Magnolia's Fall From Grace

by Zara Teleg

  “It’s fine, Tara.” I grabbed Vincent’s arm. “Vincent here was kind enough to give me a ride back.” I fluttered my lashes at Tara as her face burned with anger. Vincent still hadn’t acknowledged her.

  “The pleasure was mine.” His wicked grin had my heart racing again.

  “I think Catherine is looking for you.” Tara squinted her eyes as they roved over me.

  “Well, then, I guess I’ll see you later, Vincent. Thanks again for the ride.”

  Turning to leave, Vincent called out. “Maggie Grace, don’t forget to think about it.”

  I looked at Tara instead of him. “I’ll be at your party, Vincent. You can count on it.”

  Venom

  Yesterday was fun. Being back with my old friends, Mongo and Sissy, as well as my brothers, was something I had really missed. Our home club chapter was fun, sure, but it was much more serious with Voodoo there. He was not all family, fun, and games. Voodoo had a vision for the club, a mission. We were raised knowing the club always came first. He might have been our father, but he treated the three of us like any other member.

  When I got back to camp, I was asked to run to the place they did some breakfast function and pick up the rest of the tables. I wasn’t happy to get stuck doing it until I saw Magnolia barging out the door, looking relieved that she was going to have a ride. I thought maybe fate was being kind to me for once. I had no idea why I was so drawn to this girl, but there was something about her. Yeah, she was beautiful with her fair skin and blonde hair, her delicate features, and pink lips that looked like they were stained by a summer popsicle. But she definitely wasn’t my type. I like loud, rowdy, and ready chicks; she dressed like a nun and was beyond shy.

  I was so surprised by how brave she was when those fuckers tried to rob us. She didn’t freak out, and I trusted that she would keep it between us. Of course, it wasn’t over. Not by a long shot. They would be made to pay for disrespecting me and the girl I was with.

  “What’s up with you?” Viper turned down the music. I was so deep in thought about Magnolia that I didn’t even notice the cabin thumping from the bass.

  “What do you mean?” I hopped on my bunk.

  “You have some goofy look on your face and would’ve walked right past me if I hadn’t said anything.”

  “Nothing, I gave that chick Maggie a ride back and…” I paused to make sure no one was listening.

  “I like where this is going.” Viper sat back on the chair and waited for me to continue.

  “We kind of got jumped on the way back.”

  “Jumped? What the fuck are you talking about?” Viper stood from his chair.

  “Keep it down.” I went on to explain what happened.

  “Oh, those fuckers are going to pay.” Viper lifted the thin mattress off his bed and began unrolling a towel where he kept his knife.

  “Put that shit away. Why the fuck do you have that here?”

  “I got Vicious to bring it for me, and yours too.” He pulled out my knife and handed it to me.

  “Well, hide that shit good. We don’t need to get into trouble, and besides, now is not the time. We’ll get them back. Their truck will be easy to find in a small town like this.”

  I just shook my head at how careless my brother could be. I changed the subject, hoping he would just put his knife away and forget about it.

  “I invited Maggie Grace to come to the party.”

  Viper looked at me like I was nuts. “Man, she’s hot in a good-girl way, but don’t you think that party is way outta her league?”

  “I told her to bring a friend.”

  Now Viper was laughing. “That little frizzy-haired girl with the glasses she’s always with? The one who dresses in all black?” He slapped his knee. “This should be good.”

  Chapter 5

  Magnolia

  “Hey, Maggie Grace, can you please walk little Deborah here to her parents?” Alcide unwrapped an ice pop for the little girl who needed a rest from the heat.

  “Sure thing, Doc.” I took the sweet girl’s hand. “I know where they’re working.” I gave him a small wave as we walked out of the tent.

  We sometimes watched the local kids whose parents were busy rebuilding their houses or getting their affairs back in order. They sat at the table and color or draw. All the little girls were in love with the handsome doctor. They giggled when he spoke and ran to him like he was Santa whenever they saw him walking through the community. The little boys all wanted to be like him when they grow up, grabbing his stethoscope and practicing on the CPR dummy he had in the corner.

