Life of the Party

by Christine Anderson

  “Hello boys.” I smiled as we approached. They shoved over to make room, Ben, Jacob, Toby and some random girl I’d never met. I nodded at her and sat down, a little disappointed she was there. I loved being the only girl in a crowd of guys. They were all my closest friends, nothing sexual at all, but it made me feel special to be one in their crowd. I loved guys. Girls were so hormonal, so emotional and petty. Never had one of my guy friends given me the silent treatment or spread a rumour behind my back. I could trust them completely.

  “Hey, this is Charlie,” Ben introduced. I swept my eyes over her quickly and decided I didn’t like her. She was blond and thin and pretty and had a cool name. I smiled briefly and took off my jacket, feeling the need to expose some more skin, just too even things up. I’d never been comfortable in tiny little halter-tops like the one Charlie was wearing, but my black Cry-Baby t-shirt was a child’s size, hugging me in just the right places, showing a decent amount of my flat stomach and a newly acquired bellybutton ring. My jeans hung low on the hip, silver hoops hung from my ears and I had applied plenty of dark eyeliner and lip-gloss. My long hair was up in a high, messy ponytail due to hairspray and plenty of backcombing. I looked good, at least; I felt like I did.

  “What’s up, what’s up?” Toby grinned, compliments of the mushrooms he and Riley had taken earlier. His pupils were large and dark in the dim light.

  “Not much. How are you doing now, my friend?” I asked knowingly.

  “Hooo … whoa ….” He shook his head of unruly dark hair. “Good. I’m good.”

  “How about you, Jacob?”

  “Better now. You’re looking hot, Mac.” He nodded. I smiled my gratitude. Another reason I liked guys better.

  “You are.” I winked slyly at him. Then Riley slid onto the seat next to me, settling himself in before he slipped something into my hand.

  “Here. After you take it, drink only water. Understand?”

  “Oh. Okay.” I nodded, like a child taking instruction from a parent. I felt the small round pill in my palm and excitement surged in my stomach. This was going to be the best night ever. It was early for a bar to be so packed, bespeaking of the band’s fame, and the crowd was loud and unruly, here to party. The music blared over the speakers—some fast, synthesised dance song that only added to my stimulation. I watched the people coming and going, ordered a rye and Coke from the waitress and just took in the scene, a huge grin upon my face, happy to be there partying with my friends.

  Riley glared at me as the waitress shoved a jug in my direction, his brown eyes lost in the immense width of his pupil. He watched me take a drink.

  “I told you no booze.” He demanded.

  “But I haven’t taken it yet.” I had to yell to be heard.

  “Take it now. No more of these.” He grabbed the drink from my hand and replaced it with a glass of water. I hesitated a moment, as I always did before taking anything illicit and mind-altering. For some reason I had to weigh the consequences, but even if they were potentially severe, inevitably I would take whatever it was. I was seventeen, and invincible, and ready for a good time, eager and willing to experience everything life had to offer. I smiled at Riley and shrugged, popping the ecstasy into my mouth and tasting the chemically chalk before washing it down with a big gulp of water. I opened my mouth wide, showing him it was all gone. He grinned at me, and then leaned in to whisper.

  “Don’t go anywhere without telling me. Okay?”

  “Okay.” I agreed. It touched me when Riley was like this, when he took care of me. I smiled warmly at him. “You either.”

  He nodded and drank from my rye. To me it seemed that the crowd was reaching a fevered pitch, but as time went on, it all became a blur. I was aware of myself, unconsciously chain smoking, grinning from ear to ear in my comfortable seat at the back of the table. The music was pumping, into my soul it seemed, the lights beckoned me, the rhythm washed over me. I felt gloriously, deliriously happy, like there was a pent-up energy within me that needed to be expelled and could only do so in the form of radiating euphoria.

  “How you feeling, Mac?” Riley leaned over to me once. I looked at him and smiled with all the love in my heart.

  “I love you Riley. I love you.” I professed emphatically. He looked surprised at first, but then after a moment he laughed sheepishly.

