CHAPTER EIGHT

Scarlet opened her eyes to see her mom looking down on her. She blinked several times, as she slowly came into focus. Her mom looked down in concern. On her other side her dad stood over her, too, also looking down with concern.

Scarlet looked around and realized she was lying in her bed, in her bedroom. She glanced out the window, and saw it was night, and looked over, and saw her clock blinked 9 PM. She wondered how she got here. She tried to piece it all together, but it was hazy. It freaked her out that her parents were in here. What were they doing here, in her bedroom, looking at her like that?

“Scarlet, are you okay honey?” her mom asked with concern.

Scarlet checked in with her body and realized she felt totally fine. She just couldn’t figure out how she got here.

Scarlet sat up in bed.

“What happened?”

“Do you remember?” her mom asked. “The church?”

Church. Scarlet thought back, and started to remember. She recalled going to church with her mom, talking to that priest. She remembered the candles blowing out…remembered him talking about her necklace…and then….

Her mind went blank.

“What happened?” she asked.

Her mom looked down, as if debating how to phrase it.

“Well…” she began. “You passed out. And I carried you home, and put you to bed. That was three hours ago.”

“Hi sweetheart,” her dad chimed in, holding her hand. “I’m so glad to see you’re doing okay.”

Scarlet tried to remember passing out, but couldn’t.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “Maybe I had like low blood sugar or something. I’ve never fainted before.”

“Did you skip lunch?” her dad asked.

Scarlet thought back. Yes, she had.

“Actually, I did. And breakfast, too…. It was a stressful day, and I kind of forgot.”

“Well, then that explains it,” her dad said, sounding confident and assured, as if ready to put this whole thing to rest. “You just needed to eat. Being in church probably stressed you out, and you fainted. No big deal. I’m glad you’re okay now.”

“Wait a minute,” her mom said. “That’s not all that happened.”

“Why can’t you just let things lie?” he snapped at her. “You’re blowing this whole thing up to be more—”

“Guys, I’m right here,” Scarlet snapped at them both, tired of their arguing. “I’m totally fine. Seriously. There’s like nothing to worry about. I blacked out. I’m sorry. I guess I didn’t eat or whatever.”

Scarlet couldn’t take their fighting anymore; she couldn’t stand being around them. They both looked at her, momentarily silenced.

“Can we talk in private?” her dad asked her mom, sternly.

The two of them quickly shuffled out of the room, closing the door behind them, and immediately, Scarlet could hear the muffled sound of their arguing.

She held her hands to her ears and sighed. She hated it. Why did they have to argue all the time now? She couldn’t help but feel as if it all had something to do with her, and it made her feel even worse.

She heard a loud buzzing and looked over and saw her phone light up on her nightstand table. She picked it up: a text from Maria.

Sorry was upset. Ur right. You didn’t do anything. I guess I blew it out of proportion. Anyway, friends?

Scarlet smiled, feeling vindicated. Finally, something went right today. She typed:

Friends.

Her phone lit up immediately with another text from Maria:

Pre-game tonight?

Scarlet thought for a moment, not knowing what to say:

Not sure am up to it.

A part of her just wanted to curl up and go to sleep and forget this entire day. But another part of her actually liked the idea of getting out of the house, making up with Maria, distracting herself from this whole awful day.

Please. U have to come. need a wing man. I heard Sage will be there. this is my chance. and Blake will be there and heard he’s in a fight with Vivian. Now is your chance.

The thought of entering that party, with Sage and Blake and Maria there—and Vivian and her friends there—put a pit in her stomach. But at the same time, she really wanted to reconcile with Maria and get out of the house. And despite herself, the thought of seeing Sage gave her a thrill.

Not sure.

Please. I’ll be like the only single girl there. Need you.

Scarlet sighed. She thought hard. If she didn’t go to the big dance tomorrow night—and it looked like she wasn’t going—then at least she could have this night.

My parents would kill me, she texted back, already anticipating their reaction.

She waited a second, wondering if she should ask them. Of course not. Of course they would say no—especially after today. They were such worrywarts to begin with; they would never allow this.

But the more she thought about it, the more she realized: she really did want to go. In the back of her mind, she was hoping something might happen with Blake, or Sage. She was so confused, she wasn’t even sure which one. But she wanted something to happen. She was tired of being alone.

