Chapter Three:
Marta walked to her locker, he eyes locked on the green-and-white floor tiles. She had always wondered how many there actually were..Sighing, she arrived at her locker. Opening it, she saw what came form her terrible organization skills. Already graded assignments crumbled under her workbooks, gum wrappers carelessly sat at the bottom the small, rectangular locker. She grabbed her backpack, shutting the door. End of the day. It was now Friday, the weekend. Smiling at this thought, she looked forward to see Summer, smiling back at her.
"Hey, Sum" Marta said, walking closer to her
"Hey" Summer said one, we need to get to Hot Topic"
"I'm coming, God" Katie said, slamming her locker shut
Katie walked towards them. She was wearing her usual punk-rock apparel, fishnets and plaid. There has always been something mysterious about Katie, since she had moved to Staten Island in second-grade. She was one of the nicest people you would ever meet, but because of how she dressed and just how she looked, everyone was mistaken. Marta hoped Katie wasn't in one of her moods today. She had hated those, she was such a bitch on her moody days. Katie stood next to Summer, cautiously smiling at Marta.
"So..Are we going?" Katie asked, tilting her head to the left
"Yeah" Marta said, swinging her backpack over her shoulder "Let's get going"
The sun was shining. It was the perfect day for shopping. Marta loved to shop and now actually didn't want the thought of Freddy's party to bring her down. It really doesn't take that long to get to the mall from Horace Green, barely four blocks away from the school was Horace Green Mall. Everything was named after Horace Green, a revolutionary war hero from Staten Island (A/N: I made him up, okay? lol). It got pretty pathetic after a while, but Marta really didn't care and no one else did either. Katie looked over at Marta and smiled, she wanted her to have a good time today. By the look on her face, she could tell she was already happy. Even though they weren't friends anymore, she knew how Marta could be. She always use to worry too much.
They trio walked though the swinging door entrance to Horace Green Mall and looked around. Always busy, always filled with people in a rush. They all ironically sighed at the same time, smiling at each other. Hot Topic was located on the second floor of the mall, they took the escalator up and walked to the store. The store's sign definitely stood out from others there. They entered the darkly lit store and started to look around, standing in a group.
"Okay, Marta" Summer said "Time to shop for you"
"For me?" Marta asked, confused "It thought we were all her to shop for the party"
"Yeah..We came here to help you shop for it" Katie said "We need to make you hot"
"Definitely" Summer said, nodding "Now, let's start"
"No" Marta said, shaking her head
"Yes..Now, we are going to get a skirt for you first" Summer said, pulling Marta towards the skirts
Marta let Summer drag her there and they started trying on various skirts. Different colors, different materials, different lengths...But, they all felt the same. Until Marta came upon one certain one, that she just happened to love...It was a black multilayered skirt, with a jagged cut hem, elastic waistband and two corset style lace-up details on the front. She loved it.
"This one" Marta said, holding the skirt up for Summer and Katie to see
"Whatever. It's your choice" Katie said, shrugging
"What? Is something wrong with it?" Marta asked, looking at the skirt again
"No..I'm just saying get whatever you want to" Katie said "Now, you need to pick a shirt and accessories"
"Katie is so right" Summer said "We have to transform you into a total hottie"
Marta rolled her eyes and walked over to the shirt section. There were so many to choose from, so many she liked. Marta just had to choose the right one. So, she picked on that she knew would make her look super hot that night. A Pink brocade geisha corset with six black vinyl insets, black vinyl trim, safety pin accents and eyelet details. She knew it would show some of her stomach, but wasn't that what the shirt was made for? Along with the corset top and skirt, she got some accessories. Black buckle strapped boots, pink and black fishnets, a chain belt and some various jewellery. When she was satisfied with her selections, Marta went into the dressing room to try everything on. Summer and Katie waited, looking at the near-by "Happy Bunny" brand items. They had been waiting for over ten minutes and Marta still hadn't left the dressing room.
"God! Are you okay in there?" Katie asked
"Yes" Marta said
"Are you dressed?" Summer asked
"Yes" Marta answered
"Then come out" Katie said, sighing
"No" Marta said
"Now!" Summer exclaimed
"Okay, okay! Don't have a Spaz attack" Marta said
Biting her lip, Marta walked out of the dressing room. What did Summer and Katie see? A hot, sexy version of Marta! (A/N: lol, I just had to put something like that) Katie looked over at Summer, who's mouth was hanging agape.
