by Lake, D. K.
Rosie fidgeted around with her crop top.
"It looks fine, and you look great so stop worrying." Sophie assured her.
"I hope so." Rosie said, looking around at the different faces. "Oh, there's Tobias, I better go and say hi." She smiled at us and nervously wandered over to him.
I could see him eying her up and down but he didn't look mad, instead, he pulled her in for a very passionate kiss involving tongue and a very big display of public affection by grabbing her ass. I think he was marking his territory and making it obvious to every other guy that she wasn't on the market.
Sophie and I looked at each other and giggled. Hutch tapped Sophie on the shoulder and told her he'd be back in a minute and walked off to talk to his friends.
"Sooo...no one's thrown a tomato at you yet." Sophie teased, keeping an eye on the people that were watching us.
"Yet." I muttered. "I can't believe Drew. I've been worried about him all day and he hasn't even bothered to come and find me."
Sophie didn't say anything.
"Do you think it's my eyes, do you think he's having second thoughts about us?"
"What? No, don't be silly, that boy is crazy about you."
"Sometimes I'm not so sure. Just when I think I've got him figured out he starts acting up."
"Alex, honey, that's just what boys are like. One minute they want you, the next they don't know what they want, they think they need space but then five minutes later they realize that can't live without you and come crawling back. Then there are the days they ignore you and you think you've done something terrible to upset them and it's usually something trivial like they're in a strop because you forgot to wash their favorite undies or pack their favorite lunch or something stupid like that and what they really need to do is grow up and act their age."
"Err. I don't think that applies to Drew and me." I laughed. "He hasn't given me any of his undies to wash." I said with a smile.
"No, he's just been busy."
"Right. Busy." I eyed her suspiciously
"I know nothing." She smiled and shrugged.
I think she knew everything. I scanned the party and saw more people were starting to show up. They all had their faces painted and were dressed up all fancy. I looked down at my own clothes and suddenly felt underdressed. Girls were showing up in corsets, tutus, Gothic dresses, and all sorts.
"I feel kinda underdressed now." I stated. "I feel like I'm at a Day of the Dead party and The Rocky Horror Picture Show just gatecrashed it." I said, staring at the skimpily dressed girls with the miniature top hats, and the skeleton faces and flower headbands.
"You look great. See, I told you everyone would be dressing up."
"How come you didn't do the whole face paint thing tonight?" I asked her.
"I felt like a change. It's nice to be different sometimes." she said, giving me a pointed look. I think she underdressed to make me feel more comfortable about coming out tonight.
"C'mon, this way." Sophie suddenly pulled on my arm and led me through the group of people that were forming on the grass.
Everyone turned to look at me, some whispered to their friends, some pulled their children out of the way, some even pointed, but then there were others that were smiling at me and felt no need to move away from me.
I saw Pom in front of us with her arms full of artificial flower headbands, handing them out to people. Her face was covered in white makeup and she had big red flowers painted around her eyes and her lips were black with a skeleton smile painted on. I hardly recognized her at first. She was dressed in a black dress that was really frilly and short at the front but hung lower at the back and was all lacy, and the top half was a corset style top and on her feet, she was wearing chunky black platform boots.
"Pom, do you think you can hook Alex up with one of those?" Sophie asked.
"Sure, what color do want?" Pom asked, holding her arms out.
"I'm gonna be a girl for once and say pink because it will go with the flamingo on my dress."
"Nice choice," Sophie smiled and slid the headband off of Pom's arm and positioned it on my head. "Perfect." Sophie said.
"So what now?" I asked, fidgeting.
I spotted Pope standing around on the grass and scanned the area and saw quite a few faces I didn't recognize, people that had come over from the mill to party with us.
"Now we have fun." Sophie grinned and pulled me inside a tent where there was a large punch bowl set up.
"What's in there?" I asked, looking at the pink colored liquid.
"Let's try some and find out shall we?" Sophie picked up the large ladle and poured some into two cups and handed one to me.
