A party to remember

"Hey, Mal... Umm... A friend of mine is throwing a party tonight and you can come if you want?"

"That's actually pretty kind of you, Tom, but I don't know."

"Oh, come on! It'll be fun! A bunch of eighteen,twenty year olds, drinking beer or Jägermeister and dancing!"

"But who are these people? I swear if they're from my school I'll jump out the window."

"So you'll come after all?" Tom jumps in excitement and his silver eyes shine under the artificial light coming from the lamp hanging over the bar. 

Seeing his excitement makes it almost impossible to tell him no. But knowing my mother, if I agree I'll probably won't live enough to go to that party.

"I don't know, Tom. My mother is the problem..."

"Remind me, how old were you?"

"Eighteen," I murmur embarrassed.

"Then why do you have to ask for permission?"

"Because, I quote 'While I live under her roof, I have to follow her rules'."

Tom only laughs.

"I don't see anything funny here. It's like living in a prison," I complain and hear my boss calling me from his office.

"Be right back."

                                 ***

"Yes, boss?"

"Mallory, it's Saturday so it's a payday!"

My boss, a tall bald guy in his late sixties, going with the name Larry. To say he's an old pervert fits him perfectly.

I nervously wait for my paycheck at the doorstep.

"Come in, come in. Don't be shy. And close the door behind you," he invites me inside gesticulating.

I step in and slowly close the door. A weird feeling gets over me. My senses tingle and I feel like a trapped prey. I didn't like my boss since the moment I saw him. I heard the rumours of him liking... younger women and maybe that's the reason.

"Mallory, I must say I'm surprised." He checks something on his laptop and I almost whisper the question "why".

"Because, for the first week of your first job you did just perfect."

"Really?" I lift my eyebrows in surprise.

It's not my first job though, although it's not written anywhere in my case. Last summer I was sent from school to work as a waitress in a camp.

"Yes, really. Even a friend of mine called to tell me how well you did. He said he was so satisfied with your services, you deserve a little bonus."

"For real??" I squeak in excitement. "Wait, wait. Did you say a... friend?"

At first, I get overly excited. I was never congratulated or appreciated for what I've done and now I was given a bonus for my hard work. But then, my heart sinks to my feet as I realise what my boss just said. 

"Viktor..." The name of his possible friend pops up in my mind as I recall him saying he knows my boss. So much for earning it by myself.

"Here's your paycheck," Larry hands me the little sheet and I stare in disbelief. Eight hundred dollars! For just a week! Hell yeah, baby! "350 dollars is your weekly salary, 150 is the tips you've earned and 300 dollars is your bonus! Well done, Mallory."

I think I'm starting to like it here. 

"Thank you so much, boss!"

Joy and pure satisfaction rush through my body. I want to throw myself on my boss's neck and hug him, but hell no. I don't want to give him the wrong idea, so instead, I thank him once again and run back to the bar.

"Hey, Mal! Why are you so happy? Usually, when people get called into the boss's office they leave either disappointed or pissed off."

"Look at this, Tom!" I shove my paycheck in his face and start dancing.

Uncontrollable body convulsions, which probably look more like I'm electroshocked, but I don't care.

"God, Mal! That's quite a good check! Did you sleep with Larry or what?"

Tom starts laughing at his own joke but I make signs to shut the hell up.

"Tomas, in my office. Now."

Yeah, that's why. Larry was standing behind my coworker. Tom only rolls his eyes and swirls, dragging himself after Larry. I giggle and continue my bouncing from joy. After a minute or two Tom comes back, a disappointed expression on his face.

" 'Sup, Tommy?" I tease him.

"Shut up, Mal."

I giggle again.

"Sooo what were you saying for tonight? Are you coming?"

"Count me in!"

"You made my day!"

We both laugh.

"Also... Do you mind if you drive me to the bank?" I shyly ask.

"Of course not! Come on!"

We both leave and on the parking behind our workplace, a seemingly retro red Mustang awaits us. 

"God, Tom. Did you sleep with Larry?" I return him his own joke and laugh but he just throws me a questionable look.

"I maybe did, why?" now he jokes and wiggles his eyebrows as he's starting the engine and the beast revs.

"Because I'm certain you cannot afford this car with the salary you get."

"Oh, it was my father's."

"Oh... I- I'm sorry." I mutter an apology. I feel so dumb right now, why did I have to ask?

"What for?"

"You know... For your father."

"What do you mean?" Tom looks at me concerned.

"Well, you said it was your father's car. You know... In past tense... So I supposed he is deceased."

"Oh, no! He's alive and healthy! He just bought another car and gave me this baby."

"I... Okay, I'm sorry. I'll just shut up now." I look outside the window. "Way to go, Mallory," I roll my eyes at my own stupidity.

"Hey, it's fine." Tom reassures me by squeezing my left knee, then turns his sight back on the road.