  “Yeah. E will do that to you.”

  He was right. I think I even told Charlie I loved her at least once. But I did—at that moment I loved each and every person near me with all my heart. Everything was perfect, the lights, the music, the people surrounding me, the dance floor ….

  “Riley, let’s dance.” I decided suddenly. It was the best idea I’d ever had, or so it felt.

  “Zee, I don’t really ….”

  “No, come on.” I stood and grasped his hand, forcing him to follow me. The crowd was no longer overwhelming as I shoved our way through, reaching at last the cramped little dance space with the coloured block floor. I stared at the changing colours in awe until Riley shook me out of my trance. Laughing we started to dance, closely, compelled by the tight crowd to move even closer together. Papa Roach rocked over the speakers, and as we danced, I shut my eyes, felt the music, felt the heat from the people around me. My hips swayed, my arms rose in the air, my hair hung damp around my face. Eventually I opened my eyes, and Riley was stock-still, staring at me. I couldn’t discern the look on his face, and it nearly alarmed me to sobriety.

  “You okay, Ry?”

  “Yeah, I just … I need … I can’t wait, Mackenzie … I have to talk to you.”

  I shut my eyes again, I couldn’t help it. It felt so good to dance, so freeing.

  “Can we talk later, Riley?”

  “No. Mac—” He was interrupted then by the sudden cheering of the crowd. The music was cut, and the change in pace startled me aware again. The band had taken their place on the stage and try as he might, Riley could not be heard over the excited throng pressing their way to the front.

  “Come with me.” He mouthed, grabbing my hand and pulling me along with him. I complied happily as we weaved our way through the people, but when the band started playing it became nearly impossible for us to move. I could tell Riley was agitated as he ran his hands through his dark hair. I stopped and lit a smoke, meaning to offer it to him as a means to calm him down—he was on mushrooms after all, and it was crowded—but when I looked up then I forgot everyone and everything around me.

  He was so beautiful. And it wasn’t just the E talking. I actually heard myself gasp at the sight of him. His jeans were ripped and tightly hugged his thighs, spread apart below a sleek red guitar. Deft fingers skimmed across the strings, strumming, picking, changing chords. His hands were tanned and dark; his arms tattooed and muscled, his torso covered by a dark black t-shirt, tight enough to hint at the firm chest beneath. His hair was dark and short and messy, his cheeks stubbled and tan, his face passionate as he crooned into the microphone. He was the hottest guy I had ever seen. Not in a pretty boy way, but in a motorbike riding, bad boy kind of way. It wasn’t just that he had model looks or anything; it was the way his face contorted as he screamed into the mike, the unbridled passion with which he sang.

  I had to have him. My eyes remained upon his form even as Riley continued to drag me through the crowd. I allowed him to pull me back to our table, but would go no further, refusing to do anything but watch my dream man sing.

  “Who is that Riley?” I asked, transfixed.

  “Who?”

  “The singer.”

  Riley looked up, then back at me quickly, his face showing alarm. “Why?”

  “Because I want to know.”

  He sighed. “That’s Grey. That’s the guy I work with.”

  “Grey.” I repeated in a breathless whisper. “Like the color gray?”

  “I don’t know. Can we go Mac? I need to talk to you.”

  “Can you introduce me to him?”

  “What? Sure—whatever—just … just hold on �
��.” Riley searched through his pockets until he located his vibrating cell phone. He held up his hand.

  “I have to take this. I’ll be right back.” His tall form disappeared then, through the crowd in the direction of the exit. I turned my full attention back to the gorgeous man onstage, realizing as I did so that many other females felt the same way. Some were practically salivating as they stared, others were debating taking their shirts off, I could tell. Though their music was actually good, I suddenly understood why the band Serpentine had such a good turn out.

  I sat down at the table, lights dancing before my eyes. The ecstasy was a good, good thing. I leant against Toby, trying to seem aloof and casual even though my eyes were glued to Grey—watching—memorizing every move he made. The boys around me were rowdy and entertaining, so I sat back and laughed with them, perfectly satisfied gazing at my dream man as he screamed into the microphone. The fact that so many women wanted him only made me want him more.

