by Scott, Lisa
The bathroom door swung open and Martina froze. She wiped away her tears.
“I swear to God every single person from our class came.” Martina didn’t recognize the voice.
“Tripp McCall looks hot.”
“And rich. And he’s back together with Chelsea. So give up that chase.”
“Did you see Marti? Who does she think she’s fooling, dressing like that? And adding glasses?”
“Five bucks says she takes off her top before the night’s over.”
“I’ll have my camera ready.”
The other woman giggled. “I bet Girls Get It On would like an update.” The two of them laughed and left the room.
Rage and sadness roiled in Martina’s stomach. If she was going to puke, at least she was already standing in front of a toilet. But she just stood there, wondering what she had to do to show them they were wrong. Clearly the outfit wasn’t doing it. She shrugged. Maybe they didn’t want to change their minds. Maybe clinging to old high school stereotypes was comforting for them. She inhaled slowly, left the stall, and walked out of the bathroom.
***
Jackson went back to the bar to get their drinks. Martina was taking her time in the bathroom. She certainly had gotten her fair share of looks, although most people hadn’t approached her. Not one smile had slipped across her lips since they’d arrived. She’d come here for a reason, but he couldn’t figure what. It certainly wasn’t to have a good time.
He’d finished another beer by the time she came back. “Everything okay?” he asked.
She nodded but her eyes looked red.
He set his hands on her arms and gave her a soft squeeze. It was disturbing to see the confident, unemotional accountant from work so rattled. “Tell me what’s going on. Maybe I can help.”
Her eyes were wide and she chewed on her lip. She looked like a little girl. “I was totally different in high school.”
Jackson nodded. “I’ve gathered that so far. And you know what? So was I.”
“I was voted Class Flirt.” She looked down at her suit “I sure didn’t dress like this back then.”
“So you’ve grown up. I was a slacker in high school. No one expected much of me.” He shrugged. “People can change. And I did.”
“I guess you did. You’re one of our best sales guys. I see all the financial records, remember? You kick some serious butt.”
He liked hearing her praise. “I work hard.”
His hands were still resting on her arms and she stepped back. “I know you do. And you’re a nice guy. Look at you helping me tonight, coming here when you’re not even interested in me.”
He wanted to tell her that she was wrong. He did like Martina, and that feeling was growing the more time he spent with her. Surprisingly, he also felt protective of her. But she hadn’t invited him here to get to know him better. She’d been right. All she wanted was a favor. She needed support to face a bunch of immature idiots and he was going to do his best to help her.
“I wanted to show everyone they were wrong about me tonight. But nobody can see beyond the old Marti. Good old Party Marti.” She twirled her finger in the air, then looked down.
“What’s so wrong with being the class flirt?” Jackson asked.
She hesitated for a moment. “It was more than that.”
“What? What could you possibly have done that was so bad? Tell me.” He grabbed one of her hands.
She squeezed back and pressed her lips together.
“Come on. Holding it in isn’t helping you, is it?”
She shook her head and closed her eyes.“I did a stupid thing senior year.”
“I did plenty of stupid things senior year, and I’m proud of it.”
“Well, I’m not. I e-mailed a topless picture to a guy.” She opened her eyes, watching his reaction.
His eyebrows rose.
She looked away. “But he didn’t keep it to himself like he promised. It ended up on the Girls Get It On website.”
He said nothing. “And after that you murdered him?”
She laughed, sounding surprised. “No. Isn’t being half-naked on the Internet bad enough?”
“Stupid at worst, but impetuous is more like it. You’re supposed to do stuff like that when you’re a teenager. If you did that now, I might wonder. But when you’re eighteen? That’s a good time to make your fill of regrets.”
Pulling her hand away, she crossed her arms. “The thing is, I really wasn’t that type of person. I just played the role people had put me in.”
“So what kind of girl were you really, then?” he asked, rubbing his chin.
