All characters belong to Brenda Hampton! I don't own any of the ones in this chapter.
Amy's PoV
This was what she needed, a little fast music, a few friends, and some alcohol, that always helped me. But it's not you Amy. I grabbed one of the large bottles of tequila from the shelf and stuffed it in the large coat that I had on. I hadn't resorted to shop lifting in a while. Back home, someone always bought it for me, one of the men who were sitting outside slumming, but here, they wouldn't do it. They were to stuck up their own ass to consider anyone else. I looked back as I let Mercedez, a new friend that I'd met a few weeks ago, distract the store owner. I was amused at her mock clumsiness. Giving one last look, I ducked around to the restrooms, bypassed the camera and left through the emergency exit, easier than I thought.
It was chilly outside and I pulled the coat tighter to me as the bottom of the bottle painfully stabbed me in the ribs. I winced lightly, but a little pain was nothing compared to how good I would feel after I finished off this bottle, straight. Tequila, a girls best friend, well a girl like me anyway.
Smirking to myself, I made my way around the building to Mercedez dark blue 2013 Mustang, what a lovely car. She'd left the door unlocked and I took it upon myself to put the bottle in her car under the passenger seat.
Grace sat in the back just staring at me through confused eyes. She'd just finished one of her crying spells a few a hours ago but I could still see the tear stains. Earlier, she'd said that she would do anything to feel better, to forget all of this ever happened. I would make her wish come true. I gave her a light smile.
"Don't worry sweetie, you'll be feeling better soon, just trust me okay?" Her eyes roamed to the seat where I'd placed the bottle under. "I'll help you turn that frown upside down and make your world go round again," I chuckled lightly and Grace rolled her eyes as she giggled. "Finally something other than tears from you," I smiled whole-heartedly at her and was about to head back into the store to get Mercedez when she called my name.
"Amy?" I turned around and leaned back into the car through the window. I raised my eyebrow at her to continue. "I just- just want to thank you, you know, for… caring for me… for opening up your house to me when I can't stay at mine," She looked at me through her distraught eyes. I shrugged and waved her comment off.
"It's nothing hun. Besides, you may not be thanking me tomorrow morning when you wake up with a throbbing headache," Which was true. I probably would hate myself because I know I have horrible, horrible hangovers, probably because I throwback bottles like a fish swims. "Now, I'll be right back, I have to get my lovely friend out of the store so she can stop making a fool of herself," I said pulling away from the car and moving back towards the convenience store.
Pulling my coat tight around me, I shivered. I thought Cali was supposed to be warm, all the time. Oh how the media loves to lie to us. Through the door, I could see the clerk fussing at Mercedez. Mercedez looked amused and continued whatever charade she was trying to pull. I laughed as I watched her pull a few chips from the rack "on accident". Poor clerk, he was having the hardest time. Deciding to help him out, I stepped into the stored and cleared my throat.
"Cey, what are you doing to this poor kid. I'm sorry sir, my friend is just so clumsy sometimes," I said grabbing Mercedez by the shoulder as she giggled like a dumb blonde. "Come on before you tear this store down,"
"Too frickin' late for that. Look at this place, who's going to clean it up," I looked around and saw a few things on the floor, it wasn't that bad. He was acting as though a tornado came through the store and tore the damn roof off. I shrugged my shoulders and smiled as Mercedez and I fled through the front door cackling. Without looking at her, I put my hand up for a high five and she complied with my gesture by not leaving me hanging.
A black Beamer pulled in front of us blocking our path and our laughing ceased immediately. Really? Really? The windows were tinted but I could see the outline of the jerk in the front seat. My anger was building as Mercedez sucked her teeth and tried to steer me around it. The car pulled up again and I huffed as I pattered over to the car until I was nearly on top of it. I banged on the window and I could hear the fear in Mercedez intakes of breaths. Well, I wasn't going to let some ass treat me like this.
Mercedez walked slowly over to me as I continued to bang on the window. She called out for me to stop but I couldn't. I was pissed.
"Amy come on, it's okay, we'll just go the other way," Mercedez tried to pull me but I wasn't willing to go with her just yet.
