by K. Walker
“Yo!”
“Hey, it looks like we’re going to that party after all.”
“You’re kidding,” Deven replied.
“I’m not. Came to get my girl and she was all dressed up and there’s no way I’m letting her out of my sight with what she’s wearing. Callie’s parties tend to attract a rough crowd at times.”
“I know. Alright, I’m game if you are.”
“Cool. I’ll holler at Brody. You call the others.”
“On it,” Deven said and hung up.
I rolled my head on the headrest so I could look at him. “Look at that. My very own private escort team,” I laughed.
“And don’t you forget it,’ he told me and took my hand across the divider.
“I’m sure I won’t even if I want to.”
He chuckled as he let go of my hand and hit Brody’s name.
By the time we arrived at the party, it was already in full swing like it had started hours ago, even though it was only a little after seven.
“Seems we have some eager party-goers,” Amanda commented as she stepped out of the car. She was sporting a pair of shorts that stopped just below the curve of her ass and a mesh top with a bikini bra underneath. We both wore sandals as we headed away from the guys.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Chad asked and threw his arm around both our shoulders.
“To find the girls.”
“Okay,” He looked behind him and did a head roll, and when I looked, they were all following us.
“Are we really going to do this protection thing?” I asked in amusement.
“It’s kind of cute,” Amanda said and shrugged.
“Oh, wait, didn’t I promise you a hookup?’ he asked Amanda and grinned, and she tossed his handoff.
“No, thank you, Chad,” she spat, even though her eyes told me she was more than a little amused.
“Ah, but I agree with him,” I teased and bumped into her. She bumped me right back, and a lot harder. “Ow!” I giggled.
We walked, escorted by the guys, inside the huge house already filled to capacity with students and other party-goers. There were several faces on the way in that I didn’t recognize.
In the corner, off the foyer, was a table and a keg, and some seniors were having a beer drinking competition, seeing who could finish a cup of beer faster.
“You all should do that,” I said to Chad and nodded at the guys.
There was a commotion right away as Matt, the face of the basketball team, long and lanky, won the competition. The girl officiating held his hand up and he received some celebratory pats on the back.
And then they were on to the next pair.
“Not my thing,” Chad said.
“It is mine,” said Brody as he veered to the right.
“Me, too, “Jake replied. “Heck of a way to get things started.
“Chad?” I asked and stopped, folding my arms across my chest. “You’re really not going to have any fun tonight because of me?”
“Oh, I’m having fun,” he said and pulled me to him.
“Damn, girl,” someone said from behind me. I felt the growl rising up out of Chad.
“Beat it, loser!” Chad snarled.
“I was just looking. That’s not against the law, is it?”
“Chad,” I said and grabbed him as he made a move towards the guy who wasn’t from Madison Falls High. His beard stubble told me he was older.
He had a devilish look in his eyes as he walked backward and called Chad into a fight. “Come on, champion. Let’s see what you’ve got?”
“Chad! No!” I said and pressed my hand against his chest.
“Pussy!” the guy spat and turned around.
“See what I mean?” he asked, and I could see the anger in his eyes.
“You can’t stop anyone from ogling me, as disgusting and unpleasant as it is,” I told him. “Come on, Amanda,” I said and took her hand. “We’re going to have some fun.”
“Are you sure?” she leaned closer and asked. “He might be right.”
“Maybe,” I said from the corner of my mouth. “But this is not what he would normally be doing at a party.”
“True, but you’re not normally dressed like this.”
“Okay, I don’t know what you’re both whispering about, but come on, let’s go make some noise!” Chad hooted and walked off.
I glanced at Amanda and shrugged, and we walked off behind him, past groups of students leaning against the walls, columns, strewn over chairs and sofas, giggling and carrying on.
“Hey!” I shouted to Liz when I saw her, Stacey, and Liz standing close to the gold-lined banisters belonging to the spiral staircase.
