Sublime Wreckage

by Charlene Zapata

  I was able to take Friday and Saturday off from work so we could have the party Friday night and not worry about having to go to work the next day. I planted the seed about a week ago with my mother so she would have no reason to say no to my request. I told her that we have a huge project due for school so I needed to spend the weekend at Amanda's house. She didn't seem to care. She has been so focused on meeting a new guy she hasn't noticed much else.

  It's Friday morning and I have everything I need for the weekend. I grab my small duffle bag and head out the door with the biggest smile on my face. When Amanda sees me she smiles right back.

  "I can't wait until tonight! I'm so glad you made nice with Vincent Moreno! This is going to be so cool. Having a party with no parents! I can't wait!"

  "I think you might be more excited than me. Well, maybe not. This is going to be awesome! Vince is so great agreeing to have a bunch of people in his house he doesn't even know."

  "Tell me about it. So why aren't you two together again? I mean I get your reasons, I just think they are lame. You should give it a try. What do you have to lose?" I don't say anything. All I can think is that I have everything to lose. I don't want to lose Vince as a friend. He has become such an important part of my life. But I also get the feeling we can't go on like this forever. The physical tension that builds between us when we get too close is making it harder and harder to think clearly around him. We have this amazing chemistry that I keep fighting. Trying to hold back a part of myself. Too afraid to lose myself to him. I shake it off trying to remain focused on school.

  "Since you seem to be ignoring me I will see you at lunch." I didn't even realize we made it to school already. I got so caught up in my thoughts about Vince.

  "Hey, sorry. I just got distracted. See you later."

  By the time lunch rolls around I can't seem to find Amanda. We always meet right outside the cafeteria. I wait for a few minutes then decide to go looking for her. I check the bathroom down the hall. That's when I hear someone crying in one of the stalls. I look under the door and see Amanda's backpack sitting on the ground.

  "Amanda? What happened?"

  "That jerk broke up with me because I wouldn't sleep with him!" She says through her tears. I knew I didn't like that guy. What a bastard.

  "I'm so sorry. Let me in so we can talk." Amanda slowly opens the stall door allowing me to squeeze into the small space. After spending the entire lunch period bashing the loser, she finally starts to feel better. She heads to class while I stop at the vending machine to at least grab some chips. I feel really bad for her. But I'm also super proud. She knows her worth now. She didn't give it up to that guy. It's a huge step in the right direction.

  Vince is parked in his usual spot waiting for all of us. Some of my friends were a little apprehensive about going to his house for the party but I reassured them that he isn't the thug everyone thinks and to give him a chance. Amanda still seems upset but I'm hoping the party cheers her up. She makes me ride in the back seat with her which is fine since we have to drop Joey off first. He is so bummed that he isn't allowed to come to the party but Vince said his mother would kill them both so that ended the conversation. Once we make it to Vince's house I'm shocked by what I see. He went all out for my party. There are balloons on the mailbox, pink and purple streamers covering his porch and a huge happy birthday sign on the front door. I turn to him with a look of total surprise on my face. I can tell he is nervous about my reaction. So I run over to him and give him a great big hug.

  "I can't believe you did all of this. Thank you so much! I love it!" He squeezes me tightly holding on until Amanda interrupts.

  "Just wait until you see the inside!" Amanda yells as she opens the front door. I walk into the house becoming totally bewildered. There are balloons everywhere in every color you could imagine. They are taped to the ceiling, tied to the chairs and cover the entire floor. I don't know how we are going to dance in this madness and I don't care. It's awesome! Tommy is standing in the kitchen with the biggest smile on his face.

  "So I guess now that you are legal you can give my guy a chance." He gives me a wink while laughing at his own joke. Dork.

  "Technically my birthday isn't for another week. So I guess he will just have to wait." Vince is standing right beside me when I say this so when he leans over to whisper in my ear I know I'm the only one who can hear him.

