Vicky assumed Polly's party was going to be at her place. The wild rave in an abandoned casino smack dab in the middle of the city quickly dismissed that idea from her head.
All week Vicky had been avoiding Scott, from faking an illness to jumping out of windows, which, she was getting surprisingly good at the landings. She did give herself a break every now and then to make sure Scott didn't think she was avoiding him, but whenever he tried to kiss her it was back to the lies and excuses. Her heart shriveled every time she had to see the disappointment on his face at the denial, only for it to bounce back into reassurance and ignorance. She hoped tonight would finally break her free from this seemingly endless cycle of shenanigans.
Getting ready for the party, Vicky made sure to wear a dress short enough to not catch on anything while also free enough to let her go wild. A little jewelry also didn't hurt anyone, so she got out some dangly earrings, necklaces, and bracelets to jingle for when she shook what her father stitched together. After that, it was calling a Lyft to get her to her destination and where she found herself now.
Standing at the front, Vicky pushed open the door only to then immediately slam it when a chair came flying towards her. She heard and felt the weight of the chair smack the door alongside several hoots and hollers until it devolved into nonsensical chatter. Cautiously, she reopened the door and slipped inside.
Loud, thumping music shook the entire building and her heels stuck to the floor from spilt alcohol and other things Vicky didn't want to think about right now. If the building wasn't a mess before it was certainly a disaster now; with several monsters throwing anything they could get their hands on at each other, while others busted through the walls from either fights or too much roughhousing. The air was choked with smoke and weed, coming from several different areas in the building where monsters gelled into their seats, staring blissfully at nothing. Bartenders were serving alcohol to anyone that came near the stand, asking or not, and several old casino tables had been crowded around where people placed bets or gambled on everything they had and had stolen. If anyone wasn't doing any of those things they were like the rest, stomping their feet on the ground and dancing to the beat.
Vicky could already pick out Vera at the end of the building, as that was where the largest crowd was. She was center, shuffling cards to dish out another round of poker to any unwilling sap that sat down to play. Miranda was also nearby, talking to someone Vicky assumed was her serf and handing them a stack of money to play at the table. From the petrified look on its face, it was more than likely Miranda's money wasn't the only thing it was betting on.
Damien could be seen on the dance floor, or, rather, she saw plumes of black smoke and wisps of fire in the middle of the crowd. It was more likely that Amira causing the fire, but if she was here than Damien was sure to be around her. Polly was getting a little too friendly with the DJ, her eyes red from overdosing as she twerked right in front of the monster's crotch. No Scott, Liam, Oz or Brian to be seen at the moment.
It was as loud, crazy and as raunchy as she had heard parties be and Vicky couldn't wait to partake in all of its nasty glory. First, she'd hit up the bar and get herself insanely drunk while also playing a few rounds of poker or blackjack to start off the night. Then, when the alcohol and any drugs she's ingested really kick in, she'd make her way to the dance floor and party until she'd wake up in another country with a tattoo on her back, a cage full of peacocks and the arm of some washed-up celebrity.
Before she could do any of that, however, she had to find Liam. It was mostly the reason she came. Her resolve left her at the thought of confronting him, wondering if she should get started early on hammering herself and then going to talk to him. They didn't call it liquid courage for nothing.
"Vicky, you made it." The voice was barely audible from the music and mad party-goers. The hand on her shoulder spoke volumes. Vicky moved away from Brian, who slightly swayed from side to side. His eyes were light red and his lips curled into a funny smile. "Didn't think you'd come."
"Are you kidding? This is the stuff that dreams are made of!" Vicky took another gander at the craziness surrounding them. "I want to black out and party hard till the world stops!"
"Well, you got the entire night." Brian laughed. She had never heard him laugh; it was deep and very jolly. With a slow slip of his hand, Brian pulled out something small and placed it in her hand. "Here, let me start you off right."
Vicky eyed the rolled up joint and the sudden light Brian produced. It was almost too tempting to resist and she almost threw the joint into the fire to then suck off until she was as high as a kite and let the night take her wherever she wanted. Instead, pesky responsibility stayed her hand. "Later. I got something I need to deal with first."
"Oh, more drama?" Brian let his hand flop, not caring to move his thumb off the trigger to douse the fire. "I won't distract you. Before you go, how do I look?"
He had ditched his fluffy jacket for a T-shirt tuxedo—which already had stains on it—and a pair of loose jeans. Vicky smiled. "Like you didn't have enough money to go to the Laundromat because you spent all of it on drugs."
