The Punk and the Ballerina

Don't Speak

Ari's point of view. Halloween 2005.

This was turning out to be the worst Halloween ever. Mali and Olivia talked me into wearing a sexy costume I felt so uncomfortable in. A Victoria's Secret angel. I was so insecure with my body, I finally agreed to wearing a corset while Mali and Olivia's corsets showed their midriffs. I felt so ridiculous, wearing all this pink and these heavy wings. I don't even like pink, but Mali bought the outfit for me so I couldn't say anything.

Mali wanted us to dress up as Playboy girls but I knew my father would hit the roof if I did, plus it wouldn't look good while I was still trying to get into college. Mali and Olivia weren't afraid of consequences, because they knew their parents could pay them out of anything. Personally, I wished they get in trouble for once just to learn something.

We ended up at some rich dude's house for a party. I think he was Olivia's ex or cousin or something, she knew everybody it was hard to keep track of who was who. It was just like every rich kid's party: a fancy sound system, a pool, liquor, and snack trays. The girls, Parker, and I took a bunch of pictures. Parker was dressed up as a mobster, he looked so cool in his striped suit and black hat.

I saw Sebastian and his friends make their way through the living room. They were dressed up as the band KISS. My dad was a fan of the band, but kept his memorabilia in a box in the attic. I always thought their makeup was so cool. I gave him a secret wave, hoping my friends didn't see. I didn't want them making fun of us again. That's why I had been avoiding him, I needed to protect him from Mali and Olivia. Sebastian didn't deserve their immature jabs, he was so much kinder and classier than they were. Why was I still hanging out with them? Maybe I still saw the good in them but I think the only good thing about them was their beauty and that was superficial of me.

"Ugh, here comes the freak parade," Olivia sneered with her eyes locked on Sebastian and his group. "What are they supposed to be, clowns?"

"Ew Natasha is too fat to be a sexy angel," Mali giggled.

I bit my lip in anger. I knew what it was like to hate my body and I thought it was admirable that short and chubby Natasha was proud of her body. "Halloween is for everybody, she can look sexy if she wants."

"She looks more like an angel food cake," Olivia cackled.

"You guys are such bitches!" I stormed off, elbowing and nudging my way through the drunk crowd. They were so ignorant and cruel, I couldn't take it anymore. I was feeling claustrophobic with all these people. I found the backdoor and stepped outside. Ah, the cool air felt so nice. There was nobody in the backyard, I needed this solitude. I tried to sit in the patio chair, but found it impossible with my wings. Guess I was standing.

I heard the door open, hoping it would be Parker, but I lost sight of him when he spotted a guy he liked. Josh McMadden from the football team emerged with a beer bottle in his hand. The hairs on body stood up, I assumed I was cold, but something about Josh seemed...sinister.

"Ari..." he drunkenly purred.

"Josh," I said quietly. He never spoke to me like that before, it made me feel icky.

"I knew you were gorgeous before, but tonight, I think heaven is missing an angel."

I always thought Josh was cute with his blonde hair and muscles, but he always had a reputation for being a player, I knew better. And I wasn't about to stick around and be another notch on his bedpost. I went to walk around him, but he roughly pushed me so my back was touching the wall of the house. Pretty sure I was going to bruise. I wanted to run, my body remained frozen in position. Oh god, please don't let this happen. I didn't want to lose my virginity like this.