Grape Bubblegum

by Beth Bowland

  “Oh, and she also said one day Mitzie begged her to call these girls and threaten them to try to scare them. Mitzie and her friend Aaron got a big kick out of it. Do you guys know a kid named Aaron?” Craig asked.

  “Oh yeah, we know Aaron. He’s Spencer’s stepbrother,” Shannan answered.

  “He’s a troublemaker,” I added.

  “I really like Francis. She reminds me of the kids I hung around with back in Virginia,” Craig said.

  “Really?” Shannan said.

  Craig nodded his head. “Yeah. We’re going to start hanging out.”

  I shot Shannan a look. “She’s kinda an old head to be hanging with.”

  Shannan nodded in agreement.

  Craig huffed. “She’s only three years older than I am. I’ve hung out with people way older than she is. Geez, you guys are sounding like my grandmother.” He turned and marched back towards the bonfire.

  Shannan threw an apple at him as he walked away. “I guess that means he’ll start ignoring us again.”

  I sighed. “I just don’t understand him.”

  Shannan and I continued to talk about him as the temperature dropped. I could see my breath in the moonlit, crystal-clear sky. Then I heard footsteps coming towards us. It was Joel, Spencer, and few other kids from school.

  “Man, we’ve been looking for you guys,” Spencer said.

  “I’m surprised that you guys are actually picking apples.” Joel grabbed one out of my basket and rubbed it on his jacket before taking a bite. Some of the other kids started getting apples out of our baskets too.

  “Toss me one?” Sarah asked Shannan. I guess these guys don’t plan on picking—just eating.

  “Where’ve you guys been? I didn’t think you were coming,” Shannan said.

  “Sitting around the fire, eating,” Spencer said.

  “Yeah, there are a lot of people out there.” Tammy spoke in between bites. We stood talking before continuing on the trail, sometimes chasing, sometimes throwing apples at each other.

  Spencer grabbed my hand and pulled me down a different trail. I could hear everyone laughing and having a good time just on the other side of the trees. We walked for a while, not really talking.

  “So, Spencer, how’s everything going?” I asked, breaking the silence.

  “All right, I guess. My dad called me this morning and yelled at me for not inviting Aaron to my birthday party. I was thinking, Why would I invite him?”

  “Yeah, I’m sure he didn’t want to come anyway.”

  “I guess Aaron found out about it from Mitzie. He got jealous that we had a good time, and he wasn’t there. He gave this sad story to Dad about it,” Spencer said. He grabbed an apple off a branch as we walked by and began tossing it into the air.

  “Oh, he bugs me.”

  “I think my dad is still mad at me about the fight. I tried to tell him Aaron started it, but he kept blaming me. I don’t know why he hates me so much. I can feel the anger in his voice and see it his eyes when he looks at me.” Spencer continued tossing the apple in the air and catching it.

  “Don’t worry about what he thinks, Spencer. Maybe your dad is feeling guilty for how he treated you guys,” I said, putting my arm around his shoulder. It must’ve been the full moon.

  “Bea, I really appreciate you listening to me. I can’t really tell the guys a lot of these things. You know how that is,” Spencer said. He put his arm around my waist, pulled me to him, and hugged me. His green eyes sparkled against the moonlight. He kept his arm around my waist and leaned in towards me. I closed my eyes and felt him get closer. My heart started racing…

  “Bebe!” Shannan yelled, coming through the trees. We jumped apart. “Oops, did I interrupt something?” she asked, laughing. “Your mom is headed this way. She’s getting everyone together to go back to the bonfire.” She smiled before going back through the trees.

  Spencer hung his head.

  We walked quickly back to the trail and joined the others just as my mother walked up. I was so happy that Shannan got to me first.

  I was too embarrassed to look at Spencer. When I finally gathered the courage to look, we both just giggled.

  There were a lot of people back at the bonfire. We all had a cup of hot cider, then sat around listening to the adults talk and tell stories of when they were in high school. It was an interesting evening.

  Shannan came over and sat next to me. “So, did he kiss you?”

  “No. He was getting ready to when you popped in.” I nudged her with my elbow.

