ThePreparation
"So… Fuck, marry, kill… Britney, Mariah, Christina Aguilera." Geoff mused, plucking celebrities names from the deepest corners of his brain.
Duncan listened absentmindedly, one arm wrapped around a lamppost, and one foot atop its base as he leaned off of it, staring down the street, "C'mon, Deej, it's ten fifteen!"
"So?" Geoff asked, his hands in his pockets, looking down the street as well, cause it seemed everyone was doing it.
"Oh, yeah man… Uh… Kill Christina, fuck Britney, marry Mariah."
"Interesting…" Geoff pondered.
Before he could begin to ask what the hell Geoff meant, DJ turned the corner, and checked his watch. He clenched his fists and started jogging towards the two boys.
"Damn, man sorry I'm late. Didn't realise."
"No biggie," Duncan shrugged, "as long as we do it, doesn't matter when by, really."
DJ's face blanked for a second, before he shook his head and ran a hand through his hair, "Sorry man, I'm a little out of it today."
"Hey, big guy," Geoff attempted to put his arm around his shoulder, but ended up awkwardly draping it across his back, "it ain't a problem. We've got all day."
"For once, he's right." Duncan smirked
"Lay off," Geoff moaned, but found himself smiling along anyway.
"C'mon then, let's get started." DJ grinned, clapping his hands together.
"That's what I like to hear." Duncan said, hopping off the lamppost, "First, to Poundland!"
The three marched off together, Duncan in the middle and the others hovering either side, maybe a step behind him.
"So what were you guys talking about before I arrived?"
Geoff started to say something, but Duncan cut in before he had a chance "Geoff's got this new idea about choosing girls to-"
"Fuck, marry or kill!" Geoff blurted out.
DJ raised an eyebrow at Duncan, who shrugged. "So…" he asked, "how does this work?"
"Well," Geoff began excitedly, "someone says three girls, either famous or ones we know, and you choose one to fuck, one to marry and one to kill."
"Ah." DJ said. Duncan chuckled slightly.
"So for example," Geoff continued, obviously completely enraptured by the idea, "I could say Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Garner and Cameron Diaz and you would say…" Geoff paused, expecting an answer.
DJ stared blankly at him for a moment, as Geoff nodded his head slowly, mouth open, waiting. "Oh, me," he blurted, "I don't know, man, I don't wanna choose that stuff."
"Why not?" Geoff asked, hurt.
"I just think it's kinda disrespectful, y'know? I don't wanna kill any of them, and I don't really wanna… you know with any of them."
Duncan rolled his eyes, "C'mon, sure you do! You gotta find one of them hot."
"Well," DJ blushed, "I mean if I was forced to-"
"And you are." Duncan stated.
"I'd… Kill Sandra, um, f… Shag Cameron and marry Jennifer."
"Thank you, DJ." Duncan said, "That must've been very hard for you."
"Shag's such an ugly word man," DJ said under his breath.
"Ooh, ooh, this'll be fun!" Geoff said.
"Doubt it but continue." DJ teased.
"Whatever, how about Lindsay, Heather, or Gwen?"
"C'mon dude!" DJ moaned, taken aback.
"C'mon…" Duncan echoed.
"What? They're not gonna find out!" Geoff shrugged, as they started to turn onto the 'High Street' as it was known. It wasn't actually called the high street, but 'Copperfield Lane', which sounded stupid to many of the kids, so since it housed most of the few chain shops you could find scattered around, they started calling it the high street, as many other main roads seemed to be called just that. They rounded the corner and Geoff turned back to his friends and walked backwards, taking the lead. Duncan peered past him, staring down the road, looking for the Poundland sign that stuck out into the road. He caught sight of it, and as his eyes came back to Geoff, he noticed Heather, Gwen and Lindsay walking up to them. Gwen noticed him too, and rolled her eyes, nudging Heather, who was in the middle of scolding Lindsay for swinging around the bags she was carrying, accidentally whacking Heather in the shin with every step she took. Heather looked up and quickened her pace slightly, smiling devilishly, as she tended to do. "So…" Geoff continued, oblivious to the situation.
