CHAPTER 4: Paints and Parties
Addison Santiago- Dawid Auguscik (17)
Paige "Husk" Guthrie- Blake Lively (22)
Piotr "Colossus" Rasputin- Jed Hill (17)
Douglas "Cypher" Ramsey- Julian Stahler (16)
Sarah "Marrow" Rushman- Jena Malone (16)
Japheth "Maggot" Lefu- Adonis Bosso (17)
I watched as the bright red paint slid across the stark white canvas in front of me, leaving a trail of scarlet that looked both inviting and dangerous. Dipping my brush into the black paint, I pushed it against the canvas next to the red, the two colors blurring on the edges where they met, creating a new color. Slowly I added more colors, over and over, until what sat in front of me was an abstract creation of my own creative madness. I studied the painting, marveling at the way some colors stayed far away from each other while others bled together. Truth was painting wasn't really my thing; my medium of choice was sculpture. The things I could do with clay and my imagination was legendary amongst our school's small art community.
"I like it." A sweet voice rose against the quiet conversation in the small classroom. I turned as the voice of our instructor, Ms. Paige Guthrie moved closer to me, inspecting my work further.
"Really?" I asked, genuine surprise in my voice. To me, it was just something I did to turn in; I hadn't actually considered that I made something good.
"Absolutely." She replied in her thick Southern drawl. On anyone else, the accent would make them sound dumb and slightly ignorant but coupled with her toned, athletic body, pretty face, and long blonde hair, it only added to her endearment. "It reminds me of a more colorful version of Mark Rothko's Four Darks in Red."
"Never heard of it." I said absently. I was too busy staring at the painting in front of me, searching for a spark of genius amongst what I considered to be nonsense and chaos.
"Maybe you should research him." She replied, tossing her golden hair over one shoulder. The closer she drew to me, the heavier the smell of lilac and juniper came over me. I immediately noticed that when she touched her hair, she left a streak of black charcoal along a group of hair but she didn't seem to notice. "He's an abstract artist and I see a lot of his influence in your work."
Before I could reply, another voice spoke. This one was heavier and deeper that vibrated through my bones with every word.
"Really?" It said. I didn't need to turn around to know who was speaking. I would notice the heavy Russian accent anywhere. "I do see Rothko in this painting, Ms. Guthrie, but the linear black lines remind me of Piet Mondrian."
"You're right Piotr," Ms. Guthrie replied, stroking her chin and leaving a smudge of coal along her delicate features. "I can see that as well."
"I'm sorry for studying your work." He said. Finally, I turned to face him. Piotr Rasputin was very attractive and even though I wouldn't necessarily consider him my type, there was something about him that was quite beautiful. Possibly, it could be his bright blue eyes that sparkled as he spoke, or his perfect lips that danced across the English language in a tangle of rolling syllables. Or it could be his perfect body. His arms were the size of telephone poles and his legs were as thick as tree trunks. Coupled with his incredible height, he cut a very intimidating shape. Piotr was the envy and sexual fantasy of many in the school and even though he was friends with many of the people in the "A Crowd" he kept to himself a lot. The only reason I really noticed him was because he was an incredibly skilled artist with an ass one could mortgage a house over.
"No, it's fine." I replied dumbly.
Slowly his eyes crinkled as his dazzling smile hit me full force. "Good, I would not want you to think I was judging." He continued. "It is just I have finished and we still have time left in class so when Ms. Guthrie pointed out your work, I had to see for myself."
I turned, expecting to see Ms. Guthrie still studying my canvas but she was now standing over Eric Gitter's easel. She was speaking to him about his work but he wasn't paying any attention to her. His eyes were firmly glued on her breasts which were now eye level to him, bouncing discreetly inside her simple blue sundress.
"Thanks man." I said, finally getting my bearings. I wasn't in love with the guy but everything from the way he moved to the way he spoke held volumes of sexual appeal and I don't think he even noticed. "I mean, it's not as good as yours." I gestured in the direction of his canvas which held an intricate scene of a girl playing in the snow.
