Issues / ROMAN GODFREY / #wattys2019

Six.

Mariana spent most of the afternoon getting ready for the dance. She took a long shower and stayed in her room until it was time to go. Her father was working a double and wouldn't be home until the early morning, and she planned on being home by then. Mariana threw on her jean jacket over her costume and stepped outside to get in her car, but jumped back in fright when Letha and Roman were standing at her door, about ready to knock.

Letha gasped, "You look so good!" she said, a wide grin settled on her face. Roman looked her up and down, a shocked yet pleased look in his eyes. Mariana complimented her costume as well, ruffling the feather on her headband.

 "Why did you guys come here? You didn't have to pick me up," Mariana said.

"Don't be ridiculous, if Roman is going to be friends with you I need to make sure he's not rude and ruins everything," Letha said, ignoring Roman's glare as she looped her arm through Mariana's. Roman shut the front door and followed the girls to his Jaguar, in which the top was down. Mariana squeezed herself in the back, which she believed wasn't meant for sitting, but she had no other choice unless she were to sit on Letha's lap.

They drove to the high school with music blasting through the speakers. Mariana held onto her hair in a sad attempt to keep it in place. When they arrive, the trio climbs out and makes their way inside. Mariana left her jacket in the car, adjusting the top half of her costume when she was rushed by the devil itself.

"Girl you look hot!" Lucy screamed from across the hall, dressed up as a nurse. Roman snickered, watching as Letha continued on inside the gym where the party was. Mariana was able to muster a little smile before she followed Roman inside, not bothering to comment on such a cliche outfit.

-

"Do you think we could spike this shit?!" Roman yelled over the loud music, finally joining Mariana after what seemed like hours. He held a glass of watery punch in his hand, letting Mari take it and try it. Her red lipstick left a print of her lips on the rim. "That's nasty!" she yelled back at him. He tossed the cup into a corner and took her hand, leading her out the doors to his car.

Mariana climbed in the passenger seat while Roman reached into the glove box and pulled out a matte black flask. He opened it and took a drink before handing it to her. Mariana could smell the whiskey and took a dainty sip.

"You don't smoke, you don't drink, do you do anything fun?" Roman asked playfully, furthering his point by lighting a cigarette. Mariana rolled her eyes and took another drink, this one heftier than the first. Roman blew smoke from the corner of his mouth and took the flask from her when she handed it over.

"I've just never had the urge to do it. If that makes me boring then so be it." she shrugged, looking into the windows of the school and seeing the disco lights from the gym. Roman shook his head and kept the cigarette until it was half the size of his pinkie.

"Have you seen Peter?" Mariana asked him, realizing she hadn't seen him since the other day when they crossed paths in the hallway.

"I drove him home from school today, he wasn't interested in coming tonight. It really sucks being the new kid," Roman commented, flicking the lid to the flask up and down. "Plus I'm pretty sure I freaked him the fuck out."