  “I wish you could’ve seen the guilty look on your face. When I came through those trees, your eyes were all big and your mouth flew open. It was hilarious.”

  “Oh, no!” I laughed. “What did Spencer look like?” I asked.

  “He had the same guilty look. It was so cute. Actually, Joel kept saying that he bet you two were back there smooching. He wanted to go spy, and I wouldn’t let him, but I was tempted,” Shannan said, still giggling.

  “Spencer is so sweet. I really like him.”

  “I know, Bebe, I know.”

  With the end of autumn came the end of football season. The morning dew had turned to frost. All the trees had lost their coverings, and gray clouds hung overhead. A new season had begun. There was a stillness in the air. Everything seemed so quiet.

  I followed the normal routine and stopped by Shannan’s house, then we continued on to Craig’s.

  Craig came bouncing down the sidewalk.

  “Hey, guys. How are you doing?” he asked. His lips formed an odd smirk, as if he was keeping a secret.

  “We’re good. Wassup with you?” I replied.

  “Nothing, just feeling good.”

  “Can you believe it’s almost Thanksgiving?” Shannan said.

  “I can’t wait. I’m going to spend it in Virginia with my parents,” Craig said, still smiling.

  “That’s great,” I said. “I don’t think we’re doing anything special. Well, at least Mom hasn’t mentioned anything.”

  “I think we’re staying home this year,” Shannan said.

  “I’m going to start hanging out with Francis,” Craig said.

  “You’re still talking to her?” I asked.

  Craig nodded. “We talk every night. We have a lot in common.”

  “Like what?” I asked.

  He shrugged. “Just stuff.”

  We continued to talk until we reached the school and then went our separate ways. Craig kept changing the subject when we’d bring up Francis.

  The past few weeks had been totally crazy. Today was Friday, and I was glad it had finally ended. After the last bell rang, I headed towards my locker. Spencer was there waiting for me.

  “Hi.” I walked up and started opening my locker.

  “Hey,” he said.

  I was putting on my coat when one of my gloves fell to the ground. Spencer reached down to pick it up, then reached over, and stuffed it into my jacket pocket.

  “Thanks.”

  “I have something for us to do Saturday,” he said.

  I smiled. “What?”

  “Aaron’s having his birthday party. I was told I had to go,” Spencer said.

  “Oh, brother, you’re kidding?”

  “Nope, my father thinks it’s time Aaron and I started getting along.”

  “Oh, really?”

  “I’m inviting you. I think we’ll have fun together.”

  “Do you think he’d mind if I showed up?” I asked.

  “I don’t really care what he thinks. I know that he invited Joel, and Joel’ll probably ask Shannan. Aaron will make sure to avoid me the entire time.” Spencer held the door open for me while I walked through. I spotted Shannan and waved her down.

  “I would love to go, Spencer.”

  “Cool. My mom could pick you up.”

  Shannan made her way over to us. “TGIF!”

  “Shan, did Joel tell you about the party tomorrow?” Spencer asked.

  “Yep, sure did.”<
br />
  “Are you coming?” Spencer asked.

  “Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss this for nothing in the world. This weekend promises to be full of drama.”

  “Where is it going to be?” I asked.

  “At his house. I’m sure they’ll go all out for it,” Spencer said.

  “I heard Mitzie talking about it to her friends. I guess her mom is helping Aaron’s mother get it together, so I’m sure it will be champagne and caviar galore.”

  “I agree, it will be over the top,” Spencer added. “I’ll give you a call tomorrow morning sometime. It’s supposed to start around six.” After giving my hand a squeeze, Spencer left.

  Chapter 9

  I WAS AWAKENED SATURDAY MORNING by my cell phone ringing. I reached over and grabbed it from the nightstand.

  “Hello.”

  “Good morning,” Shannan’s perky voice came through the phone. She was so the morning person.

  “Yeah, yeah, morning,” I grumbled back.

  “Have you picked out an outfit for the party?” she asked.

  “No, not yet. What are you wearing?” I rolled over and grabbed the remote control.

  “Hmm, not sure, but we have to be stylish.”

