Chapter 1
The pounding bass and this singer’s screeching were getting on my nerves. Coupled with the cloying smell of booze, cigarette smoke, and sweat, you had Esteban Salante’s living room down pat. He was hosting the homecoming rave of the century, and because I finally knew someone who could get me in, I came.
Unwillingly.
No, really, Juan, my supposed best friend, dragged me here by force, saying he’d be beside me, but as soon as SHE showed up? It was all over. The SHE I am referring to is Juan’s on-again, off-again girlfriend, Marcia Brown. That girl left a bad taste in my mouth that no amount of party punch could wash away.
I about had it with this party. I had a headache the size of China! The music blaring through the speakers wasn’t helping my mood. I slipped upstairs and tried the rooms. They were all locked except one. I smiled and went in. The sounds of moaning reached my ears first. The second thing I could see was the silver sequined dress I had lent Marcia to the party, lying draped across a chair haphazardly.
It could be anyone’s sequined dress. It’s not the one you lent out.
I felt better about this, but then I caught Juan’s class ring on the table, and there was no more doubt about who the girl in the room was. It was Marcia, and she was cheating on my best friend. He’d never believe me, however. Not without proof. I stood frozen with indecision for a minute before turning and sneaking quietly back out of the room, deciding to go home alone. I met Juan out by the pool and told him about my plans.
He nodded absently. “Have you seen Marcia?”
My throat thickened and my eyes watered. If I told him he’d finally see that snake for who she was, but I didn’t want to be the bearer of bad news. Still, I took his hand and led him to the room. It was still unlocked, and moans still echoed off the walls. Marcia was now riding the guy, and it was her. Her cherub face glistened with sweat as she bounced on the guy.
Juan growled and jumped on the guy, swinging his fist down in his face. Marcia screamed and tumbled off the guy. Whoever it was was winning easily against Juan. Marcia started sobbing, but it was empty and hollow. It fell on deaf ears, and she growled and threatened to leave both. I ignored my headache and got into the fray, dodging a fist and grabbing Juan’s shoulders.
“Enough!” I cried, staring at the guy, who was glaring at Juan and me.
His bright cat-green eyes glared at Juan, then met Marcia’s eyes, who was dressing. “I thought you said you broke up?”
Marcia frowned, strapping on her bra and sliding on MY dress. “I never said that.”
“Yes, you did, lying skank. You said–”
“Don’t call her that, asshole!” Juan hissed through his bruised lip. I sighed at the vehement scowl he showed. He was defending Marcia when she had just–it boggled me, it really did.
The guy sighed. “I am out of here. Keep that lying bitch away from me,” he said, grabbing his shirt and placing it on. He was a very good-looking guy, but I was more worried about Juan at the moment.
“Are you ok?” I asked him as he eyed Marcia.
“Can you leave us to talk, Flora?” he asked, wiping his bruised and bleeding lip with his black shirt. I nodded and left the room. I heard the shouting begin and went downstairs. Juan was likely going to pardon Marcia for \
heating. He truly was that blind. The guy was out on the patio, smoking. He eyed me and smirked.
“You’re pretty brave. Can I get a name for such a pretty luchadora?” he asked, coming closer.
I scowled. “Did you really not know she was with Juan? She was wearing his class ring.”
“I did ask about it. She said she was keeping it for old sentimentality’s sake!” he growled and took a puff. “Should’ve known it was too good to be true.”
I drew closer to him and sniffed the air. “Weed?”
“Just a teeny bit. I robbed my brother’s medicinal stores, so I only stole enough for a buzz, nothing more,” he said, yawning. “It calms me down.”
I nodded, putting my hands up in a placating gesture. “Hey, whatever floats your boat. As long as I’m not involved.”
He smirked and held his joint out. “One puff.”
“No. My parents would kill me,” I muttered, inching away.
He laughed and took a puff. “Parents? Both?”
“Yeah.”
“They happy together?”
I glanced at him but nodded.
“Hmm, mine are divorced and–”
“Flora! What are you doing with Evorette?” screamed Juan as he stormed down from the room. It seemed he and Marcia were done talking.
“Who?” I asked, glancing at the scowling guys.
“Me,” he said, crushing his joint with his boot. “All resolved?” he asked with saccharine sweetness.
“None of your business,” growled Juan, hauling me away from Evorette.
“It was nice meeting you, Flora.”
“Same,” I said as Juan dragged me out to the car, where Marcia was waiting, surprisingly with a cat who got a canary grin. I sighed. Well, if Juan still wanted to be with the girl after everything, that was up to him. I had done my part.
As I was passing by, Marcia laughed. “It didn’t work. Juan is still mine.”
I turned to what I had dubbed a deranged girl. “What are you talking about?”
“I’ve seen how you look at Juan. Pitiful really. He’s mine,” she growled.
“Down, tiger. I know that. He’s chosen you even after you spread your legs for Evorette.” I said, sighing and shrugging.
“He told you his name?”
“No, Juan mentioned it, he just said it was good knowing me, but you should be worried about Juan, not Evorette,” I said, pulling the Honda’s doors open. Marcia shoved me again, and I almost toppled to the floor.
“I’m going to ruin you the way you almost ruined me. It’s a good thing I chose a non-reliable source for my escapade.”
I frowned but pulled the car doors open. This time, I was allowed to get in unhindered, but Marcia’s words kept repeating.
I’m going to ruin you.
