6 Unexpected Guests

“Edie, I don’t want to go anywhere. I don’t have the mood! Don’t you understand?” Alexis replied to Elodie through the home telephone.

“Please, just go. You have to meet friends. You can’t keep yourself in the cave! Please! I’ll go too.” She begged.

“But you have to help your father.”

“I change my mind. Party or work? What do you think I will do?”

It was difficult to win her stubbornness. In the end, Alexis agreed to go to the party at Wade Miller’s mansion.

'Friends and alcohol, which one will better fix this broken mind?'

After catching Davy with June, her ex-boyfriend kept calling her every hour. He visited the house the next day after the incident. In consequence, Alexis officially ended their relationship and she did not forget to accept his apology for the complete closure. There was such a lot of love for him left in her heart but also distrust and bad trauma. Despite what she had done, Davy kept appearing in her dream; it was a pity that she yearned for the dream. In the dream, she forgot the reality. There was no Alexis and Davy anymore. Often, she dreamed of their last prom, the kiss, and the intimacy of that night. She concluded to herself that it was the haunting regret of her guilty pleasure as she had committed something her parents disapprove of.

What made Alexis feel worse was June’s silence. She did neither call nor visit; neither apologize nor make more confessions. From that day, the June she knew dove into the black hole, sinking into the deepest of the universe, forever gone. The only thing left between them was the question inside Alexis’s head asking herself, (“Why?”) June valued their long-term friendship no different from a price of shit.

“Where’re you going?” asked her mother. It was Friday evening, her parents stayed at home.

“Wade’s party, I may come back before ten.”

Her mother nodded meaning approving. “It’s good to see you go out, meet friends. Have fun, my dear!”

“Why don’t take Jesse with you?” asked her father, pausing his reading for a while with eyes narrowing through the glasses.

Alexis chuckled when her mother hit his arm lightly. “Oh, come on. How many times has she visited Miller’s place? Go, Alex. Don’t listen to the old man.” She ended the conservation with her merry laughter.

“Okay, I’ll be back.” Alexis waved her hand and exited.

“Did she bring my cell phone?” Caleb is still worried.

**********

The light of sunset painted the thick cloud in the sky orange. The chilling breeze passed through. She rode past the oriental spa. Its front door is overlaid with advertising posters. Previously, the poster of John Lloyd’s old teen movie attracted everyone’s attention but now it had gone nowhere, perhaps, in the junk. His name vanished as Jesse had assumed.

Thinking about the John Lloyd helped extinguish the fire of fury towards Davy and June for a while, but it came with the fearfulness from the recognition that a friend was missing, perhaps forever. The worse was John’s identity was removed by the authority. Jesse’s assumption peculiarly sounded reasonable and she started to believe him that her superstar friend was arrested and taken to the rehabilitation program that no one had ever returned.

In the past three days, Alexis could not search ‘John Lloyd’ name on any search engine. His official website and the fan club website had been shut down. When people talked about his missing, they whispered and dared not to speak out loud because they were scared to be heard. And in the end, they would simply conclude that he might be dead. Alexis was concerned about his family more than anything else because when she imagined someone in her family encountering the fate that John was facing, how she could manage her mind and her feeling when the loved one was completely gone? And to think of them was illegal and frightened to do. It was very scary.

Wade’s mansion stood elegantly among the other mansions in the north, far from the heart of the town. His house was grandeur like June’s mansion which was situated four blocks away. (Sighed. She could not stop thinking of them.) It was the pool party but Alexis did not wear or bring a bikini because she intended to watch people having fun rather than join them. What she determined to do was to drink and drink and be drunk as much as possible.

“Hey, Alex!”

The son of the mansion’s owner came to greet her. Wade Miller was sparkling in his bare chest and khaki swimming shorts, waving his hand energetically. There were a lot of guests more than she had thought. At least she saw the whole cheerleading team without the captain who was Elodie.

“Where’s Edie?”

“Oh, Edie can’t come. She phoned me just a few minutes, saying that she has to help her father manage the stock.”