"Do not say that." He replied placing his massive hand on my shoulder. The heat from his hand shot through my arm and into my loins, making me shift uncomfortably in my seat. Suddenly, the room felt awfully warm. "I may have made a good painting but I have seen what you can do with the clay. I could never do that."
"Aw, dude. Stop it." I said blushing slightly.
"But it is true." He replied, seemingly oblivious to my discomfort. "The week we did sculpture, my bird looked like a snowman with bad hair."
"That was a bird?" I asked slowly. I remembered his sculpture and it was rather terrible.
"Da!" He replied, chuckling heartily. Suddenly his face grew serious. "Excuse my rudeness. I am Piotr Rasputin but most call me Peter."
"I know." I said. "I'm-"
"Addison Santiago." He injected. "I know."
A moment passed between us that was both welcoming and uncomfortable and as quickly as it happened, the moment passed.
"Do you mind if I sit?" He asked, grabbing an empty stool and sliding it towards me.
"No, go ahead." I replied with a gesture. "But won't your friends mind?"
"Ah," He said, glancing at the group of girls who had been staring at us the entire he's been over here. "They are not friends. Truthfully, they make me nervous."
"Nervous?" I asked shocked. "3 girls make you nervous?"
"Da."
"But you've been on dangerous missions with the X-men."
"Da but that is simple. I just use my power, make myself stronger and punch the problem away." He said, a slight smile on his lips. "I cannot punch them away and I don't know how to say to them that I'm not interested."
"Let me handle it." I replied as I stood from my chair. From the corner of my eye, I saw him gesture to stop me but I was already halfway across the room.
"Hey whores!" I exclaimed, claiming an empty seat next to them. "My friend wants you to leave him alone."
"If that's true, why didn't he tell us himself?" One of the girls sneered. I didn't know her name but I already didn't like her. She carried a look of entitlement that I couldn't get with.
"He's too nice, the big softy." I replied, throwing a thumb over my shoulder. "But I'm immune to the charms of sluts like you."
"You're just jealous!" Another one said in a sharp whisper. Her eyes were completely white and when she spoke, I could see sharp fangs instead of teeth. "Because you want him and he could never want a fag like you."
I laughed at her as if she said the funniest thing in the world and I could tell that her attempt to rile me only furthered to rile her.
"What's so goddamn funny?" She sniped.
"Oh it's just I can smell your desperation from over here!" I laughed. "Why don't you run along and find a nice mutant boy with noses for eyes or a body made out of slime and stop harassing boys you clearly don't have a chance in Hell with?"
Suddenly she stood from her seat and huffed away to the other end of the room, her posse trailing behind her, each giving me a withering look. I shrugged nonchalantly as I stood triumphant and made my way back over to Peter.
"So…" He asked reluctantly.
"They won't be bothering you." I replied.
"Thanks."
"No problem man. Someone has to put these bitches in their place."
Ms. Guthrie moved away from Eric Gitter and towards the center of the room, her light brown cowboy boots clicking against the wood floor as she stood in the middle of the circle of easels.
"Ok, we're done for today." She said. "I want everyone to put their canvas along that wall to dry and fold up your easel and stack them over there."
I stood as I grabbed my painting and moved to place it against the wall she had instructed us to put them. Then I grabbed my easel, twisting the nail towards the bottom, causing it to collapse rather noisily. Next I hefted the wooden monstrosity over the small pile of easels that had already formed and dropped it on top. When I turned, I was face to face with Peter's massive chest. I stepped back, giving us some distance as I waited for him to speak.
"Thank you again." He said. I must have had a look of confusion on my face because he quickly continued. "For the girls."
"Oh that." I said, realization dawning on me. "It was really no problem. Most of the people here hate me anyway."
"I don't hate you." He said, glancing away. I couldn't tell but I thought he blushed as he said it but when he turned back to me, he looked fine.
"Well you will be one of about 3 who don't." I replied. "Besides, you don't even know me."
"I would like to." He said, his voice holding a casual and friendly tone.
