AN: Just wanted to say thanks to all of you who are still reading this story, ten chapters in. You guys are awesome
The day of Eyeball's party had come. Sadie had spent most of the hours before glued to Billy's side at home. He had at first been confused, and then irritated.
"What do you want, Sadie?" He lashed out at her finally.
She looked down and toed her shoe at the ground, looking much younger than her sixteen years. "I dunno. I just feel like being close." This was a half truth, something Sadie Tessio was rather good at. She did feel like being close, but she also knew exactly why. In a few hours, if she wasn't close, something bad was going to take place.
"What the fuck does that even mean?" He asked bewildered by her behavior. "I swear to God, I don't know how I ended up with a weirdo like you and a wet end like Vern for a family." He mumbled, walking off. Sadie didn't follow him this time.
She walked off into the backyard and sat down on the tire swing that hung from the big oak tree. She looked up into the branches and admired its height and strength. Little rays of sunshine peaked through the leaves and washed her face in warmth. It had cooled off a little since yesterday's storm and the cool air felt good on her forehead and cheeks. She slowly swung back and forth in the old tire her daddy had hung when she and Billy were in grammar school. She knew that she would have to be smart, as well as strong tonight. At this moment she felt very weak though. She felt like a little girl trapped in a teenager's body. She didn't want to have to deal with Ace Merrill and his disgusting little game. She wished that someone would just stop it all for her. It wasn't her fault. She had done nothing to lead Ace into thinking she wanted him. She had rarely even spoken to him. She felt a hot and burning anger deep down in her gut that she recognized as hate. Who did he think he was anyway? He had no right to do this to her. She closed her eyes and sighed deeply. She knew that she could blow off Richie's party. She could pretend to be sick and it would all go away. But she knew that Ace would never give up. She was tired of waiting around, looking over her shoulder, wondering when he would grab her and force himself on her. This was going to end tonight, one way or another.
At the Merrill household, Ace was lost in his own thoughts. Plotting and planning his twisted desires. He was so lost in himself, that he genuinely believed that what he was doing could be justified. He also truly thought that although she would never admit it, Sadie Tessio wanted him to do this to her. Even if she didn't know it yet, no girl turned away his attention. All she had was Eyeball Chambers anyway. Although he was probably Ace's best friend, he couldn't imagine why any girl would choose Eyeball over Ace. He would end up a dead beat drunk just like his dad. Everyone in Castle Rock knew it. Besides, his older brother Frank was currently serving time for raping a girl. Eyeball was probably a deviant too. Maybe Sadie was used to this kind of thing.
He walked into the bathroom and began styling his hair. He dabbed on some aftershave and straightened his collard t-shirt. He looked great. His handsome face was unblemished by any teenage acne and his jawline was firm and straight. Although he was not especially tall, he held himself in a way that commanded attention and spoke of authority. The way he sauntered when he walked completed his cool, tough guy image. He looked away from the mirror, satisfied, and stuffed his switch blade into his pocket. He sat down to smoke a few cigarettes until the hour had arrived for him to drive off to Eyeball's. He chuckled to himself. Eyeball was such an asshole he had no idea what Ace had in store for his pretty little girlfriend with her doe's eyes, and he had unknowingly given him a shining opportunity to carry out said plan. He smoked, and watched the clock.
Eyeball was filled with excitement. His dad rarely went away for the night. He was usually parked right in the living room, watching the television and drinking until he passed out. He spent his days with Ace Merrill's father down at the Mellow Tiger. But nights were at home. Except for this night. One of his buddies from way back in high school had invited him to go up to his hunting cabin and drink himself stupid. Mr. Chambers had readily accepted. Mrs. Chambers got away whenever she could, which was often. That left Eyeball in charge of his younger siblings, but he paid them little attention, leaving them mostly to themselves. Tonight he would leave the little ones upstairs in their beds. Chris was on his own. He stood in front of his own mirror, taking time to style his curly brown mop of hair. He hoped that Sadie was in a good mood tonight. She had seemed a bit distant and rather frigid lately. He shrugged his shoulders at his thoughts and turned around to look at the house. There wasn't much room, but it would do. He hadn't bothered to pick up. He'd just have to do it again when everyone left, anyway. Sadie would help him. She was good at that kind of thing. Weren't all girls?
He struck a match and lit a cigarette of his own. Now all he had to do was wait for the guys to start arriving. It was going to be a wild night. He could only hope that his asshole neighbors would leave them be and not call the fuzz to ruin their good time. If the cops showed up, his dad would beat him to death for sure. He would skip the leather belt and go straight to throwing furniture. He wasn't about to spend the rest of the summer with his arm in a sling.
At last, it was time for The Cobras to meet at the Chambers'. Ace got into his car and headed over, excitement thrumming through his body. While he did not allow himself to acknowledge it, he was very nervous. His fingers drummed steadily on his gear shift. His eyes were everywhere, he could not focus them in any one spot. Little drops of perspiration were popping out along his handsome brow. He drove on and pulled alongside the road in front of Eyeball's house. It looked as though he was the first to arrive. It was difficult to tell though, since a large number of the gang did not own cars and would have to hoof it here. He opened his door and stepped out. Sauntering up the steps and onto the porch, he knocked on the door. His heart thrummed in his chest with excitement and pent up adrenaline.