Loudspeaker

15. Skater Dress

She was so excited for that party
She'd had a long term studying
I suppose that never crossed your mind.
She should have never gone but how could she have known
That you would be there with all your ulterior motives?
Her life was never something you considered
You didn't care that it was the first party she'd gone to in months
And that she chose that dress because she loved it
That night and that dress were never for you
She never wanted you.
Guess that wasn't something you thought about as you laughed over
How you'd use her then lose her
Like some sick, twisted game.

The bright lights and glowing stars glittered against the softly setting sun
As she made her way into the party
Everything about that night was perfect
Except for you.
You saw her from across the room
Made your way over as her friend got lost in the crowds.
Didn't lose time wasting hers.
Can you really blame her for not seeing your alternate priorities
She was taken in by your polite introduction, a master of deception
Can you blame her for not hearing the alarm bells
The shining disco ball and blaring dance music overwhelmed her
Can you blame her for not reading the signs
When you smiled so genuinely, played the part so well
How could you blame her for not realising what you were planning
When you're the one who gets his way no matter what.

You made light conversation, airy and sweet
Like the less than innocent concoction you  gave her to drink.
Was she naïve to believe that you cared
Whether she'd had a tough week -
No, you were never concerned about her
As long as you got what you wanted.
And there she was giggling, smiling
Saying that she should probably call her friend
She never did.
Is it that shocking that she didn't see it coming -
Thought you'd treat her with respect?
Completely at ease, she was now putty in your hands -
That's why pretty girls shouldn't go out to parties
And why innocent girls shouldn't drink.

Leading her into dark rooms, all the bright glamour faded away
The music could barely be heard
And her friend was concerned that she hadn't picked up her phone.
Of course that never bothered you.
Was she deaf to the danger alarms
Blind to the signs
Senseless to the warnings all around?
Her head was hurting, she was beginning to regret drinking so much
What even had she been drinking?
It tasted odd.
She could barely think, her eyes blurry and her head thumping.
The dim room started spinning and she gasped for breath -
Landing a crumpled heap on the floor, she heard a distorted cackle
That echoed through her nightmares.

Just because she was wearing a pretty skater dress that night
Doesn't make it alright -
You were never right.
Because now it's half eleven and she's passed out on the couch all drugged up
Sky high yet a heap on the floor.
But it's all worth it, because you got what you wanted.
Just because she wore a skater dress
Doesn't mean it was an invite
She never wanted you that night.
Just because she wore a skater dress doesn't mean she would've said yes
And if she didn't know then how could she have ever said no.

Her head swam the following morning
Her body still intoxicated.
She couldn't recall the previous night but an uneasy feeling
Remained in the pit of her stomach.
It wasn't alcohol.
She scanned the room and saw her favourite dress
Pastel pink, ruined and torn.
She wouldn't be able to wear it anymore.
Her phone lit up.
She had ten missed calls from the previous night, and hundreds of frantic texts.
The party.
It all came rushing back like a shot of vodka.
She remembered you and everything you did.
She swore she'd get revenge somehow.
Just because she'd worn a skater dress didn't mean she'd have said yes
And if she didn't know then how could she have ever told you the answer was
No.

LD x ~ 12/8/20