Her phone lit up, and her heart fluttered as she read Maria’s new text:

Sneak out.

Scarlet recoiled. She had never snuck out before.

But as she began to think about it, she actually started to wonder if it was a good idea. Why not? If she snuck out the window and got back in time, they’d never even know. She wasn’t going to stay long anyway, and it was only a few blocks away.

Scarlet jumped up out of bed, Ruth tagging along, feeling a burst of energy and a fresh determination. She went to her door, opened it, let Ruth out, and listened. She could hear her parents arguing faintly, down the steps on the first floor. She made a decision. She stepped out into the hall and leaned over the bannister and screamed:

“I’m tired! I’m going to bed! Good night!”

She then slammed her door extra loud and locked it, not waiting for a response, hoping they wouldn’t come and check on her.

She hurried through her room, refreshed her lipstick, brushed her hair, threw on fresh jeans, a light black sweater and a leather jacket, and turned off all the lights.

Then she crossed the room, opened her window, and slipped out onto the terrace. From there, it would be an easy climb down—she’d done it a million times.

Suddenly, she heard a banging on her bedroom door.

“Scarlet, open this door!” came the harsh voice. It was her dad.

One leg out the window, she hesitated, wondering if she should go back inside.

But as she stood there, debating, the fresh air felt good, and she really wanted to get away from all this. She realized she needed to change her environment; she couldn’t stay in this house a minute longer.

She stepped out, closed the window behind her, and climbed down the trellis. In moments, she was in her backyard, trotting away, across their yard, across the street, and beginning her ten block walk to the party.

*

As Scarlet turned the corner, she was struck by all the activity on Jake’s block, and in front of his house. All the other streets around here were dead quiet, with not a sign of life—but in stark contrast was Jake’s block, lined with parked cars. His house was entirely lit up, every light on in every room on every floor, and dozens of kids on the front and back lawns, holding cups of beer and wine coolers. Music was blasting so loud that she could hear it even from here, a block away, along with the hum of conversation, shouts, laughter and partying.

There must be at least two hundred kids in that house, Scarlet thought.

She wondered how Jake was going to possibly clean all this up before his parents got home—and marveled that none of the neighbors in this super-quiet village had called the cops yet. She figured it was only a matter of time until they did.

Scarlet walked quickly, hugging her thin, fall coat tightly around her shoulders against the breeze as she approached. As she got closer and some kids looked in her direction, she felt a flutter in her stomach. There was so much drama behind those walls, it was kind of like going back to school all over again, except at night—and in a much more contained way.

As she reached the front walkway, she spotted Maria, standing there, arms wrapped around her shoulders trying to warm herself up, and waving Scarlet down with her cell. Her face lit up at the site of her.

“There you are!” she said, hurrying over to her, wrapping one arm around hers tightly and turning her, leading her up the walkway, side by side. “I’ve been waiting forever!”

“Why didn’t you just go inside?” Scarlet asked.

“Are you kidding? Not so cool, to enter alone.”

“Where are Jasmin and Becca?”

“Jasmin left already. Her boyfriend had other plans. Becca’s inside, but she’s with Jake.”

The two of them walked past tons of kids, cups of beer in hand, several of them smoking; Scarlet watched one of them put his butt out, still smoking, into the hedges beside the house. She shook her head, hoping this house didn’t catch on fire. As they walked past them, one of them blew smoke her way, and she could feel it seeping into her hair and clothes. Great, she thought. Now her parents would smell it on her.

They walked through the open door into the brightly-lit house, and inside, the activity hit Scarlet like a tidal wave. The music was cranking, the bass shaking the floors, and the rooms were packed shoulder to shoulder with kids dancing, laughing, singing, drinking from large red plastic cups, and spilling beer everywhere. She looked over and saw a small keg in the corner, and three of her classmates standing behind it, baseball caps turned backwards, filling rows of cups. The foam spilled out over the floor, onto the carpet, and no one seemed to care. The house already smelled like a frat party.