  I had been getting to know more about Dr. Alcide in our downtime. His example confirmed that I was making the right decision. Watching him work stirred something deep inside. Going around the country or the world and helping people was how I wanted to live. There was way more to life than fancy houses and cars.

  “Maggie Grace.” The deep voice calling my name gave me the same kind of stirring. I turned to find Vincent trotting up to us. He must’ve run quite a distance to reach me. His breathing was labored, and he leaned over, resting a hand on each knee, catching his breath. Vincent’s long black hair fell over his eye and was damp with sweat.

  “Vincent, are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I saw you with this pretty little lady,” he turned his attention to Deborah, “and I thought you both would like some company on your walk.”

  “Can I hold his hand instead?” Deborah looked up to him with her big blue eyes, her thin pigtails bobbing as she gazed at him with wonder.

  “I guess.” Deborah’s smile lit up her face as she put her chubby little hand in his large calloused one that still had some black grease on it.

  The three of us walked until we reached the house her parents were working on. She ran off, hugging her mom and showing her the picture she had colored.

  “So,” Vincent began to walk backward so he could look at me when he spoke, “I want to make sure you haven’t changed your mind about the party tomorrow.” He stopped in front of me, waiting for my answer.

  How’d he know? I had been wondering what the heck I was thinking saying yes to his invite. I twirled a long piece of my hair that had fallen from my bun. It’s a nervous habit Mother said I needed to stop; she would smack at my hands every time she caught me doing it. “Maggie Grace, you’re not going to chicken out, are you?

  I rolled a stone under my foot back and forth. “I—”

  “Hi, Vincent,” a choir of female voices sang. I looked up, knowing exactly who it was.

  I was surprised that Tara could breathe, since her shirt was so tight. She waved like she was on a Miss America float.

  “I can’t wait to see you at the party.” She winked.

  Vincent gave her a polite nod but didn’t speak. Instead, he picked up my hand. “Maggie, you didn’t answer me. You’re going to come, right?”

  “Yes, Vincent. I’ll be there.”

  “Are you doing that karaoke thing tonight? My brother wanted to check it out.”

  “Probably not. I don’t sing.” I could feel my heart thumping in my ears.

  “Oh, I was hoping I’d see you there. I guess I’ll have to wait until tomorrow. So that you know, I’ll be deeply offended if you lie to me,” he said, placing his palm across his heart.

  “I promise I’ll be at your party.” I laughed softly.

  “I gotta go, but I’ll see you soon.” In a flash, he was running back down to his station.

  “Oh my god, he looks like a rock star. God, you’re lucky.” Shannon appeared at my side, startling me.

  “Where did you come from?”

  “Screw Tara and her bitchy friends. That boy likes you, and we’re going to have fun at that party.”

  “No, I don’t want to go.” Shannon pulled on my arm, attempting to pry me off the bed.

  “Come on, Maggie Grace, we didn’t go last week. I’m sick of letting Tara ruin everything. All week I had to hear about her karaoke singing. If she thinks she can show m
e up, well, she’s wrong. I have been preparing ‘Barracuda’ for days. I have every word memorized.” Shannon looked pathetic as she begged me to go, her puppy dog eyes giant through her glasses.

  “Fine, but I’m not singing. Besides, I don’t know any of those songs.” I rubbed my temple, not believing she had talked me into karaoke night at the bonfire.

  Shannon jumped up and down and then began humming the tune she’d been practicing as she took out clothes that would have her get bitten to death by mosquitos.

  “You should wear this.” She pulled out one of the long summer dresses I brought with me. It was white with thin straps and just grazed the subtle curves of my body. It had a built-in short slip, and from the knee down, it was lace. It was casual, but the lace also made it church-appropriate.

  “This tonight?” I held it up, considering it. It was in stark contrast to the black jeans with holes and a black tank top and combat boots that Shannon was going to wear.

  “I’ll wear that if you let me do your hair.” I had been dying to tame her fuzzy curls. My mother had taught me to do hair for any sort of weather.

