger at me. “You’re mine in the next round, Bryant!”
I looked at that shaky finger and snorted. That wasn’t happening.
A girl from my English class came in with the new cups and set them out in front of us.
Game on.
I beat Dean with three cups in front of me. After trouncing two more people, Estelle called it.
“Take a break, Rachel. Drink water. Eat something. Pee.”
I burst into giggles. “I do need to pee.”
>
I stumbled to the bathroom with Estelle behind me. I gave her a salute before stepping inside to do my business.
I swear I was only in there for a few minutes, but when I came out, Estelle was pressed against the wall and locked in a steamy kiss with Ryan.
I clapped my hand over my mouth to smother another laugh. Tiptoeing, I crept past them and scurried into the living room. My favorite song blasted through the speakers and I threw myself into the mass of bodies.
“Whhhhooooohhh!” I whooped as I flailed about. Dipping, wining, twirling, and spinning, I danced like I only did when I had too much to drink.
I twirled again and stumbled. The world spun as I tried to right myself. I took a step and crashed into a junior.
“Hey, watch it!”
I should... sit down.
Blinking, my vision slowly came into focus and I lit upon the couch. I beamed.
“Liam!”
I shot forward. Liam had just enough time for his eyes to widen before I pounced on his lap. I threw my arms around him.
He smiled good-naturedly, shifting me so that I fit better in his lap. “Rachel, what’s up? Having fun?”
“Liam, Liam, Liam.” My head lolled as I tried to get a fix on him. “I used to hate you.”
He blinked. “What?”
“You were such an asshole,” I said. “You’d laugh loudest of all when people called me pregnant slut and left diapers and pacifiers in my locker.”
“Uhh... about that—”
“Shhhh!” I clapped my hand over his mouth and covered his muffled exclamation. “It’s alright now. If I can forgive Christian, then I can forgive you. You’re actually not so bad.”
Liam gently removed my hand. “Rachel, how much have you had to drink?”
“A lot,” I said between giggles.
He leaned forward, readying to stand us up. “Let me get you some water.”
I gasped. “Oh my god, I have the best idea.” I grabbed his face. “We should hook up!”
Liam jerked, falling back onto the couch. “What did you say?”
“Why not?” I tossed my head. “We were going to before.”
“But you and Christian—”
“There is no me and Christian. It’s not like I was his girlfriend or was ever gonna be.”
“Uhh...” Liam’s eye flicked over my shoulder. He paled. “I should go get that water.”
Liam hooked his arms under me and lifted. I blinked in surprise when I found myself sitting on the couch watching his retreating back.
“Byrant.” Someone nudged my shoulder so I swung my head around. “If you’re still looking for a hookup, then I’m your guy.” Josh leered at me. “We can go upstairs now.”
I squinted at him. What were we even talking about? “Okay... I guess.”
His mouth was on mine in a blink. Josh didn’t take his time or work his way up. He jammed his tongue down my throat—darting and insistent. A rough hand grabbed my breast and my eyes popped open.
I saw a shadow fall over us and then Josh was gone. It happened so fast that my sluggish brain took a while to form the pictures. Snap, snap, snap like the shutter of my camera, I saw what was coming in bits and pieces.
Josh grabbed by the collar and hoisted up as he choked.
Christian’s eyes glowing with his fury.
Christian snarling at him as he pleaded.
Christian throwing him clear across the room.
Josh’s pain and fear as he crashed at the feet of the dancers.
Christian reaching for me.
Reality sharply snapped into focus as I was picked up and tossed over Christian’s shoulder.
“Hey? Hey!” I pounded on his back. “Put me down!”
If he heard me, he gave no sign. Christian carried me out of the living room and into the hallway.
“Christian, put me down!”
Instead, he kicked open a door and marched inside. He slammed it shut behind him, muting the sounds of the party.
“Christian!”
He tossed me and I fell onto the bed with a yelp.
“Asshole!” I heaved myself up. “What do you think you’re doing?!”
“Me?! What were you doing in Liam’s lap?! Why were you kissing Josh?!”
I scoffed. “You don’t get to ask me that! We’re not together, Christian! You don’t do girlfriends!”
His fists balled. “Rachel—”
“What?” I threw up my hands. “What do you want from me?! You don’t want to be with me but you don’t want anyone else to be with me either! That’s not how it works!”
“I don’t want anyone else to be with you when you’re drunk off your ass!”
I reeled back at his bellow, and the act toppled me over.
“You can’t even sit up.”
“I’m fine.” I struggled to push myself up but the room was spinning again. My stomach flipped and churned with nausea. “Just go away, I don’t feel well.”
“Of course, you don’t.” He wasn’t shouting anymore, but his voice was getting closer as he approached the bed. “You’re drunk, and you can get as pissed as you want, but I’m not letting anyone touch you.”