“What?” Alexis got betrayed again! She was quite upset because Elodie confirmed that she would come and who would take her home if she was drunk?

A trick? Seriously?

Wade clapped her shoulders. “Nah, don’t worry. Everyone knows you. We’re all friends. Come on. It’s time to recover.” he said and pushed her inside the party.

“What? Recover? You know?” Alexis could not hide her amazement when he knew about the break-up, since she told no one except her family.

'Oh…Edie, how can I forget this one?'

“I didn’t invite both of them, don’t worry.” He told her.

“It’s okay. I don’t mind.” Alexis replied at once. Guilty she was; Davy was his friend.

The boy gave her the wicked smile. “Actually, I did, but they don’t come. It’s not strange for June but Dave did think about coming. When he knows people talking about it, he feels sick of a sudden.”

Wade possessed a very unique charming smile. If Davy could not make the victory score during the last match, this boy might win the prom crown. Wade Miller was the soccer team captain and one of the candidates to win the government’s scholarship. He shared some similar appearances with Davy, such as the perfect height, blond hair, hot body, and whatever charms hot guys should possess. But he was not shy. He spoke loud and clear and loved to socialize while Davy preferred the private space. The house parties had been frequently organized in his place.

“You…are…”

“Go go go go!” He made haste.

As she walked inside, the soccer team cheered at her, “That’s the spirit! Alex. It’s gonna be okay. We will re-educate him! We’ll bring your Davy back!”

She knew they tried to cheer her up but it was really embarrassing when they used the word ‘your Davy’, the same way Bryce and Jesse usually did.

At the same time, Alexis understood why Davy dared not to come when she met the others, especially her girlfriends. Elodie possibly announced the break-up to everybody in the town. When she met some of her basketball team, they said, “He’s a jerk, Alex. You find the better one.” And the whole cheerleading team which all members were Elodie’s minions shouted, “Don’t care the bitch June! If we meet her, we burn her alive.”

Women’s rage was frightened and when they teamed up, the fire of fury went wild.

Alexis knew that June’s reputation was positive and negative. June had the character that girls loved her dresses but hated her. She rarely went to the other’s parties except her own and had no other friend except Alexis. Boys dreamed of her but she did not regard them as friends but as her big fans. Hearing people talk bad to June made Alexis feel guiltier. June’s words lingered in her mind that Alexis left her friend to go out with Elodie. Of course, she had heard what they talked about June. Instead of fighting against them, she ignored them. Just thought it was best not to deal with them when she knew who June really was. And the others were also her friends. But June might not think so, especially when Alexis hanged out with the girl who was the head of these gossipers. June expected her best friend to be her guardian. It was not Alexis’s intention to make June feel abandoned, though she had unconsciously betrayed June by her silence.

'I did or not, intention or not, June had no right to sleep with him. The girl argued with herself.'

Alexis shook that thought away. It was the old story. Perhaps it was their last year in high school and people have to separate from each other to follow their dreams. Many had to continue their study far away. The only friend like Alexis might be unnecessary to care when June could make the new squad at college.

During the first hour, people came to ask about the incident. Some were rudely curious and needed every single detail for further gossip. Some did care and comfort. Alexis had no time to enjoy the drinks until Wade dragged her to the pool. Of course, she refused but he forced her. Unintentionally, she kicked his butt and the party host fell into the water.

People laughed out loud. Wade got up and glared at her furiously. Lucky enough, Wade’s friends stole the attention by jumping from the roof into the pool and people began to try it too.

“I’m sorry. You forced me!”

Wade nodded and shook the water out of his head. The water dropped on her face. The furious glare disappeared. The boy sighed. “Edie and I want you to have fun. We—we want to see the old Alex who smiles and laughs and...be crazy…whatever.”

His breath smelled like alcohol and perhaps, pot. He might be a tough guy but not the brainless type. The alcohol inside his head might stimulate him to reveal everything.