"I don't think we need to know, dude…" Duncan said assertively.
Duncan nudged DJ slightly, who looked up and saw Heather dragging Lindsay along by the wrist and Gwen stepping forward quickly, and his face paled. Geoff scoffed, "C'mon, don't get all hurt… I'd kill Gwen, marry Heather and-"
DJ clamped a giant, dark-skinned hand over Geoff's mouth. Geoff jumped in shock and glared at DJ, who rolled his eyes and twisted Geoff's head so he could see Gwen, Heather and Lindsay standing right behind him. Gwen had her arms crossed, her eyes fixed in a steely glare and was tapping her foot quickly and impatiently. The look Heather was giving Geoff could've killed a puppy.
"Hey guys!" Lindsay waved cheerily.
"Hey… Lindsay…" Duncan waved back slightly, never taking his eyes off of Geoff. Geoff himself had turned completely white, but still managed to raise his hand to Lindsay. DJ unclasped Geoff's head and took a long step back, taking Duncan with him.
Geoff stared at the floor for a moment, then looked up and said "Ladies…"
"What was that Geoff?" Heather snapped, arms folded and lips pursed.
"Yeah, come on Geoff? What was it?" Gwen seconded.
Lindsay looked between them, confused, and hurriedly crossed her arms too, "Yeah, Geoff."
"Oh, yeah, it was this new game I've been playing," Geoff started somewhat excited. Heather raised an eyebrow and leaned backwards, intrigued. DJ facepalmed. "Y'see," he continued enthusiastically, "you choose three people, either famous or ones you know, and you choose one to marry, one to kill and one to…" Gwen and Heather opened their eyes wide, waiting eagerly for the next word. Geoff gulped as all the passion in what he was talking about melted from his heart, "Make love to."
Duncan sighed, "Smooth, man."
Heather smirked, "Oh, right, You hear that Gwen? You choose one to marry, one to kill and one to fuck." She spat out the last word.
Gwen smirked too, and turned to Heather, using the same sarcastic tone, "Oh, I did Heather, and he said he'd kill me, and marry you."
Heather turned to Geoff, now shaking visibly. He turned around. DJ and Duncan were standing a solid three metres back. He swallowed. "Now, Geoff, who was the third?" She asked.
"Don't answer!" Duncan called.
"Shut up, Duncan!" Heather hissed. Duncan raised his arms in surrender.
"Uh… It was…" Geoff stuttered. His eyes glanced over at Lindsay, standing around so innocently and unaware.
Heather turned to Gwen, "Ah. I think I know."
Gwen grinned, "So, why don't we do it with these three?"
Heather smiled too, baring her perfectly white teeth in malice, "Oh, yeah, I think I'd choose," she pretended to ponder the question, "I'd kill Geoff, kill Geoff and kill Geoff."
"No, y'see that's not how it works," Geoff began.
"Shut the fuck up, Geoff!" Duncan called.
"Ooh, my turn," Gwen said, her voice dripping with mock enthusiasm, "I'd also kill Geoff, but I think I'd kill Geoff, and kill Geoff."
"I think we get it now, guys." DJ said, calmly, stepping forward and putting a reassuring hand on Geoff's shoulder. Geoff shrank into DJ's protection immediately, "He's had enough now, he's learned his lesson." Geoff nodded weakly in agreement.
Duncan stepped up too, his arms folded. He looked at Heather disapprovingly, who smiled sweetly at him. Duncan couldn't help but crack a smile at Heather trying to be cute, "But hey..." he said
"Duncan, no." DJ said sternly.
"No," Duncan said, "Lindsay didn't choose."
"Huh?" said Lindsay, perking up at the sound of her name like an obedient dog.
"Don't…" Heather said, but showing no real preference if Duncan did press the issue or not.
"Shag, marry, kill. Me, DJ, Geoff."
Lindsay thought for a minute, "Well… sorry Geoff but I think I'd kill you."
"Ha!" Heather practically screamed.