I hesitantly took a sip but it tasted surprising nice like raspberries but with an extra kick. I felt a little more relaxed knowing Drew was back safely, but I was still annoyed he hadn't come and found me.
"What's in this?" I asked, licking my lips.
"No idea, but I plan on drinking ten more." Sophie laughed.
"Hello ladies," Nick walked in wearing something from the 60s. A pale blue tux with large lapels, including braces, and he had half his shirt buttons undone. The pants were too baggy and the sleeves were too long. It looked a little mismatched, to say the least. And the sandals didn't do him any favors.
"Um...where did you get that?" I asked.
"Grease?" Sophie teased and I elbowed her softly.
Nick looked down at his outfit in confusion.
"You look very nice." Sophie quickly assured him to make him feel better.
"Oh, thank you. Doctor Flynn let me borrow it. It belonged to her dead husband."
"Oh, that's nice." I said, trying not to laugh at the way he had said it.
"Did she dig him up for the occasion?" Sophie teased.
"Stop it." I hissed.
"Isn't she like a hundred and ten or something like that." Sophie said.
"She's seventy-nine and she's very aware." Nick brushed something invisible off his shirt.
"Aware of how to make you look like a clown, you just need the big shoes and a red nose." Sophie blurted out.
Nick glared at her and walked past us to the punch bowl.
Doctor Flynn's husband must have had very long arms, and possibly a tail because the back of the pants had a flap that I didn't think he had noticed when he put them on. Sophie caught one look at it and burst out laughing, unable to control herself. What kind of weird suit was Nick wearing?
"What is this?" Nick asked, ignoring Sophie who was in hysterics.
"Punch. Try some." I said, pouring him a cup and handing it to him, trying not to laugh.
"Have you spiked this?" Nick asked, giving me a look.
"What? I only just got here, and you saw me pour it for you." I said.
Nick raised an eyebrow at me and left the tent, giving Sophie a wide berth.
"That suit?!" Sophie cackled and I couldn't help but laugh as well but my smile soon faded when Lane walked into the tent with Margo hanging off of him.
"A-lex," Lane said in a strained voice having being caught off guard.
He quickly unhooked Margo's hand from his arm without it being too obvious and she quickly moved it to her hip out of embarrassment.
Well, this was awkward. Why were they together? Was Lane planning on hooking up with Margo for the night? Why did I care? Did I care? I wasn't sure, it felt weird but mainly because I didn't like Margo. Tonight Margo was wearing a white peasant dress with black chunky boots, she looked ironic, she was anything but white and innocent. Her face was covered in white with dark eyes and flower details around them and her smile had been extended with intricate swirls and flowers. She actually looked really nice, not that I'd ever say that out loud.
Sophie cleared her throat and came to stand by my side.
"I didn't think you'd come." Lane said, running a hand through his hair.
He was dressed in a casual navy t-shirt with a little symbol on the front, red/brown pants that were slightly baggy and tucked into a p
air of new high-tops he had managed to find that fit. It reminded me of that night at Sean's party back in high school when he kissed me in Lewis's kitchen. All he was missing was the cap. He looked like he used to, so normal, so Lane. The Lane I remember from high school, the same Lane that used to sleep with every girl that offered themselves to him. I glared at Margo and she shifted on her feet but continued to throw snotty looks in my directions. I wanted Drew to make an appearance. I needed backup.
"Come on, let's go somewhere else." Sophie whispered and walked me out of the tent.
Chapter 8
By somewhere else she meant let's go somewhere where there is hard liquor.
She pulled me inside a tent where there was another alcohol table set up. She then went ahead and poured me something that I was certain would make me sick.
"What did you put in this?" I asked.
"I dunno, this and that. Just down it."
"I am not downing this, I think it might actually kill me."
I took a sip and nearly gagged. Ugh. Too strong.
