Page 70 of Life of the Party

“Well, I guess…” Dad got up and began ushering everyone in. “This’ll start soon. Let’s find our seats. Come on, Mackenzie.”

“Yeah, I’ll be right in,” I mumbled. He took my mother’s elbow, heading up the stairs into the building, Marcy and Blake right behind them. I watched them go, deflated.

I hadn’t expected them to gush and go on about how great I looked or to shower me with praise or affection or anything, but still—really? Was that all the attention I would get at my own graduation? Was that all I was worth?

The cocaine was wearing off. That was it. Suddenly I wasn’t numb anymore. The disappointment was registering in my mind and the sweet, buzzing hum had faded from my vibrating nerves. I bit my lip. Luckily, I knew how to fix this.

And I had to fix it.

In mere moments I was alone in the bathroom. Charlie, my saviour, had fixed me up with a little emergency coke for just such a moment. Quickly, I did some, my heart hammering eagerly, my tension melting away by the third inhale. Sighing happily, I braced my hand against the bathroom door and let the deliciousness flow through me. That was better. Now I felt good again, like I would make it, no matter what they said or did or didn’t say or didn’t do.

I flushed the toilet to make it seem like I’d used it, then came out and washed my hands at the sink. I stared at my reflection for a minute, scrutinizing myself and my features. My dark eyes were wide and clear, a pleasant shimmer of colour stained my cheeks, and my lips were full and soft. They curved into a smile as I stared in the mirror. Maybe I wasn’t as gorgeous and wonderful as Marcy always was, but Grey seemed to like what he saw. And that was all that mattered to me.

My family could go and screw themselves.

With that happy monologue running through my head, I entered the reception hall in a much better mood. Everyone was filing in by then, the hall was noisy with the din of talk and laughter and the harsh sound of chairs scraping against the wooden floor. It smelled like buffet, like vegetables and chicken and coffee.

The evening passed in a blur. I ended up making a few more trips to the bathroom, as the coke didn’t last nearly as long as I’d hoped. When the reception finallyconcluded, we crossed the park to the large auditorium where the ceremony was held. We lined up alphabetically, my mom on one side of me and my dad on the other.

“Are you getting a cold, Mackenzie?” Mom wondered at one point, as I rubbed my nose. “You keep sniffling.”

“Maybe,” I answered quickly and dropped my hand. “That must be it.”

“Remind me to get you some echinacea later.”

“Sure. Thanks.” I nodded.

Eventually, it was our turn to enter. We walked to the archway, where our picture was snapped, and then a guy from our class escorted me up the steps to the stage. I found my seat and sat down, relieved I hadn’t tripped in my heels. The lights were hot. I stared out in amazement at the sea of strange faces.

I looked in vain for Grey and Charlie throughout, but they were impossible to see in the dimly lit auditorium. When my name was called to receive a diploma from the principal, I could hear them cheering above the smattering of applause. I rose to shake Mr. Lemmon’s hand, blushing madly.

Some kids from our class got up after and gave the traditional ‘Most Famous For’ speeches, singling us out and highlighting the things we were most known for. Things like “calling in sick for a bad hair day”, “freaking out over exams”, or “having a new truck every year,” that kind of stuff.

But then, it was Riley’s turn.

“Okay, so this one is a two-for. Riley McIntyre and Mackenzie Taylor have the same famous-for’s, which is…well, each other. For as long as we can remember, if you’re looking for Riley, you’ll find him with Mackenzie…” My classmate was reading from her paper in a sweet for-the-crowd kind of voice, breaking my heart a little more with every word she spoke. “True BFFs,” she continued, “they’re completely inseparable; even when Mackenzie insists on skipping school as much as she does, they’ll still be together…”

Seriously? Was this real? I stared down at the floor and felt my face blush bright crimson, waiting out the awkward moment. The entire student body was either totally oblivious, or that list had been made months ago. Riley and I were anything but inseparable now, a grim reminder I certainly didn’t need. I crossed my arms and hugged myself, wishing this would finish already so I could go and get high.

The worst was that the Christian knew. She knew that Riley’s and my supposed inseparability simply wasn’t the truth. I could practically feel her gloating from a few rows behind me. For the record, she was the most famous for “being sweet.”

Being a “Christian” or “the worst” must have been taken already.

By the time the ceremony came to a close and we’d headed, single file, down the stairs and up the aisle, I was in desperate need of more blow. I ducked out of the line and into the bathroom before anyone could notice I was missing.

Someone noticed. Sure, Riley was nowhere to be found when I wanted his attention, but when I was trying to sneak away, he came looking for me.

He was standing in the hall outside the bathroom when I emerged; his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall. “You okay?” He surprised me by asking.

“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?” I played dumb.

“I don’t know. I saw you running to the bathroom, and I thought maybe you were upset…about what they said up there?” He did look sincerely concerned.

“Oh. I mean, it was awkward, but…whatever.” I shrugged, like it didn’t matter. My nose burned, and I rubbed at it without thinking.

“Right.” Riley eyed me suspiciously. “What were you doing in there, Mackenzie?”

“Using the bathroom.” I chuckled casually. “Is that okay with you?”

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