Normally, a sudden bout of blindness would be cause for concern, especially for a young woman at a party where covert drinking was happening. Blindness could mean any number of things. Someone poured too much moonshine into the punch. An unplanned power outage. The end of days.
“Guess who!”
Luckily for Shawna, the sound of the voice and the giggles afterwards confirmed that her temporary loss of sight was unrelated to any of those things.
“You know I wouldn’t have any clue if it weren’t for the fact that the only person I know who would giggle after doing something like this would be you, Chrissie!”
Returning the gift of sight back to her friend, Chrissie maneuvered around her to be closer to the table. She examined her options, her green gaze resting on the punch and the fountain that kids were eagerly taking drinks from. “Where’s your darling Sunshine? She was here just seconds ago.”
Momentarily, she looked around as if she cared to search for her. A girl who she didn’t know much about, yet seemed to be the new obsession for her lovely friend. Sunshine and Chrissie socialized from time to time, but nothing beyond idle chatter. “That’s too bad.” She muttered out loud, even adding a sigh for dramatic effect. Chris wanted to get to know Sunshine beyond singing musical songs together.
Pooey.
The party must’ve been passing her by, since Shawna’s current lover was no longer in sight. Perhaps, she was hidden behind one of these tall individuals. Nevertheless, Chrissie’s priorities were on her friend and how she’s been. That’s what friends truly cared about. Not their fleeting sexual and ‘romantic’ bouts. What time is it anyways? Losing interest in the topic of Shawna’s girlfriend as quick as she brought her up, Chris was back to the drink table, “The punch looks awfully sweet.”
Shawna was just as confused as Chrissie was. Sunshine had just been here not a moment ago, but she was gone without a trace. There must have been some reason for it. Maybe one of the other cheerleaders needed help with something. Who knows?
Chrissie however, it had been a while since they had a chance to have a true tete-a-tete. Not since the return of school really. That first day when Shawna and Sunshine admitted to themselves what had been happening and made it official. Chrissie had been a consultant on that progression, sure. As one of Shawna’s oldest friends at King’s she was going to get a say, but it almost seemed like they drifted a little bit.
Until now.
Chrissie asked about the punch, and what kind of person would Shawna be if she didn’t let Chrissie know about what truly lurked beneath those blood-red waves and floating orange slices? “That punch is sweet, but much like most of the people here, it packs a hidden wallop, if you catch my drift,” she informed her friend. “So if that’s your speed tonight, grab a cup and join me.” Shawna punctuated this with a sip of her own refilled beverage.
Catching the drift and taking it, the drama queen expected it to be trash liquor, which it was. Grimacing a little at the poor quality, but knowing this was the best her night was going to get, Chris decided to catch up with everyone else and chug it. Since it tasted like juice still, she was sure people were drinking it as such. This meant that sooner rather than later drunk teens would be losing all their inhibitions. For better or for worse, the Valentine’s dance would get chaotic, wild, and more importantly, exciting.
“And then catch me up? How have you been? It looks like we both lost our quote-unquote dates for this Valentine’s Day,” she said, unsure of where Jack had rumbled off to. Seemed she was about as skilled at keeping track of her companions on V-Day as she was on Halloween. “I mean, I also lost my girlfriend, but I’m sure she’ll boomerang back at some point.”
“I love my date! He’s a hoot. Probably went to talk to his ex. Yeah, seems like something he’d do.” Grabbing another cup, Chrissie noticed that Shawna’s cup was getting low so she poured her drink in her’s, and went for another. Her emerald eyes were over critical, in typical judgey Chrissie fashion, as she turned to look at the crowd. With her free hand, she slid it on her friend’s back to her hip and pulled her close.
“I’ve been just peachy. My winter slump sucked, but now I’m back to my daily routine.” Chrissie wasn’t drunk enough to bring up the problems she had with Stella. Honestly, the mere thought of her cousin soured her mood. So, like the better person that she was, she would act like she didn’t exist. “My life is a bore. Everyone is falling for someone around me. Let’s talk more about you. Lord knows I talk too much. How have you been, babe?” The little minx glanced up at her, Shawna six inches taller, and gave a kittenish smile. Regardless of how much Shawna has talked about Sunshine to her, it was obvious Chrissie still didn’t acknowledge it. To her, Sunshine was just another fling.