  “How about those new military-looking jackets we got a couple of weeks ago?” I asked, jumping up to look in my closet.

  “Perfect! Good thinking, Bebe.”

  “Do you want my mom to take us?” I asked.

  “I forgot. Joel said his dad would drive us to the party. Either he can pick us up or we can meet over at his house. He said Spencer’s mom decided she doesn’t want to go near Aaron’s house.”

  “Definitely, awkward,” I said. “I can’t wait till we can drive.”

  “My mom said she wasn’t going to teach me how to drive. She’s going to send me to driving school, ’cause her nerves are too bad,” Shannan said.

  “Now that’s funny! I have a feeling we’ll be sitting in driving school together.” I flipped the TV to the cartoon channel. “I’ll just ask Mom to pick you up. We can go over to Joel’s house together.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Talk to ya later,” Shannan said.

  I hung up the phone and mentally envisioned my outfit that I’d wear tonight. This would truly be an interesting affair.

  I placed two silver bracelets on my wrist, put on the diamond stud earrings that Auntie gave me for Christmas, and ran the flat iron through my hair. The outfit was now complete. The color I’d put in my hair at the beginning of the school year had grown out quite a bit and faded some, thank god.

  “I’m ready to go, Mom,” I yelled on my way out the door.

  Mom picked up Shannan, who looked as if she were ready to walk the runway during New York Fashion Week.

  After my mom and Shannan exchanged greetings, I turned around in my seat and gave Shannan one of my oo-la-la looks, which made her laugh. We pulled up to Joel’s house with five minutes to spare. I noticed Ms. Kane’s car in the driveway. Joel’s parents, DyAnne and Wesley Browning, had been friends with my parents since we were babies. Mr. Browning worked at the same company as my father. Mrs. Browning owned a day spa.

  I rang the doorbell.

  “Wassup,” Joel said, answering the door in his usual cool, laid-back tone. “Hi, Mrs. Peppercorn.”

  “Hi, Joel,” Mom replied.

  We followed him in. Shannan playfully punched Joel in the arm as she walked past him. He grinned from ear to ear.

  I leaned in and whispered in Shannan’s ear, “He’s so in love with you.”

  She elbowed me. “Then why hasn’t he asked me officially to be his girlfriend?”

  “He’s chicken.”

  She giggled.

  Spencer was sitting in the den playing video games.

  “Okay, crew, let’s load up,” Mr. Browning said as he grabbed his coat.

  We piled into his silver Range Rover and headed to Aaron’s house. Joel sat up front. I sat in the back in between Spencer and Shannan. Spencer had been quiet since we arrived at Joel’s house.

  “Are you okay?” I whispered, leaning over towards him.

  “Mmm, yeah.” He stared out the window. “Just not looking forward to this.”

  “Don’t worry. We’ve got your back,” I said, trying to get him to smile.

  “I know,” Spencer said. He grabbed my hand and squeezed it, then continued to hold it.

  “Wow! Would you look at this?” Mr. Browning said.

  We passed a giant statue set in the middle of the circular driveway. Aaron’s house had two stretch limos in front. As we pulled up, I could see in through the front picture window. There were so many cars parked up and down the street. Many kids were walking towards the house, and music blared out the front door before we got out of the car.

  “Enjoy yourselves, and call me when you’re ready to be picked up,” Mr. Browning said. We piled out of the car. “Spencer…” Mr. Browning said, stopping him. “Listen, son, don’t let Aaron get to you. You don’t have to stay very long. I don’t mind coming back early to get you, okay?”

  “Thanks,” Spencer said.

  My stomach turned somersaults as we walked towards the front door. Someone opened it just as Spencer was about to reach for the doorknob.

  “Hello, Spencer,” Mr. Kane said, motioning for us to come in. Spencer had the same bright green eyes as his dad.

  “Hey, Dad.”

  “Oh, you made it!” the second Mrs. Kane gushed.

