Snow, Snow Is Here To Stay

The Party

Marisa was hosting a party for her birthday three days before the dance. I was invited and decided to wear the outfit I was going to wear to the dance. She welcomed me into her house with open arms.

"Hi!" she exclaimed, handing me a cup. "Go get yourself a drink. I'll be right there."

"Okay! Thanks!" I giggled, heading to the drinks table. I poured myself some Sprite and watched Marisa walk over with some of her guests.

"Anna, this is my cousin Marilyn and her friend Cate. Mari, Cate, this is my friend Anna. She's also my neighbour," said Marisa, introducing us.

"Hi, nice to meet you," I grinned. Cate nodded while Marilyn looked at my outfit. Marisa cleared her throat, glaring at her cousin.

"Oh, yes, of course. Nice to meet you too," Marilyn poured herself a Coke, a Sprite for Cate, and they walked away, waving their goodbye.

"Sorry, did I scare them away?" I chuckled. Marisa shook her head, giggling.

"Come on, I want you to meet my friend Asher. He's so cute but not my type," Marisa announced, dragging me to the other side of the room.

I played along with Marisa, pretending I was excited. Asher was super cute but also not my type. Plus, I caught him glancing several times at our classmate Whitney.

"Are you enjoying the party?" Marisa asked me.

"Definitely, but I'm going to get some more Sprite. Talk later. Go celebrate," I grinned, walking away from Marisa. Once she was out of eyeshot, I sighed in relief. Then, I noticed a girl I recognized from school watching me. She walked over, laughing.

"Marisa can really drain someone's energy. But, she's really sweet once you get to know her," she said.

"Oh yeah, it's been twenty minutes since I got here. I'm completely drained," I wailed, laughing.

"Me, too. This party is a lot, but I have to stay since Marisa's parents are close friends with my parents. My mom went to university with Marisa's mom. Oh, I'm Jessalyn," she said.

"Anna. My dad went to high school with Marisa's dad," I replied.

Jessalyn gasped. "Really? Cool!"

I nodded. Jessalyn spotted her friend and decided to say hi, leaving me with my own thoughts.

Then, Marisa walked up.

"Hey, I saw you talking to Jessalyn," she said.

I nodded, "Yeah."

"Oh, here, have some more to drink," Marisa took my cup and poured me more Sprite.

"That's enough, thanks," I told her, watching her pour me a whole cup.

"Okay, here," she handed it to me, but the cup tipped and the whole cup fell on me.

"Oh my gosh! Marisa!" I cried.

Marisa grabbed paper towels, rushing up to me, helping me dry the spill. "I'm so sorry, Anna!"

"Don't touch me! I knew you were up to something; I can't trust you, can I? You've been nothing but mean to me and this clearly proves us!" I shouted, causing everyone to look at me.

Marisa looked uncomfortable. "Anna, this was an accident!"

"Oh, it was an accident. I thought I was beginning to trust you, but I really can't. I never will. Bye." I stormed away when someone grabbed my shoulders. Marco.

"Anna, calm down. Marisa clearly didn't do that on purpose. I know she's done some mean things in the past, but you need to forgive her. She's been nothing but nice to you these past days. It's her birthday, for goodness sake!"

"Marco, I can't. I have to go. Tell Marisa happy birthday or something for me. I don't care anymore," I pushed past him and left her house, for good.

Not only was my meltdown the talk of my school, someone had recorded the whole thing. I went to school that day with my head pushed down in my hood, knowing people were looking at me in all sorts of different ways.

When I entered the study room, the first person I saw was Marisa. She was on her phone and when she saw me, her face showed no expression. I didn't want to face her, not today. But before I could say anything, she stepped in front of me.

"We need to talk." Her voice was icy, and her face was expressionless.

"Fine," I agreed.

Marisa nodded, "I didn't spill Sprite on you on purpose. Anyways, I didn't know you hated me so much. Sorry for trying to be your friend. I'll see you at the dance, I guess. Maybe dance with yourself since you don't have a date. But don't save one for Marco, he's mine."

I froze. Marco had asked Marisa to go to the dance with him? She saw my expression and laughed.

"Yes, he asked me," Marisa confirmed.

"How..." I started.

"Obviously I knew you were wondering that. You're such an easy read. Well, being friends with you was fun while it lasted. Toodles!" Marisa sashayed away, with a smirk on her face.