Shawna had almost taken another sip, but when Chrissie mentioned her date talking to an ex, that set off some major alarm bells. There were only a couple major exes that she knew about and both of them were a plethora of bad news. The thought of Chrissie being friends with either Max or Kavi was slightly revolting. Of course, there were surely people who thought that her being friendly with Jack was on that same level. Still, at least Jack had some redeeming qualities. Both Max and Kavi were textbook assholes.
Still, there would be time to probe that particular line of questioning in a second. The ball was back in her court now, and social conventions dictated an answer.
“Honestly, things have been looking up! I mean, I don’t want to drown you in details, but things with Sunshine and me have been amazing. I know, I’m sorry, more people around you that are falling for others, but it’s… it’s so different right now. You remember that first time we were discussing Austen, and realized just how much we had in common? It’s like that feeling for the first time in such a long time. Like I actually feel like my life is actually going the way I want it, and not the way my parents want it…” Shawna let out a huge sigh in bringing up that topic. “Speaking of which, now that they are back, I’m probably going to need a few more getaway days at your place, you know? I mean, I literally can’t do anything at home right now. Not with anyone. It’s amazing Jack was able to perform as well as he did to get me out of there tonight. My dad was going full Nazi Inquisitor on him.”
The more Shawna talked, the more Chrissie’s mask started to drop. Her bubbly demeanor turned dark, with a heavy, perturbed aura around her, and a sullen pout. The first account was, once again, she was hearing another friend’s happiness in the love department. While she loved to see it, she hated how it made her feel. Chrissie found it hard to accept that Sunshine gave Shawna the happiness she was seeking. Before Christmas break, Kellie broke her friend’s heart and whose bed did she go to? Her’s. The second account was the plea for a place to stay, which was genuine and sweet, but only caused Chrissie to think about the fact that she might have a place to stay with her date of the night, who she didn’t know completely well like some of these other girls that had his tongue deep in their throats. This whole dilemma showed how Stella wanted nothing to do with her, because now she was ‘better than her’ and wished her to fuck off back to Scotland.
Grinding her teeth, Chris’ hold on Shawna unintentionally tightened. She could choose to watch her words carefully, and filter, but honestly, why? Shawna didn’t deserve that and Chrissie shouldn’t take her problems out on her, “I would love for you to come over, but… I have no place anymore. So, like, no getaways for you!” Releasing her friend, she guzzled down her second drink in clear frustration, before forcibly placing the cup on the table, “It’s because of that stupid fucking bitch and her sudden change because omg Paris!”
“Stupid fucking bitch?” Shawna was a little confused before remembering that there was only one person that Paris could refer to. It was funny how quickly the entire roster of King’s Academy could be reduced to one or two people with just one word. “Stella? What did she do? Do I have to do something? I know people in West Palm Beach now, I can have some pretty nasty things done to her and/or her possessions if you want.”
It was an empty threat. Shawna hadn’t been to West Palm Beach in forever. There hadn’t been any need to visit the seedier side of the waterway with Kellie Anne and Sunshine in her life… and even Chrissie for that brief moment in time. A moment she wasn’t sure she wanted to acknowledge just because she treasured having the friendship intact after that experiment. But, it was important for Shawna to let Chrissie know that even if there were some things going on, she still had her back. After what she learned from her brief reunion with Aaliyah, she had to put some extra value on those who had seen something worth friending in her back when she was a soulless academic robot.
“More importantly, are you OK? Do you want to talk about it?” Shawna motioned to the claimed table that Jack had abandoned. It was still unoccupied, so if Chrissie wanted to sit down, she had the option.
“Yes, Stella. No, it’s okay.” Chrissie shook her head. If she stooped to her cousin's level and let her ruin her night, it would only make Stella happy. There was no way in hell that Chrissie would give her the satisfaction. “She should win a award for holding the longest grudge.” Rummaging through her clutch, she took out her phone, deciding to reroute the conversation and disregard the offer of taking a seat and having a heart to heart, “SELFIE!” She’d post how much fun she was having with her friend on Insta so Stella could SUCK it.