  All I saw were her lips. Bright, red lips. Behind them were the biggest, whitest teeth I’d ever seen. They were so smooth and shiny, I wanted to reach out and touch them. Wow, she’d had the same amount of plastic surgery, if not more, than Mitzie’s mother. Her nails were at least three inches long and painted bright red with little diamond studs on the tips. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a high bun atop her head and was so tight I swear I could hear her hairline screaming for mercy. Attached to the bun was a long ponytail wig that hung past her butt and almost to her knees. However, what really caught my attention were her eyes. She wore bright hazel, almost cat-like, contact lenses.

  “Stop staring,” Shannan whispered.

  “Did you see her eyes?”

  “Yes, I saw her, but stop gawking at her. You’re staring like she’s something from another planet.” Shannan pulled me away.

  This was high society at its finest. The servers, dressed all in black, had their hair slicked down. They slowly strolled across the floor, perfect posture. The only bend was in their arm and wrist to hold the perfectly polished silver trays they carried in front of them. I felt like I’d walked onto the set of some sort of MTV video. The Kanes’s home was decorated in white and gold. A massive gold and crystal chandelier hung overhead in the foyer. The floors were white marble with specks of gold sprinkled throughout.

  There was such a vast difference between this house and where Spencer lived. We followed the crowd to the sunroom and deck area; it looked like this was where the party was taking place. The glass-covered sunroom led out to a tropical-themed swimming pool complete with waterfall. There was a band setting up off to one side. The DJ had the music blaring so loudly that you couldn’t help but move to the music. This was all so surreal.

  “Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in,” Mitzie sniped at me.

  “And look what he left behind,” Shannan snapped back at her.

  “I wasn’t talking to you, Shannan!”

  “Well, Mitzie, I’m talking to you. Why must you always start drama?” Shannan said.

  “Why don’t you stay out of this, Shannan?” Mitzie hissed.

  Shannan rolled her eyes.

  That was it. “Mitzie, what is your problem?” I said so loudly in her face, her bangs were flying backwards.

  “You’re my problem, Peppercorn. You annoy me. You make me itch,” she continued to hiss.

  “I’ve never done anything to you, Mitzie. Every time you’re around me, you always…always start talking out your butt. I’m sick o
f it!” I sneered at her.

  Mitzie shoved me and that was all I needed. I put her in a headlock, and she was going into the pool. But someone grabbed me before I could get her in.

  “Whoa, Bea!” Spencer yelled. He pulled us apart.

  “Wuth up, dude! Wuth a matter with your girl?” Aaron said, running over to us. “Mith, are you okay?” he asked, putting his arm around her. Then he moved over to Spencer.

  Joel came over and got in-between them, standing in front of Aaron.

  “Back up,” Joel said.

  By then a crowd had gathered around. Mrs. Kane came running over to us, her long, ponytail wig swishing behind her. Mrs. Carmichael was right behind her, teeter-tottering on her five-inch stiletto pumps.

  I was so mad, my armpits were itching.

  “Now, what’s all this commotion about?” Mrs. Carmichael started ranting, her penciled-in eyebrows arching up almost past her hairline.

  Mrs. Kane didn’t say anything, she just stood there shaking her head really fast, causing that ponytail to bounce around. Oh, how I wanted to snatch that thing off her head. There was a horse somewhere missing its tail. I ought to report her to the ASPCA.

  “Nothing, Mother,” Mitzie said, cutting her eyes at me.

  “Okay…then let’s continue with the party. Come on, everyone,” Mrs. Carmichael said, looking directly at me. She gave me the evil eye. As they were walking away, Mitzie came back over to me.

  “Oh, believe me when I say: This. Is. Not. Over!” She sneered, then spun on her heels and sashayed away.

  “Who were you supposed to be? Someone from the World Wrestling Federation?” Spencer said.

  “QB’s the girl!” Joel said, hugging me.

  “Where’d you learn that headlock move?” Shannan asked.

  “I learned it from my Aunt Abbey,” I said.

  “Bebe, I’ve never seen you so mad. Something about Mitzie really sets you off,” Shannan said, shaking her head at me.

  “Yeah, you two should just come to the gym, put on the boxing gloves, and have at it,” Joel said.

  “Well, I’d put my money on you anytime.” Spencer winked at me.

  “Come on, you guys. As long as we’re here, we might as well have some fun,” Shannan said. We all headed over to get some food.