by Dale, Lindy
“Just come as you are,” he’d said, when he called to make sure she wasn’t going to back out at the last minute. “I don’t care what you wear. Nobody does.” It was a nice thought but Lacey had never met a seventeen year old girl who didn’t care how she looked on a Saturday night. The first twenty minutes of every party was spent sizing up other people’s outfits.
As she rounded the bend and walked along the street, Lacey saw what she assumed must be Ty’s house. It was an old federation, just as he’d described, with a wide wrap around veranda that overlooked the Seraphim River. Music seemed to fill every space around it and a number of cars had taken up residence on the lawn. It was also the brightest thing for miles, lit up as it was like a spaceship in the dusk and practically screaming ‘my parents have gone out of town for the weekend and left me in charge’. He must have had every light in the house on.
Checking the number on the gate and letting herself in, Lacey walked up the gravel path to the front door. She was about to knock when she saw the sign: Come around the back. Gate’s on the left. Looking along the veranda and down the steps, she spotted the open gate and headed towards it.
The house may have been brightly lit but all of a sudden, Lacey felt as if she had stepped into a coffin. What the hell was going on and why hadn’t she been told about the dress code? Everyone was wearing black. Black shoes, black eyeliner, black jeans. Two or three of them sported piercings in their eyebrows and noses that they must have taken out for the school week and many had red flashes streaked through their over styled punk hair. She wondered how the hell they managed to tame that on a Monday morning. Clothes were easy to hide but a half shaven head was another thing. Not to mention the tattoos. Every kid she’d seen so far flaunted scary black ink on the inside of their wrists like a banner of belonging. It was like she’d arrived at a Goth convention or something. And there she was in a girly floral print, thinking shorts and sneakers were sure to blend in on a ‘casual’ Saturday night. Geez.
Lacey looked around the garden and spotting Ty climbing from the pool, went over to give him a piece of her mind for his omission. His black board shorts clung to the muscles of his thighs and small rivulets of water ran down his chest. He ran a hand through his hair, setting it to stand on end.
“Hey, Lacey, you’re here. Can I get you a drink? There’s plenty in the house and my dad’s cabinet has heaps of other stuff on the top shelf if you want that.” He waved towards the back door that led into the kitchen. Lacey could see everything set up for a good night in but she wasn’t even tempted.
“No thanks. I don’t drink.” She had no intention of sharing that she’d only given up since she moved. She had learnt the hard way what happens when you drink so much you fall over. She wasn’t going to lose control of her senses like that ever again.
“Fair call. Grab a softie then. Connor’s gone to collect pizza. He should be back soon. Make yourself at home.” With a cheeky grin, he took a leap in the direction of the pool and gathering his legs under his body, made a huge bomb that splashed everywhere. Shrieks of dismay rose from around the pool as other party goers dived for cover, lamenting their wet outfits or hair.
Leaning into the ice bucket, Lacey took out a can of coke and pulled the tab. Standing awkwardly, she took a sip and looked around. There had to be someone, anyone she knew, here somewhere but they all looked so different it was hard to figure out who was who. She certainly couldn’t waltz up to one of these freaks and strike up a conversation, not looking like she’d just popped out of the nunnery for the day.
Deciding that it was better to be seen to be doing anything other than standing by the drinks like a loser, she took a stroll around the side of the pool and over towards the back garden. The lights were dimmer there. Some kids were sitting in a group and a few had returned to dangling their feet in the water now that Ty had promised to behave. She was sure she’d spotted Abbie’s auburn hair and creamy skin through the darkness and if nothing else she’d be able to hide the floral top in the shadows.
Stopping near the group, she bent down and removed her sneakers and carrying them on two fingers, she bent a leg to the pool, teasing the water with her toes. It was very warm.
“Hey.”
“Hi Lacey,” Abbie smiled up at her. “Been here long?”