“I was so shy when I was a freshman. I’d only had one boyfriend, and it wasn’t very serious. Then I went out with this older guy, Ted. He was a junior and I couldn’t believe he wanted to go out with me. He was hot and incredibly popular and he’d just broken up with his beautiful girlfriend.”
Jackson nodded for her to go on, certain he wouldn’t like where this story went.
“When I wouldn’t do more with him than I was comfortable with, he dumped me. I was so upset.” Her beautiful voice trembled. “Then it turned out that he hadn’t broken up with his girlfriend. A few people heard he went out with me and everyone thought I cheated with him.”
“Sounds like you were young and naïve. That’s not your fault.”
She nodded slightly, her eyes fixed on the floor. “Well, not long after that, I started getting all this attention from other guys. And I liked it. I started flirting with them, soaking up the attention. I started seeking it out, dressing differently.” She winced, like the memory hurt. “Turns out that guy had told everyone I was easy and that he’d had enough of me. That’s why I was getting all that attention. Of course, everyone believed him.”
He frowned and shook his head. “I’m so sorry. I know I don’t need to tell you a high percentage of men are assholes. Especially when they’re teenagers.”
“I know. I was so stunned, I didn’t know what to do. I don’t know why I didn’t walk up and slap him. I don’t know why I didn’t tell everyone he was lying. Maybe because he was older and popular.” Martina shrugged and her voice was shaky. “But I didn’t. I kept playing the role. I became someone I wasn’t. And here it is ten years later and people still think I’m that person. A flirt who steals boyfriends and takes off her top.”
Jackson’s throat tightened and he put his arms around her, pulling her close. She leaned into him. He wanted to kiss away her frown. He wanted to pick her up and carry her out of here. He wanted to find the guy who’d done this to her and kick his ass. These sudden feelings he had for someone he hardly knew shocked him. “I’m so sorry you went through that. It wasn’t fair. But it looks like you’ve invented a whole new persona for yourself.”
She set her hand against his chest. Jackson liked feeling it there. She looked up at him, her big hazel eyes filled with sadness. “Once I realized what I’d done, I was mortified. In my room that day, I just didn’t think about the consequences that picture could have for me down the road. I knew I needed to change if anyone was ever going to take me seriously in the business world. Everyone at school shunned me after that picture showed up online. I had no friends left.”
“So who cares what these guys think?” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. If they’re that immature to still be stuck back in high school, they’re not worth it.” He looked at her and smiled. “You came tonight and that was great. But you don’t have to stay. Do you want to leave? We can go get a drink, maybe see a movie.”
“No. I can’t slink away. I didn’t stand up for myself in high school. I need to do it now.”
He took her hand in his and squeezed. She looked at him. “You don’t have to pretend to be my boyfriend. Just being here with me is enough.”
“Martina, I want to hold your hand.”
She glanced down at their hands, then into his eyes. “Good.” She squeezed back.
***
Martina liked the feel of Jac
kson’s hand in hers. He was leading her toward the dance floor when Brandi rushed over and grabbed her other hand. “I need to steal you for just a couple minutes, Marti.”
“Martina.”
“Right.” Brandi looked at Jackson. “Sit tight. I’ll have her back to you in a few.”
Martina was so surprised she let herself be pulled to the front of the bar where a Jefferson High ten-year reunion banner hung overhead. A group of alumni was gathered there.
“What’s going on?” Martina asked.
Brandi smiled. “Something fun. You’ll see.” She had strips of shiny white material draped over her arms. A bad feeling shot through Martina.
Chelsea Hallman and Alyssa White ran up to her. “What is this? What are you doing?” Alyssa asked.
“Brandi, we didn’t want to do this,” Chelsea said. “During the planning meeting we said no.”
Brandi shrugged. “Executive decision from your class president. Don’t worry. It will be fun.”
A few more people joined them up front. Brandi tapped the microphone. “Hello? Can you hear me?” Her voice boomed out of two speakers set up nearby.