  "I would wait forever for you." A chill just ran all the way up my spine. Those few simple words have me reeling with the possibilities of us. He makes me feel so alive, like any future is possible. Maybe I should give into what I really want. Maybe I should take the chance that this could be something more.

  We introduce our two best friends. They say a quick hello then Amanda grabs my hand dragging me down the hall to the bathroom to get ready. She picked out a dress for me from her closet. It's not something I would normally wear. It's a tiny black thing that's skin tight. At least it comes down to my knees so I don't have to worry about bending over and showing my underwear. I don't know what she was thinking when she picked it out. It also has a low cut front which makes my boobs look incredible. I guess it's not that bad. She does my hair and make-up for me then hands me a pair of heels.

  "You have got to be kidding. I don't wear heels."

  "Come on. It's just for a little while. Once everyone sees the complete look you can take them off. Please just wear them?"

  "Fine. But they are coming off the first chance I get." I stay in the bathroom chatting with Amanda while she gets ready.

  "By the way, you didn't mention how unbelievably hot Tommy is. I mean he is gorgeous. How could you forget to tell me that?"

  "Sorry I didn't inform you that Vince's best friend and roommate was a hottie. What was I thinking?" I roll my eyes deciding that's my queue to leave. I really don't need to hear all the dirty thoughts she is probably already having about Tommy. After I close the door behind me I see Vince stepping out of his bedroom. He looks amazing. He has on a soft blue button down shirt with his best blue jeans. The color looks amazing next to his dark skin. When he looks up he stops in his tracks. His eyes sweep over my body like he wants to devour it. My heart rate picks up just as my breathing slowly turns into panting. I can't seem to control the reaction he is causing.

  "You look unbelievable." He takes a couple of steps toward me getting extremely close without touching a single part of me. I can feel the heat from his body and all I want is for him to close the small distance between us. "Magnolia, you are so beautiful." He looks into my eyes like he is asking permission to come closer. Just as I'm about to say yes Amanda opens the bathroom door.

  "How do I look?" She is oblivious to the moment she just interrupted. I hear Vince huff out of frustration as I turn to look at Amanda.

  "You look great! Let's get this party started!" We head down the hall together. Tommy and Vince went all out. There are bowls and bowls of every kind of chip you can think of. They have four different types of dip. I see a pile of Oreo's on the table which makes me smile. He really does know what I like. The fridge is filled with beer. I don't usually drink but Amanda begged me to unwind with her tonight. Of course she used the "I just got dumped card" so I couldn't say no.

  The doorbell rings and the party begins. Mark and Claire from German class walk in followed by Suzy. Amanda invited a couple of my teammates but that's all. I'm so glad she listened to me. I didn't want Vince's house to be torn apart by unruly teenagers looking to party hard. Everyone seems to have a great time. We dance, laugh, drink and snack on the food. When Vince isn't by my side he is hanging out by Mark and Tommy. I had a feeling they would get along. Even Suzy has loosened up a little. It feels good to combine my school life with my life with Vince. It's like I'm showing him another side of myself. Another part of my world that he doesn't get to see.

  By the time everyone leaves I think I'm drunk. I've never been drunk before. My brain feels numb, my body feels like it could do anything and I think all common sense has le
ft the building. Amanda turns up the music and we dance around the living room laughing at nothing at all. Vince informs us we are staying at his house because we can't go back to Amanda's house like this. He texted her parents letting them know we would both be staying over at a friend's house.

  It's just after midnight and it feels like we have been dancing for hours. I raise my hands in the air to one of my favorite songs and close my eyes. I can feel my body start to sway and I might have hit the floor but two strong arms wrap around my waist holding me up.

  "Maybe it's time to call it a night." I love it when he whispers in my ear. It makes my whole body tingle.

  "Okay." I lean my head back resting it on his shoulder. We stay like that for a while slowly swaying back and forth. When the song ends, Vince grabs my hand guiding me down the hall into his bedroom.