"I want this jerk-off to get out of the car. What is wrong with this creep?" I yelled hoping the idiot in the car would step out, instead, they responded by spinning out and making smoke hit Mercedez and I in the face. Waving the smoke out of my face I stuck up the bird at the silihoutte in the all black BMW.
Mercedez held her arms across her chest as she looked at me as though I were the crazy one. Shaking her head, she stalked off towards her car. Rolling my eyes, I followed her. Who was that? It was a little weird for someone to do all that for nothing. First, I just thought it was some guy who was going to let down his window and give some corny line to Mercedez and I, but after a while I figured maybe not.
Opening the car door, I sat down as soon Mercedez cranked the car. Looking in the rearview mirror, I saw Grace gaping at me, then I turned my eyes to Mercedez who kept glancing at me with frustration. I leaned back on the seat roughly and huffed.
"What?" I forced out of my mouth. Of course I was the one that always did the wrong thing.
"Amy you can't do that," Grace spoke up from the back seat with sincerity in her voice. "The people around here are crazy, some just like my dad, well most. You can't just get angry with everyone like that, they could really hurt you. Trust me, being the daughter of a don, I've seen it before," Her eyes were cast down as she spoke. I sighed and closed my eyes. This trip was supposed to be fun and full of adventure.
"Yeah Amy, whoever that was could've been targeting you or might be now that you've nearly busted out their window. This isn't Texas Amy- no offense- you don't know people here. They don't have southern hospitality, but the hospital they put you in might," Now I felt bad. They sounded like they cared, like they knew a little too much about what they were talking about.
"I would've been oka-"
"No, you wouldn't have. You put Grace and I in danger because we were with you, especially me. People don't know too much about me around here and there's a reason for that. Just like you, I'm not from here, but I know the lives people lead here, because they did the same things in Chicago. We had to move away because I used to have an attitude that I threw on everyone and one day I went to far, so here I am. Amy they don't care if you're a female or if you're the daughter of a don like Grace, they will honestly fuck you up," I looked at her and I could see the fear sitting on top of her.
Mercedez has been through a few things, has some secret. I can tell, I can tell by the way she speaks. What have I been missing out on in Texas? Or is it just me being blind to everything around me. Maybe I should lay off the alcohol and just look around me, make myself aware of my surroundings because obviously things were happening that I wasn't aware of.
"Sorry guys I jus- I have a bad attitude and maybe I went a little to far," They didn't let out a sigh of relief like I was hoping, they didn't even give me a second look.
"It's done now, set in motion. You better hope that whoever that was in that car isn't some violent lunatic," Grace spoke softly. There were no more words spoken after that. There was a small amount of tension, but it faded away as Mercedez turned on the radio and Katy Perry was singing Firework, who could be mad or annoyed when that song was playing.
We arrived at my house just before the sun was pushed away by the moon. My mom still wasn't home from work; she probably wouldn't be home till tomorrow morning. I wasn't complaining. I'd told her that I was going to have a few friends over for a sleep over and that's what I was doing, with a twist.
Entering the house, I heard the television which was turned up pretty frickin' loud. I rolled my eyes as I saw Ashley splayed out on the couch watching some stupid reality show about college kids, I'd probably tune in later. Mercedez and Grace stood beside me as they greeted Ashley, who waved without looking up. They looked at me and smiled. Grace was finally getting a little cheery, thank God, maybe we didn't need a gathering after all, nah, I think we need it.
"Hey kid, I got you some food, I know you're hungry, moms been slackin'," I held up a McDonalds bag as she looked over the couch and held her hand out for the bag. Walking over to her, I placed it in her hand. "I didn't get you anything to drink… sorry," I said actually being sorry for the first time to her.
"S'okay. Thanks Amy," I shrugged and walked into the kitchen with the girls on my heels. I heard the bag rattling and I knew Ashley must've torn into it, she loves her some Mickey D's.
"It was nice of you to do that Amy. From what I understood, you and your sister had a strained relationship," Grace inquired leaning on the counter. Once again I shrugged and then went into the fridge and found a small bottle of orange juice.
"I'm trying to be a little nicer. I love the little brat, she was actually an okay person a couple years ago," I said walking back into the living room where my sister was. She was still chilled out, but now she was munching on her fries. Leaning over the couch I handed her the juice and stole one of her fries. She didn't say anything just cracked the plastic bottle open and took a sip. This was new for us. Also, I figured if I didn't tell her I was trying to be nicer, it would work out so much better.