The rest of the ride is quiet. Well, it's like ten minutes, so it's acceptable.

"Do you want me to wait for you? I can give you a ride home?" Tom pops up his head outside the windshield as I'm standing in front of the bank.

"No, no! It's fine! I'll get a taxi or something. I have this now!" I wave the paycheck at him and he laughs.

"Alright, see you tonight!"

Tom rolls up the window and drives away from my sight.

I proudly step inside the bank and take a number. Number 42, great. I sigh and go to sit in the waiting room.

"Hey, Jen!" I message my coworker.

"Sup, girl?"

"Did Tom invite you to that party tonight?"

"I don't need an invitation, my boyfriend hosts it.;)"

"Oh, great! Umm, do you feel like shopping?"

"Why is that a question? :D"

"Okay! I'll wait for you at the mall!"

"Be there in ten!"

"No, no! I'll call you! I'm currently at the bank! ;/"

"Oh, okay!"

While I'm waiting I decide to text Jennifer and see if she's up to shopping. If I'm going to that party, I need to look decent and I cannot think of a dress from my wardrobe that I like, so shopping it is. Plus, spending some money from the first payment is on luck, right? Or I need an excuse to spend the money? Whatever the reason is, it's a fact that forty-five minutes later I get my cash and am on my way to the mall.

                               ***

"Mallory! Where the fuck have you been?!"

"At the mall with a friend," I roll my eyes at my momzilla.

"Friend or a FRIEND?!" she emphasize the second, hinting that she means a boy.

"A friend, mom. A female friend. More specifically, a coworker."

Here comes the lecture on why I should not easily trust people and ESPECIALLY men. She opens her mouth and takes a breath, just about to say something but as she notices the shopping bags in my hands, she closes back her mouth. Just a little squeak escapes her lips.

"Where did you get the money to shop?"

"I'm working?"

"Don't use sarcasm when talking to me! And how much exactly your boss pays you?! These bags are from an expensive shop!"

"Why does it matter? I earned the money, I can spend it wherever I want."

"No, Mallory, you can't! You have bills to pay!"

"No, mother! You have bills to pay! I have no intention to work my ass off only for you to lay around all day!"

"Well, you may not have the intention, but you're supposed to. Why did I even give life to you if not for this?"

"Are... Are you for real?!"

I kick my shoes in the middle of the hall and storm to my room, shoving my mother with my shoulder as she was blocking my way.

"Mallory!"

"Go away!" I shout at her but instead she tries to enter my room. Good thing I locked it.

"Mallory, open the goddamn door! You know the rule! No locked doors!"

"Fuck you and your rules! You can shove them up your--"

"Mallory, if you finish that sentence I swear..."

"You swear what?! You'll punish me?! I won't get dinner?! Or you'll ground me?! I'm eighteen, mother!"

"Mallory, open the door!" she keeps hitting the door and trying to open it. She screams my name and stuff I've already heard. I'm tired of it. I bury my face in the pillow to silence the crying and instead, I quietly sob. I'm so tired of all the restrictions and the rules. But it wasn't always like that, no... 

Once we were a happy family of four. I had a younger brother. Yes, I had. I had a father too. But they both died in a car accident. One evening a drunk teenager hit them while they were crossing the street, coming back home from the ice cream parlour. Two years ago. 

It ruined my mother. It turned her into the... momzilla she is now. She quit work and closed herself at home. Closed me too. She hasn't worked since then. When it's been a year since their death, I asked her where she takes the money from. And her answer finished me. The college savings account. She told me she and dad opened it for me and my brother. Ten years they've been saving. Only for her to flip like this and spend it all. 

Or I think she spent it all because she hasn't asked me to start working so I can pay the bills. But I started so I can save for college. Somewhere far away from here, so I can run away from her. And now you see why I want it.

                           ***

I put a dark red lipstick to finish my look. I put a hell layer of foundation, hoping it'll hide the fact I cried my eyes out. But no, my eyes are red and puffy, giving me away. I look at myself in the mirror and sigh. 

For a moment I fight with my will to change the dress. I put on the red short dress I bought today but now I think it's too short. Well, not as short as the uniform, but still. 

"No. No, I will wear it!" I convince myself. I felt sexy when I saw myself in it earlier today, so this dress will be! I clasp the straps of the black heels. Bought them today too.

Then I grab the little black clutch bag and finally unlock the door. Tom messaged me he'll be outside in five minutes, so I better go wait for him.

"Mallory? Mallory!"

Oh shit. I face my mother and see her face curved in disappointment and... I don't know, I can't figure it out. Her jaw dropped to the floor, eyebrows cocked up and arms crossed on her chest.

"Where do you think you're going?! And dressed like a prostitute?! What do you want?! To get raped?!"

"I'm going out. To a party." I keep my head lifted, but I feel the tears are welling up, so I hurry to turn my back at her and reach for the entrance door.