"Oh, stop being so fussy. Here, let me have a taste." She whipped the glass out of my hand and started gulping it down. She stopped drinking and wiped her mouth.
"I think it needs more vodka."
"Nooo." I laughed. "No more vodka! You gotta leave some for the other people." I said.
"I'll make you another. Do you like coconut? I think this is coconut." she said, waving a bottle at me.
"Um...yes, but that's a mixer, you need to mix it with-"
"Lemonade or tonic. I know, and we have plenty of lemonade." She poured me another drink, one that didn't make me gag this time.
"Thank you." I said, taking the glass and sipping it.
"Better?" she asked.
"Much."
We spent the next two hours on and off messing around in the drinks tent, and Sophie became the bartender handing out drinks to everyone. Hutch kept checking in on us to make sure we were ok. I think he was really keeping an eye on me and making sure no one was bothering me. After a few drinks, Pom came in and even convinced me to dance with her and we moved into the marquee for a while and stayed on the dance floor. Duke and a small girl joined us and he twirled her around and around, it was so cute. I was actually having fun and had forgotten about searching for Drew. He knew where I was and if he wanted to come and find me he could. The community was even starting to come around to me and they weren't so afraid to come in the tent then they were an hour again. Maybe it was the alcohol helping them to relax. The amount Sophie put in I would be surprised if no one ended up in a coma. I kept sampling drinks and every time someone came in and asked for a shot she passed one to me and made me down one as well. I had lost track of how many I'd had. I was on a happy buzz, organizing the cups and had almost forgotten about how mad I was at Drew until he appeared in the entrance, looking as casual as ever but still with his crossbow on his back.
A pair of girls bumped into him and started giggling as they came over to the alcohol table. Drew came over to stand beside me as I organized the cups.
"Can we talk?" he asked.
"Talk? You wanna talk? Why couldn't you have talked to me this morning before you disappeared into town?" I said in a clipped tone, suddenly remembering I was mad at him.
The girls overheard me getting snotty with Drew and they burst out laughing.
"Shoo." Sophie snapped, pushing a cup into each of their hands.
"Please." Drew said quietly.
I slammed the plastic red cups on the table.
"Ok. Fine. Talk. Tell me why you went into town this morning without telling me?!"
Drew grunted and I didn't quite catch what he said before he grabbed my arm and hauled me off the stool and out of the tent.
"Ease up caveman." I snapped as he dragged me through the large marquee. The music was pumping loudly and everyone was dancing to the beat, and children were happily chasing each other all over the place. I hadn't really tried to walk until now and my feet seemed to be going all over the place.
"Can't you walk?" Drew said, lifting me off the floor.
"Yes, I can walk. Just not in a straight line." I laughed.
Drew led me out of the marquee and over to a quiet area next to the fence.
"How much have you had to drink?" he asked, sounding annoyed.
"Not that it's any of your business but I've hardly had any."
"You can't even stand up straight."
"I can too." I stood up, holding onto the fence for support. I might have had a few too many shots and they've gone straight to my head. "It's a party. I can drink if I want to."
Drew rubbed his forehead as though I was causing him pain.
"Why don't you just disappear. You're good at that. Leave me to enjoy myself for one night. I don't want to talk to you." I said and tried to storm off dramatically but he grabbed my arm and lifted me over his shoulders.
"Hey! Put me down!" I cried.
Drew carried me up the steps to the gazebo and dropped me onto the wooden seat.
"So are you going to tell me what you've been doing all day?"
"I thought you didn't want to talk to me?" Drew smirked.
"Shut up! You're a jerk."
Drew sighed. "I really wish you hadn't have got so drunk."
"I'm not that drunk!"
"You're yelling at me." Drew said evenly.
"Am I?"
"Yes." Drew laughed.
"Where were you? I've been worried about you all day."
"I had to go into town to get something."
"Something?" I stood up and poked him in the chest.
"I think we should get you some water."
"No. In a minute. I was really worried about you."