"Alright, that's enough," Gwen said, hurrying the other two girls passed the guys, Heather almost doubled over laughing, and Lindsay with her finger in the air confused.
"But I didn't get to finish…"
"Tell us at the party later!" Duncan called.
"Sure thing!" Gwen called back, "Now get lost, perverts!"
"See you there!" DJ waved, relieved.
"See you DJ!" Lindsay said, turning around, and just letting Gwen drag her down the street, "Bye Duncan!"
"Oh, Linds! Remember I'm picking you up from your house at nine o'clock tonight!" Duncan shouted.
"I'll try," Lindsay replied, giggling.
DJ and Duncan kept waving at Lindsay as she and the others walked past the corner and out of sight, as Geoff stood by, unable to move, his face pale. As soon as Lindsay was out of sight, the two boys turned to Geoff instantly, spinning on their heels. Duncan sighed, "Well, that was eventful."
"How was I supposed to know they were there?" Geoff said defensively.
"How about by not walking backwards?" Duncan offered.
"Or by not doing it at all?" DJ said.
"But I wanted to do it…" Geoff muttered weakly.
Duncan sighed and looked at DJ, the way a mother would look at a father over their disobedient kid, "How about we keep it to famous people?"
Geoff perked up slightly, "I can do that… Once you guys give me your answers."
"Not happening." DJ said sternly. Duncan nodded in approval.
"Aww, c'mon!" Geoff whinged, "I did it."
"And that's your decision and you stick with it. I don't care for this." DJ stated, ending the conversation.
"How about we just move on to Poundland? We've got a good couple of stores to hit beforehand. And I'm sure we all want extra time to get ready." Duncan suggested, defusing the situation.
"Alright," Geoff said, all tensions removed, "what do we need to get?"
"Well," Duncan breathed, relieved, "I was thinking we grab torches and batteries, for one, and see if there's anything else useful we can find. You know, time-killers, maybe heated blankets, sleeping bags, candles-"
"Candles?" Geoff exclaimed, laughing.
"Candles, dude?" DJ also said, chuckling to himself.
"For atmosphere, guys! Not like scented ones, but just big ones for ghost stories and shit, you know?"
"Okay, okay," DJ said, smiling still, "we'll look out for torches and stuff, and nice little candles. What do you think Geoff, smell like cinnamon, vanilla or strawberry?" Geoff nearly fell over laughing.
"C'mon, guys, I can always take back your invites." Duncan threatened.
"Sure, sure," DJ waved off the idea, "let's have a look around."
So, together, the three friends strode into the shop, joking around at Duncan's expense.
"How about…" DJ mused, staring at the object he held in his hand, "Bop it! Huh…" He pressed the button in the middle. It immediately started up and began blaring noise throughout the shop.
"Twist it!" It yelled.
"Uh…" DJ squeaked, his face turning bright red.
"You win…" The Bop-it said.
"Oh neat," DJ began before the machine interrupted with a sarcastic and obnoxious "Not!"
"Oh…" he said, and dropped the toy back in the bucket he fished it out of.
"So not that?" Duncan asked, waving an apology to the shopkeeper. DJ shook his head vigorously.
"Well, that may be a bust but we did find a torch and a big pack of batteries. For some reason, they don't sell sleeping bags," he shrugged, "but whatever, the blankets will do. Plus, Geoff fell in love with that dancing robot."
DJ peered round the corner to Geoff, who was sitting in the back of the shop, his head resting on his hands, watching the little white man step around and occasionally make beeps and other noises. He sat there, content, grinning like an idiot, completely unaware of his surroundings. "I worry sometimes, man…" DJ shook his head.
"I mean," Duncan glanced around shiftily, "he's got that thing… I think."
"You think? You think what?"
"Like developmental problems, you know? With his dad and all."
"Look, dude, none of us want to talk about that…"
Duncan waved the notion off, "I know, I know. I worry too, surprisingly enough." DJ blinked once. "I do! I know how I come off but you guys are my best friends. I'm allowed to care about you guys. Anyway, without us he would've been ran over long ago."
DJ shook his head again, "I don't know man. He's good with people."