  "I put your bag in here earlier so if you want to change your stuff is in here. I think I'm going to crash with Tommy so you can have my bed. Amanda's taking the couch."

  "Please don't leave. Can you stay in here with me? I don't want to be alone." I must be drunk because I can't believe I just said that to him. I go over to the bed and climb under the covers not bothering to change out of the dress. My shoes came off a long time ago so I don't have to worry about them. Vincent is standing by the door with a funny look on his face. Like he can't decide what to do. At least that's what it looks like from my angle. My head is hanging halfway off the bed as I contemplate throwing up or passing out.

  "Please?"

  "How could I ever say no to you? Especially when you look so adorable?" Vince takes off his shoes, pants and shirt climbing in beside me in just his boxers. I really wish I could appreciate his body but right now I'm a little fuzzy. I turn around laying my head on his chest and wrapping my arm around his waist. He lets his arm fall to my side then he gently runs his hand up and down my back. It's starting to put me to sleep. It feels amazing being in his arms. I can hear his heart starting to slow down. I take a deep breath inhaling his beautiful scent.

  "This has been the best night of my life. Thank you so much for throwing me this party. Can we go to the creek tomorrow? Please?"

  "Of course. Anything you want."

  "Thanks Vincent. You mean so much to me. I hope you know that." That's the last thing I remember saying before I pass out.

  Chapter Seventeen

  I wake up feeling nauseous. Ugh. Beer sucks. Drinking sucks. My head hurts. After feeling sorry for myself for being such a dumbass it starts to hit me that I'm lying on top of someone. I slowly open my eyes and see Vincent asleep. He doesn't have a shirt on but I'm fully clothed. Thank goodness for that. At least I didn't do something really stupid. How did we end up in bed together? I don't know how much that matters right now because all I can think about is how perfect his body looks. I knew he had muscles but to be touching every sculpted piece of his chest is giving me chills. I can't believe we fell asleep like this. I want to stay this way forever. I feel so warm, so safe in his arms. There is no panic about being this close to him in such an intimate way. It feels right. I decide it's better to enjoy the moment then ruin it. I slowly drift back to sleep.

  When I wake up for the second time the bed is empty. I can't believe the disappointment I feel. I sit up and look around the room but I'm alone. I see a glass of water with two aspirin sitting on his desk. I get up to drink the water and see a note with my name on it.

  Didn't want to wake you. I know you probably aren't feeling great. I put your bag in the bathroom so take a shower and I will make you something to eat. Take the aspirin. It will help with your hangover. Vincent

  He is so sweet for taking care of me but I really wish he would have just stayed in bed with me. Then I start to wonder what I look like after a night of drinking. Oh great. I probably look hideous. That's probably why he got up and let me sleep. I take the pills then head to the bathroom. I take a quick look in the mirror. It's not as bad as I thought. I do have a huge sleep line down the side of my face and my mascara got a little smeared but other than that I look decent. My hair did get pressed down on one side from sleeping in the same position all night but what do you expect when you use another human being as your pillow. I take a nice, long hot shower. I'm already starting to feel better. I get dressed in comfy jeans and a long sleeved white shirt. I decide not to put any make-up on today. I brush through my hair choosing to leave it down. As I open the bathroom door Amanda rushes past me to the toilet where she proceeds to throw up. Gross.

  "You okay?"

  "Yes. Are you done in here? I need a shower." I just laugh and shut the door. She must have drank more than me. I feel kind of bad for her. That's when I smell something wonderful coming from the kitchen. It's bacon. I love bacon. As I round the corner I see Vince standing at the stove attempting to make breakfast. The poor guy has made the biggest mess. I see eggs on the counter, pancake batter dripping down the front of the cabinet, and something smells burnt.

  "Need some help Slick?" He turns around with the cutest face ever.