"You don't need to worry about me. I can handle a few deadbies. You should be more worried about the fact you only have one shoe."
"Huh?" I looked down and saw one of my flip-flops was gone. "I probably lost it when you were dragging me through the marquee like some primal ape."
Drew didn't say anything. He looked nice tonight. Different. And I had only just noticed. He was wearing a new pair of jeans tucked into his scruffy boots, and a dark blue cotton shirt with a white bird print all over it.
He caught me looking at him and fiddled with the button at the top.
"You look nice. What's the occasion?" I asked, walking my fingers up his chest.
"This wasn't how I had it planned out in my head." he said, grabbing my wrist.
"What wasn't?"
"Sit down a minute...before you fall down." Drew backed me into the seat again.
He got down on one knee in front of me so we were more or less eye level and he looked up at me with a deep frown.
"Your face will stay like that if you don't stop scowling all the time. It's all you ever do." I teased, placing my hands on his shoulders.
"How drunk are you?" he asked.
"Um...?"
"On a scale of one to ten? One being sober and ten being paralytic."
"Seven, maybe an eight. I can still walk and talk so I'm not a nine." I laughed.
"Are you really mad at me?" he asked.
"Not so much now you're here. I missed you." I said, leaning closer and slowly pressing my lips to his and he let me.
"You taste like raspberries." he said, smiling.
"Is that bad?"
"No, I like raspberries." he said before kissing me back, pushing his fingers into my hair and bringing me closer.
But someone nearby cleared their throat loudly on purpose and we both broke apart to see Lane standing at the bottom of the gazebo steps.
"What do you want?" I grumbled.
"Why are you on one knee?" Lane asked Drew with a frown.
Drew didn't answer him and just stood up and pulled me up with him.
"Lane! What do you want?" I snapped.
"Uh...I was told this is yours." he said, holding out my flip-flop and Drew snatched it from him and crouched down to slip it on my foot, but Lane
still didn't leave.
"You can leave now." I said, shooing him away.
"I actually came over to collect you."
"Collect her for what?" Drew asked.
"They're putting on the performance now. Alice sent me to find Alex."
"What performance?" I blurted.
"The show they've been rehearsing all day. They put the whole thing together in one day and they're all waiting for you. You're the special guest." Lane said excitedly.
"Special what?" I mumbled.
"Come on, everyone is waiting."
I looked at Drew and shrugged and he nodded his head at Lane to clear off. Drew held my hand and we walked to the stage area. I had forgotten all about it. I hadn't even asked what it was for.
Everyone was already sitting down and it was only then I realized the music had been turned off. There were children standing around at the side of the stage, dressed in camouflage and holding spears and other random weapons.
"Uh...what kind of show is this?" I whispered.
"I dunno, but that girl over there is waving at you." Drew said, pointing at Pom.
She was standing in the front row with Sophie, waving at us to join them.
"I think they want us to go over there." Drew said.
"Maybe we should, everyone is looking at us."
I put one foot in front of the other and forced myself to walk down the aisle that had been left between the seats. Everyone turned to look at me and I suddenly didn't feel as brave as I had thirty minutes ago when I was busting moves on the dance floor with Pom. Busting moves? OMG. I really am that drunk. Drew guided me to the front of the seating area but we didn't sit down straight away.
"Didn't they do a good job with the stage? They only had a day and a bit to get the costumes ready and paint the backdrops. It's gonna be great." Pom rambled on.
"What are we watching?" Drew asked.
"Didn't you get the memo? It's a surprise for Alex." Pom said.
"I hate surprises." I muttered.
Surprises for me usually went a little like this; I've made this new meal I want you to try. Surprise, I redecorated your bedroom without asking, I added kitten stickers, don't you just love it? Surprise, I went through your closet and threw away a bunch of stuff that made you look frumpy. Surprise, we got rid of the family cat but don't worry I got you a pet budgie. Surprise, I got you this cute push-up bra for those acorns of yours. Surprise, I'm pregnant.
