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“Come on,” Tyson said.
I followed him out of the Camaro. Johnny’s front door was wide open. His parents were in Aspen skiing until two days before Christmas. He was sixteen; eager to have the house to himself. His wasn’t as big as ours but it was nice. At least when my parents went away, they took us with them. Johnny didn’t seem to care though.
He greeted Tyson at the door. Then his eyes widened. “Abby you look hot. Cal is outside with the guys.”
I nodded but didn’t feel comfortable approaching him by himself. “I’ll walk out with you,” Ty said.
Johnny came with us. The evening air was chilly but not as cold as December in Ohio could be. A fire burned brightly in a fire pit in Johnny’s backyard. I saw Cal surrounded by members of the football team, Aiden and Luke too.
He smiled when he saw me but kept right on talking. I approached Cal and he wrapped his arm around my waist tugging me against him. His eyes met mine.
“You look gorgeous tonight Abby.”
I smiled at Cal.
We stood around the fire. I listened while the boys talked for an hour or more about sports, mostly the upcoming National Championship in college football. My feet hurt. I was cold and thirsty. I tugged on Cal’s jacket to get his attention.
“I’m going inside to get something to drink.”
“Okay,” he answered. “You’re okay?”
“I am,” I replied.
I wandered around Johnny’s house. Found the kitchen. Different sodas were lined up on the counter. I poured a glass of Sprite and hovered in the kitchen where it was quiet. I could see through the window where I had left the guys, Cal, my brother, Aiden, Luke and Johnny among them.
Then they walked in. The girls who hated me because I was the nerdy girl. I snatched up my cup and started to leave. Delia and her crew blocked my way.
“Don’t run away,” she said.
“I’m not running away. I was going outside to be with Cal and Ty.”
“So scared,” she said.
I snorted trying to be brave. Feel brave. “Just let me by, please.”
“So polite,” Delia said with sarcasm dripping off her words. She laughed with her friends at my expense.
I stepped to the right. Delia and her friends did too. I stepped to the left they followed. I headed back to the corner putting distance between us which made the girls laugh at me.
I glanced out the window wondering if the boys could hear me above the noise.
The girls advanced and I didn’t know what to do. I was not a fighter and was severely outnumbered. Delia grabbed my arm and shoved me down the hallway. The noise of the party covered my cries for help. I was pushed through the open doorway into the garage. The door shut behind us.
One of Delia’s friends flipped on the light. Delia shoved me. I didn’t know what to do.
Johnny’s car that I had seen at school was the only one in the garage. Delia shoved me again and I tripped on the high heeled boots. “What are you going to do Abigail?” She sneered at me. “All alone and nowhere to go.” Delia shoved me for a third time.
I stumbled but caught myself on Johnny’s car. The next attack came too quickly, I didn’t have time to defend myself. I went straight down to the ground with a blow from Delia. She straddled me and began beating me. My head bounced against the concrete floor. I didn’t know how many times, but it wasn’t long before I lost consciousness.
**
I kept looking around for Abby. I had caught a glimpse of her at the kitchen window. Tonight, I wanted things to be different between us. I knew she was
feeling neglected. I was worried about Aiden. His mother. The effect these trials were having on them.
I was afraid of my feelings for Abby. What if it didn’t work? My Dad coming and going so much had made me insecure. I wanted us to have forever. She was my everything and I had been trying to hold her at arm’s length.
I watched the door. No sign of Abby. I saw both Johnny and Ty looking at me. “I’m wondering where Abby is,” I told them. “She’s been inside thirty minutes.”