"Yeah, he fits in and all, but-"
Geoff looked up and spotted his two friends, and waved. DJ waved back, and Duncan raised one hand in acknowledgement. Geoff began to get up, and Duncan rolled his eyes, turning so Geoff couldn't see him, "But we aren't his parents."
DJ just nodded. Geoff came up to the two of them, "So, we ready to leave?"
"Did you pay for that?" DJ asked, and Geoff nodded in reply, "Then I guess we're ready to leave."
"Did you find any candles, Duncan?" Geoff asked. Duncan raised his bag and tapped the side of his nose. Geoff grinned, "So we'll find out later?" Duncan nodded and grinned.
"Cool, guys." DJ said, "We got anywhere else to go D?"
Duncan looked down at the watch on his wrist. "Well, just one more stop…"
"Well?" DJ rolled his eyes.
"What's the most important part of any party?"
"Friendship," DJ said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as they left the store.
Geoff punched his arm in jest, "No, dude. Booze!"
"Geoff's got it." Duncan laughed, "So our one last stop happens to be an off-licence."
"Alright then." DJ sighed, "I don't drink though."
"Whatever," Duncan brushed it off, "You probably will."
"I won't." DJ said sternly, "And that's final."
Duncan raised his arms in forfeit, and led the boys on their last trip of the day.
"So… What scent of candle did you get?" Geoff asked.
[Half an hour later]
"Here it is, boys." Duncan said, as they arrived outside of the shop, a small, white store in the middle of a small terraced complex.
"Oooh." Geoff said in admiration.
"Looks a little shady…" DJ mused. And he wasn't wrong. The paint was peeling along much of the shopfront and one of the windows sported a spiderweb of cracks. The only indication the building was even in use was the sign above that read 'Dave's Drinks'.
"Don't worry about it," Duncan dismissed his worries, "I know Dave. This'll be easy. Now, can we decide what we want before we get to the front of the queue?"
"Vodka." Geoff said, quickly.
"Alright, we'll get two bottles of vodka… Deej?"
"No."
"Fine. I reckon, bottles of beer? 24 pack? Sure." Duncan was basically talking to himself as he entered the store. DJ shrugged at Geoff, and they followed him.
"Hey, Dave!" Duncan announced, as he strolled up to the counter.
"What do you want, Juvie?" Dave asked, gruff and unapologetic. He was a round man, standing at around 6'3", with short, thinning, grey hair and a copious amount of sharp stubble. His eyelids drooped and he seemed like he could nod off at any point. He lay two thick arms like tree trunks on his counter, clearly showing a tattoo of a snake wrapped around his left forearm. He wore a football shirt and looked every part the man you'd see down at the ground, or in a pub nearby. And it wasn't in any doubt that Dave had been in his fair share of fights and football-related riots. He stared across at Duncan, letting up no ground to Duncan's physical attempts to install enough confidence in him to walk out the shop with enough alcohol to kill him.
"Witty as always, my man." Duncan smiled, oozing confidence, "I'd like two bottles of vodka, and a 24-pack of beer."
Dave was silent for a moment, his face expressionless. "I don't think so." He said finally.
Duncan stepped back, offended, "What? Why?"
"You're underage, Duncan. I can't. You know. Legally."
"That hasn't stopped you before."
"Yeah, I know, but now your old man's breathing down my neck. I can't risk anything." he showed his palms in resignation. "If he finds out I've been supporting this, I'm done for mate. Plus, you'd have to be a little more specific with your drinks."
"Fine, Smirnoff and Carling."
"Better. Still not serving you."
"Come on, Dave." Duncan whined, looking back at his friends. DJ shrugged, perhaps secretly happy, but Duncan got an idea. "What if," he turned back to Dave, "you didn't sell to me."
"I'm listening," Dave smiled, leaning in.
"My friend DJ over there is clearly 18." Dave looked at him, up and down, sizing him up.
"Yeah I guess so," Dave nodded. DJ shook his head violently at Duncan, but neither he nor Dave seemed to notice.