"Perfect, that's exactly what I was going for." He gave Vicky a snap and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm going to ask Polly tonight to homecoming. Think I got a chance?"
"You? Pfft!" Vicky threw down one of her hands. "She'd be a total idiot to not go with you! But you better hurry, she seems eager to get down on the DJ."
"When isn't she?" Brian let out a snort and ruffled Vicky's hair. With a yelp Vicky puffed out her cheeks, causing Brian to laugh again. "You're a good friend, Vicky. I'll let you know how it goes."
"Totes!" With a crisp high-five, Brian continued to snap his fingers as he disappeared off into the crowd, dead set on finding Polly. Vicky didn't know much about Polly, but if she was fine with sleeping with any poor soul she met then she knew Brian would be good.
With Brian gone, Vicky went back to her earlier objective just as she caught a glimpse of purple. It was just a quick blur from the dancing crowd, but her gut told her it was Liam. She tried to push her way through the crowds until the beat of the music had her swaying her hips and stepping around others to her destination. Some gave her a few funny looks at how awkward her dance moves were, but she assured herself one day they would catch on.
Upon exiting the crowd, Vicky stepped over to one of the more relaxed parts of the party. Lots of couches, lots of wasted monsters and lots of cuddling. Her eyes immediately locked onto the man-bun in front of her along with the back of Oz's shadowy head. They sat on the same curled couch, dangerously close to one another.
If Liam had been alone she would have walked in front of him and engaged him, only Oz was there and she didn't want to make it awkward. So, instead, the rational approach was to get on her hands and knees and crawl over to the back of the couch to listen in. Ignoring the odd stares she got, she rested her back on the couch when she sat down, barely able to hear the two over the party.
"I don't think I can take another …"
"What happened to that spunk you had when the party started? I distinctly recall you proclaiming your plans to try all of the mixed drinks."
"That was five drinks ago, Liam. If I have another, I'm going to hurl."
"Hm, then you might be ripe."
"Ripe?" Vicky surprised herself when she frowned at Oz's lighthearted laugh. "What are you saying?"
"Come now, Oz, you should know that partaking in any alcohol will eventually lead it to enter into your bloodstream. If you're drunk off your ass then your blood is probably ripe with the stuff at this very moment. And, if you haven't noticed, I haven't partaken in any drinks this night …"
Her nails dug into the back of the couch, listening to Oz stammer. "Y-You're going to um …"
"It's no fun if you're the only one getting tipsy." Liam's tone was teasing; she could hear the smile in his voice. It was a side of Liam she had never seen before, only for Oz. "Do you have a problem with that?"
Her body moved on its own accord, standing up and slamming her hands in between the two. "I do!"
"Vicky!" Oz nearly fell off the couch, his phobias gasping in shock as he tried to situate himself. His bright red cheeks went along perfectly with his shock. Liam, however, didn't even flinch at Vicky's sudden entrance. "Wh-Were you listening in?"
"Course she was, though, she did a poor job of it." Vicky was cut off by Liam, who gave her a nasty stare. "You didn't think I'd smell you lurking around? Let's tick another box off on your stalker-list."
Oz and Vicky were just as shocked to know Liam knew about the situation. Vicky tried to size herself up, gripping the couch tighter to steel her nerves. "Why would you play around with Oz then? I thought we had something!"
"Had something?" Liam practically scoffed, looking more disgusted with each passing second. "You think that kiss on the cheek meant I was yours? Please, don't be so full of yourself! I was merely exacting my revenge for when you sexually assaulted me on the bus! You treated me like a fool, stalking me like I was some sort of object for you to go after in a silly game! So I decided to get even on the playing field by humoring your little charade."
Oz was reintroduced into the conversation when Liam slipped an arm around his shoulder. "You can't stand the idea that perhaps I have my interests elsewhere, that perhaps there's someone else I yearn to be with. Oz has been a gift from the metaphorical heavens, a gift for putting up with you."
"He-Hey, Liam," Concern lined Oz's features and he leaned away, though, he did nothing to remove Liam's arm off of him.
The rock manifested itself back into Vicky's stomach, growing larger and heavier with each stinging sentence. Every time she wanted to speak, he cut her off. "So, how does it feel to be the fool now? The embarrassment? The heat of emotions burning a hole in your chest and face? Remember this moment, Vicky Schmidt, for I won't say it again."