  “You okay, Mac?” Toby wondered.

  “Yeah, I’m good.” I smiled. “You?”

  “Whoooh. I’m good, but man, these mushrooms are intense.”

  “Oh yeah? In a bad way?”

  “No. Good, in a good way.”

  “Okay.” I leant back against him. “Good.”

  We sat and watched and laughed until the band’s set had ended. I blinked in disappointment as the lights dimmed and they made their way off stage. Only then did Riley return. He looked slightly pale, his face wore a sheen of sweat and his eyes darted rapidly. I sat up as he approached.

  “You okay Ry?” I wondered. He didn’t look okay. “What took you so long?”

  “Oh, nothing. Yeah, I’m good, I’m good. Some guys called and needed some stuff.” He explained, sitting next to me. I could practically feel the heat radiating from his body. He sniffed and wiped at his nose.

  “What stuff, Ry? You don’t look so good.” I didn’t need him to answer. I had my suspicions.

  “Nothing.” He answered tersely.

  “Okay … well, do you want to talk or what?”

  “Yeah.” Riley cleared his throat. “Let’s go—oh, hey man, how’s it going?” He asked then, going through the motions of an elaborate handshake with whoever stood next to him. “Here, have a seat.”

  Then strong arms were rested on the tabletop beside, leather-studded bracelets upon the wrist, a beer in the hand. To my delight, the owner of those limbs was none other than Grey, who proved even handsomer up close. His eyes were dark blue and fathomless and his lips were full and brooding. Cool and detached, as if he were completely indifferent to what was going on around him, even his smile was apathetic, guarded almost. I leaned forward with rapt attention.

  “Sorry man, I missed most of your show. But what I heard was good.” Riley apologized. Grey nodded.

  “I heard it all. And it was awesome.” I interjected, throwing Grey an inviting smile. He glanced briefly at me and shrugged, turning his attention back to Riley.

  “Something tells me you’re responsible for the blackness of her eyes.” Grey chuckled slightly and tilted his beer against his lips.

  “Yeah.” Riley muttered.

  “It explains why I liked your band so much, anyway,” I was blatantly eavesdropping, but shamelessly holding out my hand to him. “Forgive Riley’s rudeness. I’m Mackenzie.”

  “Mackenzie.” Grey hesitated a moment, then grasped my hand in his. The contact was brief, but his palm was warm, his touch electrifying. “Grey.”

  “Grey.” I repeated slowly. Never had I been so attracted to someone. He was strong and rugged and rough, a total man in every sense of the word. Suddenly I wanted to know everything there was to know about him, and I wanted him to know me … to know every part of me. If there was such a thing as love at first sight, I think it happened to me right then.

  “Why don’t you come join me in the VIP? I’ve got ….” Grey’s voice became inaudible then as he spoke with Riley. I leaned forward but could not make out the rest of their conversation, which meant they were talking about drugs. Drugs or some girl. I frowned at that thought.

  “Well, actually, we were about to ….” Riley sat back and turned to me. His face was completely pale now. “We were just about to leave.”

  “Oh, no. We can stay. I’d love to stay, wouldn’t you?” I smiled hopefully at my friend. “Ry, we can talk later, can’t we? Come on, VIP!”

  Riley didn’t answer for a moment, just looked at me—his eyes wide, his expression wary. He looked sweaty and worried about something. Then he shook his head.

  “You know what? Forget about it.” He stood and slapped Grey on the shoulder. “Take care of her, Grey. I’m out of here.”

  “Wait, Ry!” I exclaimed, and he paused—his eyes cold, his face tense. “You’re not leaving? Stay and hang out.”

  “No.” He avoided my eye contact. “I’m going to go. Stay. Have fun.”

  “But ….” I tried to protest, but he was already gone, swallowed up by the crowd. I turned to Grey in disbelief.

  “I don’t know what’s up with him. It’s not like him at all. Do you know?”