"So, if my friend here was to purchase the drinks, while myself and Geoff were not present, you could have peace of mind, correct?"
Dave nodded, "Of course. Just this man here, never saw you two."
"Glad we came to an agreement," Duncan smiled, "DJ." he turned, grinning apologetically to DJ, who glared daggers at him, "Why don't you pay, while Geoff and I discuss something outside."
DJ didn't stop glaring, but still walked up to the counter, as Duncan slid him the money slyly. "Two bottles of Smirnoff and a 24-pack of Carling, please." He said, as Duncan and Geoff left, sniggering among themselves.
"Wow, mate, sounds like a party," Dave said cheerily, initiating friendly conversation, as he would with any customer.
"You could say that." DJ answered.
"Some heavy stuff. Quality too," Dave contemplated, "Don't get too drunk."
"I promise I won't." DJ smiled, "Thank you."
Dave smiled again, and handed over a bag which contained two bottles of the vodka, and also a large box with a handle for the beer. "Pleasure doing business with you. Oh, and are you one of Duncan's mates?"
"I guess, seen him about a little I guess," DJ played along.
"Well, if you see him tell me he owes me one," Dave grinned, showing dirty, unbrushed teeth.
"Oh, I'll definitely do that. Cheers, bye."
"See ya!" Dave said, watching the boy leave, before sitting back on his stool, smiling silently to himself.
"So?" Duncan said, as DJ left, before eyeing the bag and box, and smiling evilly.
"You owe Dave one, and you owe me one." DJ said sternly.
"Yeah, yeah, sure no problem," Duncan said, "so is tonight gonna be the best or what?"
"Woo!" shouted Geoff, which meant yes.
Duncan grinned at this, and turned to DJ, who couldn't help himself, and smiled back, "Yes it will."
"Perfect, so, Geoff, you take the drinks?"
"Why me?" he moaned.
"Cause my dad won't allow this, and there's no way DJ's mom's letting him anywhere near the house with any alcohol whatsoever."
DJ nodded, "She'd kill me."
"Alright, alright. I'll put it in my car."
"Ew, dude don't let it get warm," Duncan crinkled up his face.
"No, no, dude, it's alright, I've got one of those coolboxes."
"Nice," Duncan said, somewhat impressed at Geoff's initiative.
"Alright," DJ clapped his hands together, before passing the drinks over to Geoff, "I'll see you guys at the old house. 9 was it?"
"Well, 9:15, but whatever." Duncan shrugged.
"Great, see you guys there." Geoff said, "Oh, wait, do you guys wanna like do something beforehand? Like get there early to set up?"
"Oh, no, sorry man, I've got to pick up Lindsay and… someone else." Duncan said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Oooh," Geoff cooed, excited, "Alright, Deej and I won't get in the way of that." he giggled like a little girl.
"Seriously, man?" DJ said, while still laughing to himself. "Alright, no problem Duncan. I'll get there a little early, let people in, set up whatever. You in, Geoff?" Geoff nodded. "Alright."
"See you guys there," Duncan said, leaving. "Gotta go get ready! Later."
"Oooh," Geoff said again. DJ hit him lightly on the shoulder. "Ow," he whined, jokingly, and they set off in the same direction together, as Duncan left the pair to do as he said. Get ready.
8:45.
Duncan stood in his bathroom, looking in the mirror, touching up his mohawk. He hadn't done anything to it, but it felt like the kind of thing he should do. And he needed an excuse to hide from his dad so he could sneak out. And, okay, maybe he was a little nervous about picking up Zoey. Not because of her, but because of their situation. Well, the fact that her boyfriend, well, existed for one, but also played for the team they had recently battered 7-1. It would be an awkward encounter. Probably. He kept thinking this over, checking his watch, then wasting more time. Could he just not take her? No, he couldn't just leave her. Could he call her and rescind her invite? No, what if she was getting ready, told her boyfriend she had plans, or anything. No, this was something that had to happen. He looked down at himself and breathed. He had changed his clothes to be fair to him. He was wearing a black leather jacket, covered in metal bits and pieces, chains and zips and the like, protruding from the jacket's many pockets, and studs along the shoulders and arms. It was stylish, in a punk way. Beneath was a faded, pure maroon t-shirt, and black skinny jeans, with yet more chains in the pockets. He wore black converse trainers, completing the punk aesthetic. He didn't think he looked too bad. Suited him. Brought out the blue in his eyes. He took another deep breath, and looked toward the bathroom window. He stepped out onto the roof of his garage, making sure he flicked the bathroom light off first. Honestly, his dad finding out about his excursion was the least of his worries. He could deal with the consequences. His dad wasn't about to ruin tonight.