Lots of girls in her class held wine coolers, sipping from them; other girls held different cups, and Scarlet spotted them pouring from a small flask into cups of orange juice or lemonade. She could not believe how hard everyone was partying on a weeknight. Then again, the big dance was tomorrow, and under the watchful eyes of all the teachers, it wouldn’t be as easy to get away with things. This, the pre-game, was the real party.

“Come on!” Maria shouted over the music as she dragged her through room after room, and back into the kitchen area. “The wine coolers are back here.”

The kitchen was far less crowded, with room to walk, and the music was more muted here, too. Scarlet followed Maria to a large metal bucket filled with ice, wine coolers floating inside. Maria reached down and grabbed two of them, not even asking Scarlet as she twisted opened hers and handed her one.

“Cheers,” she said.

Scarlet hesitated; she rarely drank, and really didn’t want to drink now. If her parents caught her sneaking back home, that would be bad enough; if they smelled alcohol on her, that would be the end of it.

But then again, Scarlet didn’t want to seem like a pilgrim; so she figured she’d accept it, take a sip, then when no one was looking, set it down somewhere.

“Cheers,” she said, clinking glasses and taking a sip; it went right to her head.

“I don’t see him anywhere,” Maria said.

“Who?” Scarlet asked.

“Sage. I heard it on good rumor that he’s gonna be here. Have you seen him?”

Scarlet’s stomach fluttered as she thought of him. She wanted more than anything to push thoughts of him out of her mind, to let him be completely Maria’s. After all, Maria was her best friend, and she wanted her to be happy. But try as she did to suppress it, she couldn’t help realizing she also felt something for Sage.

“No,” she said back, nervously. “I haven’t really been looking.”

“So like what did he say to you after class?” Maria asked, turning to her. “Did he say anything about me? Does he like me?”

Scarlet could see how obsessed Maria was over him, could see that she wasn’t letting it go. She had never seen her this bad before. Scarlet couldn’t help wondering if Maria wanted to see her tonight to truly reconcile their friendship, or only because she wanted to get more information out of her about Sage.

Scarlet felt bad for her. She knew that what Sage had said—that he didn’t like Maria—would devastate her. She didn’t have the heart to tell her that. Besides, she could see that Maria was lost in her own fantasy, and that she wouldn’t even believe it if she said it.

“He really didn’t say anything. The bell rang, and I walked out.”

“Do you think he was into our scene, when we were partnering up? I thought I saw him looking at you, and I got confused.”

Scarlet didn’t know how to reply. She really didn’t want to let her friend down; but she couldn’t lead her on, either.

“I really don’t know. I don’t know anything about him.”

“But you were there. Tell me. What do you think? Was he into me?”

Scarlet had no idea what to say, so she just took another sip.

“OMG, I can’t stop thinking about him,” Maria continued, not waiting for a response. “I have to have him. I heard he still doesn’t have a date for tomorrow night. I’m asking tonight. I decided. I really am this time. I’m going to force him to say yes.”

“Hey guys,” came the voice. They turned, and there stood Becca, arm in arm with her boyfriend, Jake. “Having fun?”

“Hey guys,” Jake said.

“Hi Jake,” they said. “Thanks for having us.”

“You and the rest of the school,” he laughed. “It’s getting crazy.”

“Are your parents gonna be pissed?” Maria asked.

He raised a finger to his mouth, as if to indicate silence.

“If my cleaning lady does her job, they’ll never know. Let’s just hope no one calls the cops.”

They were suddenly grabbed by other people, and turned and headed off into the crowd.

Scarlet’s pocket vibrated, and she pulled out her cell. As she saw the number, her heart stopped.

It was her dad.

It took her breath away. She didn’t know what to do. There was no way he’d be calling her, unless he knew. Somehow, he must have got into her room and saw she wasn’t there.

Oh no, she thought. He must be freaking out.

“What’s wrong?” Maria asked; she must’ve seen her expression.

“My parents,” she said.

Maria shrugged. “Whatever,” she said. “It’s not even that late.”

But Scarlet was not so nonchalant; she wondered how she’d cover up the smell of alcohol on her breath, or cigarette on her clothes. She wondered if she should answer the phone or ignore it. Neither was a good option. She decided to ignore it. Better to try to explain later, in person.

“OMG, there’s Blake!” Maria yelled, grabbing Scarlet by the shoulder and pointing to the far corner of another room.