The crowd quieted down and a few people yelled, “We can hear you.”
“Thanks so much for coming out and thanks to Tripp McCall for financing this whole event!”
Tripp was standing near the front, not far from Martina. People applauded and whistled and Tripp held up his beer bottle. Hard to believe he was voted Class Clown, Martina thought. That’s when she realized everyone standing around her had been voted one of the class favorites. The guy who’d been voted Class Flirt along with her was at the end of the group, joking around with the guy who’d been voted Most Admired.
It felt the air had been sucked out of her lungs. It was too late to leave now. She looked over at Jackson and his kind smile calmed her down a bit.
“Do you all recognize these guys up here?” Brandi asked the crowd. That got some hooting and hollering from the crowd. “You should. You all voted these people class favorites ten years ago. Tonight, we’re going to honor them again and see what they’re up to.”
Martina froze. Her heart pounded and she forgot to breathe for a moment. Several people started handing out sashes that spelled out each award. Brandi draped the Class Spirit sash over the woman next to her. Then she placed the Class Flirt sash around Martina’s neck. If Martina were anywhere near the front door, she would’ve run out. Then Brandi put the Best Looking sash on Grant. She looked just as mortified as Martina. Chandra’s once-perfect figure was now much heavier.
Once everyone was wearing their sash, Brandi shoved the microphone in Chandra’s face. “You all remember Chandra, Best Looking Girl in our class. What have you been up to, Chandra?”
Before she could answer, someone in the crowd yelled, “Eating!”
Martina cringed. But Chandra looked right at Brandi. “I’ve had some good times the past ten years and some tough times. I’m married and I just had a baby. I just try to take things day by day. It’s nice to catch up with so many old friends.” Martina could see Chandra’s hands shaking.
The snickering in the audience stopped. Brandi looked disappointed and moved on to Tripp. “And ladies and gentlemen, say hello to our Class Clown. What have you been doing these days, Tripp McCall?”
Tripp grinned and shrugged. “I started this little company.”
Everyone laughed. Tripp was one of the top young CEOs in the world after starting his hugely successful Internet calling service, McCall Me.
Then he kissed Chelsea Hallman, standing next to him. “But most importantly, I’m back together with the love of my life, Chelsea.”
That got some applause and a few awws. A couple of boos, too. Probably from women who thought they’d score with a millionaire.
Brandi was getting closer to her and Martina had a hard time swallowing. Just tell them you’re an accountant and let her move on, she thought to herself. Brandi had already talked with a few other class favorites, and Martina was so distracted she didn’t even hear what they said.
Then Brandi paused in front of her. “And I dare say, we should have given out an award tonight for most changed. I bet some of you didn’t recognize our Class Flirt, Party Marti Klein!”
The crowd cheered and someone shouted, “Not with her top on we don’t.” The bar erupted in laughter and Martina clenched her fists. More than embarrassed, she was humiliated that Jackson had to see this. Suddenly, she didn’t care what all these people thought; she only cared about what Jackson thought. And she was horrified to imagine what he was thinking now. She didn’t mean to look at him, but she caught his gaze. He lifted his chin and narrowed his eyes. Then he nodded.
His expression filled her with confidence. She turned to Brandi, who had her hand slapped over her face, stifling a laugh. Brandi tried to compose herself. “I’m sorry, and what have you been up to, Marti?”
Martina felt surprisingly in control. “I’m going by Martina now, and I’m an accountant. I manage a team of four, I graduated summa cum laude from college, and I continue to make colossal mistakes like I did senior year. Because I know none of you have ever made a mistake.” She paused. “Like letting an upperclassmen spread rumors about you and never having the courage to correct him. Like taking on a role because that’s what people expect of you. Like still caring enough about what you all think to bother showing up tonight.” She took off the sash and threw it to the ground. She pushed through the crowd toward Jackson. He was coming for her.