"Aim, we forgot the-" Mercedez glanced at Ashley. "Uh… something in the car. I'll be right back," I gave her a thumbs up and then looked back at my sister. Walking around the couch I sat on the arm where her feet were.
"Ash, I'm getting ready to have a get together, are you okay with that? We might be loud-"
"And drunk or stoned?" I winced but I didn't answer her. She wasn't saying to get under my skin, she just knew what was about to go down. "Don't worry, I'm about to go to my room," She glanced at me. I couldn't make eye contact with her, I didn't want to get mad or anything.
"Want to join us? You don't have to do anything you don't want to," She gave me a crazy look before rolling her eyes. I was new at this being nice to her thing I didn't know what to really say, especially since I'd decided that I wanted to be nicer to her when I woke up. Ricky suggested it after I told him how much we didn't get along.
"No thanks, I would like to remember what I did tonight. Besides, I don't want to turn into some alcohol dependent sleaze," The "like you" was implied in her tone. Flinching I stood up from the armrest before I said something I would regret. Mercedez walked in just I was going towards the kitchen. The bottle was in her hand. I smiled.
We walked in as Grace got off the phone. She had this crazy look in her eye, I knew that look. She was ready to have fun, ready to let go. Am I really about to corrupt this good girl? My heart beat double time. I can remember when I wanted to be like Grace, not her in particular because I didn't know her, but just… good. I looked over her, she looked tired, hurt. What was wrong with me? I couldn't do this to her. What would Ricky say? My God Amy, put your big girl thong on, it's just for a night, just one night that's all. You haven't let loose in so long, that's all I want is one night. My head and body moaned in unison. One night and that was it. I wouldn't become the hardcore alcohol abusing, attitude bringing, substance abuse bitch that I used to be.
"So what's up, who we inviting?" Mercedez asked with a smirk on her face.
"The question is, who are we not inviting. It's party time girls, so let's party, the weekend is here and no one else is throwing a party," Grace rang out.
"Um guys, small get together, this is still my house. Plus we didn't get enough alcohol for everyone," I sounded like a scared little child, probably because that was what I felt like right now. Shit.
"It's okay darling, that's why you tell people to bring liquor, it'll be great. Remember, this is for Grace isn't that right Grace?" Mercedez said and Grace nodded her head. I huffed, not really wanting to do this anymore. A party sounded like trouble, I mean I was going to invite a few people over but I guess small get together meant nothing to anyone anymore.
"What would Ricky say?" The room grew quiet and I swear the living room got quiet to.
"Ricky would have his ass over here throwing down with the rest of us. Come on Amy don't be a buzz kill," Me, the buzz kill? Never. I really didn't like that term being used on me. Amy Jurgens was not a buzz kill. Hell, I was the fuckin' party.
"Okay, invite whoever. I'll show you how much of a buzz kill that I'm not." I took the bottle of tequila from Mercedez, opened it, and turned it up for a few long seconds. Damn that's good. Grace and Mercedez smirked at me and I could already feel my buzz coming. "Let's roll bitches," I said smirking.
Ashley's PoV
I sat on the top step as I watched the drunken teenagers gyrate all over each other and make-out like it was their last day on earth. It was my self-proclaimed duty to block everything upstairs, while I keep an eye on things down here. Amy flounced around the house like a rag doll being tossed around or something, she was drunk out of her wits. I would have to take care of that later on tonight, how wonderful. Plus, I would probably have to take care of Grace too, since she was staying with us and all. Rolling my eyes, I sighed and leaned my head against the wall.
Closing my eyes, I tried to will myself to wake up hoping that all of this was just a dream that dad was still alive and we were back in Texas, although I hated that place, it held so much memory. Opening my eyes, I saw the front door opening slowly, in walked Adrian who looked damn pissed. Our door slammed shut, no one noticed, I was hoping she didn't look up and see me, she did, but she made no effort to come up and speak to me, she just rolled her eyes like I was the reason for all her problems.