  “Nah.” Grey shook his head nonchalantly and peeled the label off his beer bottle. “He looked kinda twitchy. Maybe a bad trip.”

  “Do you think he’ll be okay? Should I go with him?”

  Grey shrugged noncommittally.

  I frowned in doubt as Toby tapped me on the shoulder.

  “Mac, I guess we’re heading out. Coming?” He asked.

  I was torn. I desperately wanted to go to the VIP with Grey—even though I wasn’t really invited or sure he wanted me there—but Riley was acting so strange, almost like he was angry at me. Maybe it was just the mushrooms he took, and if so, there wasn’t much I could do for him. I bit my lip indecisively.

  Grey chugged the rest of his beer and set it down, making like he was about to leave. I panicked.

  “If I stay, can I come with you?” I heard myself asking. Deep down I felt foolish asking a perfect stranger, especially one as hot as him, to hang out with me. I felt like I was twelve years old, and yet, I really didn’t care. Anything that bought me more time with Grey was worth it.

  “Suit yourself,” was his reply.

  “Okay, Toby, I’m going to stay.” I decided excitedly. I stood up and gathered my things. “Have fun okay. I’ll call you.”

  “Are … are you sure Mac?” he eyed me and Grey doubtfully. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m good. I’m great actually. Will you watch Riley for me though? He’s acting kind of strange.”

  “Sure thing, but—”

  “‘Kay, bye Toby! I have my cell!” I waved and turned hastily to follow Grey, whose muscular form was already heading towards the back of the club. I didn’t want him to see me running after him, so I tried ever so casually to make up the distance between us while seeming as aloof as he did. Finally I found myself right behind him, pressed against him at times when the crowd surged. At one point when I fell behind, he noticed and grabbed my hand so we wouldn’t be separated. I nearly swooned at the strength of his hand, possibly one of the most thrilling moments of my life.

  The VIP room was really just an extension of the club, it had the same fabric walls and faded carpet, but the lights were even dimmer and there was actually space to move around. A number of people had already gathered, congregated around the various band members who looked up as we entered. Grey was greeted with cheers and handshakes and shouting, and someone handed us each a beer. Briefly I remembered Riley’s warning not to drink, even as I popped the cap off and took a swig.

  I’m not sure when it happened—maybe when I was fumbling with my beer bottle—but when I looked up Grey had disappeared. I frowned and looked nervously for him through the crowd of groupies and other hangers-on, but he was nowhere to be seen. Awkwardly I stood trying to seem like I fit in, but when no one gave me so much as a smile, I made my way to a couch at the back of the room and sat by myself. I could feel the embarr
assed heat in my cheeks as I lit a smoke and decided to leave and find the guys once it was finished.

  But my resolve was like my cigarette—up in smoke—when Grey was suddenly present again, mixing with the others in the main part of the room. I don’t know where he had come from, but he looked more relaxed now, almost jovial at times. I sat and watched him, lighting another smoke so I’d look occupied, pretending to be interested in anything but him. His friends gathered around him, hanging on his every word, laughing at his one-liners and witty replies. The loud bursts of mirth from among the crowd quickly snared the attention of the rest of the room, and all other conversations hung in the air as people turned and craned their heads, hoping to get in on the joke. This was a completely different Grey from the one I met earlier, popular and lively instead of brooding and dispassionate.

  I think by that point my eyes were in the shape of hearts, like when cartoons fall in love. I sat and tried to look as pretty as possible, willing in my heart for him to notice me but too intimidated by his crowd to do anything else about it. Gathering my courage, I stood and made my way past their rowdy group to a stool at the VIP bar. There was a better chance he’d notice me there, and then at least I wasn’t some nerd sitting alone in the dark.

  “Two shots of Crown.” I ordered, completely disregarding Riley’s warning now. I was too nervous and uncomfortable not to drink. Besides, maybe if Riley hadn’t effed off for no good reason I would’ve had someone to talk to instead of sitting there alone, like a total tool. I paid the lady and flipped back my first shot expertly.