“It’s a boring party anyway. Let’s get out of here,” Jackson said, taking her by the arm and steering her toward the door.
The crowd was chattering as Brandi scrambled to get things back on track. On the way out, Brett Carson stepped front of them. “Dude, ever see your girlfriend’s famous picture?”
Martina squeezed her eyes shut, but not before she saw an image from that night. She was lying on her bed, talking on the phone with Ron, a college guy she’d met at a party a few weeks before. Her friend Laney’s older brother’s had a party and Ron had been there. They’d made out and she really liked him. But that night he was talking like he wanted to end things.
“You’re just a kid,” he’d said.
“I’m eighteen. I’ll be in college next year.”
“We’re both busy. I hardly ever see you,” he argued.
“I can send you a picture. I can e-mail it right now.” She attached a picture from homecoming and sent it to him. Martina did not want to lose him. It was so nice not to have a boyfriend in high school where everyone knew her business. Plus Ron was much more interesting than the guys in school. Most of them had proved to be immature jerks.
“You look hot in that picture,” Ron had said over the phone.
Martina sat at the desk in her bedroom, blushing. “Thanks.”
“Got any with less clothes?” he asked.
Her cheeks were hot. “Probably a few in a bathing suit.”
“I was thinking less than that.”
“Ron!”
He groaned. “See, you are just a kid. In college, sending a nude photo is no big deal. Everyone does it. But I understand. You’re still in high school. Like I said, we’re really in different places right now.”
She stared at the digital camera she’d gotten for her Christmas a few weeks back. She wouldn’t send him a naked picture, but topless wasn’t so bad, was it? People went to topless beaches all the time and it was no big deal. “No, it’s fine,” she said. “I’m cool with it. You won’t show anyone, right?”
“No way. This is just for me.”
Her throat felt tight and the back of her neck was hot. “Just give me a few minutes and I’ll send you one.”
“You’re going to take it right now?” he asked.
“Yeah.” She set the phone down and ran over to her door, locking it. Her mom was downstairs doing homework with her little brother, but just in case, she couldn’t risk her coming in. Martina leaned against the door, tried to slow
down her racing heart, and then grabbed the bottom of her shirt. Her hands were shaking. She scolded herself for acting like a baby. This is what adults did in adult relationships. And if she wanted a relationship with a college guy, she needed to play by different rules. She pulled off her shirt and tossed it aside. Then she undid her bra and let it slide to the floor. She walked over to her desk and grabbed the camera. She avoided the mirror and sat on her bed.
Goose bumps bubbled up on her skin. Slowly, she leaned back against her headboard, Christmas lights still draped between the posts. She tipped up one shoulder in what hopefully looked like a sexy pose and held the camera in front of her. She pressed the button and the flash went off. Chances were she blinked, so she took a few more.
Quickly pulling her shirt back on, she sat down at her computer and uploaded the pictures. She squeezed her eyes shut as the images appeared on the screen. Once she got a surge of courage she looked at them. She’d been right. She blinked in the first picture. But the other pictures showed her wide eyes staring at the camera, her breasts perky and exposed. She wasn’t smiling in any of them.
She picked the best of the bunch and attached it to an e-mail message, typing into the subject line “For your eyes only.” Then she typed a message. “What do you think?” She hit the send button, then sat on her hands while she waited for him to respond.
A few minutes later, she got a message back. “Very hot. How about taking everything off?”
Jerk, she thought. “That’s enough for now. We’ll talk about it more when I see you next.”
But she hadn’t seen him again. She’d called him a few more times and he always gave her excuses why he didn’t have time to meet. Then he just stopped taking her calls.
Two weeks after she’d taken that picture, she walked into school and everyone started whispering when she walked by. No one would tell her what was going on. Even her best friend, Laney, was ignoring her. Martina finally cornered Laney after gym class. “What is going on?”
“Really? You don’t remember?”
“No, what?”