He hopped down, opening the door in as close to silence as he could get. He gazed into the dark garage and took a moment to appreciate the night. It was cold. He thought. Not cold, but maybe a bit nippy. A chill wind blew through, lifting his jacket ends slightly. Maybe a little cold. He started towards the car, and got one of the doors open, before he remembered something important. He grabbed the cone from the back of the garage and quickly shoved it onto the backseat, before clambering in the driver's seat, and driving off slowly into the night, so as not to arouse suspicion.
When he arrived at the statue, his watch showed 8:57, and Zoey was nowhere to be seen. He parked the car and left the headlights on, so she would know he was there if she showed up late. He eyed the statue, and hopped out with the cone. Just then, someone walked by, and he jumped, stuffing the cone on the floor behind him, between himself and the car. They saw him, and he gave a mocking salute. They quickened their step. As soon as they were out of sight, Duncan doubled over, laughing. As he came up, he wiped a tear from his eye, and checked his watch again, impatiently. "Ahem." came a cough from behind him, on the opposite side of the car. He flinched slightly. Who could it be? His dad? The mayor? God anyone could've found out about tonight. Then he remembered why he was here.
"Oh." he said, beginning to turn, "Zo." he finished, before he saw her. He was right of course. She stood there, wrapped up against the cold. He studied her for a second. She was wearing fairly heavy duty makeup. A lot of smokey eye, blush along her cheeks, overly whitened foundation and bright red lipstick. She was wrapped up in a large hoodie, but underneath she was wearing a red tank top, an almost transparent black vest on top of it and a black skirt with black tights, and heavy, black boots. On her arms were black fishnet gloves that went all the way up to her elbows and a whole lot of bracelets, at least five on each arm, not that Duncan could be bothered to count. The pink flower she had worn in her hair the other day was replaced by a black one, partnered with a black headband. Her hair was cleared from her face, stuck back through, what seemed to Duncan, sheer power of will. "Wow…" he muttered.
She seemed to shrink into herself, "Can we just go?"
"Why the hurry?" he asked, all semblance of worry gone from his demeanour.
"I don't want to talk."
"Whatever. One quick thing, though." He picked up the cone and sprinted towards the statue. Zoey was left alone with the hum of the car as he ran off. She regretted ever having come here. Well, that's what she told herself she wanted. Whether she actually felt that way was another matter. She'd gotten dressed up specifically for this. The amount of magazines she'd bought to perfect the idea and the look, the amount of small shops she'd had to visit to collect the ensemble, the amount of time she'd spent doing and redoing the makeup. There seemed to be a reaction, but she wasn't sure if it was what she wanted. It was a thrill, meeting up with the 'bad boy' who her boyfriend had spent ages telling her he hated that night. Mike had been on edge for a while, and escaping from him to have a wild night with people she didn't know was just so exciting. Now she was having second thoughts. 'Of course I am' she kept criticizing herself. She had always been like this, scared to leave her comfort zone, and now she has a brand new set of people for a brand new experience, and she was chickening out.
"So," Duncan's voice broke her self-hatred, "we ready to go now?" he asked, swinging behind the wheel. She glanced up at the statue, and was immediately struck by the cone that now sat atop its head.
"You… You did that?"
He barked out laughter, "Yeah, yeah I did. Now hop in before anyone sees you. Last time I tried the mayor had stuck a guard on duty."
"The last time?" She stammered, daintily climbing into the passenger seat and buckling her seatbelt.