Sitting down beside her new friend, Lacey breathed a small sigh of relief. At least Abbie wasn’t dressed like some freaky emo. She had white denims on and a pink top with little hearts embossed across the neckline. Her hair was tied in her trademark ponytail and adorned with a white ribbon. She looked, well, normal. Pretty, but normal.
“I just got here. I saw Ty.” Lacey nodded to the other side of the pool where Ty was now dancing on the edge with two girls she didn’t recognise. He’d put on a large jester hat with tiny bells that dangled from each of the points around the edge. As he danced, he rubbed his hands over rows of rock hard abs on his stomach, making the girls giggle.
“He’s trashed, eh? Looks like he’s on the boil for a biggie,” Abbie replied.
“Yeah.”
“Cute though.”
“If you like the party boy type.”
They sat for a minute longer, watching until Ty overbalanced taking his dance partners into the pool with him. He emerged seconds later with a bedraggled a hat, a huge grin and a declaration of “Awesome!”
“Fool,” said Abbie, fondly.
“Mmm.” Lacey took another sip of coke and nodded her head to the kids in the house. “What’s with all the Goth gear? I’d never have picked Angel’s Bend High to be the centre of the dark and creepy universe.”
“Its Zac’s ‘gang’,” Abbie whispered, doing the finger quote thing. “They all dress like that. It’s like they’re in love with him or something. He wears black, so they wear black but they take it to the extreme.”
The blonde girl Lacey had met on the grass the first day at school walked behind them. She was dressed in a black mini, ripped black tights and Docs. Her hair was teased to an impossible height and the tips accentuated with spikes of cerise. Her nails and lips were black to match her outfit and her eyes were heavily lined yet they sparkled with some kind of secret. Lacey watched her go in silence.
“Yeah,” she said, at last. “I’m kinda getting that picture. So what exactly is it that they do in this ‘gang’?” If this was some drug taking and binge-drinking thing she wanted no part of it. She’d find other people to hang out with. That stage of her life was well and truly over.
“I can’t say, honestly. As you can probably tell…” She motioned to her clothes, “I’m not exactly part of the gang yet but Zac said I could join if I want to. He’s blasé about the whole thing really. Sort of like he’s been designated the leader but doesn’t care if he is or not.”
“How can he not care? Isn’t it his gang?”
“Oh, I’m sure he does care but Zac’s sooo easy going. It’s like he has so many friends, what’s one or two more? People gravitate towards him. I think he finds it flattering that they’re all trying to copy him.”
“Do you have to do anything to get in?”
“Not sure. But if it involves making out with the leader, I’m there.”
“Oh Abbie, you wouldn’t!”
A rebellious streak flashed through Abbie’s eyes. “Like hell I wouldn’t. Zac’s hot. If he wanted to make out with you, you’d do it.”
Lacey looked across the pool to where the boy in question had appeared from the house, two black clad girls in tow, and was now walking in their direction. Abbie was right. He was hot and the black jeans and t-shirt only made him look hotter. As did the chunky silver chain at his throat. With his dark hair carelessly swept across his forehead like that and his sooty eyes glinting cheekily in the light, she could see why so many kids wanted to emulate him or be his friend.
“Well, I might kiss him but not to get into a group. That’d be like selling out.”
“Or selling your soul,” said a voice from the other side of Abbie.
“And if Zac Egan asked me to sell my soul for a kiss, I’d do it.”
*****
A while later, Lacey was sitting alone by the side of the pool when Zac came to sit beside her. Abbie had gone inside for another drink and Ty - now in a fresh set of clothes - was doing crazy things in the family room to make everyone laugh. It meant she was flying solo for a while but she didn’t care. After the madness of the past week and the move and all, it was nice to have five minutes to herself.
“You’re not inside with the rest of them,” Zac said, pushing up the legs of his black jeans and plopping his feet in the water beside hers. His head bent as he watched the slow swirl of water around his feet.
“No.”
“Any particular reason? We haven’t done something to upset you, have we? Ty can be a bit of a dickhead when he’s wasted.”