Scarlet’s heart started to pound as she spotted him, standing with his buddies by the keg, getting a refill. Luckily, he hadn’t seen her yet. Now that she saw him, here in the flesh, she wasn’t sure if she wanted him to. She was having second thoughts. After what happened, she wasn’t even sure how she felt about him. She had apologized and he had ignored it. That was rude. He hadn’t answered her texts and he’d been acting like she didn’t existed. For her, that was too much. It made her really think twice about whether she liked him at all.

And ever since meeting Sage, it became a lot easier to forget about Blake.

“What are you waiting for?” Maria prodded. “Go up to him. Vivian’s not here. This is your chance.”

“I don’t really feel like it,” Scarlet replied.

“What are you talking about? Tomorrow’s the big dance. He’d standing right there. What are you waiting for?”

Scarlet was starting to resent all the pressure.

“You’re hardly one to talk,” she finally snapped. “It’s not like you asked Sage out.”

Maria frowned.

“I’m done chasing him,” Scarlet said. “If he wants to approach me, he will. If he doesn’t, that’s fine.”

“So then what, are you like not even gonna go to the dance?” Maria asked.

“Would that be the end of the world?” Scarlet replied.

Maria shrugged.

“I’m gonna look for Sage. I’ll be back. Will you be here?”

“I think I might wander a bit,” Scarlet said. “Maybe get some air.”

“Okay, I’ll do a quick tour of duty, then find you.”

Scarlet wandered out of the kitchen, into the adjoining sitting room, the music getting louder. She weaved between the bodies and made her way out to the back deck. She set down her barely-drank wine cooler in a dark corner. She really didn’t want to drink tonight, or get into the habit. She didn’t need it. She could enjoy herself without it.

It was good to be out here, in the fresh air, especially since inside was so hot and steamy. A small group of kids congregated back here, but they were engrossed in their own conversation and kept to themselves.

Leaning on the railing, she looked out across the backyard. She watched the large oak trees swaying in the wind, and behind them, caught glimpses of the full moon. It was a beautiful night.

“There you are,” came the voice.

Scarlet’s heart pounded as she recognized the voice. Blake.

She slowly turned and saw him standing there, dressed in jeans and a hoodie, a shark-tooth necklace at the base of his throat. He held a cup of beer in one hand, and Scarlet could tell from his expression that he’d already had a few.

“I heard you were here,” he said. “Why didn’t you say hi?”

Scarlet stared back at him, wondering if she’d heard correctly. Was he kidding? Was he playing mind games?

“Why should I?” she said, proud of herself for standing up to him.

He took a step closer, a little off-balance, and looked at her. As she looked into his blue eyes, she momentarily felt her old feelings for him; but she forced herself to look away.

“You’re the one that took off,” he said. “I figured you weren’t into me.”

She thought about how to respond. Finally, she had a chance to explain.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I really am. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was actually having a really good time. It was just…”

Scarlet hesitated, wondering how to phrase it.

“Just what?” he said. “I’m not good enough for you?”

“No, it’s nothing like that,” she said. “It was just…I got really sick. I can’t explain it. I just didn’t feel well.”

He looked at her, and for the first time, his expression softened.

“Why didn’t you just say so?” he asked.

“I tried,” she snapped, her anger rising, “but you never replied to my text.”

He looked down, as if with regret. “You’re right. If I knew….” He trailed off.

“Anyway, you didn’t have to go saying those things about me, to Vivian,” Scarlet said. “That you dumped me and all that.”

His eyes opened wide. “I never said that.”

“It was all over Facebook.”

He shrugged. “She made it up. It wasn’t me. I can’t control her.”

“Then why didn’t you go online and say something?” Scarlet asked, relieved he hadn’t said it, but still mad.

He looked down, guilty.

“Listen,” he said, “let’s just forget all that. The past is the past. I came out here because I wanted to talk to you. About the dance tomorrow night. I was—”

“So, this is where you’re hiding,” suddenly came a voice.

Oh no, Scarlet thought. Not her. Not now.

She turned and saw, standing there, her worst nightmare: Vivian. Flanked by two of her friends. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she was clearly drunk. The three of them marched out onto the back deck, as she strutted right up to Blake.