  "Please, please help me. I can't cook. I don't know what I'm doing." I can't help but laugh at him. He looks pathetic standing in front of the stove covered in batter. I walk over to check on the bacon. At least he didn't burn that.

  "What's burning?"

  "Oh crap. I forgot I put biscuits in the oven." He quickly gets a hand towel and pulls the cookie sheet from the oven. Yep. The biscuits are done. Not really edible though unless you like that burnt taste.

  "Will you please go sit down and let me finish. If you don't get out of the way you might end up burning the whole place down! Go sit!" Vince looks at me trying to figure out if it's best for him to stop or help. Finally he goes and sits down at his little table in the kitchen.

  "I was trying to make you breakfast. I didn't mean for you to cook for me. Sorry."

  "Don't be sorry. It was very sweet. It's the thought that counts. Besides, I really don't mind. I like taking care of you for a change." I give him a quick smile while trying to assess the damage. I see the eggs he tried to cook in the trash. He burnt those too. He wasn't kidding when he said he didn't know how to cook. On the counter next to the refrigerator I see the pancake batter that looks more like water than anything else. I will have to start over with everything except the bacon. After about 20 minutes of cooking I have something that is edible. Amanda comes out from her shower ready to eat. Tommy joins us in the tiny kitchen. The food actually turned out pretty good given my circumstances. The biscuits had to be thrown out so I just made toast. All in all it's a decent spread.

  "This is awesome. Thanks for cooking Maggie." Tommy says as he shovels another huge bite of food in his mouth.

  "Anytime Tommy." Man can he eat. I don't know how they keep food in the house with the way he is inhaling everything.

  "Don't tell him that or he will make you cook every time you come over!" Vince says in between bites.

  This feels so normal. It feels good. Almost like we make up our own little family. Amanda and Tommy seem to be getting to know each other with small talk. After everyone is finished, I start clearing the table. That's when Tommy grabs my arm and tells me to drop it.

  "If you cook you don't clean up. House rules. Go sit down on the couch. Vince and I got this." Amanda grabs my arm leading me into the living room.

  "OMG! He is the nicest guy ever! Why haven't you introduced us?"

  "I don't know. He is usually at work when you are over and you did have a boyfriend. I didn't think you would be interested."

  "Oh I'm interested. I mean just look at him. Can you say my type? I mean the blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. It doesn't hurt that he is built like a professional football player. Do you think he likes me? Does he have a girlfriend?"

  "I have no clue. I don't know what goes on in his love life. Why don't you hang out and get to know him?"

  "I would love too. What are your plans for today?"

  "I'm not sure. Maybe Vince and I can get out of your hair so the two
of you can hang out alone."

  "That would be awesome. Thanks Maggie." She is so excited. I'm glad she seems to be over the loser that broke up with her. I know she's ready for a more serious relationship. I can tell she is done with the temporary boyfriends. I just hope it goes well with Tommy. That would make things really awkward if my best friend hated Vince's best friend. After we go back to regular chit chat, Tommy joins us in the living room. I get up to look for Vincent. I find him putting away the rest of the dishes in the kitchen.

  "Hey, want to head out to our spot?"

  "I would love too. What should we do with those two?" He jabs his thumb in the direction of our two best friends.

  "I say let them entertain each other. Maybe Tommy can give her a ride home later."

  "Sounds good to me. How are you feeling?"

  "Better. Thanks for taking care of me. Um...do you know how we ended up in bed together?"

  "Well, it started with you begging me to stay and ended with me giving in. I hope you aren't mad. I didn't take advantage, I promise. We just fell asleep."

  "Of course I'm not mad at you. You just did what I asked. I can't believe I begged you. I'm an awful drunk. I vow to never drink again if that's how I behave. But I have to admit, it was kind of nice." I can't look at him when I say things like that. All of a sudden I feel shy so I look down at the floor. Vince walks over to me and puts his hand under my chin lifting my face so I meet his gaze.