CHAPTER TWO #4
Melissa searched her face one last time. She wanted Amanda to stop her. She wanted someone to make the decision for her. Instead... Amanda slowly folded her arms across her chest. Not to shut Melissa out. To hold herself together. Melissa felt something inside her crack.
“I'm sorry."
The words were barely audible. Amanda nodded once.
"I know."
That somehow hurt even more. Melissa swallowed the lump in her throat before slowly turning toward the open doorway.
Every step felt heavier than the last. She expected Amanda to call after her.
She didn't. She expected John to stop her.
He didn't. The only sound was Maria's satisfied laugh as she stepped aside
"Welcome to the party."
Melissa crossed the threshold. The music immediately swallowed her whole.
Colored lights flashed across the crowded living room as dozens of teenagers danced, laughed, and shouted over one another.
Someone handed her a red plastic cup before disappearing into the crowd.
Another person complimented her dress. A cheerleader she'd never spoken to smiled as she walked past.
It was everything she'd imagined. Everything she'd wanted. So why... Why did she suddenly feel sick?
Outside... Amanda remained exactly where she was. The front door swung shut. With it... Melissa disappeared from view. Amanda stared at the closed door for several seconds. She couldn't quite convince herself that what had just happened... Had actually happened.
Her best friend had chosen them. No. She immediately corrected herself. She hadn't. Melissa had chosen one night. One chance. One opportunity to feel accepted. Amanda knew that. She understood it. It still hurt. A voice interrupted her thoughts.
"...Amanda?"
She looked up. John hadn't gone inside. He stood awkwardly near the porch railing, one hand shoved into his pocket.
"I..."
He sighed.
"I'm sorry."
Amanda forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"You don't have anything to apologize for."
"I should've done more."
Amanda shook her head.
"You tried."
"It wasn't enough."
"No."
She looked back toward the front door.
"...It wasn't." John followed her gaze.
"I don't think she wanted to hurt you."
Amanda laughed quietly.
"I know."
"She just..."
John searched for the right words.
"...looked like she needed tonight."
Amanda nodded.
"I know."
Again. She knew. That was the worst part. She wasn't angry. She was hurt. There's a difference. John rubbed the back of his neck.
"You know..."
Amanda looked over.
"I've only known Melissa for a day."
A tiny smile appeared.
"And somehow I already know she'd walk through fire for you."
Amanda's eyes filled again.
"She would."
"So whatever happened just now..."
He looked toward the door.
"...I don't think this is the whole story." Amanda smiled sadly.
"No. It isn't."
Silence settled between them. John shifted his weight.
"So..."
Amanda looked at him curiously.
"You still want to leave?"
Amanda blinked.
"What?"
He shrugged.
"You don't have to stand out here."
She glanced toward the mansion.
"...Maria would love that."
John smiled.
"Probably."
Amanda sighed.
"I really don't want to go inside."
"I don't blame you. But..."
He smiled slightly.
"...I also don't think you should let her win." Amanda looked at him for a long moment. He reminded her a little of Michael. Kind. Quiet. The sort of person who seemed to genuinely care whether other people were okay.
"I'll survive."
John chuckled.
"I don't doubt that."
Just then— The front door flew open again. Maria stepped back onto the porch. She looked between Amanda and John. Then dramatically sighed.
"Are you two seriously still standing here?"
John immediately folded his arms. Maria ignored him. She looked directly at Amanda.
"You can come inside."
Amanda frowned.
"...Really?"
Maria smiled.
"Oh, absolutely."
Amanda felt the smallest flicker of hope. Maybe... Maybe Melissa had actually convinced her. Maybe she'd—
"...You can help clean up after the party."
The hope vanished instantly. Amanda stared at her.
"You want me... to clean your house?"
Maria shrugged casually.
"My maid's on vacation." Amanda couldn't help herself.
"Don't you have, like... three?"
Maria laughed.
"Only two."
Amanda blinked.
"...That wasn't the point."
Maria smirked.
"So?"
Amanda looked toward the open doorway. She could hear everyone laughing inside. She imagined Melissa somewhere in that crowd. Alone. Surrounded by people she'd spent years avoiding. Amanda sighed.
"...Fine."
John looked at her.
"You don't have to."
Amanda gave him a small smile.
"I know."
She looked back toward the house.
"But Melissa does."
John understood immediately. Amanda wasn't walking inside because of Maria.
She wasn't walking inside because of Michael.
She wasn't walking inside because of the party.
She was walking inside... Because no matter how hurt she was...
She still couldn't leave her best friend behind. Maria stepped aside dramatically.
"Wonderful."
