fallout - r.b.

twenty three

do you want to know a secret - the beatles

After Reece left, I started tidying up. I sighed heavily at the sight of the sitting room and began chucking everything into a bin bag. The bottles clinked against each other as I tossed them in the rubbish. I picked up the larger broken pieces of the lamp, wincing as a bit of jagged glass sliced my hand. I got a broom and swept up the rest. It wasn't perfect, but at least the place didn't look like a crack house anymore.

I cursed my parents a few times as I finished cleaning up, then I headed upstairs to take a much needed shower. I stared at myself in the bathroom mirror, noticing the trace of the red mark on my cheek from Aydan's ring, and the hairline cut on my neck from the man's knife. Thank god for makeup.

I got out of the shower feeling refreshed. I started on my usual light makeup and covered up all the signs of conflict. I dried my hair into slight waves and smiled in contentment at the fact that I looked actually alive again. I got dressed in jeans and a tank top and threw on a cream jumper.

I laid down on my bed, resting on top of the duvet and soaking up the moment of relaxation. "A.M." by One Direction was playing from the radio, and I hummed along. I smiled softly at the lyrics, Reece and I's light night conversations running through my mind.

The peace was interrupted by my phone ringing. I answered to hear a very frantic Shayla rambling about how Reece came home looking all banged up--like he'd gotten in a fight, and how their mum was freaking out, and George was acting weird, and apparently Reece and Aydan broke up, and 'where the hell have I been,' and 'I need to come over asap'.

I grimaced on the other end of the phone as Shay recapped most of what I already knew. I agreed to head over after I packed up the stuff for my halloween costume. I eyed the clock to see that it was nearly three p.m., and started shuffling through my closet. We'd established a black and red colour scheme, and somewhere in my mess of a wardrobe was the perfect dress.

I sighed in relief when I finally found what I was looking for--after tossing about five hundred other items of clothing all over the floor. I held the dress up in front of me to assess it. It was layered mesh material in an a-line shape with spaghetti straps and a square neck. It was short, barely reaching past my upper thighs, and black with subtle red flowers in the detailing. I smirked to myself as I slipped the dress into my bag. I grabbed a pair of sheer black tights, white socks, and my black Doc Martens and packed those as well, along with my makeup and perfume.

I tugged on a brown leather jacket and laced up my converse before heading out the door. I was pleasantly greeted by the sun and the non-freezing temperature it was creating. As I walked down the street with Blossoms songs playing through my headphones, I found myself actually feeling happy. Was I a bit nervous about us all going to this party together? Yes, but maybe it would be fun and help things get back to normal. Was I still pissed at my parents? Absolutely, but mum said they'd be home Monday, so whatever--no point in worrying about it for now. And was I wondering what the hell was going on between Reece and I? Of course, but maybe that would get cleared up tonight too... I didn't know what would happen at this party, but I couldn't say I wasn't excited.

***

I arrived at the Bibby's house just as Lyndsey and Jamie were heading out the door. They greeted me happily, Lyndsey pulling me in for a hug.

"Hello, dear. You look well," she smiled. I certainly looked better than the other night when she saw me last with tired eyes and smudged mascara.

"Thank you, Lyndsey, so do you. Where are you headed?"

"On our way to the Smith's for their party tonight," Jamie answered. "About four hours early, but Shayla insisted we leave now," he added, rolling his eyes.