Jenga

Chapter Twenty-Nine- Fade to Black

OK. Today I have to give him this present. It's New Year's Eve, so I really don't have much of a choice. I'm such a procrastinator.

We're all having a celebration at my place today. Of course, everyone is staying overnight. I don't know when this was decided, but apparently Arthur and Julia want to see my place. Those guys are two peas in a pod, no doubt.

Even if she's dating Cyan, sometimes I think Arthur and Julia are made for each other.

But as long as Cyan is her boyfriend, Julia isn't getting handed to anyone.

I hope yesterday went well with Max and Wisty. They compliment each other, that's for sure. I just can't imagine my sloth for a brother getting an actual girlfriend. By actual I mean a girl who really likes him and who is my friend.

"OK. I think I'm just about done cleaning and clearing this place up! Max, go buy some junk!" I tell my brother, who is apparently already in the doorway.

Without looking at me in the eyes, he waves his hand and says, "Sure, whatever."

<> <> <>

The doorbell rings. I wonder who my first guest is; Max hasn't come back yet.

When I answer the door, I laugh at who's standing in front of me. Man, if only Max were here! "Hey, Wisty. Come on in. I like your dress, but you didn't have to wear one."

Wisty looks down at her indigo-colored sleeveless dress with black roses at the bottom and a halter top. "Right . . . is Max here?"

"No, he's at the store. What's wrong? You look a bit down," I tell her. I wonder what's wrong with her this time.

"Do I? Sorry, I'm OK. I like your place," she says. "Very retro."

I'm about to reply and deny the fact that she's OK, but the doorbell rings again. I walk away from her and answer it, and standing in front of me now is Arthur and Julia. Without even walking inside, they laugh.

"What kind of place is this?" Julia says. "It looks like the Renaissance."

Arthur waves his arms in a kingly manner while walking inside. "Where's my round table?"

I grimace at their comments and kick Arthur in his behind. "You guys sure are annoying."

Wisty pounds her fists together. "Ah! It's not retro, it's vintage!"

I bend over gloomily and swim over to the couch. "Like that helps. You guys are so mean to me . . ."

About ten minutes later, the door breaks down. The door to my house breaks down. I get up quickly as a reflex to certain death--or danger, rather. In the doorway stand Charlie and Cyan panting like madmen. Wisty, Julia and Arthur turn around.

"Cyan, my darling!" Julia exclaims. I guess she got his catchphrase "darling". Well, out goes the idea for Julia x Arthur.

Charlie and Wisty lock eyes, but they both turn away and look down at the floor. "What's so interesting about the floor?" I say to them. When Charlie looks up he looks a bit afraid, but to ease him I greet him with a hug and kiss.

"I won't ask," I whisper to him. "Come on! Let's get this party started!" I won't ask why the atmosphere is suddenly dreaded, and I won't ask why even Charlie and Cyan look so dapper, in suits and all.

"Party? There is no party," Julia retorts.

I look around and rage into anger. "That boy isn't back yet?! Wisty, I'm sorry, but I'm going to kill him!!"

Right that second, Max comes inside. He's carrying more bags than I thought he would. He lay the bags on the counter and looks at Wisty while walking upstairs.

"Where is he going? He's apart of this, too," I mumble to myself. "And he's still carrying a bag . . ."

Minutes later, he comes back downstairs with another bag in his hand. He walks up to Wisty and she looks up at him. Everything turns quiet.

"Yesterday . . . you left your Pocky with me." Max hands her the bag he just took from upstairs. "And this . . . is your birthday present." He hands her another bag.

I feel dead. I feel like my heart just split into two. Wisty must know that Irish story too. Today is December 31, the day of the black rose.

Today is Wisty's birthday. Why didn't she tell me? How did Max know?

"Birthday?!" everyone else shouts.

"Happy Birthday, Wisty! How old are you turning?" Julia exclaims.

Wisty looks down at the bags sitting on her lap. "16. I'm the youngest out of you guys. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't think it'd be necessary. Max, how did you know?"

Max frowns, as if we should know the answer to that already. "How did I--? Arthur told me. I thought you guys were celebrating her birthday also."

"Arthur you know about their relationship?" I whisper to him.

"It was a lucky guess. It was in The Puppeteer, remember?" he whispers back and grins. Oh, yeah.

"So, Wisty, what'd you get?" Cyan asks. I'm a bit anxious to find out myself. Max attempts to make a run for it, but I hold him down.

This reminds me . . . I really should give Charlie his present now.

"This is the first time someone's given me a birthday present ever since my mother passed," Wisty says, unwrapping the paper. When she gets the box open, everyone screams. Even the guys.

"A necklace?!" we all shout. Max falls to the floor. I guess their relationship has been discovered now, with a gift like that. You don't give that sort of gift to just anybody.

I put it on for Wisty and suddenly, just when the teasing begins, a few unexpected guests barge in.

"I just fixed the door!!" I shout, but when I turn around and see the two men in the doorway, my eyes widen. I take a quick glance at Charlie and Wisty. Why do I feel betrayed again? Not only by my friend, but my boyfriend, too?

"Dad!" Charlie and Wisty exclaim in shock.

Exactly what I thought. My party's been crashed.

Rowan takes a circular-like object out of his pocket and throws it in the house. When it opens, terrible smelling smoke comes out and as tear falls down my cheek, everything fades to black.