Amanda walked past her without another word.
As she crossed the doorway... She missed the satisfied smile that spread across Maria's face.
It was subtle. Almost impossible to notice.
Almost. Because Maria wasn't being generous.
She had never intended to be. The invitation...
Was simply the first move in a game Amanda didn't yet realize she was playing.
The moment Amanda stepped through the front door...
She was swallowed by noise. Music pulsed through the mansion so loudly she could feel the bass vibrating beneath her feet.
Colored lights swept lazily across the ceiling while teenagers filled nearly every room, laughing, dancing, and shouting over one another.
The smell of pizza, perfume, and sugary drinks lingered in the warm air. Amanda paused just inside the entrance.
For a second... She forgot why she'd come.
She had never been to a party like this before.
Not because she wasn't invited. Because she'd never wanted to.
She'd always preferred quiet movie nights, football games, or wandering around downtown with Melissa.
This... This was overwhelming. Maria brushed past her shoulder.
"Try not to break anything."
Amanda rolled her eyes.
"I'll do my best."
Maria disappeared into the crowd before Amanda could respond. Amanda exhaled slowly.
Okay. Find Melissa. Ignore Maria. Survive the night.
Simple enough. Or so she hoped. She wandered cautiously through the crowded living room.
Students she'd seen in the hallways for years suddenly smiled at her as though they were old friends.
Someone waved. Another offered her a drink.
A group of football players shouted enthusiastically from the kitchen.
Amanda politely declined every offer. She wasn't here for any of this.
She was here for one person. Her eyes searched every room.
No Melissa. She checked the dining room.
Nothing. The kitchen. Nothing. The backyard. Still nothing. Amanda frowned.
"Where did she go?"
Upstairs... Melissa stood awkwardly in Maria's enormous bedroom. She turned slowly in a circle.
"This room is bigger than my house."
Theresa laughed.
"It isn't."
Melissa looked at her.
"...You don't sound convinced."
Theresa smiled sheepishly.
"Okay..."
She glanced around.
"It might be close."
Melissa laughed despite herself. The bedroom looked like something out of a magazine. A king-sized bed sat beneath a crystal chandelier. Floor to ceiling windows overlooked the backyard pool. Fresh flowers rested on an antique dresser.
Even the guest room smelled expensive. Melissa couldn't imagine living somewhere like this. She wasn't sure she'd even know what to do with this much space.
"You actually look really good."
Melissa turned toward Theresa. "You think?"
"I know."
Melissa looked down at the simple navy dress she'd nearly decided not to wear.
"I still feel ridiculous."
"That feeling passes."
Melissa smiled faintly.
"I hope so."
Theresa stepped beside her. For a moment, neither girl spoke. Then Melissa's smile disappeared.
"I shouldn't have left Amanda outside."
Theresa didn't answer immediately. She leaned against the windowsill, folding her arms.
"No..."
She admitted quietly.
"...you probably shouldn't have."
Melissa sighed.
"I thought you were supposed to tell me I did the right thing."
Theresa smiled sympathetically.
"I can't."
Melissa looked away. "I just..."
Her voice caught.
"I wanted..."
She shook her head.
"I don't even know what I wanted."
Theresa did. She knew exactly what Melissa wanted.
To belong. To stop feeling different. To walk into a room without worrying whether someone would notice her worn-out shoes or ask why she'd never gone on vacation.
Theresa understood. She'd watched girls like Maria build invisible walls around popularity for years.
She also knew... Those walls always came with a price.
"You can still fix this."
Melissa looked over.
"What?"
"You owe Amanda an apology."
Melissa nodded immediately.
"I know. I'll find her."
"You should."
Melissa took a deep breath.
"What if she's still mad?"
Theresa smiled gently.
"Then apologize anyway."
Melissa laughed weakly. "You're making that sound easy."
"It isn't."
Theresa reached over and squeezed her shoulder.
"But she's your best friend."
Melissa smiled sadly.
"My only best friend."
Before Theresa could answer... Maria's voice echoed up the staircase.
"Theresa!"
Another pause.
"Melissa!"
The girls exchanged a look.
"I guess we're being summoned."
Theresa sighed dramatically.
"The queen has spoken."
Melissa laughed.
"You really don't like her either, do you?"
Theresa smiled.
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to."
Another yell drifted upstairs "If I have to come get you myself—!"
Theresa pushed herself away from the window.
"We should probably go."
Melissa nodded. As she reached the bedroom door... She hesitated. "I'll find Amanda after this game."
Theresa's expression softened.
"Don't wait too long."
Melissa looked at her curiously.
"Why?"