"Why?" I asked, self-consciously looking around the room. It had emptied out, leaving the two of us alone with Ms. Guthrie in the corner sketching in her sketchbook, seemingly oblivious to our presence. I wasn't going to delude myself into thinking he was attracted to me as I was positive he was straight, so it confused me as to why he was being so nice to me. Even if he wasn't attracted to me, why would he want to be my friend? I'm awesome but most people at this school didn't even notice me most of the time.
"I like your honesty." He replied. "Many of my 'friends' are very deceptive and only care about popularity and power. You're not like them."
"Thanks." I said, genuinely ecstatic that he said I was nothing like his vain, social climbing friends.
"I would like to make it up to you for saving me from those girls." He said. "You don't understand how much of a nuisance they were. They were driving me crazy."
"Really, it's fine." I said modestly. I was touched that he being so nice but I couldn't fool myself; he would go back to his group of friends, probably laugh about me and never speak to me again. It was best to just cut my loses now. I wasn't being cynical, I was being realistic.
"Hey, can I buy you a drink at least?" He asked. "I can get us in at Morlock. Say…tomorrow?"
"Actually, my friends and I already have plans to go to Morlock tomorrow."
"Really?!" He replied. "Well, maybe I could join you?"
I didn't know what to do and before I could think, I could hear a voice say.
"Sure!"
It took a moment for me to realize the voice was my own. I didn't know what had come over me but I couldn't back out now. Besides, Sarah had once told me she thought he was really cute so watching her gush over him would be fun.
"Really?" He asked. "I know your friends and my friends don't really get along." He was right, his friends teased us all the time, not that we cared. But thinking back, Peter had never been one to join in on it, although I assume he laughed about it privately.
"Yea, sure." I shrugged. "Just meet us in the garage at 6."
"Alright." He smiled as he grabbed his bag and walked towards the door. "I'll see you tomorrow night."
As he walked out of the door, I watched his tight, denim clad ass sway and I knew nothing good could come from a big butt and a pretty face.
Thanks dad.
The rest of the day went by uneventfully and soon, the hour of departure was fast approaching. I hadn't seen Sarah and Japheth since yesterday as Japh had to study and Sarah had detention so when I arrived at dinner that Friday night it was instantly made clear that Doug had filled them in on the situation.
"You did not seriously invite Piotr Rasputin to come out with us?!" Sarah shouted. Luckily the buzz of activity in the dining hall dulled her outburst but I still found myself discreetly checking to see if everyone was staring. Luckily no one was.
"Yea, I kinda did." I replied, closing the distance between us and taking a seat next to Japheth. Today he allowed his slugs, Eany and Meany, to dine with us. At the moment, they were feasting on everything on Japheth's plate including the plate itself. He seemed to be oblivious of this as he turned and grinned at me.
"Why?!" She shouted, causing me to flinch. I didn't know why it was such a big deal. Sure, he was A-List and we weren't even on the list but I didn't know why she was overreacting.
"I don't know." I shrugged, stabbing a cheese and sauce filled ravioli into my mouth and chewed thoughtfully. "It was kinda by accident."
"You know he's probably going to run back to his friends and tell them all of our secrets so they can have a good, hearty laugh at our expense." She pouted and I had to admit, that did sound like a probable situation.
"I don't know Sarah." Japheth piped in. "Piotr is actually pretty cool. Not like his douchebag friends."
"He's right." Doug agreed. "He stood up for me once when Ben Hamill was bothering me."
"I just don't like the guy." Sarah replied. She didn't seem as riled as she had been and appeared to be simmering. "I also heard he was in the Russian mafia."
"I heard he was hooking up with Ms. Pyde." Japheth said, stroking the metallic hide of his slugs.
"Ew, that's gross!" Doug said, his face scrunching in disgust. "She's old!"
"She's only like 23." I said spearing another ravioli and popping it into my mouth. It was quite good and I found myself humming in delight.
"Still, he's 17." Doug said. "It's illegal."
"I thought the age of consent was 17 in New York?" Japheth asked, his face scrunching in discomfort as Eany and Meany climbed back into his stomach. As they entered him, I could see his eyes glow red as his dark skin was beginning to lighten and turn light blue. We were all pretty used to this so the spectacle wasn't really a big deal.
"No, I think they broke up." Sarah said. "They were together back when he was 15."
