"Okay, Suzy," Alex said as they stepped out of the car and into the half light of the porch. "Do you remember what I said?"
"Mhm, you said…" Suzanne spun around on the spot, losing focus until her gaze fell on Piper. "Wow!" she exclaimed, reaching out to run her fingers through Piper's hair. "You're so pretty and blonde...like a dandelion. Hey, that's a cool nickname! Can I call you that, Dandelion?"
Piper stumbled over how to respond. After a couple of pre-drinks, she hadn't quite been expecting such a greeting.
"Uh.." Piper jerked her head so that the blonde strands slipped through Suzanne's fingertips. "I'd rather you-"
Alex kicked her in the shin.
"Yep," Piper said through gritted teeth, exchanging a weary glance with Alex. "Call me whatever you want."
"Now that's sorted, let's go through the rules again. Okay, Suzy?" Alex said, talking slowly and deliberately. "Remember, we're playing a game? We're gonna pretend that we don't know each other. That'll be funny, right?"
"I guess," Suzanne shrugged. "Is that the only rule?"
"Yes, but it's really important that you stick to it, okay? Even if someone asks you. Especially if someone asks you."
"And if nobody guesses, you'll buy me the mermaid Barbie?" Suzanne asked sceptically. "That seems too easy. Vee usually makes me do a lot more than play a game."
"Like what?" Piper asked, her brow furrowing.
Suzanne bit her lip. "I'm not really supposed to say…" she trailed off, glancing at the buzz of noise coming from the party inside.
"But we're friends, right?" Alex prompted. "And friends tell each other stuff. Like...Piper always makes me catch spiders in her room. She squeals like a little girl." She forced out a laugh.
Piper rolled her eyes. "Well, Alex is still obsessed with that game where you draw numbers on each other's back," she said, reaching up to run a finger down Alex's spine where it was exposed by the backless dress.
Alex laughed for real this time as a shiver ran down her spine. It had almost become their thing, but Alex never had to guess what Piper would draw on her back. It was always I YOU. She loved the almost ticklish tracing feeling and also the feeling of knowing that Piper loved her. She slipped her hand into Piper's and gave it a squeeze.
"Vee doesn't play games," Suzanne said, her gaze lingering on their intertwined fingers. "That sounds nice, though."
Alex's heart went out to her, and though she wanted to tell her to ditch Vee, to tell someone the horrible truth she was hiding, she didn't. She couldn't offer any sympathy or reprieve. But if Suzanne helped her, and she managed to get out of the situation she'd put everyone in, then she made a silent promise to herself to give Suzanne more than just a Barbie doll.
Before anyone could say anything else, Suzanne was already looking around. Almost mesmerised by the sights and sounds, she made a beeline for the punchbowl.
"What is the plan?" Piper asked, hand in hand with Alex as they merged in with the people already mingling. Piper pulled Alex's hand and led her to the bottom of the staircase, where they leant against the rails.
"Vee isn't going to leave us alone until she has bigger fish to fry," Alex whispered. "If Suzanne can let us in on what she's actually doing, and where, then maybe we can get one step ahead of her. Last time I spoke to him, Nate said that something big was coming. If I can get Suzanne to tell me what her plan is, or even just something…I don't know, I just think I could get her busted."
"Like, call the cops, busted?" Piper asked. "Finally."
"It's not like I can just go tell them she's dealing," Alex said, her brow furrowed. "They'd ask me how I know, and then I would be getting in trouble. They always go after the easy people. Never the Vees."
"She's more than just dealing," Piper said. "She's got a whole ring going on. God knows what else she's doing. I'm not even sure I wanna know."
"Let's get something to drink," Alex suggested, tugging on Piper's arm. "It doesn't have to be all doom and gloom. Let's dance. Look at Suzanne, she's having a good time."
"Doesn't it feel wrong?" Piper murmured.
"What?"
She watched Suzanne ladle punch into a small cup, spilling half of it down her party dress. She let out a little sigh. "Using her like this."
Alex wiggled the fingers of her sweaty hands. "If it goes right, it'll help her too."
"And if it goes wrong?"
"If it goes wrong, I don't think I'll be feeling anything at all."
An icy chill of shock dripped down Piper's back. "Don't say things like that."
"Why?" Alex said with a small, resigned shrug. "It's true."
"I won't let that happen," Piper said. "You know that, don't you?"
"I know you'd try," Alex said honestly. Because Piper had been trying for months now, and she knew she would keep on trying, but she didn't know where it would get them. "Let me talk to Nate, okay?"
"Wait," she said, grabbing Alex's hand. Despite being in full view of everyone, she pressed her lips to Alex's. It was only a peck, but it meant everything to Alex, who beamed back at her. "I love you. You know that."