He practically seethed when he floated up from the couch, rearing his head next to hers. "I will never go out with you."
Finally, the rock burst from her chest and with it a stream of hot tears ran down her cheeks. Her lips quivered as her hand moved on its own to create a hard slap across Liam's face. Neither did he try to fight her or even cover his bright red cheek, simply resigning himself to staring at her. She harshly whispered, for if it was any louder it would have only been sobs. "Go fuck yourself."
With that, she left. She heard Oz call out to her but she didn't stop to hear him out, wanting nothing to do with either him or Liam again. Of course he had no feelings for her, why would he? Not when he had Oz to latch onto; she should have known the second both stopped talking to her to make their own love nest. Amira was right all along; she wished she had never pursued Liam.
"Vicky, wait!" A nasty sneer was all she gave Oz, who hesitated once he saw it.
"You want him? Go ahead, have him! You don't have to worry about me anymore ruining your lives." Her hands wiped her cheeks again, startled when she saw her makeup smeared on her skin. Her hands immediately covered what was left of her face and dignity, running off with no direction and hoping she'd find the exit.
Was it the loud thumping music that numbed her senses, or her heart crying out? She thought Liam rejecting her would have unraveled her complicated feelings into a linear path. Only now, she was unsure about everything she had done. She had forced herself onto Liam and was reaping the consequences of that. She even entertained thoughts of him while she was with Scott, jeopardizing that relationship with her silly antics of keep away in a vain attempt to see if she could win Liam back. Truly, she had been the fool all along.
She was taken away from her thoughts when she bumped into another monster, letting out a hurried 'excuse me' until a hand grabbed her shoulder. "Vicky? It's me!"
Scott's voice cut through her defenses and stiffened her body, peeking out from her wall of hands to see him. His bright, cheerful demeanor vanished in an instant and he crouched down to get closer. "Whoa, hey, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
His hands gently touched hers and she allowed him to slowly bring them down to reveal the rest of her humiliated face. One of his hands grabbed for a monster behind him, and after a loud ripping noise, Vicky felt a piece of cloth run over her cheeks to wipe away the runny makeup. She felt like a cherished doll, which only broke her heart further for her deception. "… Am I a fool?"
"No! Course not. Why would you ask that?" Scott didn't understand the situation and Vicky had no strength to retell what just happened. She was ready to ask him to let her leave when he stood back up, scanned the room and took her hand. "Here, come on."
He let her pull them back into the party, Vicky concentrating on keeping her face hidden than trying to figure out where they were going. When Scott pulled on one door they entered into an abandoned stairwell and up the stairs. She didn't question where they were going; maybe Polly liked to have parties at this one particular venue as she felt the vibrations of the music through every step. When they reached the top, Scott led her out onto the roof, where some chairs had been placed as more of an afterthought.
She sat down on the side of one lounge chair while Scott sat next to her, still keeping her hand. "Okay. What's wrong?"
Her mind wanted to tell Scott everything, to berate Liam and tell him how awful a monster he was for leaving her in such a mess. She almost did when she remembered the last time she told Scott something negative about Liam. It made him upset, and while she could care less about Scott's ideas about Liam, she didn't want to bring Scott down to her level. Keeping this in mind, Vicky took a shaky breath. "There was this other monster I liked but it was never clear if he liked me back. When I tried to ask him he snapped at me and told me that he'd never date me. So … yeah …"
"You liked someone else?" Scott seemed a little distraught over the news.
Vicky, sadly, nodded her head. "I thought maybe I had a chance but I was just annoying him. When you kissed me at the park, I got really confused and I didn't want to decide on anything until I knew how he felt back. That's why I was so distant this last week. I didn't want to hurt you but … I didn't know what else to do. I'm sorry."
"And … and he hurt you?" Vicky bit her lower lip, nodding again. She bristled only slightly when Scott pulled her into him for a tender hug, the warmth of his fur bringing some calm. His voice sounded funny. "Do you want me to talk to him?"
"No." Vicky's hand restlessly gripped his shirt, her voice tired. "I just want to stay here with you."
They embraced in silence for several minutes. Vicky stared up at the sky, reflecting on her internal thoughts and feelings. Her heart had been crushed into itty-bitty pieces and she wanted nothing more than to bawl her eyes out until she had no more tears to cry. Yet, she also felt those same pieces melt into a warm pool of comfort and belonging just from being near Scott. It was conflicting, to say the least. "Oh, Flippers is out."