Christian tipped me back and I flopped onto the pillows. The fight leaked out of me and I burrowed into the sheets. Everything was moving strangely again. The snapshots flashing across my mind confused me.
Christian pulling the covers to my chin. A warm hand in my hair, stroking and soothing. A glass of water placed on the bedside table. The lights flicking off before the door closed, encasing me in darkness.
Relaxed and cocooned in warmth, I drifted off to sleep.
A JOLT DRAGGED ME TO consciousness. I fought it, wanting to return to sleep. A persistent rattling made that all but impossible.
I groaned. What is that? Why won’t it stop?
Then, just like that, it did. The jolting stopped. The rattling came to an end.
I relaxed.
A soft click sounded in my ear. The last thing I heard before rough hands seized me.
“Wake up, bitch!”
Pain exploded on the side of my face and I cried out.
“Wha— Was goin on?” I slurred.
I peeled my eyelids open with more difficulty than was normal. They felt so heavy. My whole body felt weighted down with stones.
“I said wake up!”
The second slap made my ears ring. Choking back a cry, I forced my sluggish mind to make sense of what was happening.
Through the darkness I made out two figures.
Why can’t I see? Who are these people? What’s going on?
“Here. Hold her.”
My arms were gripped in a hold like iron and suddenly I was moving. My surroundings came into view as my eyes adjusted. It wasn’t dark; it was night.
My head lolled back, not entirely by choice. I was given the perfect view of the clear, star-studded sky peeking through the leaves of the oak tree.
Oak tree? Am I... at the ravine?
I was unceremoniously let go. Legs too weak to carry me, I fell onto the roots of my favorite tree. I looked up, blinking in the light of the car, and they became clear.
Madison and Xenia.
“What’s going on?” I croaked. “What am I d-doing here?”
Shadows obscured their features but the two were unmistakable. I could see the snarl on Madison’s rosebud lips as clearly as the coldness in Xenia’s glittering eyes.
Madison balled her fists. “You know why you’re here! It wasn’t enough to treat me like shit, ruin me in front of the school, or steal my boyfriend the first time! Now you’ve come back to do it again! I’m finally going to teach you a lesson!”
“What are you talking about?!” I shrieked. “Did you bring me here? Did you— you— do something to me?!”
They looked down on me—their expressions saying it all.
I gaped at them. “You’re both insane!”
“We’re insane,” Xenia hissed. “We’re not the ones who sabotaged th
e science project you worked on for months and made you fail. We didn’t put hair removal in your shampoo and gave you bald patches.” My blood ran cold. “We didn’t tell the boy you liked that you had herpes. The crazy bitch who did that... was you.”
“Okay, guys, hold on.” I edged back. “I know I did awful things to you in the past but—”
“In the past?” Madison cut me off. “What, like something has changed? You stole Christian from me and didn’t miss a chance to throw it in my face! One little scorpion gets in your locker and you tell the whole school I’m a psychopath!” She jabbed at her face. “And then you broke my nose!”
It was hard to see her properly with the car lights at her back and the tree casting shadows on her face, but I could just make out the splotchy redness staining her face. When she shook her head, the light allowed me a look at the droplet clinging to her lashes.
“Well, this time,” she continued, “I’m not waiting around for karma to take you out. I’m going to show you what happens to people who mess with me.”
Xenia had been quiet through this whole exchange. I looked between them.
She couldn’t be serious? This is crazy. She can’t—
“Xenia, hold her!”
Xenia surged forward and grabbed me, hauling me up. She twisted me around so she was behind me and pinned my arms to my side.
A burst of horror filled me as I realized what was happening. It came moments before Madison’s first punch.
I wheezed, doubling over as the air whooshed out of my lungs. Xenia forced me up and Madison delivered another blow to my stomach.
“We used to be friends!” Madison shouted. Her fist connected with my jaw and my head snapped to the side. “I slept over your house! We did homework together!”
She punched my face again, ripping a scream out of me. My mouth filled with a sharp metallic taste.
Blood.
She grabbed my shoulders. “I didn’t do anything to you! You turned on me and made my life hell!” She forced me down and drove her knee into my chest.
A scream ripped from my throat again, but it was soundless. I gasped, choking for air as she kneed me once more.
“M-Madison, stop,” I wheezed. “Stop!”
“Why should I stop?” She shook me. “Why?! You won’t!”
“I d-did.” I hung limply in Xenia’s hands. She was the only thing keeping me upright. “What I did to you was awful, but I’m... not that p-person anymore.” I forced the words past my lips, It hurt to speak—to breathe. “I haven’t been her for a long time. I want the f-fighting to be over too, Madison.”