"Oh, that's even worse!" Doug replied.
As they began arguing the merits of statutory rape when the subject's parents were in a different country, I let my gaze shift around the dining hall. Since it was Friday, many of the students arrived at 5 when dinner was first served so they could go out for the night. I looked over to where I knew David was sitting. He wasn't at breakfast this morning and it surprised me that I was a little worried. But there he was, his black hair still messy and his body still unnaturally thin. The only strange things were the fact that amongst his tangled hair was two small pigtails and he was clutching a ragged doll. It looked handmade with its rough stitching and its missing button eye. Instead it appeared that David had drawn a new one onto the fabric of her face but it was completely different in shape and appearance from the button one. As if he knew I was watching him, David's eyes met mine and his face split into a wide grin as he frantically waved at me. Awkwardly, I waved back and he quickly looked away and I could swear I saw him giggle. And that's when it hit me. Susan was in control.
Susan was one of David's many personalities. She was about Tabitha's age but seemed to have a big crush on me. I didn't like being around her because of her ability to heighten and twist emotions and more than once, I found myself almost in an uncompromising position with David, something I'm sure neither of us wanted.
"Ok, homos!" Sarah said, standing up quickly and causing her chair to scrape noisily against the floor. "I'm gonna go get ready and I think you lot should as well."
"She's right." I agreed, finishing the last of my dinner.
"I know I am." She smiled triumphant. "So I'll meet you guys at the back staircase in 30 minutes."
"Well Japheth, that gives us 30 minutes to make Douger here look like he actually belongs at Morlock." I smiled after Sarah had walked off.
Japheth laughed and nodded his head.
"Hey!" Doug exclaimed. "What do you mean by that?!"
"Nothing man." Japheth said still smiling.
"Except you look like you're going to sell us insurance." I added pointing to his polo shirt and khaki pants.
"Besides." Japheth continued. "I hear Sarah's ex-boyfriend will be there tonight and she's really looking forward to seeing him."
Doug blushed but then finally mumbled. "Fine, but don't make me look stupid."
Me and Japheth's eyes met as matching grins spread across our faces.
"No, Doug." I said mischievously. "We would never do that!"
"Where's that red plaid shirt you wore yesterday?" I asked Doug. He was standing before Japheth and I in nothing but a pair of black skinny jeans. We had already changed and now we were working on making Doug look better. Japheth was wearing baggy, black, camouflage cargo pants which looked several sizes too big tucked into red Doc Martens, a white wife-beater shirt that clung to his lean frame and accentuated his six-pack abs, and a leather jacket. He also had a black knit hat pushed back on his head, revealing a peek of his short black hair and he'd hooked his septum piercing back in, the silver hoop dangling from the center of his nose. I had changed into a pair of black leather drop crotch pants, and a black tank top that was a size or two larger than I really needed.
"It's in my hamper." Doug replied shyly gesturing to the plastic bin in the corner. I knew he felt uncomfortable being half naked in front of us and I never quite understood why since he had a good body.
"Grab it and tie it around your waist." I said. "And then put this on."
I threw the sleeveless t-shirt onto his bed while he rummaged through his dirty clothes and procured the shirt. Then he went over to the t-shirt and slipped it on. It was too small on me but it fit Doug nicely and its lack of sleeves allowed me to see his lightly muscled arms. Finally, he tied the shirt around his waist before walking towards the mirror hanging on the back of the door.
"Who are The Marauders?" Doug asked gesturing to the band's logo, a disintegrating skull with a red diamond on its forehead, on the front of the shirt I'd given him.
"They're a band." Japheth answered. He was appraising Doug with approval.
"And they're Dazzler's rivals." I added.
A look of panic passed on Doug's face as he stuttered. "But what if Alison sees me wearing this shirt?! She'll think I'm into them and she'll torture me!"
He was right in that regard but I had to quickly calm him as he tried taking the shirt off.
"Calm down, Ramsey." I said, pushing the shirt down from over his head. "It's for your own good."
"How?" He asked suspiciously.
"Because if Sarah sees you wearing that, she'll not only approve of you snubbing Alison BUT she'll think you actually have balls." I replied.