Lacey looked across the pool and into the full-length windows of the family room where Ty was indeed making a fool of himself for everyone else’s amusement. He was okay; every group needed a clown. “No. It’s nothing like that. I felt like being by myself, that’s all. This whole week has been a little overwhelming.”
“Do you want me to go?”
“No. Stay.”
“Wanna talk about it? Apparently, I’m a good listener.” His face was serious. “I don’t mind listening.”
“It’s nothing. Really. I’m probably homesick.”
“You miss your folks?”
“Not so much. My mum died a year ago.”
“Shit. Sorry. That’s too bad. I know how you feel, though. I can’t even remember my folks. It sucks.”
“Yeah.”
“So it’s your dad, you’re thinking about?” he probed.
Lacey gazed into the water. Zac’s toes were very close to her own. It was the closest she’d allowed anyone in a while and she realised she didn’t mind at all. There was something strange about him. Hypnotic almost. She felt as if she wanted him to hold her, that if he did, she would be alright.
“No. I was remembering. That’s all. Stupid memories of back before she died.” A tear pooled in Lacey’s eye and spilled to her cheek. She bent to head to hide it. Geez, she didn’t even have a damn tissue in her pocket.
Reaching out, Zac’s thumb gently wiped it away. His face was filled with understanding. “We all have memories,” he said. “But you’re here now. You could make some new ones.”
Lacey looked into his eyes. He didn’t flinch but stared right back. A silence hung in the air between them.
“So what’s with all the black? I don’t have to dress like them to be in this crowd do I?” Lacey asked, her eyes travelling along the pool into the darkness where she recognised the two girls who’d been laying all over Zac on the grass.
Zac’s eyes followed hers into the shadows. The twins were standing guard, waiting for him, scowls of jealousy on their faces. He gave a small chuckle. “That’s Kat and Lola. Don’t mind them. They like to keep watch.”
“They’re looking like they want to stab me.”
“They probably do.”
Lacey gasped. “I beg your pardon?”
“Joke, Lacey. I meant they get jealous easy. They like to think we’re exclusive.”
“You have two girlfriends? Twins? At the same time?”
Zac smiled again. “What they think is up to them. But I never told them we were dating. They just like to follow and obey.”
Lacey’s face crinkled. “For real? They follow you everywhere and do what you want? That’s a bit creepy.”
“For some, I s’pose. They don’t seem to worry.”
“And you’ve never hooked up?”
“I said they’re not my girlfriends. Kat and Lola are just girls who want to belong.” He shrugged and stared back across the pool. “That said, they’re also fragile. I wouldn’t like to think of someone else taking advantage of what they have to offer so I keep them close.”
What the hell was he on about? Lacey had no idea what was going on but it was bordering on insane. This party was too bizarre, even for things she’d seen. She decided a new topic of conversation might be in order.
“Um. Yeah. So, I saw Cam down near the park this morning. He, totally, healed this dog that got run over.”
Zac seemed surprised. “You saw him do that?”
“Yeah. Well, he told me the dog was only stunned but you should have seen it. One minute the dog was dying, the next it was running around like a puppy.” Lacey flung her hands in wild circles as if to clarify what she meant. The she stopped. Zac was focussed right on her face. He seemed to be trying to process something.
“You’re sure?”
“Yep. What I can’t understand is, why you don’t like him. He’s really sweet. A bit odd but sweet. What’s he ever done to you?”
“He makes a habit of getting in my way.”
“And you hate him for that?”
“Along with a few thousand other things. Look, I don’t want to discuss it, okay.”
Lacey swallowed. Zac sure had a bee in his bonnet. “Um. Sure.”
Reaching for her shoes, she pulled her feet from the pool and flicked the water from them with her hands. Then she stood to leave. “I think I’ll go home. It’s getting late and I want to work all day tomorrow.”
“Want me to walk you?”
“I’ll be okay.”
Zac stood too. His hand was on her elbow. A burning sensation seeped into her skin. “I don’t mind.”