“Vivian,” he began, “I don’t—”

“You don’t what?” she snapped back, not letting him finish.

“It’s just not…” he began, “…it’s just not working out.”

“What are you talking about?” she spat, fuming. Then she turned and looked at Scarlet, daggers in her eyes. “Are you telling him lies about me?”

Scarlet was taken aback. Here was Vivian, who told lies about everyone else, accusing Scarlet of telling lies about her.

“We weren’t talking about you at all,” Blake said, in her defense.

Finally, Scarlet thought. Blake was finally standing up for her.

“Don’t lie,” Vivian snapped, turning back to Blake. “Remember what you said to me the other day. I don’t think you want me repeating it,” she threatened, staring right at Blake.

Blake’s face turned red and Scarlet wondered it was he’d said.

“Anyway, this is between me and her,” Vivian snapped, looking back at Scarlet. “Go get me a drink,” she ordered Blake.

Blake stood there, debating. Scarlet could see that this was his moment. This was his time to stand up to her for good, to be the man that Scarlet needed him to be.

But his eyes glazed over in defeat, and she could see in that moment that he just didn’t have the courage to stand up to Vivian. There was just something about her that overpowered him.

Blake slinked away, back into the house, leaving Scarlet alone to face Vivian and her friends. It was an act that Scarlet would never forgive him for.

Scarlet’s face flushed red. Not only was she furious at Vivian, but she was supremely disappointed in Blake. That certainly wasn’t the quality she wanted in a boyfriend. And for the first time, she wondered if she was wrong to have any feelings for Blake at all. For the first time, she wondered, if he asked her to the dance, if she would even say yes.

“If you think you can waltz in here and steal Blake away from me, you’re mistaken,” Vivian said, inching closer to Scarlet, slurring her words. “You’re a loser. A nobody. You wouldn’t even have been invited here if your friend wasn’t dating Jake. Good luck going to the dance tomorrow night without a date.”

Vivian leaned in closer, so close that Scarlet could smell the vodka on her breath.

“And if you get in my way with Blake again, that little posting online will be nothing compared to what’s going to come. Every single day, for the rest of the year,” she hissed at Scarlet, with utter venom.

Scarlet stood there, fuming, wondering how to respond. She was too furious to even know what to say. A part of her wanted to punch Vivian and all of her disgusting friends. But of course, she wouldn’t do that. She was classier than that. She had to fight fire with fire, to use her words.

“Well, if you’re going to post again, why don’t you try the truth: that Blake’s not into you, that you made up all those things about me—and that you’re a miserable person.”

“You little witch,” she hissed, taking a step forward.

Scarlet prepared to defend herself. She could feel a sudden power surging through her veins, and sensed that she could really hurt Vivian if she wanted to. But she didn’t want to. She just wanted her to disappear.

Suddenly the sliding glass door opened, and out strutted Maria.

“Well oh well, look who it is,” Maria said to Vivian. “If it isn’t the wicked witch herself!”

Vivian and her friends turned and looked as Maria walked out.

“Well, if it isn’t the second loser of the pair,” Vivian snapped back.

Maria didn’t hesitate. She hoisted her plastic cup, filled with beer, and to Scarlet’s surprise, threw it right in Vivian’s face.

Vivian screamed, her face and hair and clothes soaked.

Everyone on the deck, a good dozen people, turned and watched, stunned into silence.

Then they burst out into laughter, laughing in Vivian’s face.

Vivian suddenly shrieked and leapt for Maria, raising her claws high and aiming them right for her face. Vivian was a big girl, nearly six feet tall, and Maria was short and petite, and Scarlet sensed that it would be a disaster.

Scarlet burst into action. Without even realizing what she was doing, she reacted lightning fast. As Vivian brought her hand down for Maria’s face, Scarlet caught it at the last second.

Scarlet held Vivian’s wrist with her super-strength, preventing her hand from reaching Maria.

And then, she pushed Vivian back.

It wasn’t a hard push, but it nonetheless sent her flying back, into her two friends. The three of them fell, like dominoes, falling on top of each other on the deck.

Scarlet stood over them, seething with rage, wanting to finish them off.