He turned to her and grinned, "Yeah. Long story. Let's just drive for now." And with that, they took off.
"Mind if I smoke?" He asked, holding out a box of cigarettes, one hand on the wheel, and no eyes on the road.
"If it doesn't affect your driving, sure." She replied, somewhat passive-aggressively, not meeting his gaze, just looking out her window, as houses and lights sped past them. He shrugged and lit one up, cracking the window so he could blow out the smoke so she wouldn't be affected. He wanted to seem tough, but also didn't want to offend her. Or hurt her or anything. They drove in silence for a few more moments. Duncan reached over to turn on the radio, and a harsh rock beat began playing. "Why did you invite me?" she asked.
Duncan sighed and turned off the radio, "Why did you only ask when I'd put the music on?"
"Answer my question."
"I…" he paused. He thought about it. Mostly, maybe, he'd wanted to get back at Mike. I mean, he seemed to be a total prick. This was the perfect revenge, wasn't it? Duncan wasn't the type to steal someone else's girl, no, that would be the exact type of behaviour he was demonstrating against. Maybe, but that definitely wasn't the whole reason, and maybe he didn't even know the whole reason. She was pretty. Obviously. Not his type but still. And she was clearly very sweet, forgiving and caring, but a bit of a pushover. She had gotten all dressed up for tonight. And the fact that she had came at all showed a bit of free will. Maybe it was good to get her away from Mike. Yeah, maybe that was the reason. This was the right thing to do. Break her out of her under-the-thumb life. But that wouldn't be true. His motivations were more selfish than that. This was all about him, as everything tended to be in his life, at least as he saw it. In that moment, as she stared at him, her wide eyes full of wonder glistening, he hated her. He hated her attitude and the fact that she seemed to be rebelling against him, even as he tried to be nice to her. That she looked through him and didn't like what she thought she saw. He hated Mike too. For oppressing this little girl. To him, he seemed to be the controlling factor in her life. Like he had brainwashed her into doing whatever for him. He hated his stupid face, and his dickhead attitude and his asshole life. This boy didn't know what he had. But, through it all, mostly, he hated himself. Maybe he was intruding, maybe this was a loving relationship. Maybe he was the asshole, shoving himself between them, taking the girl away from her man and being a selfish dick about it the whole time. Only an absolute twat would do something like that. He sighed, "I… You seemed like you could use the night off."
"That's a lie."
"No, no it isn't!" he defended himself vehemently, "It's at least partly the truth. It's- it's part of the truth."
"What's the whole truth?" she asked meekly, though coming out of her shell a little.
"Maybe I don't know!" he snapped, sending her right back into her pity party of a shell. A pang of guilt swept through him. "I'm- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to… I just…" he looked at her and their eyes met for a second before she looked away again, "I… Mike just seemed like an asshole, you know?"
She perked up at his name, "And what would you know about Mike?"
"I don't need to know anything about Mike, cause I know a lot about assholes, and he was acting like one."
"He's not like that."
"And his girlfriend isn't biased at all in that area."
"I'm his girlfriend because I know he's not an asshole."
"Well, you know Stockholm syndrome, and some people are just blinded from these things."
"I'm not."
"Sure." he gave up, "Whatever."
They kept driving in a stony silence until they passed the old house, "That's it." Duncan pointed out.
"So, why aren't we stopping?" she asked.
He checked his watch. 9:06. "We've got someone else to pick up." he took a drag from the cigarette.
"Who?" she asked. He didn't answer. He just kept driving.
When they arrived at Lindsay's house, he opened the door and stepped out. As Zoey went to undo her belt, he gestured for her to stay, "No, don't bother."
She pouted, and crossed her arms, but stayed put, as he walked up to the door. He rapped on the knocker twice, and heard a fumbling inside as she stumbled over herself to get to the door. When she opened it, his eyes went wide, and he was taken aback. 'Damn' he thought.