I should let him, Lacey thought. Then remembering their conversation, she declined. Those black clad twins who’d been watching Zac’s every move for the past twenty minutes could do serious harm and she didn’t want to be the target. Besides, she wasn’t sure she liked what he’d said about Cam. Cam was a nice guy, she was sure.
“See you at school on Monday.”
“Sure.”
“Oh and can you say goodnight to Abbie for me?”
“Yep. See you Monday.”
Slipping on her sneakers, Lacey let herself out through the gate and walked down the driveway. She paused for a moment on the grassy verge and looked up and down the street, checking for cars. A flash of something white from the streetlight opposite caught her eye, disappearing as quickly as it had appeared. She wasn’t positive but she could have sworn it was Cam.
Chapter Nine
The next afternoon, Lacey made her way to Abbie’s house for their study date. It was only a few houses along the street but by the time she got there, Lacey’s arms were aching from the pile of books she carried. She dumped them on the floor of the porch and shook her arms before ringing the doorbell.
The screen door swung open revealing a slim woman with greying auburn hair. Abbie was an exact clone, albeit younger. Lacey looked into her rust coloured eyes.
“You must be Lacey,” the woman smiled, “I’m Linda, Abbie’s mother. Please, come in.”
Linda swung the screen door fully open and ushered Lacey into the darkness of the hallway. Lacey picked up her pile of books and stepped across the threshold waiting for a second for her eyes to adjust after the brightness of the day outside.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs Mason. My dad was talking about you on the phone the other night. He said to say ‘hi’.”
Linda continued down the hall. “It’s Ms Mason, honey. I never married.”
“Oh sorry.”
A carefree hand flicked into the air. “Don’t be. I’m not. Abbie’s in her room, last door on the left before the living area.”
Lacey nodded and followed her along the hall, her feet making little sound except for intermittent creaks as she trod on a loose floor board here and there.
“You know, I’ve been so looking forward to meeting you,” Linda said as they walked. “I was great friends with you mother. Her passing was a tragedy.”
Lacey gave a tight smile.
“You look like her, although I can see a little of your father across the brow.”
“Mmm.”
“I missed
them after they moved onto the farm. We fell out of touch and our friendship sort of died.”
“That’s too bad.”
“Yes. It was. We had so many plans.” She pointed to Abbie’s door. “But not to worry. Things have a way of working out for the best, don’t they?”
“I guess so.”
Lacey knocked and poked her head around the door. A smiling Abbie looked up from her position, stretched out on the bed with a book in front of her. “Hi Lacey, come in.” She hopped to her feet and skipped across the room to help Lacey with the pile of books.
Abbie’s room was not unlike her own - cream walls, a huge high old-fashioned iron bed with a colourful quilt and worn fringed rug decorating the floor. Abbie had slung scarves over her lamp to add a warm hue to the light and her mirrored dresser had beads and bracelets slung down the side, along with postcards from all the countries of the world that had been pushed into the cracks between the wood and the glass. The only thing missing were posters of celebrities on the walls but given that Abbie had never been exposed to the outside world until recently, Lacey wasn’t surprised.
“You came prepared,” Abbie said, dumping Lacey’s books on the bed. “These weigh a freakin’ tonne.”
“I didn’t know what book you wanted to study and since you don’t have a mobile, I couldn’t text you.”
Abbie grinned and took up Lacey’s forearm. She picked up a pen from the bed and scribbled a series of numbers along Lacey’s skin. “There. My home phone. Now you can call me anytime. Just don’t expect any serious D and M’s, though. We don’t have a cordless and Mum keeps the phone in the family room so she can eavesdrop.”
Lacey studied the purple ink. “Okay. Cool. We’ll save the real discussions for when we see each other.”
The girls settled themselves on Abbie’s double bed and opened a few books. Lacey got out her laptop and Abbie turned to a new page of her pad, writing the date in neat girlish hand.
“So, you ditched the party early last night.”
“Yeah, I should never have gone. I wasn’t in the mood and I felt like a dick with everyone dressed like that and me in ‘picnic on the grass’ gear.”