Doug relented before mumbling. "I have balls."
"Sure you do." I replied noncommittally.
"Hey, did you know Vertigo from The Marauders is engaged to Gorgeous George from Nasty Boys?" Japheth asked.
"No." I replied. "She can do a lot better. Doug, come here."
Good call on the outfit.
With all my attention focused on making Doug presentable, I hadn't realized that Frank had entered the room.
"Where have you been all day?" I asked him, absently pushing a glob of hair gel into Doug's hair. He was twisting and protesting but I was pointedly ignoring his tantrum. I hadn't seen (well, heard) from Frank since the day before and I was curious as to what he'd been doing.
Nothing important. I was just trying to hone my powers.
"Hone your powers?" I asked, mussing Doug's hair and spiking random chunks. "What does that even mean?"
I've been trying to make myself visible.
"Have any luck with that?" I asked, gesturing to Doug that I was done.
Can you see me? He responded sarcastically. The kid looks pretty good.
There weren't many people in the world that Frank actually liked but, like me, he saw Doug as a little brother and he went out of his way all the time to help the boy- nudging him awake when he's in danger of oversleeping, finding things Doug had given up looking for, and punishing anyone who bothered him.
Sarah will like it too.
"I think so." I replied toeing my boots onto my feet. I looked over at Japheth but he and Doug were on my bed horsing around. "So are you coming with us?"
Try and stop me. He replied, his voice moving towards the other boys. I'm sick of this school; I want to see the city!
"Ok then guys!" I said to everyone. "Let's get this shitshow on the road!"
When we made it to the back staircase, Sarah was already there and I could tell she was fuming. Her short pink hair had been spiked messily but still rather strategically. She was wearing a tight, strapless, and backless green dress, thigh high fishnets, and a pair of heels that made her at least 6 inches taller. On anyone else, the ensemble would have looked slutty but on her, she looked great. Even the bones protruding from her body only helped in heightening her mystique. She'd smudged some dark eyeshadow around her blue eyes and slicked some pink lipgloss on her lips, giving her a downtown edgy look.
"What took you guys so long?!" She asked, rage on her face. We were only 10 minutes late. "You're 10 minutes late!"
"Sorry." I said, avoiding her gaze. When she got like this, it was best to avoid eye contact. The girl was like a wolf. I turned slightly and pointed at the boy next to me. "It took a while to get Doug ready."
"Well, still I've been waiting…" She began but then I realized she wasn't continuing. Chancing a glance in her direction, I noticed she wasn't even looking at me. She was staring at Doug, her mouth slightly agape. I could tell he was uncomfortable because a blush had crept along his pale features and he was looking everywhere but at her.
Finally, after several more seconds of awkward silence, she began to speak. "Doug, you look…"
"Stupid?" He interjected. "I know."
"No!" She said quickly. "I was gonna say you look good."
"Really?!" He asked, finally meeting her eyes. "So do you."
I couldn't tell because of the blush she'd dusted across her cheeks but it looked like she was blushing for real.
"Thanks." She replied, offering him a smile. "I like your shirt."
Doug glanced quickly in my direction before training his eyes back on Sarah.
"Thanks." He stammered.
There was a perceivable shift in the air and at first, I thought I was only imagining it but when I looked over at Japheth, he seemed to have felt it too.
"So…" I said, clearing my throat. Instantly the moment was gone and Sarah was back to business.
"So, let's get the fuck out of here!" She said, turning towards the elevator. "I'm so ready for this."
She pushed the button, which if you weren't aware of its presence, you wouldn't even know it was there, and instantly the wood panel of the wall slid open revealing a metal box. As we piled in, Japheth hit the "G" button and silently, the elevator descended.
"You do look great." I said, trying to break the silence.
"Shut up." Sarah replied. I could hear in the tone of her voice that she wasn't angry anymore and the thought made me smile.
Finally, the elevator came to a stop and the door in front of us slid open with a hiss. The garage was a like a car enthusiasts wet dream. There were about 50 cars parked in it, ranging from mopeds and motorcycles, to luxury cars named after animals. As we stepped into the concrete room, Sarah continued on to the tiny room on our left where there was already a small line forming. Normally, 6 o'clock on a Friday would be when people would be getting ready to go out but with the Sentinels and curfew, people were already clamoring to begin their night.
