Mary Mae and the Boys

Chapter 15

The music could be heard from blocks away. That was the first indication that there was even a party being held. For a discrete neighborhood, it was clear that the neighbors were choosing to be deaf to this sound.

And as Luka drove closer, the bright lights and loud laughter surrounding the house captured their eyes. It was beautiful, there was a pool in the front yard, closer to the side of the house that stood four stories tall. Several people stood in the balcony, smoking to their hearts content as other lay in the pool.

It was now ten and they weren't sure if they'd arrived too early or too late. It didn't matter though because according to all the teen fiction novels Mary Mae had read, these parties would last until the morning. She hoped that would be the case.

She hadn't spoken a single word to Zach or Luka for the rest of the drive, slowly regretting her decision to attend this party anyway.

It wasn't until a certain blonde-haired goddess appeared in her peripheral vision, as Luka parked, that Mary Mae realized that she really didn't want to be here. Mary Mae glanced at Zach who seemed completely entranced by the sight of his ex-girlfriend.

It was so random that she would be here tonight of all nights. She lived an hour away, but Mary Mae realized that Sylvia lived no more than ten minutes from this location. She wondered if Zach had invited her, but if he had, why did he look so shocked that she was here.

"Everyone out," Luka said, "the tension in here makes me want to cry."

Mary didn't laugh at Luka's words; she couldn't focus on anything other than Zach as he moved out of the car and walked over to Sylvia. Like a magnet, they connected on a different level and Mary felt the jealousy bubbling inside of her. If they still loved each other, why did Zach lie to her about loving her? Why did they break up when long distance was totally a possibility for them? She was certain now that it was most likely Sylvia that had taken his virginity, not that it mattered.

It made Mary Mae angry that Zach had withheld such an important aspect of his life from her, not that it was necessarily her business. But they'd known each other since childhood, she thought he trusted her enough to tell her about such a big milestone. Or perhaps, to him it wasn't the enchanting milestone that Mary Mae dreamed of.

Mary stepped out of Luka's car, feeling like she was in a nightmare surrounded by darkness, loud music, and cold weather. Everything was hazy and Zach hadn't even bought her food at the gas station earlier. Her stomach growled louder.

As though some extraordinary forces were working, Luka had also disappeared from sight leaving Mary Mae all alone. She wondered if Gilbert was at this party, maybe she could talk to him; maybe she could tell him that she had a revelation and never wants to see Zach again. Mary Mae couldn't figure out her feelings.

She was angry, angry that Zach had completely ditched her. She was angry that she liked kissing Zach more than Gilbert. She was angry that Zach told her about his feelings only to leave her as soon as his ex-girlfriend was back in the picture. Everything felt so toxic and immature.

The ice sliced past Mary's arm, sending waves of shivers through her and goosebumps all around. She was on the verge of tears, feeling overwhelmed with so many thoughts and strange motions. But the one that over powered it all was confusion.

Things had been so simple when Zach hadn't admitted his feelings to her. Things had been so nice when they'd been just friends. Before complications arose.

"Mars, let's go inside, why are you out here staring at the house like it's going to bite you?" Luka wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Luka, that's her only true friend, the only person who cares about her. He was the only one who wasn't fake and hurtful and hateful toward her. Luka had always been sincere and honest, she could only trust him.

"Luka," Mary heard herself say through choked words, "I don't feel too good." Luka's hand flew to her forehead, checking her temperature in the most mother-like way.

"There's a few rooms upstairs, do you want to take a nap? I think Angela or Anna or someone might have the keys in case you want privacy." Luka said, concern clouding his features.

"Luka, don't worry about me, go find Rita, have fun, this is a party." Mary Mae said, unintentionally guilt-tripping him.

"I can't when my best friend- slash- sister isn't feeling well. Besides, it's my job to make sure you enjoy these things since we pretty much force you to go." Luka chuckled, handing Mary Mae a red solo cup full of a clear liquid.

"Is this water?" Mary Mae asked as they walked through the crowd.

"Do you think it's water?" Luka smirked, eyes glistening as he took the cup back and chugged it. "Not water."

Mary found herself smiling for the first time since the gas station revelation and she followed Luka upstairs. She didn't recognize half the individuals at this party, and she was concerned that Zach had been lying to her the entire time and was going to get back with Sylvia. She sighed, this was all out of her control.

"Here, I think the door should be unlocked upstairs, I'll come back to check on you in a little." Luka said, watching Mary's red hair slowly trickle out of the bun she'd placed it in. Her green eyes sparkled like Christmas and she nodded wordlessly. Her emotions were somehow unreadable and she knew she wanted this night to be over.

"Thanks Luka." She muttered, walking into the room alone and shutting the door. She locked it and turned on the lights. It was giant, clean, and most importantly, empty.

She took a deep breath in, the urge to cry overwhelmed her. The vision of Zach practically flying out of the car to approach Sylvia rang through her mind and the phrase "if he wanted to, he would" rang loud and clear in her mind. It was the truest thing she'd ever heard because he wanted to talk to her and see her, so he did. He prioritized Sylvia over his best friend and supposed 'love' which made no sense.

Mary Mae tried to validate that he probably missed his old friend and just wanted to say hi. Any sane person would've done that, but instead she found herself crying alone in a beautiful room at a party that was supposed to be fun.

She snuggled up against the pillows on the massive bed, feelings of comfort engulfed her and, not for the first time in this strange day, she felt disgusted and sick. Mary Mae cried until she fell asleep.