Page 69 of Absorbed

Melissa grinned at Stacey in the mirror and nodded. “We’ll show Jessie we don’t need his loser ass.” She picked up the scissors from the floor. “Let me crop that for you.”

“No thanks,” Stacey said, looking at herself in the mirror. “Your abs are better for flaunting. Besides, I think I cut enough off this week already.” She fluffed her hair.

Melissa held the scissors and crossed her arms, turning to watch Stacey apply the red lipstick in the mirror. “Youaregoing to help me make Jessie miserable, right? So that every girl ignores him?”

“That’s the plan,” Stacey said. She rubbed her lips together then puckered them at her own reflection. “When does the fun begin?”

Chapter Nineteen

At eight, the girls walked through the open side gate of Travis Nielson’s yard. Melissa led their group like they were headed into battle.

At least two hundred teenagers were gathered around the pool. Stacey recognized most from Mesa Valley High, but no one seemed to know who she was at first glance. The anonymity gave her confidence. She pulled her shoulders back, lifted her chin, and matched her stride to Melissa’s.

Chad came running up. He grabbed Desiree around the waist and lifted her. She squealed before letting him take her by the hand to the garage to get a beer. Melissa took Desiree's other hand and followed after them.

“I’m gonna say hi to friends from track,” Melissa announced over her shoulder. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere!”

Tiffany was stopping every few feet to talk to different recent grads, none of whom knew or cared who Stacey was. She felt like a shadow. At the far end of the pool, a group sat around a fire pit where the stereo and large speakers were set up.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones’ “Impression That I Get” came on. The trumpet bridge blared across the pool. There were only a few people who would play ska music at a party in Mesa Valley, instead of country or alternative rock. Stacey wandered over to see if Gabe or anyone else she knew was in the group by the fire.

In the glow of the flames, she recognized the lead singer of the Juvenile Delinquents, Martin. He wore a newsboy cap and a short-sleeved button-up black shirt with jeans. A few other guys around him were dressed similarly, in long Dickie’s shorts held up by studded belts, and white undershirts under unbuttoned plaid shirts. One wore a black T-shirt with a skeleton drinking a martini, and he had a tall mohawk. They all wore long chains draped down their thighs, connected to their wallets. The group of boys were all seniors, and Stacey knew Martin would be friendly if she tried to talk to them.

Stacey waved to Martin as she approached. He nodded, and lifted his Solo cup in greeting. He stepped out of the circle and took a drag of his cigarette, put it out under his shoe, then tucked it into a pocket. He grinned and leaned his hip against the Adirondack chair he’d been sitting in.

Stacey could tell he was trying to figure out who she was. “Hey, Martin. Gabe and I went to your concert a few weeks ago.” Recognition registered in his expression. The music was loud, so she raised her voice. “It was great! I can’t believe you’re playing such big venues now.”

“Thanks! Stacey, hi. Wow, you look…different.” Martin gave her a side hug. “I totally didn’t recognize you. Yeah, the campus ska-fest was pretty cool, right?” He almost shouted. He motioned with his head to the other side of the speakers where they could talk.

Stacey followed him.

Once the music wasn’t blaring in their ears, he went on. “I saw Gabe skanking around the pit at the show. That guy is kind of hard to miss. Where were you?”

Stacey blushed, remembering her failed outfit and hiding in the shade. “I was just…off to the side.”

“Next time say hello! It calms my nerves up there to be able to focus on friendly faces.”

“What? You never seem nervous on stage.”

“I’m terrified all the way up until the music starts. Even then, between songs I’m afraid I might embarrass myself. Or the band. I’d never forgive myself if we lost out on a gig because I said something stupid.”

“But…you’re so good. Everyone loves the Juvenile Delinquents! No way could you mess that up.”

“We have plenty of haters, too, like most bands. And nothing lasts forever. I really don’t want to be THAT guy who screwed it up for everyone else.”

Stacey nodded. She took the pack of cigarettes out of her back pocket and offered Martin one.

“Nah. I’m good. I really shouldn’t have even had that one. Since when do you smoke?”

Stacey shrugged. She put a cigarette between her lips and lit it. “What’re you drinking?”

“Soda.” Martin took a drink from his cup and cocked his head to the side. “You’ve really changed. So, where’s Gabe anyway?”

“I was looking for him. You haven’t seen him?”

Martin shook his head. “Not yet.”

Stacey took a drag and looked around the firepit. She didn’t recognize anyone else from the band. “I hoped the Juvenile Delinquents might play tonight. Where’s everyone else?”

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