  She thought it over for a minute and then agreed. “We can’t let those bitches get all the attention.” She pointed out the window as she paused from applying a thick layer of black eyeliner.

  “Wow.” Shannon turned her head, looking at her dark curls flowing neatly down her back. “How did you…?”

  “My mom entered me in beauty contests until I was ten, until I refused to go on stage any longer. I was born to fix hair.” I twirled the last curl around my finger and gave it a light spritz of the sticky pink Aqua Net.

  I slid the dress on over my head, shimmying it down my body. It was so white it made my skin almost appear tan.

  “That looks beautiful on you.”

  The two of us stepped out of our cabin, taking turns spraying ourselves with enough bug repellant that we would need to stay away from the fire. I coughed until the mist of spray settled around us.

  The evening sky was red as it sank into the black horizon, a sign of the heat we were in for tomorrow. The yellow porch lights began to come on through the campground as we walked to the bonfire, following the sound of music.

  People were taking seats on stumps and blankets. Catherine got to the mic, thanking everyone for coming this evening. I continued to swat away bugs as I sat and watched as girls and boys got up to sing, one after another.

  “Up next,” Paul said into the mic, “Shannon, singing ‘Barracuda.’”

  Everyone cheered, except her cousin, who only found it in her cold heart to make fun of her. All night people had been complimenting Shannon on her hair. But not Tara. That girl was just pure evil. She snickered and pointed, trying to distract Shannon during the guitar intro. But Shannon was confident. She got the crowd going with her air guitar skills. Then everyone cheered as she sang her heart out. My cheeks hurt from smiling as I watched her charm the crowd. Everyone got to their feet, cheering and whistling when she was done. I was so proud of her. Shannon soaked up her well-deserved moment of fame, and Tara couldn’t do anything about it other than fold her arms as she waited on the side.

  Paul retook the mic as he congratulated Shannon. “And next up, we have the trio of Tara, Ashley, and DeeDee,” Paul’s face scrunched as he said, “performing ‘Baby Got Back.’”

  The three girls dressed in their shortest shorts and tube tops practically ran him off stage. Whistling, clapping, and catcalls came from the audience. My gaze shifted to the group who shouted the loudest as the girls shook their butts to the crowd. Vincent and Viper were among the boys hooting and hollering foul remarks. I felt a pang of disappointment. I secretly hoped he wasn’t like all the others.

  Viper immediately joined the girls afterward. I couldn’t focus on who was up next; I was too fixed on watching Tara’s head fall back as Viper pulled her into his lap.

  “Maggie Grace,” Paul shouted over the mic.

  I felt all eyes on me. I shrank in my seat and shook my head no. Shannon had a gleaming smile.

  “I didn’t sign up,” I protested.

  “Don’t look at me. I wouldn’t do that to you.” We both turned to who was yelling for me the loudest.

  “Tara,” we said together.

  “Come on, Maggie Grace.” Paul pointed to me in the crowd. “Don’t be shy.”

  I mustered the courage, not wanting to give Tara the satisfaction of embarrassing me further. I held my head high and walked to the stage. What the heck would I sing? I didn’t know any karaoke songs, but I did know one song well. I had practiced it for years back when my mother used to enter me into pageants. I whispered into Paul’s ear and took my place on stage. I swallowed my fear and closed my eyes, exhaling a long breath before the first words left my lips.

  Venom

  Maggie’s friend crushed it on stage. Who knew the girl had a mean air guitar? She also had undergone some kind of makeover and looked pretty cute. I honestly didn’t recognize her at first. My eyes followed Shannon, knowing she would lead me to Maggie. I didn’t think she was gonna come tonight. And sure enough, there she was, sitting on a stump in the back. I began to make my way to her but stopped when “Maggie Grace” was being shouted over the mic.

  Maggie seemed hesitant to acknowledge her name, yet when Tara started chanting it, she stood and walked to Paul, who was waving her up to the stage.