Walking into the kitchen, she looked around, searching, probably for Ricky, he wasn't here. I watched everyone who came through that front door and he hadn't shown up yet, he probably wasn't going to. Amy stormed out of the kitchen and looked up at me. She didn't look angry, just annoyed, but not at me, for the first time in her life. Adrian followed behind her and just as, Amy was about to walk off, Adrian grabbed her arm and Amy snatched it away, uh oh.
"So what, now it's your job to be her friend, to take care of her?" Adrian shouted at Amy, everyone noticed.
"I'm doing a much better job than you are. All you do is bitch and moan about Ricky from what I hear. You don't care about her, all you think about is screwing her brother all the time," There was silence as the music played loudly in the background. I looked on at the two girls that I knew hated one another.
Adrian smirked at Amy.
"Yeah, well you do to, you just do a better job of hiding it, but guess what, I don't have to hide because I don't have to just hope one day he falls between my legs. All I have to do is call him up and open wide," There were gasps and shocked looks all around.
"I can't believe that we're arguing about Grace and you still manage to throw in Ricky, you are so selfish," Amy had a look of disgust on her face. She wasn't exactly selfless herself, but I guess she thought she was.
"I'm the selfish one? Look at what you did? This is all for you Amy. You're the drunk and the party girl, she's not. Grace isn't the type to go out and just drink her life away like you have," I winced and my heart started beating fast as Amy glanced at me. Amy's face turned into a scowl.
"Don't ever do that again. Don't act like you know who I am because you don't, you're just some stupid bitch who got the wrong fucking information," Amy walked towards Adrian with a killer look in her eyes. The information wasn't wrong, she just wanted it to be. Amy looked at me again and shook her head.
"So you didn't go to therapy? You don't have anger problems? You're not a slut who just likes to have sex when she's feeling down on herself? You're not a drunk? I know more than you think," Amy's fists clenched together at her sides. She stepped closer to Adrian if that's possible. Amy looked around the room as everyone stared at her in anticipation. There were whispers and shocked looks on all the faces in earshot of Adrian and Amy's spat. I wanted to crawl into myself and hide.
"I swear," Amy chuckled coldly, "God I swear. If all these people weren't here to witness, bitch I would fucking kill you. I would beat you within an inch of your life, I would leave you bleeding on this fuckin' floor. And trust me, you wouldn't be recognizable ever again," I stood up because I knew that Amy wasn't joking around with Adrian. Adrian thought she was because she was smiling wickedly, but I could tell that more than a few people in the room could see that Amy was crazy, plus, she'd even sobered up a little.
"You honestly think I'm scared of you don't you?" Amy looked away and laughed at Adrian again.
"No, but I think you need to be, for your own safety. Adrian, you don't know half the things that I'm capable of. I needed therapy for a reason," Adrian winced openly. Amy sized her up and smirked. She wasn't lying; she could be a little crazy at times, more than a little.
Amy stared into Adrian's eyes without blinking, smirking, Amy jumped at her and Adrian's flinch didn't go unnoticed.
"Your bark is so much bigger than your bite. Let's get something straight before you run out of this house crying for your mommy, you're the poodle and I'm the fuckin' pitbull," Amy moved toward her further and Adrian stepped back. I don't know if she was afraid or what, but I knew I needed to step in. Coming down the stairs swiftly, I grabbed Amy's arm and she looked at me before snatching it away.
"Amy you need to calm down before you do something stupid," She stared at me with hatred in her eyes. She knew that I told Adrian all those things about her. Shit, where was Mercedez when I needed her. I know I didn't really know her like that, but she and Amy grew close fast and I knew she wouldn't let anything happen to her. "Adrian, you need to leave. NOW," Adrian looked at me before stepping away from Amy and shifting through the crowd who didn't make an effort to part for her. "Come on Amy you need to come up-"
"I'm not going anywhere with you, you ratted me out to that slut and then you have the nerve to act like you care. I fuckin hate you Ashley, all you are is a mistake to me," She shoved me hard and I fell to the floor, everyone looked down on me as Amy crept up the stairs with her head up and her back straight, unscathed by everything that had just happened.
There is a possibility of a rewrite because I don't know if I'm feeling this chapter… R&R anyway…. P.S. Sorry for all the cussing!