Mystery Man

Chapter Three

Today is the day I’ve been dreading, the day I hate the most, my birthday. It’s been two weeks since I saw Alex at Taylor’s house and I haven’t seen him since which I am happy about. Seeing him hit me hard, I do blame him for my brother’s death cause it was his careless driving that caused it. I’d spent the past two weeks in my house and refused to talk to anyone except for Maxx and my parents, I only texted Taylor once asking her to pick me up for my birthday party at Maxx’s house.

I pushed any negative thoughts out of my mind and tried to at least be happy about my birthday. I was currently getting ready for the party that I still didn’t want but was gonna try and enjoy, because Maxx has really put a lot of effort into it. I was wearing a plain black, strapless, mini dress that was tight around my waist and then flared out, black tights and black wedged boots. I was wearing simple make up, had my hair curled but my fringe straight with a bounce.

“Charley,” I turned to face Taylor who entered my room, she was wearing a plain red dress very similar to mine, simple make up and her brunette hair was simply curled. “I wanted to apologise for what happened at my house the other week, if I’d realised who he was I wouldn’t have let that happen, and I just wanted to let you know that I haven’t spoken to him since.”

“Taylor it’s fine honestly, you didn’t realise, it doesn’t matter anymore,” I replied with a gentle smile.

Taylor nodded in understanding and didn’t bring it up again. I looked in the mirror one last time, left my room with Taylor behind me and went downstairs to say goodnight to my parents.

“Look how gorgeous my little girl is.” My Mum cried practically in tears.

“I’m not little anymore Mum,” I laughed at her. “Where’s Dad?”

“He’s gone out to get food, why? Did you need him for something?”

“No, I just wanted to say goodnight but it’s fine, anyway goodnight Mum, love you,” I said kissing her cheek.

“Love you too dear, now go and have fun,” She said with a smile.

I walked out the door waving at her. We got to Taylor’s car, she unlocked it and we climbed inside. She started the engine and music started playing. The first song to come on was Windows In Heaven by We Are The In Crowd. Taylor went to change the song but I stopped her.

“Leave it on, please.”

She looked at me, smiled in understanding and started driving toward Maxx’s. I looked at the time, 6:45pm, I stared at the sky with tears forming in my eyes.

“I miss you Logan”

‘If you could see me now,

 

Would you be pleased and proud,

 

I'm doing fine,

 

But sometimes I cry,

 

When I see your face,

 

Are there windows in heaven’

The music blared and I quietly sung along. We Are The In Crowd were one of Logan’s favourite bands and I know he would love this song. It’s the song I listen to whenever I just want to remember him and cry.

We pulled up to Maxx’s house not long after and I could hear the music blasting from inside and see some people outside who were already quite drunk.  Inside were drunken teenagers badly grinding on each other, and I didn’t know who any of them were.

“Hello my birthday princess” Maxx whispered into my ear as he came up behind me, put his arm around my waist and kissed my cheek.

“Who are these people?”

“People that I knew from school, people in your year, anyone I could find really.”

“So they’re strangers? I’m spending my 18th birthday with strangers?”

“Come on Char, I thought you’d enjoy it. I’ll make it up to you later, I promise.”

“Whatever,” I walked into the house, poured myself a drink and watched all the strangers who were having more fun than I was.

...

I had no idea what time it was, who I was dancing with or anything that was happening for that matter.  All I knew is that I had drunk too much and I was now having fun.

“Okay you, the party’s over,” I heard Maxx say as he grabbed me and pulled me upstairs.

“But it was just getting fun,” I whined.

Maxx pulled me closer and put his mouth against my ear, “it’s time for our own, private fun.”

He opened his bedroom door, pushed me onto the bed, and locked the door behind him.