"Mallory, if you get through this door, in this late hour and dressed like that, don't you dare to come back home!"

"Fine." I open the door and walk out. I hear her shouting my name, but I'm already outside and down the street where I told Tom to wait for me.

I almost run to there and once I see his red car, I speed up. God, I feel so free. And sweaty.

"Mal? Why are you running?"

"Just drive," I scoff.

"Well, not unless I tell you how beautiful you look!"

"Why, thank you. You don't look bad yourself!"

It's amazing how one can throw a pair of ripped dark-blue jeans and a white T-shirt and look so stunning! Tom was gifted with nature beauty. Yes, he's beautiful. Handsome. Even sexy. Well, you got me.

"I haven't noticed till now what a beautiful shade of green your eyes are."

"Um, thank you... Can we go now?" I change the topic. Being complimented always makes me awkward.

"Sure," he shrugs and merges with the traffic.

                    ***

"Tom! This place is enormous! Who is your friend?! The President?!"

Tom only chuckles but hell. We just drove through what looked like Heaven's gates. Then we drove another half a mile through an apple garden and to this fucking mansion. The blasting music can be heard from two miles away and once we entered the house, I froze. It was already packed up. To the roof. 

"A bunch of eighteen-twenty year olds my ass!" I nervously complain.

"Come on, Mal! It'll be fun!"

"Fun, yeah..."

Tom offers me a hand and I take it, then he pulls me through the crowd to the kitchen.

To say I am the party type would be a lie. I never attended a party in my life. The closest I've been to was my brother's birthing celebration.

Tom shoves a red plastic cup in my left hand and gives me cheers.

"What's this?" I shout since the music is too loud.

"Red bull with Jägermeister!"

I take a small sip, but the drink is sweet and... what I think light, so next I take a mouthful of it. It tastes weird but good. It warms my insides and soon enough I'm relaxed, even a bit tipsy and dancing with Tom. He presented me to a few friends of his and of course, the host. And as for the host... He's a twenty-two year old tall guy with tattoos. I guess this is Jen's type. Tall and tattooed. And apparently, rich.

                                ***

It's been over two hours now since we came and I am having the best time of my life. I dance like there's no tomorrow after I finally loosened up.

"Hey, Mallory!" a guy, one of Tom's friends, snakes his hand on my waist, pulling me closer to him.

"Um, hi."

"Do you want another drink?"

"Sure," I accept his kind offer and keep dancing.

"Be right back!" the guy runs over in the kitchen's direction and after no longer than two minutes, he's back with another plastic cup. "Are you having fun?"

"No! I'm having the best time of my life!"

"I'm happy to hear that!" the boy chuckles. He has a cute smile and overall he's giving me cool vibes. He's easy to talk to and funny. Aaand good looking. I think he told me his name, but I don't remember it. Was it Matthew? Or Martin? I don't know. I think it was Matthew though. 

I take a few sips of the drink and in no more than a minute I feel my legs become numb. I feel like I'm about to throw up and the room is spinning.

"Hey, hey? Are you okay?" Matthew... let's say it was Matthew, grabs me as I stumble upon... nothing. I just feel like my legs were cut.

"I think I had enough drinks... Where's the toilet?"

"Come on, I'll help you."

My vision is blurred and Matthew drags me through the room. Then suddenly I feel weightless. I think he carries me in his arms. And... everything just goes black.

                                  ***

"Matt, no!"

"Ouch! You fucking asshole! You gave me a bleeding nose!"

"Matt, I swear if you laid even just a finger on her--"

"I didn't! But I was about to! Before you came and broke my nose!"

"You won't touch her! Not you, neither anyone else!"

"But why?! She's perfect for this!"

"You won't touch her, do you listen, you dickhead! Not you, neither anyone!"

"Is she one of your girls, Tom? Don't you have enough?"

"Jesus, Matt! Don't make me tell you whose girl she is!"

"But she is perfect, Tom! She was so easy! And she'll bring me a lot."

"I swear, Matt. If something happens to her we're both dead!" 

"Oh, come on. Is her father some big thing?"

"No."

"Then? I don't see a problem why I should be scared."

"Viktor."

"T-Tom?"

I hear the muted voice of Tom, fighting with someone. I hear what's their fight about, but I feel too weak to open my eyes, so it's only voices. One thing catches my attention for shortly, though. I clearly heard Tom pronouncing the name 'Viktor'.

"Mallory! Mal, are you alright!?"

"Tom... I- I want to go home..." I mumble.

"Come on, doll. Let's get you home."

A pair of strong arms embrace me, then lift me as if I weigh nothing.

"Tom..?" I open my eyes and see the beautiful face of Tomas's.

"Hm?"

"You smell good," I whisper and snuggle deeper into his embrace.

He giggles. Then I fall back asleep...