“Damn, girl,” Liz said as she checked out my outfit. “You went all out, didn’t you?” she giggled and turned me around. “I might need me one of these. This is nice, right?”
“Thanks, but this is nothing compared to some of the outfits I passed on the way in,” I laughed. “Plus, look at you.” She was wearing a bikini top and a Barbie skirt with frills, like a tutu, and glitter plastered on her chest. Alexi was wearing something similar, except she had on a white pants cover-up and bikini bottoms underneath. Stacey’s boobs poured over the blue, spandex dress that seemed to have been fitted onto her.
“You’re so right,” Alexi said and chin pointed behind me.
We turned to see a girl wearing a white, transparent outfit, like plastic, with nothing underneath. Her nipples pressed against the material and eyes followed her. Some boys got up and moved in her direction when she passed.
“God damn!” Jake yelped. “I need a drink. I’m not ready for this party.”
Chad laughed, and I punched his arm. “Don’t look.”
“I wasn’t. I swear,” he laughed harder.
“It won’t get any better. Twenty bucks, you’ll see someone out by the pool naked,” Alexi added.
“In that case…” Jake said and walked away. “You know where to find me.”
“Still want me to leave?” Chad asked coyly.
“Sure,” I said confidently, and Liz coughed.
“Cody, you’re going nowhere.”
Cody chuckled. “Babe, relax. You know I only have eyes for you. Come on, man,” he said and tapped Chad’s chest. “Let’s bounce.”
Liz gawked. “Can you believe them?”
I waved them off. ‘Oh, let them go do their boys’ thing. We’ll do ours,” I winked and signaled to them with my finger. “I think I saw a human feeding station that way.”
“Oh, yeah!” Alexi shouted, even above the blaring music in the background.
I wasn’t sure when Callie organized that much in such a short time, but it just showed how heavy her name was in Madison Falls. We were only a few steps away from the staircase when we heard applause.
We turned and there she was, Queen Callie, strutting down the stairs in a glitter bodysuit under a sheer fabric that swept her ankles. It was a true red-carpet moment, and her minions came after her.
She waved royally, the blush on her cheeks getting darker the longer she grinned, and then she was standing on our level.
“Glad you could make it girls,” she said and brushed past us. “Enjoy!”
“Now, that’s an outfit,” I exclaimed.
“Gotta admit to it too,” Liz said as our eyes followed her.
There were many things that could be said about Callie – mean, cruel, cold, condescending, snarky – you get the idea. But tasteless and unfashionable could never be counted. She was anything but, and as the richest in Madison Falls, it goes without saying.
“Okay, Callie moment gone. Now, feeding station,” I said as we moved off. But even that moment was stolen. That was exactly where Callie had gone, and the outfit she sported before was off.
She was clad only in a bikini, a diamond-studded one, and syrup and whipped cream were poured and sprayed on her. Eager boys and girls waited to lick the goodies off of her, like a goddess. The broad smile on her face testified to how gre
at she felt being worshipped.
“Now I need a drink, too,” Stacey grumbled. “I’m not sticking around here.”
“Me, either,” Liz replied as we turned and walked away.
“Let’s go check out the pool,” I suggested. They nodded and we moved in a single file through the thickening crowd towards the area we knew had the most booze and the craziest people.
“Sophia!” I heard Chad’s voice as soon as we stepped through the glass doors. “Over here.”
He was surrounded by girls, all who gave me hateful looks as I approached. He took my hand and guided me over to his chair. “Thought you weren’t going to come out to the pool.”
“Why not? It’s either that or watch Callie’s crevices get licked by everyone who worships her.”
Chad laughed. “Well, we have room,” he said and fitted me next to a jealous blonde who barely moved aside to give me a seat.
“Um,” Amanda motioned to me when I found her eyes again. “I’m gonna get a drink. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.”
“We really need to find her a man,” Chad whispered in my ear, and I giggled and slapped his hand.