"Hm?" She felt a little lonely when Scott let up from the hug to point at a small cluster of stars.
"Flippers, that's what I call those stars. Because they look like a turtle." He etched lines between the stars. "See?"
"… Kind of?" Vicky had to squint her eyes and strain her brain to even think about the image Scott thought of.
"It's easier to see where I live. There, the sky is full of stars and there's so many other ones you can see." Scott's ears fell. "I don't know why they don't come out whenever I'm in the city. Maybe they're too shy? I tell them that they shouldn't be, that the city is full of nice monsters, but they always stay home. Flippers is one of the few that will come with me."
Vicky found Scott's disappointment mildly cute. She scooted closer and hugged her knees, resting her head on his upper arm. "You'll have to introduce me to them all sometime."
His gaze fell from the sky and to her. She gave him a small smile, overlapping her hand with his. She expected him to smile back, to agree with her. Instead, she watched confliction cloud his eyes. "Vicky … do you like me?"
Vicky blinked as Scott slumped his shoulders. "Why would you ask that?"
"I mean, you said you liked some other monster and you distanced yourself from me. We haven't really talked about our kiss or kissed after that evening in the park." Scott nervously glanced away. "I really like you, Vicky. I haven't felt this way about any other monster and every time we have to be apart I get really bummed out. I wanna stay with you so badly. I wanna protect you and make you smile. But I don't want you to feel like you have to return those feelings because of that kiss. So … if you like someone else … we can just stay friends."
It made sense for him to feel that way. Vicky stared at the floor and reflected on the then and now. Liam had just rejected her and Scott was allowing her to leave on good terms if she needed to. If she had any qualms about getting into a relationship with Scott then now was the time to take that step back and think about things. In fact, that would probably be the best thing for Vicky at the moment. Scott, endearing as he was, was still a werewolf and that would complicate things not only with her family but with her ever-present fear for his kind. Her heart had also been shattered and she wasn't thinking rationally because of it. It would be best to take Scott's offer and think on things, to make sure she knew what she wanted before locking herself into a route. It was for the best.
Hands taking his, Scott turned just in time to see Vicky get on her knees and push her lips up against his.
It was like downing an entire bottle of Xanax; immediately she felt calmed and relaxed, like her body had been shot into outer space and she was floating through time without concern for anything. It was almost maddening going this long without his touch and she made sure she conveyed how badly she missed it at that moment.
When she parted he looked dazed, as if he saw the fireworks she never did. "Scott, I might have had feelings for another monster, but that doesn't mean I don't feel anything for you. I wouldn't have kissed you back at the park if I didn't like you. I like you a lot and … I want to be with you …"
"Really?" His ears perked and his tail stood at attention. "Then … then can we be a couple? Like boyfriend and girlfriend?"
The way Scott asked his question like he was a child learning the concept for the first time made her chuckle. A single word could start or end what they had at that moment, remembering that she just told herself to step back and think about her predicament. Sadly, her mind had no control over her mouth, which belonged to her flurry of emotions inside her heart. "I want to be if you do."
Saying the magic words, she watched an explosion of love and endearment fill his bright blue eyes. His hands clasped around hers tightly, tail wagging. "Yes, yes I want to be! I want to be your boyfriend and you to be my girlfriend! I want you to watch me work extra-hard at practice and go back to Auntie Bebes and get more food, and walk you home and take you to school, and hug you and kiss you and make you feel happy just like how I'm feeling right now!"
They embraced for another hug, their laughter twisting together to form a cute melody. Vicky had never felt so relieved and happy as she let Scott claim her lips, his hands on her back. He leaned onto her, feeling herself fall back and onto the cushion of the lounge chair while Scott held himself over her to not crush her.
He pulled away for a second to allow them to catch their breath and Vicky looked up into his clear eyes. She could almost see her reflection in them when it was interrupted by him leaning back down to take more of her. She didn't resist, moaning into his lips, her hands pulling on his shirt. It elicited a low groan from him, her thoughts drifting away until a loud slam startled both of them.
Scott pulled away but kept himself above Vicky, glaring at the intruder while Vicky tried to see who it was upside-down. Brian stumbled his way through the doorway, swaying more drastically than earlier while holding a lit cigarette in one hand and a bottle of beer in another. He was unsuccessful at getting the cigarette to his lips before he crashed onto the ground. "Brian!"