"Marta?" Summer asked "Holy shit! You look so...Different"
"Is it bad?" Marta asked
"Hell no" Katie said, shaking her head "Even Freddy will be drooling over you tonight"
"Like I want the" Marta said, scoffing
"But, still" Katie said, rolling her eyes
"I guess" Marta said, covering her stomach "I'll buy it"
"Awesome...We'll go to Katie's house and doll you up" Summer said "But, there's something missing"
"What?" Marta asked
"Belly-button" Summer said "You should so get it pierced"
"No!" Marta exclaimed "Ugh..No. Let's just buy this and get out of here"
"Whatever" Katie said
"You say that way to much" Summer said
"I know that, okay" Katie said, sighing
Marta paid for her selections and sighed, dragging the bag out of Hot Topic. The trio rushed to Katie's house, basically running the whole way. They wanted to actually try to hang out for a bit before getting read, well at least Summer and Katie wanted to. Marta stopped, breathing heavily, when she got to Katie's house. The Brown's had always been rich. The corvette driving, manicure everyday type. Except Katie though, she had only gotten on manicure in her whole life, and that was for a wedding. The girls opened walked into the Victorian style home and smiled. This was almost like old times.
"Kathryn? Is that you?" Mrs. Brown asked, walking into the room
"Yeah, Mom" Katie said, with a sigh "I brought Summer and Marta here to get ready for Freddy's party"
"Oh, isn't that nice" Mrs. Brown said "I haven't seen you girls together in a very long time..Well, have fun"
"We will" Katie said
"No drugs" Mrs. Brown said "If I smell any smoke from your room, I'll call the fire department"
"Sure, Mother" Katie said, rolling her eyes
Marta gently sat her hand on the staircase railing, slowly walking up it. She wanted to remember all the times Katie would have co-ed band sleepovers, they has always been so fun. Popcorn, pop, candy, music, movies. By the end of the night everyone was always so hyper. Summer locked eyes with Katie and smiled, there plan was working. They had to make Marta not as paranoid of the ex-band members and they were probably accomplishing that.
They entered Katie's room, the smell of citrus-fruit welcomed the girls. Katie and Summer plopped themselves onto Katie's bed, which was covered by a velvety red comforter. Marta continued to look around the room though, it wasn't even that different. A new computer and television, but that was basically it. She could feel her ex-best friends energy still circulating through the room.
"Memories" Katie said "I know...They hurt"
"Yeah" Marta said, a small smile forming on her lips "I know they do"
"Hey, why don't we look at my photo album" Katie said "I haven't looked through it in awhile...Maybe It'll be good for us"
"Yeah" Summer said
"Sure" Marta said, sitting down next to Katie
Katie reached under her bed, pulling up a colossal album. On the front was labeled: "My Friends and I...SOR Lives Of 4-Ever." Marta cringed at this, as Katie opened to the first page. It was the first picture the band had taken together, at the Battle of the Bands. Fifth grade. They were so innocent back then, something a lot of them didn't have anymore. Innocence. They had lost that long ago. Marta smiled at how happy they all looked, their young eyes full with excitement, wonderment. The page was flipped to see the trip everyone had taken to New York when they were thirteen. Marta guessed the photos were not in order.
"New York" Summer said, smiling "Those were the good times"
"Definitely" Katie said, shaking her head in agreement
Marta didn't say a work. Her eyes were locked on a certain picture...Freddy had Marta in a bear-hug, the two standing in front of a beautiful weeping willow. Marta's eyes were shining with that same excitement, while Freddy's were full of confusment, even thought his lips were in a his infamous smirk. Something about that picture shook Marta up. A sick feeling filled her stomach, her eyes filling with tears. Biting her lip, the first tear fell.
"Marty..Are you okay?" Summer asked, concerned
"Yeah" Katie said, curious of what was wrong "Is something wrong?"
"No...It's just.." Marta said, sniffling "I miss that. It's my fault"
"Fault? Nothing is your fault" Summer said, shaking her head
"No. I..." Marta said, pausing "Never mind"
"Are you sure you're okay?" Katie asked
"Yeah, let's just talk" Marta said "So..Katie. Have you been in any relationship since...Yeah"
"Well..I guess" Katie said "Freddy kind of came back once"
"Are you serious?" Summer asked, surprised "When?"
"Last year" Katie said, sighing "He said he never got over me"
"And you believed that?" Marta asked, raising her eyebrow
"Yeah" Katie said, shaking her head "I still had feeling for him..But, all he did was...He.."
"What did he do?" Summer asked "Did he hurt you or something?"
"Yes. He broke my heart again" Katie said "He was already doing his pimp thing..And, he just wanted to see if he could get me to have sex with him"
"He did? That bastard!" Summer exclaimed
"Yeah" Katie said "And he..And he got me to"
"Katie" Marta said, sighing "I'm so sorry"
"It's okay. Ancient history" Katie said "So..Does anyone want something to eat?"