“Well, Dave screws it up. He’s my friend but he can’t blame me for what I’m going to do. I want you to be happy with the new person. And that person should be me.”

Alexis understood what her friend was thinking now. The trick had been uncovered. Elodie wanted to link up with her and Wade together. It was like hearing her friend thinking, “Hot guy and the team captain, Davy should learn that he loses the best thing he had!” Alexis knew Wade liked her before she and Davy had been in the relationship. Most of the students grew up together since kindergarten. The society in San Bosa was too small. If you spread one secret to a friend, the other people might hear it too.

'But you don’t understand, Edie. You can’t mend a broken heart with a new boy. I thought you knew it profoundly.'

His face was red and he was totally drunk. Alexis pretended she heard nothing about it. So, she turned her back to him.

“Hey! Where are you going?”

“Restroom, stay here, I can go alone,” she shouted back.

Walking inside the house, she accidentally bumped into some couples. These lovers were exchanging their tongues everywhere she went. Some guests sneaked out from the party to have the intimate activity in the kitchen, restrooms, balcony, under the stairways, behind every counter they found, etc. Alexis had to walk out of one of the restrooms at once since there was another couple who reserved the space for their own.

'Your parents must imprison themselves in their chambers for sure, Wade', she thought when she found no sign of his parents and it might be because the mansion was enormous enough to save some escape for them when their son organized a party.

Alexis preferred to give her time alone in the backyard. The music beat the house as if they were in a mini-concert. However, the girl was able to find the time for reminiscence among lovers and loud noises when she had her time with herself. No, she was far from an introvert. On the contrary, she loved partying, dancing, and being wild as other people did. But that was before her heart broke.

Here, in the Millers’ backyard, last two months ago, she and Davy, like other couples, sought a quiet place. It was because of those eyes…the pair of hazels locked her gaze and she felt his lips on her lips, the warmth of his breath, the touch of his soft hands, and the scent of his cologne. Alexis could not make her mind stop thinking of that moment. Every time she thought of him, the radiant face of June popped up and her heart began to twist and it was the pain that continued torturing her inside. She hated how it was impossible to forget. The kiss and the loss, every moment between them was crystal clear like the day she had experienced them.

Was it wrong to dream of love like her parents shared with each other?

'You still love them. The voice inside her head reminded the unwanted words. Yes, it’s true', she answered to herself.

And someone bumped into her.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” A croaky voice woke her up from the past memory. A boy with red hair in a plain t-shirt and old pale blue jeans tried to balance himself. Two hands held glasses of beer. “It’s dark, I—I...”

“Oh, it’s okay. I don’t mind. Not hurt, really.” She said, wiping the tears from her face.

He seemed to be considerate in those tears.

“It’s alright. Not your work, don’t worry.” She said and was about to move out of the temporary shelter.

“You’re alright?” He asked but not met her eyes. It was his normal habit, a little shy lad.

“Yeah, why you come alone? Where’s Christina?” She asked Oslo, a classmate in the mathematics class and one of the candidates.

“Well, we came together but her crush was talking with her now so I…” They exchanged a knowing smile with each other. He was a little bit taller than the girl, might be an inch, not a tall boy. His eyes were light brown and his face was full of freckles.

“I heard you got admitted to Delphi, congratulations,” he said.

He was the only one who had no interest in asking about her relationship with Davy and June and did not mention anything about it.

“Thanks. And you?”

“Eastland, Environmental Science.”

“That’s cool.” She looked around. People were chasing their dream. Again, Davy’s face flashed in her mind. Alexis remembered he had thought about studying science or business but had been introduced to one of the professional soccer clubs after the final match and he agreed. Thinking of him also reminded her of the memory when Alexis saw herself and June sitting in the stadium cheering for him on the victory day. After the match, Alexis ran to him and they kissed to celebrate the victory, just like in the movie.

'Damn me! Stop thinking about them!'

The music turned dead but the cheering crowd continued. There must be someone who took the ‘Dare’ and performed something crazy outside.

