Unnoticeable

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Saturday spun forward and I arrived in the early evening at Sophie's house so that we could get ready for the party together. Of course, I picked up Stingray and Noodle on the way, and of course, I'd drive us all there. That was the benefit of having a friend who wasn't a drinker - she could drive you home. The three of them never worried about how they would get home when I came along to a party. We hadn't partied much at other people's houses, so it was usually easy for us all to just crash at Sophie's, since that was where most of our parties were. But on the few occasions that we did go to other people's houses, I kept an extra-vigilant eye on them all. I remember the time Noodle basically comaed and I was weighing up whether I should call the ambulance or her mother. Luckily, just as my fingers reached for my phone, she shuffled and muttered, and I realised she was just super tired, so I put her in the backseat of my car and drove her home. Her mum was really grateful and I got all sorts of comments about what a caring friend I was. I even got more gas money for it, which was a nice bonus. In a way, I was a ticket for these girls. If their parents knew that I was attending the party, then they would without any complaint or hesitation, let the girls go. As I've said before - I'm Christina, and I've got you covered.

Sophie's vanity cabinet was overwhelmed by an array of makeup, nail polish and hair tools. Before the circular mirror, Soap, Stingray and Noodle crowded. They stood shoulder to shoulder, applying glitter to eyelids, dipping sponges into liquids, and straining and focusing extra hard when their painted hands held the likes of eyeliner pencils or mascara brushes. As per usual, I lounged on Sophie's pink bed and flicked through a magazine, silently criticising the stupidly happy people in it. Now and again, I would gaze up at the trio wondering momentarily about why I wasn't standing and preening myself like them. Then my mind would wander off and my eyes would trail around Sophie's blossom-pink wallpaper and the various posters pinned on it. There were posters of boy bands, models, attractive actors - all sorts of things found in magazines. I thought about my own bedroom wall. It had hardly anything on it. On one side, near the snug window seat, by my stout bookcase, was a painting Dad had done years and years ago when he was in college. It was abstract. Honestly, it was a jumble of triangles, circles and lines in bold yellows, poppy-reds and macaw-blues. But I liked it. I really liked it. I didn't really understand what it was about, but I understood that my eye found it pleasing. And perhaps given that Dad had done it, I liked it all the more. It used to be the only thing on my wall...

Sophie had finally settled on one of her new tops to wear on this evening, when she was planning to yet again dance closely with Josh Hayward. It was a singlet top with thin dangling silver sequins, and I admit, it really did suit her. The skirt that went with it was of the tight jeans kind. I was offered to borrow items from Sophie's closet so that I could 'bring out my potential' because apparently I've got 'a sexy lady in there somewhere,' but as per usual, I declined. I was pretty satisfied with my charcoal jeans and my baggy pale red T-shirt. My jeans were snug, they fit me well. I wouldn't be carrying on tugging at them or adjusting my shirt, like the three at the mirror were already doing with their outfits after ten minutes of wearing them. They seemed happy enough though, posing and taking selfies. I waited for my cue to start the engine.

Stingray took over the music in the car. She often did. She said that we needed to get us all pumped up for the party. The likes of Britney Spears and Kanye West could just never get me pumped up. Well.. maybe for a funeral? I endured it as I always did. I'd get petrol money and a sense of respect. My place amongst teenage frivolity wasn't entirely a cheerful one, but it was a place nonetheless. I guess what kept me in it was the feeling like I had somewhere to be, like I had something to do, like in amongst it all not being my cup of tea, I still was someone. We scrounged for a park and drove up and down Josh's street twice. The best we could do was about five houses away, but that was pretty good considering everyone who was attending. The three of them complained though. Guess they shouldn't have worn those heels.