Took you guys long enough. Frank's voice said, an air of annoyance on his breath. I've been down here forever.
"Sorry to keep your majesty waiting." I said sarcastically.
Eh, it's no big deal. He responded seriously. I rolled my eyes.
So porcupine doesn't look half bad. Instinctively, I glanced in Sarah's direction. She had moved up in the line and was about 2 people away from the key booth. She can almost pass for a girl.
"Sounds like someone has a little crush." I smirked.
"Who?" Japheth asked, surprising me a little. Sometimes I forget that everyone can't hear Frank so it's always surprising to me when they react to my responses.
"Frank." I said looking in Japheth's direction. "He's got a little crushy crush on Sarah.
No I don't! He shouted.
"Yes, you do." Japheth replied.
I froze and slowly turned my head towards Japheth.
"How did you…" I began.
"Lucky guess." He shrugged nonchalantly.
Idiot. Frank huffed. Hey, there's your boyfriend.
I looked up as Piotr came sauntering over and he looked good. He was wearing a pair of black skinny jeans that were ripped at the knee, a t-shirt that had slashes all over them, some of them held together by safety pins, and a pair of boots. He smiled as he approached and offered a small wave which made his bicep ripple with tension.
"Privyet!" He said as he neared us, his thick accented voice, smooth and jovial.
"Japheth, Doug…Frank, this is Piotr." I said gesturing between them.
"Hello." He said again, shaking each boy's hand. Suddenly a look of confusion distorted Pitor's features as he looked around before asking. "Who is Frank?"
"You don't want to know." Doug replied, rolling his eyes.
"Ugh! Finally!" Sarah said as she walked over waving the keys in her hand.
"Which car did you reserve?" Japheth asked.
"I just asked for whatever was available." She shrugged, cutting her eyes in Piotr's direction. "I didn't know we were expecting company."
Piotr, completely oblivious, smiled and stuck his hand out. "Hi, I'm Piotr."
Sarah looked at him for a moment and turned on her heels, marching deep into the pit of cars.
"I don't think she likes me." He said, his smile dropping.
"No, that's just Sarah." I replied, attempting to comfort him.
We had begun walking in the direction that Sarah had went when suddenly, her hand shot up in between cars as her voice rang out in the echoing garage.
"Found it!" She screamed.
We took a sharp right and then a right turn that meant squeezing in between two other cars but when we made it to Sarah, she was standing in front of a black 2013 Jeep Wrangler. And it was huge.
"Well we lucked out." Doug said, running his hands along the shiny dark paint. "We'll all fit pretty comfortably in this."
"Yea." Sarah said under her voice. "Lucky."
Sarah opened the driver door and was about to climb in when Doug piped in.
"Can I drive?" He asked her.
"Absolutely." She said before adding. "Not!"
"C'mon Sarah!" He whined.
"No. Every since you got your learner's permit, you always want to drive. You're not even that great at it!"
"Fine." He relented. "But I call shotgun."
Silently, we all began to file into the car. I attempted to slide over towards the driver's side window but found Japheth there, smiling and I knew instantly he'd done it on purpose so that I would sit next to Piotr. I cut my eyes at him as I felt Piotr body heat pressed against my right side.
Sarah started the car, the engine rumbling loud and the vibration shaking me to the core. Pressing the garage door opener on the visor, Sarah slowly backed out to the right, angling the car in the direction of the door. Throwing the car in "Drive", Sarah hit the acceleration and we were off into the night where anything was possible and anything could happen. Anything.
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
I feel like such an asshole because I started this story and I've been remiss in keeping up with it. With 2 jobs and dividing my time between dance practice and going to the recording studio, I really haven't had the time. And my birthday was last week so suffice it to say I wasn't nearly sober enough to write but I promise I'll get back on track.
I know the story is moving kind of slowly as only 2 days have passed but after the next chapter, there will be more time passing. Again, sorry for the wait.