  Maggie held her head high. My jaw dropped, watching her body move in a long white dress that hugged every curve I didn’t know she had. My eyes were glued to her as she took the mic and whispered in Paul’s ear. Tara and her friends were hanging all over our group and doing their best to make Maggie uncomfortable. None of those girls held a candle to Maggie Grace’s natural beauty. She pushed her long wavy blonde hair over her shoulder as she closed her eyes and cleared her throat. There was no background music, so I didn’t know what to expect, especially since she said she didn’t sing.

  “Amazing Grace” began filling the air, and her voice was the sweetest sound I had ever heard. All the chatter around the place hushed as the words sweetly cut through the thick night air. Maggie’s eyes remained closed as she belted out the acapella version. One note was so clear and high, it probably reached heaven. I noticed Catherine wiping her eyes as she stood off to the side, rocking little Ana in her arms.

  The last verse seemed almost sad, like it had personally meant something to her. I could feel a stabbing in my chest as she sang the final verse. Even Viper quieted Tara when she tried to disrupt the mesmerizing show on the stage. Unlike Tara, Maggie didn’t need to shake her ass half-dressed. Maggie had everyone completely captivated and hanging on to each note.

  On the final note, Maggie Grace opened her eyes. A tear trickled down her cheek as she placed the microphone down and sprinted into the woods. She didn’t even stay to enjoy the loud whistles and applause that filled the air.

  “Where ya running off to, Vincent?” Tara grabbed my arm as I stood. I gently shrugged her off and went to look for the angel who had just taken my breath away.

  The moon illuminated her white dress through the thick tree line. She was on a stump, holding her knees to her chest. I could hear her sniffing as I approached.

  “Maggie, why did you run away? That was amazing.” I leaned down in front of her and tilted my head to catch her eyes. “I thought you don’t sing?”

  She cleared her throat. “I said I don’t sing, not I can’t sing.” She smiled, her eyes still shining with moisture.

  “Why are you out here, Vincent? You looked like you were having a good time with your friends.”

  “Nah, I would have been having a better time with you, but you said you weren’t coming tonight,” I reminded her.

  “Shannon made me.” She shrugged.

  “That girl has some pipes too. Maybe you guys can sing at the party.”

  Maggie’s eyes widened. “Uh, no way.”

  “You look stunning in that dress.” I touched her shoulder and then skimmed my fin
ger down her arm. She shuddered like she had the chills and stood, taking a step back.

  “I’m sorry. “I grabbed the back of my neck. “I didn’t mean to—”

  “It’s fine. I’m just tired. I guess I will see you tomorrow.” She began to turn and walk away.

  “Let me walk you to your cabin.”

  “Really, I’m okay, Vincent. Go back and have fun.” Maggie hesitated for a moment before she turned toward her cabin.

  “Maggie, wait. You are not walking back yourself.”

  We walked in silence at first. I never felt shy around girls. What was wrong with me? With my reputation at home, it only took a smile and a few compliments to have girls practically throwing themselves at me. But Maggie, she had everything in me confused. I looked at her walking in the moonlight, her blonde hair shining like silver and her lacy dress moving with her every step, and my first thought was about holding her, wanting to ask her why she sang that song, what made her have those feelings. Maybe it was a guy? Jealousy suddenly burned through me. Did she have some asshole at home who she missed? I clenched my jaw thinking about it with each step.

  “So why did that song make you so emotional? You miss a boyfriend?”

  Maggie Grace stopped dead in her tracks. She looked at me confused, almost insulted.

  “Boyfriend?” She shook her head. “No, it reminds me of a childhood friend.”

  “So, no boyfriend?” I asked, relieved.

  Maggie’s eyes became slits. “No, my mother and father are doing their best to push me into marrying a guy I hardly know, nor do I want to know. They’re crazy if they think I’m just going to accept being with Spencer without a fight.”

  Her parents were making her marry someone? That seemed sort of old school. I didn’t know what to say to that. I blew out a breath. “That doesn’t seem fair. You shouldn’t ever let anyone make that decision for you.” We stopped at Maggie’s door.

  “I shouldn’t have said anything. Forget it. Thanks for walking me,” she said as she shyly looked at me through her lashes. That look made me want to kiss her, but I knew that was a bad idea. She was just starting to warm up to being my friend.