Three weeks later, and everyone was back home in Dartmouth, even Teddy. I had left New York after a week without saying a proper goodbye to Luke. I felt a twinge of regret and guilt when I thought about it, but life went on. In fact, everything was getting back to normal. My flashbacks to my father’s death had been completely gone for months, Teddy had been around, and Danielle, Katrina and I were, at the moment, plopped on Danielle’s couch watching a movie.
“Danielle, can you pass the popcorn?” Katrina whispered in a tiny voice.
Sighing, Danielle complied. “Katrina, come on. It’s not that bad.”
“Yeah, well when I wake up at three in the morning from nightmares, guess who the first person I’m going to call will be,” she retorted indignantly, sitting up. Tonight, we were watching The Sixth Sense, another DVD that the three of us had practically worn out.
“Shh! Guys, it’s the good part,” I chimed in. Katrina stuck her tongue out at Danielle then retired to her previous position, huddled underneath her favorite blanket.
The doorbell rang, and Danielle, sighing again, got up to answer it. A few moments later Teddy and Torre walked into the room.
“What’s crackalatin’ y’all?” Torre said as he attempted to swagger into the room, stubbing his toe on the side of an armchair in the process. “Ouch!”
Teddy waved, stifling a laugh.
“What brings you boys out tonight?”
“Well we were at my house playing video games, and we felt lame. So we came over here. If we’re going to feel lame, might as well feel lame with other lame people,” Torre explained.
“We’re not lame…we’ve only watched this movie about fifteen times,” Katrina’s comeback died in her throat.
“Teddy what’s your deal? You are being weird. Quiet.”
Teddy turned to Torre, who nodded. “His head turned into a guitar. He can’t speak…or still has to figure that one out.”
“What?”
“Huh?”
“Pfft,” came our replies in a slur.
“Teddy, why has your head turned into a guitar?” I questioned as if it was a completely rational question.
“You wouldn’t understand,” Torre said sullenly. “I guess he could turn back though, couldn’t he?”
“Yeah, guitars can’t kiss their girlfriends,” I added as an incentive.
“I’m back! How’s everybody doing?” Teddy laughed, plunking down on the couch and planting a wet kiss on me. Everyone started laughing.
“You’re all coming to my house for my birthday, right?” Katrina asked.
There were a few, “of courses,” some “yeahs,” and then me. Thankfully she didn’t notice I stayed silent.
I went against my will. Katrina’s birthday wasn’t a huge blowout. The usual suspects were all in the basement, playing pool, video games, and having a few beers. We had the music blasting, and a few of the adults upstairs had yelled for us to turn it down a couple times. Which of course we did…-n’t. I went upstairs to get something to drink, and while I did, noticed more people arriving, a few I recognized from school.
While I searched the cooler for a Sprite, someone tapped my shoulder. I turned around to see none other than Luke, beaming at me in his Yankees sweatshirt.
“Hello?” I stumbled.
“Hey.”
“What are you doing here. Do you even know Katrina?”
“I talked to her once, and Teddy’s family invited us over to spend the weekend since we can’t make it for Easter this month.”
I nodded, smiling, and walked away.
After beating Brandon out in pool twice, I need some fresh air. I walked outside onto the back porch and sat for a moment. As I should have suspected, Luke showed up behind me.
“You know you didn’t say goodbye,” he slurred. Great, he was drunk.
“I know. I’m sorry. I left in a hurry,” I replied. He came closer and took my hand.
“I know you like me,” he half giggled.
“I’m in love with Ted.” I tried to pull my hand out of his, but he wouldn’t let go. “Come on, let me go.”
“No, last time I let you go you completely forgot about me,” he slurred again. He tried to pull me closer, but I struggled.
“Luke, stop,” I tried again. He wouldn’t. He tried to kiss me, but I kept resisting. “No!”
“Yes,” he said. He pressed his lips up to mine, and began to forcefully kiss me. I kicked and punched but he wouldn’t stop.
“Luke! No!” I struggled to get out, punching him in the stomach. He reached for my pants, right there in the backyard.
“Brooke you are so beautiful,” he whispered.
“Get off of me!” I kneed him in the crotch and he let go for a moment. I took the time to try to bolt, but he caught my leg and pulled me to the ground.
Oh my God. I was stuck.
I stole the guitar head thing from Ted's new blog, of course. Let me know what you think
