SHORT STORIES

A Teenage Dirtbag

'You have to swallow it really quick, that's how a shot works' Marcey lifted the shot glass in my hand closer to my face, after previously sipping the Whiskey and making a sour face.

I quickly threw back the yellow poison and swallowed as quickly as my burning throat allowed me. The alcohol warmed my throat to belly as it trickled down. Marcey cackled at the sight of my discomfort and pushed her shiny long brown hair behind her ears. She was beautiful; at just the age of twelve she surpassed all the other girls growth and by fourteen had landed herself a permanent spot in the 'Beautiful Girls Club' a superficial group the "cool" kids had named.

I, the frail and lanky seventeen year old, one year older than Marcey, was not winning any awards for looks.

We had been friends since the age of seven when she moved in to the apartment next to me with her dad, but through the years we drifted apart as i had my studies and she, well. She had her parties. Tonight was the last attempt at our friendship not becoming a memory, but i was out of my element and feeling less than exuberant, unlike her.

'You know Mick over there? He's gay too!' Marcey nonchalantly points to the chiseled body of a guy drinking in the corner.

'You do know, that being gay doesn't make you automatically attracted to every other gay man, Marcey.' I reply sarcastically.

'You're just shy, my love. I'll introduce you!'

'Marcey, no. I really don't want to.' I push away her hands from my shoulders and she pouts over dramatically.

'You know what, i think I'm just going to go home.' I fix my greasy blonde hair and head for the coat rack where my checkered flannel jacket sat, as out of the clique as i was at this party, surrounded by leather jackets and in fashion jumpers.

Before i even get the chance to put both my arms into the jackets holes i feel a sudden sharp pain in my side and i collapse to the floor.

I don't even notice the two guys wielding knives of all sorts causing havoc around the party, jabbing whoever they can reach. I'm too fixated on the blood pouring from my ribs. I can't breathe properly, i had never felt this kind of immense pain before, nor seen my own blood in such quantity.

A gunshot echoes as the bullet shatters a hole in the roof.

'Anyone tries to get to the door, they have a bullet saved just for them!' The taller of the two bellows, through an evil grin.

I look around the room. Many have fallen like me and are trying to hold their own wounds. A girl is just in front of me, through the frantic steps i can see her dead eyes fixated at nothing and i throw up.

Through the blood, vomit and tears i can see Marcey. She positioned herself under the coffee table and was staring intently at the men, flinching to their every move. She looked free from any wounds.

'Hey assholes!' I spatter through my bloody mouth, and they turn quickly to me staring at them intently.

I point my shaking finger towards the coffee table and heave 'You missed one.'