Tears Of London

The special room

ERIN

The last time we came at Pete's house, it was on the sly, so I hadn't notice how pretty his house was. It was really big, made of clear bricks and a red triangle roof. Pete's parents had a large garden, a vegetable patch, and even an outdoor lounge. In the center of London. They must be really rich.
- See ? We're late, Aliya complained when she saw all the guests on the patio.
They were as much as in the Hutt, on Friday. That is to say MANY. Music was loud. But people were louder.
- Look, Peter is there ! Aliya showed me.
He was on the patio, surrounded by our usual crew but also some younger niggas that I don't know. Probably Pete's school friends.
- Erin ! Pete yelled when we came closer.
- Happy birthday, brother, I said tapping him on the shoulder.
Pete smiled before continuing what he was saying.
- No, forget it, man. She's a motherfucking nun. She'll get wet just by looking at you.
Then followed a wave of laughs. I noticed Aliya was laughing too, even if she had no idea about who he was talking about.
- Man, I'm not even kidding, Pete continued.
- What a difference between you and her ! a younger guy I don't know said. Are you sure she's your sister ?
Everything became clearer now.
It's her. They are talking about Jo.
- Sometimes I ask myself, Peter answered with a mockingbird smile.
I didn't have a clue about Jo's relationship with her brother. I didn't know they weren't close.
- I'm sure she's still a virgin, he added.
This note irritated me. Jo never said shit about her brother, how can he talk about her like that, in front of strangers ?
But before I say anything, drunk Malcolm added to the discussion :
- Ahahah ! Ask Erin !
I raised my head, confused. I looked at Malcolm with reproach eyes, that meant : FUCK YOU.
But it was too late. Everyone had heard him. Everyone was staring at me quietly, waiting for me to say something.
- You fucked my sister ? Peter asked finally.
I saw everyone was focusing on me, and felt the power it was bringing me. And I thought : they don't know her. Let's get out all that shit they said about her of their fucking mouth.
- No. Malcolm cut us off in our tracks.
Everyone looked surprised. Peter looked upset.
- I thought she was into perfect white guys, he tackled me.
- Surprise. She's not that boring, after all.
I straightened up with a glass I just found.
- Oh, and if I may, she surely does better things with her mouth than you and your dick.
Then I left in silence.

*

I ended the night with Aliya, dancing in the middle of the crowded living room. Suddenly, her plastic glass fell on me, spreading all over my green jacket.
- Wow, it's becoming interesting, she whispered at my ear.
- Stop it, we both know you're into girls.
- But some boys sometimes can't kill nobody. Just kidding. If I'd have to fuck with you, I'll prefer a three-way plan with a girl. What about the girl you talked about earlier ? What's her name ?
- Jo.
I look at my jacket, stained with vodka.
- I'm gonna wash it, I said. I'll come back.
I crossed the living room, looking for a bathroom. I finally found it, at the end of a long corridor.
When I finished cleaning my jacket, I tried to find the way back to the living room. But, instead, I found another corridor only composed of rooms. I recognised it. I went here once. I approached from a door that was bringing me memories. It looks like Jo's room.
I opened it, curious.
I wanted to take time to look at her room, to see where she has grown up.
The light was turned off. But before I turned it in, I had the reflex to check if there was nobody in here. And I did well. Someone was in Jo's bed, sleeping. I came closer to it until I realised it was actually Jo herself. She was sleeping on her stomach, holding with strength her pillow.
She looks pure. So pure. Clean. I don't know what it sounds like but it sounds logic to me. She is way cleaner than most people.
Her cheeks were still so pink and her skin so pale.
She looks like Snow White.
She's an angel for real.
This room was the best place. A peaceful and safe one. Smelling like her. Like a flowers' bouquet. I was feeling so confortable in it, I didn't want to leave. So I sat on the floor, next to her.
And I think I fell asleep.

*

- You must be kidding me ?
I woke up all of a sudden. It was Peter's voice, I was pretty sure of it. But I couldn't see his face in the dark.
- Come with me, bro, he declared, holding out his hand to me. I wanna talk.
I was a bit suspicious about his intentions. He's certainly still mad at me for what I said.
- What's wrong with you ? he said when we were out of the room. Why did you talk to me like this ?
- You said shit about Jo.
- So she's your best friend now ?! How do you know her ?
I saw he was getting angry. A crease had formed between his eyebrows, like when he was younger.
- Kelly is Malcolm's girl. She was with Jo when I met her.
- So ? What's happening now ? You're fucking her ?
- I told you I didn't.
- I don't trust you.
- I didn't.
- Screw you, Erin.
He is seriously starting to get me mad. I have to get out of here. I don't want to fight with him. He's like my brother.
I tried to dodge him, but he held me firmly.
- We're not over, he declared.
- Take your hands off me.
- Fuck you, bastard !
I pushed him back so he'd get his hands off me. Suddenly, with his shoulder, my friend slammed me into the wall, put one of his hands on my neck and started to squeeze it. I was helpless. My arms were blocked in my back, against the wall. I feel like a weak idiot.
- You think you can say shit about me in front of the boys ? I'm not the weak guy I used to be. I don't want to see you around me again. So get the fuck out of my house and don't come back.
He pronounced all of these words with clenched teeth. I finally managed to free one of my wrests, that I used to punch him in the jaw. He stepped back with astonishment. As if he never thought I would hurt him one day. It's funny how old friends can became ennemies. In a short time.
At this real moment, Kelly entered in the corridor. She immediately yelled :
- Stop ! Boys, that's enough !
But it was already enough. We were done. We didn't move. We were just staring at each other, like furious dogs.
- Erin. Get out of here. Now, she ordered. No one wants you in here.
I had a last look at that special door, before I left for good.