She was wearing a scarlet tube top that showed off her cleavage and showed a generous portion of her midriff. She was wearing tight jeans that clearly allowed no room to breathe and finished about two inches above her ankles and her fancy rose-coloured flat shoes with open toes. But makeup was where Lindsay really shone, if she didn't already when it came to fashion choices. She had blue eyeshadow and accentuated, lengthened eyelashes, to go along with rosy cheeks and super-glossy brick-red lips. Her hair, usually straight was wavy and held back with a red bandana. "You look good Lindsay…" Duncan managed to say, somehow.
"Aww, thanks Dunky!" She squealed and hugged him. He hesitated for a split-second, then hugged her back.
"No problem." he smiled. Zoey pretended to gag in the car.
"So, should we get going?" he asked.
"Sure," she said, "I'll just get my things."
"Don't be too long." he smiled, checking his watch again, almost compulsively now. 9:10. They had time.
He turned to Zoey in the car and shrugged. He leaned back in to grab the pack of cigarettes, still standing outside, "She'll just be a minute. Grabbing her bag." Zoey just rolled her eyes.
Very quickly, Lindsay emerged from the house with a small handbag, matching her top. She waved at Duncan, who quickly removed the cigarette from his mouth and stomped it out on the ground. She pouted and turned and locked the door. She strode up to him and lightly hit him with her bag, "Duncan," she said, almost whining, "I told you I don't like it when you do that."
"I know, I know, Linds. Sorry. I won't do it again tonight."
She seemed to brighten up at this and gently placed a hand on his shoulder, feeling the jacket's studs, "Ooh, shiny," she cooed, then gathering her senses again, "I call shotgun!"
"Sorry Linds, I've already got a passenger."
"Oh," she looked across at Zoey, "OMG, like, hi! I saw you at the game didn't I! Wow you look different that's so cute. I love your hair."
Zoey blushed, "Oh… thank you," she accepted the compliment weakly, and Lindsay slid into the back, leaning in between Zoey and Duncan, as he sat down and started the engine again.
"OMG you guys look too cute." Lindsay squealed.
"Oh we're not," they both clamoured to explain.
"She's not… she's got..."
"I have…And he's…"
Lindsay just giggled, "I gettit," she winked. Duncan guessed she didn't get it.
He glanced at his watch again as they set off. Lindsay stroked his shoulder, feeling all the individual studs and grasping at a chain occasionally. Duncan smiled and let it slide. He looked over at Zoey, who quickly turned away to look out the window. 'She's jealous' he thought. And with that he smiled even more.
"Alright here we are girls," he exclaimed, coming to a stop outside the house. 9:18. They were late. Nothing like being fashionably late though.
"Oh, thanks Dunky," Lindsay said, hopping out.
"Yeah, thanks Dunky," Zoey said, mocking, smiling despite herself.
Duncan raised his eyebrows and smiled back, "Oh, you think you get to call me by a nickname? Now way, Zo!"
She giggled at this, letting her guard down, "Hey, you think you get to give me one?"
"At least I'm not copying Lindsay."
"Hey, I bet I can come up with a decent nickname!"
"Okay," he grinned, "bet you can't by the end of the night!"
"Well I bet I can."
"Alright then. Come back to me in the morning. Bet I can come up with a better one for you."
"Oh you are on!" she squealed with laughter, getting out the car, where Lindsay stood, watching them with fascination. Zoey immediately blushed.
"Alright," Duncan said, stepping out and putting an arm around Lindsay. He turned to the house and saw lights flickering through the windows, as a shout went out, "Seems they've started the party without us."
"Aw, boo!" Lindsay said.
"Time to give our adoring fans an entrance," he smiled again, offering Zoey to go ahead of them. She smiled back. Maybe it was the night and the euphoria of being around people, maybe it was breaking her own rules and being away from Mike, or maybe it was him, but something was forcing her to open up. And she was loving it.
"Onwards my friends," Duncan called, "to the party!"
Writer's Note
Okay sorry it's been a while since the last chapter, but I haven't had much time and I don't really have an excuse but I just wanna say I'm sorry to keep anyone waiting. As always, constructive criticism is appreciated or just any general comments on the story. I'm having a lot of fun with it, and more characters' points of view are gonna be explored very soon. Have fun!