Marta just stared at Katie blankly. How was she able to come back from something like that? How come she wouldn't cry? Katie had never been that tough. She was actually very emotional or at least use to be. Summer smiled and started to say something, quickly stopping. This was not a time to talk. She could tell Marta was thinking about this and could feel their friendship developing once again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freddy sat on his couch, Jessica at his side, nibbling on his ear. He usually liked this, It made him feel even more wanted. But, today it was actually pissing him off. Jessica was way to dumb to get that he wanted her gone. That he did not want her at the party tonight. He signed as she tried to unbutton his shirt, slapping her arm off of him.
"Leave, Jess" Freddy said
"But, we didn't do anything" Jessica said, pouting her lips
"Yeah and that's good" Freddy said, scowling "I am so not in the mood tonight"
"But..It thought" Jessica said, stopping to think of something clever to say
"You thought wrong, babe" Freddy said "Just leave"
"I don't want to" Jessica said
"Damn it! Out! Don't you get that?!" Freddy yelled
"Okay, okay" Jessica said, getting up and walking towards the front door "You're choice"
Freddy inwardly rolled his eye. Jessica wasn't even that hot, not hot enough for "King Stud". Marta. Now that was something hot. She was a total babe or could be if she loosened up a little. He sighed again, standing up and walking towards the kitchen. The house was full of liquor and cigarettes, so he didn't have to worry about that. Food wasn't a problem either. The thing was music. He needed to find his old CD's. The one he use to listen to every day when "SOR" was still together. After they broke up, Freddy had transferred to Rap and Hip-Hop music. The up-in-your-face, I'm-gonna-kick-your-ass type.
Freddy walked upstairs to his house's attic, which is where his CD's were probably stored. Sure enough, Freddy found an enormous box full of his old music discs. AC/DC, The Ramones, Guns 'n' Roses..Those were only a few of what he had. Picking up the box with all the strength he had, Freddy took it downstairs. Sitting it by the surround-sound stereo, he grabbed AC/DC's "Back in Black," CD. "Hells Bells" was the first track, one of his old favorites on the CD. He started singing along with the song, every lyric slowly coming out of his mouth.
Zack walked up to the house, hearing "Hells Bells" he almost smiled. Freddy's favorite or at least it had been. He could still remember it perfectly. Behind him were Katie, Marta and Summer who were traveling in a pack. Alicia and Leonard walked up the sidewalk, their arms intertwined. Tomika, Lawrence, Gordon, Marco, Frankie, Eleni and Michelle followed them. It was ironic that everyone had basically arrived at the same time, I guess they were good at arriving on time.
Zack rung the doorbell, waiting for Freddy to answer. Marta stood behind Zack nervously. She was afraid of what Freddy might say to her, like he'd call her a "slut" or something, because of what she was wearing. If he did, Katie would kick his ass and Marta would at least get a few good punches at his handsome face, like she cared. Freddy had enough money stashed up for plastic surgery.
Freddy walked to the door to see everyone standing in a line, waiting to get in. Eleni and Michelle smiled widely at him, batting their eyelashes flirtatiously. He rolled his eyes yet again, stepping aside for Zack to come in.
"Hey dude" Freddy said
"Um..Hi" Zack said, raising his eyebrow
When everyone was inside, sitting somewhere in the living room, Freddy finally noticed Marta. Who was wearing something he never thought she would even touch with her hand. She looked hotter than hot, the hottest. He smirked, locking eyes with her. Marta suddenly felt uncomfortable, the way Freddy was looking at her was...Different. It was like his eyes were x-raying her. She shuttered to think of that.
"Hey, Blondie" Freddy said, walking over and sitting next to her "Looking hot"
"Whatever" Marta said, rolling her eyes
"No..You seriously look majorly hot" Freddy said, smirking
"Like one of your whores?" Marta asked, sarcastically
"Kind of" Freddy said, scratching the top of his head..Too much hair-spray made his head itch
"God" Marta said, sighing
"Why don't we actually do something tonight" Tomika said "Try to have at least some fun"
"Yeah" Eleni said "How about playing "Seven Minutes in Heaven"?"
"Awesome" Frankie said, smirking
"I'm out" Marta said
"No...You have to play" Freddy said
"No, I don't" Marta said
"Yes, you do" Freddy said
"No, I don't!" Marta yelled
"Come on, Marty" Summer said "It'll be fun"
"I...Um..Whatever" Marta said, grabbing a bottle of vodka from the liquor cabinet only about a foot away "Let's go"
Marta opened up to bottle and took a large swig. Ugh...She couldn't believe she had actually just said that. She leaned back on the couch and waited for her doom.