Scott let Vicky out as the two ran over to help him up. He groaned pitifully. "Just let me die here …"
"Brian?" This was not how Vicky left Brian last. His eyes were blood-shot and clearly overdosed on something and his attempts to push them off were more than sad. Together they set him down on the chair they were using seconds ago to make-out on, sitting on either side of him. Scott leaned away; whatever was on Brian's clothes was clearly affecting his nose. "What happened?"
Brian stared at Vicky for an uncomfortable amount of time, grumbling. "She said no, but that was after she laughed her ass off at me. Said she doesn't commit to anyone. Free spirit bullshit."
Vicky's eyes widened, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Brian, I'm sorry."
He knocked her hand off. "Don't pity me. I thought I had a chance … guess I was wrong. What a moron I am …"
The words stung Vicky, enough that she gave Brian a hug even when he tried to shove her off. "I know the feeling …"
When she let go Brian was staring at the two, slurring. "So … you two an item?"
They glanced at one another as Vicky noticed Scott's hand slip behind Brian. She took it, gently squeezing it. "Yeah. We're an item."
The confirmation sent a flutter through her chest, and from the way Scott looked he felt the same. Brian grumbled, finally able to lift his cigarette to his lips and blow out a puff of smoke. "Good for you. Looks like I won't be making it to homecoming."
"Aw, Brian, no." Vicky let go of Scott's hand, resting hers in her lap.
"I mean, what's the point? You all got your hot dates and I'm all washed up. There's no point in going if you're all going to be occupied."
"That's not true," Scott piped up. "In fact, you can hang out with us tomorrow!"
Vicky wasn't expecting Scott to suggest the idea, but she was struggling to come up with anything else. Brian scoffed. "And be a third wheel? Pass."
"No, Scott's right. You can hang with us!" Vicky wouldn't feel right going now if Brian was going to be depressed at his apartment alone. She eyed Scott warily. "We don't have to be lovey-dovey tomorrow. We can just chill and be buds. With you!"
"I don't want to ruin your homecoming." Swigging the last of his beer, Brian cared not where he threw the bottle and the accompanying shatter of glass.
"You won't, really. It's fine." Vicky made note of where the bottle smashed to make sure her heels wouldn't end up full of glass. "We'll have an amazing time. The three amigos!"
"Yeah! Wait, what's an 'amigo'?" Scott looked to her for an answer, his confusion entertaining.
Vicky felt her persuasion skill increase when Brian let forth a brief and sad chuckle. "Fine, we'll try it."
"It'll be a lot of fun." She gave him a reassuring pat on the back as he gutted a groan.
"I think I want to just go home and die now … I don't even remember half of the crap I put in me …"
"No problem! I can take you!" Scott perked back up and hopped to his feet.
Brian laughed again. "Yeah, if you want puke in your fur! The rocking will only make things worse. Just call me a Lyft and we'll be good."
Vicky was the one to make the call while Scott carried Brian downstairs and through the main room. Her nerves ate at her as they passed through the party, eyes darting everywhere in fear of finding Liam or Oz again. Thankfully, she didn't see either by the time they exited the building.
Handing him a wad of cash—so he wouldn't have to fumble for his wallet—Vicky and Scott waited with Brian until the car came to get him and waved him off as it drove away. Vicky was the first to turn back to Scott. "So … are you okay with this?"
"Yeah, it's totally cool! I don't know Brian that well but I know he's buds with you. And any bud of yours is a bud of mine!" Scott nuzzled his cheek next to hers. "Or should I say … any bud of my girlfriend's."
Vicky giggled as his beard tickled her cheek. "Yeah. Your girlfriend."
The music was still audible from where they stood. Scott turned back to it. "Do you want to go back inside?"
Vicky gave the doors to the mad party a melancholy look. It would be easy to go back inside, down a bunch of drugs and waste the night in hallucinations and funny words. For once, Vicky didn't feel like being crazy. "Nah. Not feeling it." She checked Google maps quickly, a smile on her lips. "You wouldn't happen to have your ball on you, would you?"
It took less than a second for the rubber ball to appear in Scott's hand. He stared her straight in the eye. "Always, bro."
Where he hid that, Vicky didn't want to know. Taking a few steps forward, Vicky twirled and let her dress dance with her. "Let's go to the park."
Once the words left her lips Vicky's walk changed into a sprint, knowing exactly what was going to happen next. In seconds Scott had already passed her, taking her outstretched hand and leading the way. "Yeah, let's go play!"
She laughed at his enthusiasm, her heels clicking just as loud as her laugh as they ran through the night.