But she didn’t. As the three of them sat up, looking at her, wide-eyed, everyone else on the deck stared at Scarlet, too, as if she were some kind of freak.

“OMG, Scarlet, how did you do that?” Maria asked, with a trembling voice.

But Scarlet had enough. This party was going from bad to worse, and she felt out of control. She stormed into the house, weaved her way through all the pulsating bodies, out the front door, and across the front lawn. She had to get away. Not to mention her phone wouldn’t stop vibrating in her pocket, and her parents wouldn’t leave her alone. She realized it was time to go, and face the fire.

Suddenly, a voice stopped her from behind.

“Hey,” said the voice.

Scarlet stopped in her tracks.

No. It can’t be. Not him. Not now.

She turned slowly, hoping it would be anybody but him.

Her heart was pounding in her throat as she saw him standing there.

Sage.

Dressed in his leather jacket, jeans and leather boots, Sage’s longish hair framed his gray eyes, which sparkled down at her.

“Where were you going?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” she replied, caught off guard, not thinking clearly.

“Surely you must have been going somewhere,” he said, and broke into a smile. It was the most beautiful smile she had ever seen.

It was contagious; she found herself smiling back.

“I guess, anywhere but here. I’ve had my drama for the day.”

“I know what you mean. I’m not really one for parties myself.”

“So why are you here?” she asked, surprised.

“I was hoping to find someone,” he said.

She stared back, mesmerized, wondering.

“Who?” she asked.

He paused, then, in his soft voice, he said, “You, actually.”

Me? Scarlet thought. Why?

Her throat went dry.

So. He felt the same way.

Scarlet started to worry what would happen if Maria came out and saw the two of them talking. It would be a disaster. She felt she had to get out of here. But she couldn’t pull herself away.

“I wanted to talk today,” he said. “After class. But you never gave me a chance.”

Scarlet didn’t know how to respond. She could hardly believe this was happening.

“I’m sorry,” she said, knowing how he felt. “I really didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just that…well…my friend, Maria. She really likes you.”

There. She said it. Now he had his chance to go after Maria, if he wanted to.

“But you’re the one that I like,” he said, staring into her eyes.

As he said it, he took a step closer, reached up with his palm and caressed her cheek. Scarlet’s heart was pounding in her throat. She felt frozen in time.

“Scarlet?” came an outraged voice.

She turned, and her heart dropped to see Maria standing there, just a few feet away, staring with a mix of confusion and outrage. Maria looked utterly horrified, as if Scarlet had just stabbed her in the back. Scarlet could see in her eyes how deeply betrayed she felt.

Scarlet immediately felt guilty, even though she knew she hadn’t done anything wrong.

“Maria, you don’t understand—” Scarlet began.

But it was too late. Maria burst into tears and stormed off. She disappeared back into the crowd.

Scarlet felt a pit in her stomach. She knew Maria, and knew she would never forgive something like this. She would perceive it as a betrayal, and would never get over it. Scarlet felt wracked by guilt and sadness, as she had a sinking feeling that Maria would never talk to her again—and would also turn all her friends against her. She felt more alone than ever.

“You okay?” Sage asked.

Scarlet wiped a tear, and turned and looked back at Sage, who was still staring at her with his haunting, gray eyes. She nodded, trying to snap out of it and back into the moment. But it wasn’t working.

“I have to get home,” she said. “I’m sorry.”

“Home can wait,” he said. “Come with me.”

He held out a hand.

Scarlet was stunned. She looked down at his open hand. Her relationship with Maria was already ruined, and clearly, nothing would fix that. At the same time, her feelings for Blake were almost nonexistent. Sage was the one who mesmerized her. He was the one who cared. He was the one she wanted to be with.

Her cell buzzed again and again in her pocket. She knew she should go back home, forget about this night, patch things up with her parents, try to patch things up with Maria. Try to force life back to normal.

But she was tired of normal. She was so tired of trying to control everyone and everything, trying to make life run so perfectly. She’d had enough. She felt like letting go now. Letting the universe take her wherever it wanted to.

So, to her own surprise, she reached out her cold hand and placed it gently in his palm.

She had no idea where he would take her, but she had a feeling it would be different than any place she had ever been. As she looked down at his open palm, she knew, she just knew, that this would be the night that changed everything.