It wasn't a question.
"I love you too."
"Tonight and then Paris, right?"
Alex laughed. "Tonight and then Paris," she agreed.
She watched Alex disappear into the crowd, her heart walking outside her body. She let out a sigh and as she turned around, bumped straight into someone. Her head collided with someone's chest.
"Oh, sorry," she said, flustered. "I should really watch-" she looked up and saw Nate's grinning face. "Oh. It's you."
She wondered how he always seemed to find her. Like a moth to a flame. Like a fly on…
He didn't seem bothered. In fact, by his grin, he was pretty damn happy about the interruption. "Back for some more fun, baby?"
Piper rolled her eyes. "Not with you."
"Mm, that's a shame. But you'll still have fun, I bet. I've heard there's gonna be some fireworks tonight. Something about a rat."
Piper swallowed. "What?"
"You heard," he said, raising his eyebrows. "Vee smells a rat…"
"How?"
"That woman is like a bloodhound. Just you watch. Fireworks, let me tell you."
Heart hammering, Piper stumbled away. She took herself out of the party and into the night, not caring when her hairs stood on end in the cold air. Most of what came out of Nate's mouth was bullshit, she knew that…but what if this time it wasn't? What if she heard all of that and did nothing? Would she be able to forgive herself if something happened?
No, she wouldn't. That set her mind. With a deep gulp of cold air and a wobbly stride she walked to where her car was parked.
Piper looked behind her as she slipped into the backseat of her car. In the moonlight she fumbled around before finding the piece of floor mat that lifted up, and gently peeled it back. Underneath was a small compartment that contained a little parcel of fabric. Piper took that parcel and slipped it into her clutch bag.
"Hey, Piper."
"Ow!" Piper let out a cry as she banged her head on the roof of her car. She glared at it as if it were the car's fault and then, before turning around, carefully flicked the floor mat back over. She turned. "Oh. Hey, Polly."
"I was glad you could make it," Polly said, leaning against the car. "I didn't know if you would. You know, because…" she trailed off.
"No," Piper said, straightening. "Because of what?"
"You haven't heard?" Polly asked again. "Seriously? Do you not talk to anyone anymore? You used to know everything before anyone else."
"Seriously," Piper said with a sigh. "I've kind of had other stuff going on lately."
"I've noticed," Polly said. "You and Alex seem pretty…close."
"Yeah," Piper said, slamming her car door shut. "You know, there are some pretty sketchy people here. You should be more careful about who you invite into your house."
"Are you talking about Alex?"
"What? No. Obviously not," she said with a glare. "I meant Nate. And the rest of his stupid group."
"I thought you liked Taystee."
"I don't mean her either." Piper sighed. "Just be careful, okay?"
"I will be," Polly said, pressing her lips together as her gaze lingered on Piper for a moment, wondering if she was going to elaborate.
"Listen, I've got to go," Piper said impatiently. "Alex is waiting for me."
"Sure," Polly said.. "I hope you have a good time tonight, Pipes."
"Yeah, me too. Oh, wait. Polly, what was your news?" Piper asked. "I forgot to ask."
Polly forced a smile as she turned to face her again. "Larry asked me out…and I said yes."
"Oh," Piper said. She grappled for words but could only echo herself. "Oh."
Polly rushed toward her. "I'm sorry. I should have told you. I know I should have. But you've been so busy with Alex and I've been…well…"
It wasn't a shock. For weeks now she'd seen Polly with Larry around school, but she hadn't taken much notice. She thought it would hurt more, hearing it directly from Polly. She'd expected jealousy to bubble up inside her upon hearing the news.
Yet when she found herself clutching Polly's hands in her own, giving them a squeeze and saying, "It's okay. I'm happy for you," she found that she actually meant it.
"I've missed you," Polly murmured, wrapping Piper in a quick squeeze. "You know that?"
"Yeah, I've missed you too," Piper said. "Maybe…maybe we could catch up."
"I'd like that," Polly said with a grin. "I'll let you get back inside."
With shaking hands Piper opened the door to go back inside. Her hand gripping her clutch bag tightly, she forced her legs to move normally one foot in front of the other until she reached the center of the room, where she spotted Joel sitting. Sliding down next to him, she sat up straight and stared right ahead.
"What's up with you?" Luschek asked, swigging from a can. "It's a party, Piper. Supposed to be fun, you know. You look real twitchy."
"Mhm…" Piper looked over his shoulder at Alex, who was gesturing wildly at Nate.
Luschek glanced back and raised his eyebrows. "Jealous?"
"No," Piper returned. Her gaze settled on Luschek, who gripped his can of drink like it was a lifeline. "Speaking of jealousy, where is Nicky tonight, anyways?"
