Page 5 of Sweet Punk
Lux nods. “Ah. So whoever is pulling the fire alarm is triggering you.”
“Yeah,”—I shrug—“I guess you could say that.”
“But where’s that fear come from? I mean, any of us would probably be terrified to be caught in a house fire or something. But this seems like it’s more than that.” Raven tilts her head to the side, studying me.
They can keep picking and poking at me, but I’m not someone they should ever figure out. And yeah, I feel like a total hypocrite. These girls have been so honest and forthcoming with their baggage and issues… and here I am, hardly giving them any insight at all. I close my eyes and breathe out steadily, concentrating on the air passing between my lips. “It’s better if you don’t know.” I worry the skin on the inside of my cheek.
Lux shakes her head and gestures with her finger back and forth between herself and Raven. She gazes steadily at me. “Our dirty laundry has been all over the suite. Eventually it’ll be your turn. And I’m a tiny bit sad to find out you must not trust us. I thought we were pretty tight.”
I shake my head, frowning. “Idotrust you.” My chest clenches. But I don’t trusthim.“And I need you to trust me—I promise I’ll fill you in when I can, I just can’t share this right now.” I grit my teeth, and hope they understand the plea in my eyes. I can’t let him see these girls mean the world to me. And I’m nervous that if I tell them what I’m dealing with, they’ll freak the fuck out. For now, I can’t let them all the way in. It’d be far too dangerous.
Raven and Lux simply won’t allow me to keep them at a distance that will ensure their safety. And that scares the shit out of me.
THREE
STAR
Saturday evening arrives and with it, the themed Halloween party—Villains and Victims—that everyone has been talking about nonstop all week. Parties aren’t my thing, but once again, Raven is insistent that we go check it out. There’s a part of her that is still looking for acceptance, to fit in… even though she has Maddox now and it’s obvious he thinks the sun rises and sets in her eyes. Andhedoesn’t give two shits whether he fits in anywhere.
But Raven still wants to go, so I’m trying not to be a party pooper. Never mind that the last two attempts we’ve made to attend parties have led to nothing but complete disaster.
“Quit fidgeting.” Lux wrinkles her nose at me. “Actually, maybe we’d create a more realistic-looking jagged gash on your stomach if you keep that up.” As our resident makeup expert, Lux has been making Raven and me look extra gross because we’re playing the part of the victims at this party.
Raven shakes her head, inspecting herself in the mirror. “This is totally sexist. Why do we have to be the victims in skimpy clothing? Don’t they think I could be a serial killer or ax murderer or whatever?”
I surprise myself by laughing. Maybe this is what I need to get out of the funk I’ve been in. “Raven, don’t be offended, but you might be the least likely serial killer I’ve ever seen.” She looks like a summer camp reject right out of the 1980 version ofFriday the 13th, complete with Jason Voorhees-inflicted machete wounds.
Lux snorts a bit, winking at Raven. “And that’s why they’d never catch her.” She dabs at my fake gash with her finger. “There. I think you’re gross enough now.”
Lux and I have decided on characters fromTexas Chainsaw Massacre, mostly because we had clothing that worked for it. Lux’s costume was easy—jeans, a belt, a white tank top tied off to expose her stomach, and a cowgirl hat. I watch as she plunks it back on her head now that she’s done goring us up. She’s the protagonist in the film. That character doesn’t even die, but she thinks being victimized in the film is plenty, even if she doesn’t meet a horrific end. I personally don’t think she wanted a ton of goop-like makeup all over her, though she did smear a bit of fake blood on her cheek, arms, and stomach.
“Thank you for that. I guess I’ll enjoy being gross.” I glance down, eyeing my outfit—a pink camisole top with a sweetheart neckline, a floral skirt that sits low on my hips, and Western boots. A huge nasty slice across my stomach means I’m supposed to be the girl who gets sawed in half in the movie. “Do I look okay?”
Raven, glances at me. “Are you kidding? You’re perfect. This is going to be so much fun.”
“What are the guys wearing, do you know?”
“I think Gage said he was going to be Leatherface so he can chase me around.” Lux rolls her eyes.
“Maddox had the same idea Hawk did—he’s going to be Jason so he can mess with me all night. He even got a fake machete.”
“And Kellan?” I try not to sound too interested in the answer, but I kinda am.
“Gage said Kellan wasn’t super into the whole blood and gore thing, but he has one of thoseScreamghost face masks that he’ll wear.” Lux shrugs. “At least he’s coming. From what Gage told me, horror stuff isn’t his jam.”
* * *
Our gruesome groupwalks to the Psi Chi house, which is located right next door to the Zeta Sigma Epsilon house. Lux gives a visible shudder as she glances at the other house. That place has no good memories for any of us, but especially Lux and Hawk. I wonder how those jackasses who drugged her are faring these days. It was quite a sight that morning when I encountered them tied to the trees near Royal Bridge. They got what they deserved, though, courtesy of these three guys. And even though our track record isn’t great, I feel safe attending a party so long as they’re with us.
The guys slip their masks on as we walk up the steps to the front door. I swallow. Kellan hasn’t said a word to me tonight. He’s always so damn quiet. Pensive. He hasn’t so much aslookedat me. He’s either off in his own little world, coming along with us for the hell of it or because the guys asked him to. My brows pinch together. It’s a tiny bit awkward that the other four members of our group are coupled up, leaving Kellan and me together. Or not. I truly don’t know how this is going to work. Pushing my glasses up the bridge of my nose, let out a ragged sigh that I’m glad is hidden by the incessant thumping of the music as we enter the house. I’ll probably end up standing at the edge of the party all night long. Alone.
Inside, I glance around, my eyes wide. This is pure mayhem, no other word for it. My gaze moves swiftly around the room, taking in the massive quantities of the most popular characters from horror movies. There are plenty more Jasons and Leatherheads andScreamghosts… but also lots of Michaels and Freddys and even a Chucky or two, which is actually hysterical. I nudge Lux and point to one of them, and both of us crack up.
Meanwhile, Raven is already across the room and in the kitchen—I swear, that girl does her own thing at parties—and is busily scoping out the alcohol situation. Hawk runs into Matty, who is wearing theItclown’s mask on top of his head. That means Ryleigh must be around here somewhere, too. Those two go together like peanut butter and jelly. How we’ll ever find her in this craziness, though, I have no clue. This place is an absolute madhouse.
The guys quickly become engrossed in their conversation, so the girls and I grab drinks and head out to the dance floor. We find ourselves a little bit of space near the far wall and amuse ourselves dancing to some classic Halloween-inspired tunes. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is currently pumping through the house, and there’s a group dead center in the room dancing like the zombies from the iconic video. It’s entertaining to say the least.
I can do this. I can have fun at a party. This doesn’t have to be a big deal.And for a while, we dance… and I do have fun. As much fun as I can have while constantly scoping out the other partygoers, anyway.