Amanda didn’t return. It became noticeable after thirty minutes, during which time we had managed to get caught up in a drinking game of shots, truth or dare, and spin the bottle. It was like junior high, but it was fun.
“Where is she?” Alexi asked and burped. Then we laughed.
“I don’t know,” I said and looked around. “Maybe she found someone.”
“Here? Not such a good idea,” Liz said. Not the way she’s dressed.”
“I have to agree,” Alexi agreed. “Let’s…”
“Okay, everybody…out!” Our heads turned, and a furious Mrs. Humpry was standing by the glass doors, huffing and puffing. “I said out! All of you! Get out!”
“Mom, you can’t throw out my friends!” Callie shrieked.
“Friends? Your friends? You think everyone here is your friend? It’s a school night, and I’m tired!”
“So, go to bed!” Some nervous patrons were trying to pass and Callie stepped in the way. “No. Go back to the pool. No one’s leaving.”
“We’ll see about that!” Mrs. Humpry said as she reached into her purse. She pulled out her phone and dialed. “Hello! This is Natalie Humpry. I have some unwanted persons on my property, students drinking and carrying on. I need them gone.”
“Mom!” Callie screamed. “This isn’t fair. Why do you have to be such a bitch all the time?”
The slap her mother gave her silenced every sound in the space. Callie gasped and clutched her face, and then she stormed back through the door. “Now get out!” Mrs. Humpry yelled again, and that time no one hesitated.
“That’s our cue,” I said to the girls. “Now, to find Amanda.”
“Come on.”
We grabbed our cups and made a hasty retreat to the house under Mrs. Humpry’s supervision. She must have returned when she found out about the party because Mom had told me she had gone out of town.
It was almost a stampede as we filed through the house, leaving cups and pizza boxes, paper towels and condiments on the furniture, the walls and the floor. I could only imagine what would happen between the two after we left.
“There she is! Amanda!” Alexi called and pointed in front of us.
She tried to stop, but the moving students pushed her through the door. I felt like I was at a stadium and the match was just over. I wasn’t walking – I was being pushed along, but Chad’s grip on my hand never loosened.
“What’s going on?” she asked, wide-eyed when we caught up with her outside.
“Callie’s mom came home. Epic meltdown,” Liz giggled. “Where were you?”
Amanda blushed. “Occupied.”
“Ooh,” Liz and I teased. “Making out? With who?”
“I’ll find out tomorrow,” Amanda grinned and turned.
“Now, let’s get out of here before the cops show up,” Chad urged and started pulling on my arm.
“Oh, right,” I replied and hurried after him. “Come on, Amanda. Text when you’re home, girls,” I called out after me.
They waved as we divided into our separate cars. We were just pulling off when the blue lights started flashing behind us.
Chapter 20
Sophia
I wasn’t expecting an amicable Callie at school the following day.
From what we had seen at the party, her mother was not the person she could mess with. And if Callie knew about the inheritance and her mother knew that she knew – ugh! My head was swirling with all kinds of stories as soon as I pulled into the parking lot the following day.
But the party was a big one. She had invited everyone, which meant everyone knew about the fight and the slap across her face. I doubt she would be in school after that.
I was wrong. As soon as I parked, I saw her red Porsche convertible pulling in. Wow! She was either very arrogant or suicidal. I wasn’t sure which as of yet.
Her girls were milling around waiting for her, and they flocked to the car as soon as she stopped.
“Hey!” she said cheerily, like last night never happened.
Unbelievable. I got out of my car and closed the door. I couldn’t help looking across at her as I passed. I knew too much.
She scrunched up her face and turned on her heels. “Something the matter, Daniels?” she asked and stared me dead in the eye.
“Nothing at all,” I replied and kept walking.
“Ugh!” she grunted. “Some people can be so rude. Come on. Let’s go inside,” she said to the squad and they formed a line behind her as they strutted inside the large brick building.