“Tomorrow, I think I’ll see your name,” he kindly mentioned. Alexis shook her head to remain humble but also felt glad that he kept talking about the scholarship. After the conservation with Jesse, her confidence sank. Now, Oslo helped to refill it. “The interview was really bad. They had no interest in me,” he told her.

“Hmm, I’m not sure too.” Alexis avoided telling the truth so she would not discourage him. Perhaps, she still had the chance. Perhaps, Jesse was wrong. She might win. They like me. They really admire me.

“Well, I come alone too, why don’t you stay with me. Let’s see what happens outside.” Alexis did not want to stay with her basketball team because they would talk about Davy and June again. She preferred talking with Oslo because he had no interest in it. This made her feel more comfortable. Alexis knew her friends cared for her but she needed not to like to spread any more words about them.

“Okay! Oh, want a beer?” He offered her one of his drinks.

“You kept two glasses with yourself?”

“For Christina until I saw her chatting with…”

“I see.” Alexis took it.

They returned to the pool area. People were cheering Peter Leyton walking on the water. Wade was sitting on the lifeguard chair recording his friend with the video recorder. It was clear that there were glass sheets under the water.

“It looks like he really walks on it,” someone said.

“Right? Tomorrow people will be surprised,” Wade predicted. His face turned completely red.

'The glass sheet is really invisible. You guys are already drunk.'

Alexis and Oslo were not interesting in the stupid trick. The girl looked up at the black sky. At that moment, she became aware that her real mood totally failed to fit into the party. Her head fused with the thought of Davy and June. She did not belong here when these two had never left her mind. It was hard to pretend. She needed time to calm her thoughts.

“I think I have to go. Sorry Oslo. I just change my mind,” she gave an excuse.

“I know. I’ll take you home.” His eyes demonstrated how he understood her. It revealed that no one missed the news.

“That’s sweet of you but I take my bike. Thanks, and goodbye. Very excited to hear the announcement tomorrow, let's keep our fingers crossed.”

“Alex, you don’t look excited. I’m about to go too. It’s alright, I ride with you. Christina doesn’t want me anymore.” He jerked his head to his friend’s spot. Alexis could see Christina was laughing with her crush. After a few seconds, she could catch the glimpse of Oslo’s broken heart. Those brown eyes revealed how he was thinking about his best friend.

They had the same problem, lovesick.

They were going to move away from the crowded place. Suddenly, the party crashed when the siren thundered at the mansion. Wade called his servants to clean off all alcohol and illegal drugs. Oslo and Alexis raced to the door but it was too late, the police enclosed the mansion in a flash of lightning.

“This is bad. Mom will kill me. I told her to return home by ten,” Oslo murmured. Alexis heard Wade curse whoever informed the cops.

“Same. Damn, I have to listen to my dad’s and my brother’s lecturing me all day.”

Alexis thought she would go home late certainly and her father or Jesse had to pick her up at the police station because she had to take time on a drug test. The girl searched for her father’s cellphone but found out that she forgot to bring it.

The cops announced through the megaphone, “You’re all under arrest. Come with us to the police station. Don’t resist!”

Alexis saw Wade rush to them. Although his face was still red, the consciousness remained with him. “Sir, I can explain. We have parents here. Please see my father.”

It was the first time she saw that his parent was home. Mr. Miller, like the older version of Wade, blonde, tall, and handsome, ran into the Police in his pajamas, trying to negotiate.

“No excuse sir, all of them must come with us. The party is over. We have the special warrant.” The emotionless officer in navy blue uniform declared his right to detain all teens in here. “Under the act 2966, sir.”

“What?!” Mr. Miller was out of words. “Are you kidding me?”

All of them covered their mouths, having no idea why the officers used this law to arrest them. It was just a wild party.

“My ears’ must be wrong. I heard they said the act 2966?” Oslo asked.

She nodded in confirmation. “Your ears are fine.”

It was summer but the nightly wind turned cold. This was not about drug tests anymore.