Luschek's cheeks flushed, and he looked down. When he spoke, his voice came out with a slight stutter. "How would I know?"
"I don't know," Piper said. "I thought you two had something going on."
"Why, did she say there was?"
"Well, no," Piper admitted. Her gaze once again fell to Alex, who was still leaning against the bannister and pleading with Nate. "I just assumed. But I guess you know what they say about assuming."
"What?"
"What they say about someone who assumes. You know, to assume is to make an ass..?"
"How are we talking about asses right now?"
"You know what…just…" Piper sighed. "Nevermind."
"I think she's with Lorna," he said, a heavy sigh escaping. "At least, that's where she said she was. You know what Nicky's like. She'll drop anything if Lorna calls."
Piper's eyes softened. "Including you?"
He shrugged. "It's not like we're together," he said, but he sounded unconvincing even to Piper. "Plus, there's a ton of girls here. Some of them are too drunk to remember I'm not their boyfriend."
"That's gross."
Joel shrugged again. "Most guys are. Is that why you gave them up?"
Piper rolled her eyes. "Not quite," she said, turning as the door opened and the chill of the night flooded in. "Hey. Is that Lorna?"
A brunette hanging off some guy's arm stumbled in. Behind the sunglasses and under the pink shearling coat, she looked giggly and unsteady on her feet. Already a can in her hand, she looked a little more than tipsy. As she gazed around, she caught sight of Piper sitting on the couch.
"Piper! Honey!" the girl said suddenly, teetering over to them.
"I'd say it is," Joel said, raising his eyebrows. "Looks like Nicky got dumped too."
The boy on her arm tried to shrug her off. It was clear by now that rather than walking in together, she was hanging from him and he was trying to pull her from his shirt. Piper sighed and came to a stand, gently unhooking Lorna from his arm, then guided her to the couch again.
Joel watched, scooting over to make room for Lorna as she crashed down in between them. He glared at her, but she took no notice.
"You look amazing!" Lorna gushed, her head lolling on Piper's shoulder.
Piper forced a smile at Lorna, who was almost sitting in her lap by that point. "Thanks, Lorna…you look great too."
She looked drunk as a skunk, and Piper grimaced as she draped a heavy arm around her shoulder.
"Maybe we should take her out for some air," Piper mouthed to Joel, who downed the rest of his drink in one swig. "Will you help?"
"Fine," he said with a huff. "But Nicky better be grateful."
"Nicky?" Lorna repeated. "Is she here?"
"Let's get up," Piper said encouragingly to Lorna, hauling her up. "I think you need to have water and some air. That sounds good, right?"
Lorna hiccuped in response.
"And your stomach pumped, by the looks of it," Joel said, ducking underneath her arm to steady her. "If you puke on me, I swear to God-"
"Wait, my bag," Piper murmured. In the scuffle she'd forgotten it, and her heart pounded until it was back in her hands. With a sigh of relief she grabbed it then ran back to help Luschek with Lorna once more. "Let's get her outside."
They had just about crossed the threshold to the back yard when Piper heard her name being called from behind.
"Piper!" Suzanne bounded up to the blonde like an excited puppy and despite their deal, didn't seem worried that she'd broken it. "I had a ton of punch and you know what? Now my head feels all funny and my feet kind of feel like they're floating on the ground…"
Piper's eyes darted around her as a few people stared. Thanking a God she wasn't sure she believed in that they probably couldn't see much except shadowy figures, she gently took the red solo cup from Suzanne's hand and took a little sip. Something strong burned her throat on the way down and panic immediately filled her.
"Oh, Suzy…"
"Ooh!" Suzanne squealed as her eyes landed on Piper's clutch, which by now was strained at the seams to contain what was inside. "Is that my Barbie? Can I have it now, please? Pretty please?"
"No, Suzanne-" Piper grabbed for the bag at the same time as Suzanne, but Suzanne's hand got there a second first.
Before Piper could do anything, Suzanne was already unravelling the rag. The fabric fell to the floor and Suzanne stared down at her hands. "Wow, this is one of those toy-"
"No, Suzanne, that isn't a toy, don't point it at-"
Before anyone could say anything else, the door opened again and Alex appeared outside. "I talked to Nate, and…"
"Look, Alex! Piper got me a Nerf Gun!" She held it up and cocked it at Alex. She was staring down the barrel of the gun she had thrown in the river all those months ago. "Isn't it cool?"
"Suzy," Alex said, her voice trembling, "I don't think that's a-"
A flash of light, a deafening bang and then…
Silence.
A/N:
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I've been working on this chapter forever it seems like but here it is finally. I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you have safe, happy holidays. Thanks so much for all your support through this fic. It really means a lot to me.
- Star xo