I was right in front of her, so I heard the comments that were made by students before she got to them. They were whispering about what her Mom did, how the party had flopped, and the cops showing up.
I stopped by my locker, and when I glanced back, Callie had her head held high, amidst the giggling and the snickering. I kind of felt bad for her. It had clearly been a bad idea to go up against her mother.
“What are you looking at?” she shouted at me.
I was staring, lost in thought, and didn’t realize it. I blinked and looked away.
“Maybe you should slap her, Callie,” a boy said as he walked past.
“Shut it, jerk!” she hurled at the guy.
“Ooh, I’m scared of the almighty Callie,” he teased, and then high-fived one of his friends.
Her reputation had taken a nosedive. Ouch!
“Hey, babe,” Chad said as he came up behind me and touched my waist.
“Oh, hey,” I replied and turned to face him. I threw my arms around his neck and he planted a wet kiss on my lips.
“Ugh!” Callie grunted and walked past us.
“What’s with her?” Chad asked as he let me go.
“Epic party failure in senior year is not the way to go,” I reminded him.
He waved her off. “She’ll get over it. Callie doesn’t stay down for long. She’ll be her bitchy self in five…four…three…”
I slapped his hand. “Stop!”
“It’s true,” he laughed.
But he was right. Already, she had snapped at me twice. “I have to get to class, but I’ll see you later,” I said and stood on my tip-toes to kiss him.
“Okay,” he said and tapped my ass as I was walking away.
“Hey, wait for me!” Amanda called from down the hall as she ran up to me. “So, what did I miss?”
“Nothing much,” I told her. “Same old.”
“That’s comforting,” she said and raised her brow in a sarcastic way. “Let’s get to class then.”
You would think Callie would have kept a low profile considering the way the party had ended the night before. She was even flashier after – louder, more demanding, and meaner.
I saw the looks on Christine’s and Zoe’s faces as they followed her into the cafeteria for lunch. They carried her lunch tray while s
he chatted animatedly on the phone, loudly, so everyone could see how fine she was.
“Could she be any more transparent?” Amanda asked in disgust as she turned back around. “Any normal person would be embarrassed about last night.”
“And there you have it,” Alexi said and stuck a fry into her mouth. “She’s not normal.”
“Damn right,” I added and glanced over at her. “What she is, is impossible.”
“Oh, my God!” she shrieked.
And we rolled our eyes. “There she goes again,” Liz said with heavy boredom in her voice. “She needs to just stop. We see her. We all see her.”
“No, when?” Callie’s voice rose, and all those who were trying not to listen to her were forced to. “Why didn’t someone call me?”
Concern weaseled its way into my emotions when I heard her voice cracking. “Sounds like something is wrong.”
Alexi waved me off. “Don’t buy it. She does this all the time.” She slurped on her juice and scrolled through her phone as she kept ignoring Callie.
I checked, and her girls were largely ignoring her, too. I guessed Alexi must be right.
“Where is he?” she asked and started walking around in circles. “The…I’m leaving right now.”
“That’s not weird,” I said sarcastically as Callie ran out of the cafeteria. “Looks like something happened.”
“Yep,” Alexi said again.
“Why are you being so…blah?” I asked when I couldn’t find the right word to describe her attitude.
“You haven’t been here long enough,” Amanda replied.
“It’s Callie,” Stacey said. “Just ignore her. She’ll be her usual self again tomorrow. You’ll see.”
Something didn’t sit well with me. She sounded upset, genuinely upset, on the phone, like she had received bad news. The trouble was, when a girl like Callie kept crying wolf, no one would believe when an actual wolf came.
I believed an actual wolf did.
She didn’t return to school for the remainder of the day, and no one seemed to notice. The cheer squad was super perky and cheery, and the rest of the school seemed to have moved on from the party.
Except for me.
Well, not the party. Just the way things had been at school. Even weirder, when I got home, Mom was there.