Maybe not today

Senior year much less the parties, weren’t at all like my brother said it would be. Yes, the countdown was exciting, but the stress and pressure to outperform was still there. There wasn’t exactly enough freedom to hang out with friends either. Even if there was, Mrs. Hendrickson— Taylor’s mom—would always find a way to sabotage our plans. Of course, she was doing it out of love. Well at least, that was her excuse, but we knew it was just the effects of her paranoiac spasms and vacillating tendencies. Mrs. Hendrickson was great at the whole parenting thing, but nothing could really stop five adolescents with bodies that over produce adrenaline and dopamine. We were a group of five—emphasis on ‘were’. I lay on the glitter spangled floor as I hark back to the day before.

* * *

“I want to know what’s going happen! I don’t like all this suspense!” Dominic yelled at the apathetic TV screen. 

“Me neither, but if you don’t shut up, I swear-” Selasie’s threat was interrupted by Taylor’s. 

“Someone’s going into Dr. Mills’ office again if I can’t get some shut eye here.” The atmosphere became cemetery-like but not for long. June popped her curly haired head into the classroom. 

“What movie are we watching?” She asked in her ever so bubbly lilt. 

“Deja Vu!” Selasie and Dom chorused. 

“No! Oh my God. Can’t you see I’m trying to sleep here.” Taylor yelled and they placed a book over their own head. 

“Sorry,” June made a sad face and turned in my direction. My heart skipped a beat and I felt my face flush a light shade of red. I hid it subtly underneath my glasses. 

“Hey, what’s up?” She interrogated. 

“Oh, nothing much. I’m just here for the drama.” I confessed and she chuckled. 

“Say, the twins are hosting a party tomorrow. Wanna come?” June’s eyes drilled into mine searching for a ‘yes’ and I gave in. I mean, who wouldn’t? Who would want to miss such a not-so-rare opportunity to party with a freaking goddess? June attends parties every weekend. If she wasn’t at our homes eating our food, then she was at a party in the town with or without any connection to the host or anyone else at those parties for that matter. Despite the absurdity of her addiction to social events, I like her. I know, a girl liking another girl isn’t exactly…you get it. But I can’t do anything about it. I can’t stop falling in love with her naturally tanned skin, her bright greenish amberish eyes, her glorious chestnut curls and her ‘rouge-painted” lips that ease into a smile every time our eyes meet. Her lips.  

“Ava!” Selasie yelled my name and I resurrected from thoughts I would forever keep secret till I face the grim reaper. He would surely have an earful of all the secrets I would tell him. “We’ve got to go! Mr. Christensen will be here any minute!” Selasie pulled Taylor off the floor and we ran out to the parking lot. That wasn’t the first time we’d skipped class and probably wouldn’t be the last if Mister C and Mrs. Hendrickson can’t catch us.  But, there's no use of worrying about getting caught now.

* * *

Dom arrived in his black Chevy Silverado to pick me up for the party the next day at 7pm. 

“Hurry! We’ve got to get Selasie before he uses my delay as an excuse to chew my head off.” Dominic yelled over my mom’s reprimand. 

“Wait, you all are coming?” I asked, surprised by the news, since I’d only dreamed of spending time alone with June. 

“Yeah, now hop in!” Dom threw his bag into the trunk of the car and gestured for me to sit. We picked up Selasie next, then June and surprisingly, Taylor.  

“Your mom allowed you?” Dom asked on behalf of all of us. 

“I know! Crazy, right?” Taylor grinned. 

“Today must be an auspicious day or something of that sort because this—this is certainly never going to happen again.” Selasie proclaimed and we all nodded our heads in agreement.  

We were greeted by a blast of heat and noise once we exited the car. I tied my hair up and caught a glimpse of June’s cleavage. Oh. My. Goodness. I forced myself to avert my eyes after a good five seconds of lustful thoughts. I needed to get a hold of myself. I headed straight for the punch table when we got inside. I remember thinking the twins’ parents must have incredibly good taste in interior designs, judging from the eclectic yet executive components of the living room. Something seemed off about the eerie paintings, antiques and the vibe they give off but I brushed it off as an unnecessary thought influenced by Mrs. Hendrickson. Dom and Selasie gently and consecutively ruffled my ponytail while passing by me to the girls’ table. My gay ass would've probably been there too if my heart wasn’t just shaken up. Taylor came up to me. 

“Sup pea?” They smirked. 

“Punch. Want some?” I raised my cup. 

“Yeah, sure.” We stood in silence covering our alcohol induced beverages tightly in our grip. Neither of us wanted to relive the vodka incident from last month. Apparently, anyone can spit in your drink if you didn't claim ownership within the first few seconds it was served to you. Don't ask. I have no idea that rule existed.

“You should ask her out.” Taylor broke the silence. 

“What?” 

“Ask her out before you die, Ava.” 

“How did you-”  

“How did I know? Girl, for the record, you aren't so discrete with those little flirtatious gestures. Plus, you should know by now that nothing gets past me.” They grinned.  

“So, you’re not disgusted by me?” 

“Ava, I would never be disgusted by you. You’re literally the cutest pea in the entire world except when you have a cold.” Taylor wrapped one of their arms around my shoulders and we laughed. 

“Thanks T.” I smiled. 

“No problem. Tell me how it goes.” 

“I will.” 

“Okay well' excuse me while I go spend this 'auspicious' night without my mom.” Taylor said and we laughed again. 

Thirty minutes and eleven cups of punch later, I was not only over-hydrated, but also energized with a sudden burst of quasi-confidence. I felt like I could take Taylor’s advice and confess to June how much affection I'd so dearly nurtured in my heart for her. I started to drag my tipsy body toward her oblivious to the fight that had sprung up on the west side of the hall.  

Midway, I heard yelling and screaming and turned just in time to see the dreadful sight of blood being sprayed onto the neat beige walls.  

“I said, don’t tell me what to do!” No one paused to watch the younger twin—whose name I do not know—stab his brother after every word he yelled. I woke up from my drowsiness and drowned in the confusion. There was more yelling and more screaming as people dash out of the house. I bumped into the terrified lot that were running for the front door but before I could fully process what had happened, my brain responded to an unfamiliar stimulus. I felt a sharp painful sensation in my stomach and then, all over my body. I stumbled backwards and fell. I’d been stabbed. Several others too. 

It’s now cold and hot and unbearable simultaneously. I look down and there’s blood. It’s thick red puddle. I feel it oozing out of my body and my head gets light. I try to get up in vain. Someone anxiously tells me to lay back down. I don’t have the urge to disobey that trembling voice. It hurts. It hurts so bad. 

“Stay with me, please” are the last words I hear before the room or rather my head becomes dark. I think of Dominic and his inflexible butt which he always tries to twerk with. I think of Taylor and their habit of impishly smirking. I think of Selasie and his weird eyebrow-wiggling talent. I think of June and her eyes. Green and amber could never look that great on another person. I reminisce all the stupid moments we shared and then Taylor’s advice; “ask her out before you die, Ava.” Indeed, nothing can ever get past that person but it’s dark again Taylor, so maybe not today.