Well, that answered that question. Chrissie wanted to go the photo route and Shawna could at the very least oblige. She leaned in close, slightly smiling, unsure what to do with her hands but ultimately keeping one down as she was content to let her face say all she needed to say. The other wrapped around Chrissie as if to show that yes these two people were close enough to allow for this much physical contact. It was easier to do now than it was before. Plus, if her parents went snooping on social media, it was proof that things were as platonic as ever. At least platonic enough for them. They didn’t need to know anything else right now.
Once she was confident Chrissie had clicked the button enough times to get a perfect selfie, Shawna released her arm “There you go. A shot of perfection… I think,” she said, unsure of just how far her picture game had come in the past year. “Hey, I’m sorry I haven’t been… you know, in the frame for you lately. Kinda been focused on dealing with the shit at home and trying to figure out how I’m going to explain things to my parents and it’s really stressing me out, to be honest.”
Surprised at the sudden apology, Chrissie raised an eyebrow. Keeping her mind at the task at hand, she looked down at the phone, deciding to multitask. Putting a cute filter on the picture, she added a caption: Rough day, wonderful night. As she responded to her friend, she posted the pic on her instagram without any hesitation, “Babe, you gotta’ focus on you.” She shrugged, honestly not offended of the lack of support from Shawna’s end, like she was with Stella, who was blood related and should’ve been there for her.
“I should be the one saying sorry.” The fact that Chrissie was apologizing for anything meant more than most people realized. She was a prideful, arrogant princess. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to notice that. Still, she was able to admit to her faults, showing somewhere deep down, she cared. “I’ve been caught up with… Jason. I haven’t been checking up on you either.” After pocketing her phone back in her clutch, she grabbed her friend’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, able to calm her abrupt anger about Stella, even if momentarily. “I’m happy for you, really. And I do hope Sunshine gives you the kindness, and acceptance, you deserve.” It seemed that the alcohol was starting to hit the lightweight because while to her she sounded eloquent, her words did slur and the world started to move around her.
It meant a lot for Shawna to hear from Chrissie. She was going to need as many allies as she could muster in the coming months, and the fact that her drama queen friend still had her back, even after a time of ambivalence between two, it was huge. Still, Shawna didn’t want the situation to devolve into one sappy sorry fest that ends with them crying into the punch bowl. No one needed that.
Speaking of punch, Shawna had finished what Chrissie had given her and was debating whether she should go for more or sneak off and enjoy some more of her own private reserves. It was clear the punch was stronger than Shawna thought the way Chrissie kind of mashed acceptance and deserve together. She knew Chrissie had way better diction than that. She needed it for the stage. Still, she was happy for the mutually beneficial squeeze of the hand. The assurance of the contact provided to the taller girl and the balance provided to the shorter one served both well.
“Thank you, Chrissie. That means a lot. And hey! I know you’ll find someone that is way better than Jason could ever dream to be. Who knows? They may be in here right now…” She looked to the dance floor and tried to see if she could spot an example, but all she saw was Kavi looking like a chewed up wad of bubble gum. Ewww, no thank you. “Maybe they’re just hiding. But hey, things will work out.” I mean, I managed somehow, right? Maybe not completely, but still.
“I tink… I think I dun need love. Not now. Not eva!” It was starting to become clear that Chrissie’s liquor consumption was taking over. She turned her attention, as well as her body, to look at what was drawing Shawna in. However, before her eyes could find Kavi in the crowd, Stella shouted Carter’s name.
Chrissie’s attention immediately darted in that direction. Seeing her cousin’s face for the first time at this dance caused the thespian to scowl. The ideas sped through her head on what she could do to be petty. Petty now, petty later. She’d do something upsetting, that’s for sure! Like grab the whole punch bowl and spill it all over that gaudy green dress. Or, or, or when Stella got inevitably married, Chrissie would make sure to crash it, outshine her, and steal the show. Purposely aim to get kicked out and then laugh in her face. “Stuped betch.”
Crossing her arms, clearly upset, she went back to what Shawna had her sights on. Resting on Kavi’s face, as he left Ariel’s side, sporting a charming smile and heading straight to the dance floor, she bit her lip in shame. She contemplated her unhealthy anger and why it was so easy for Stella to get under skin. She played back the car ride in her head and their little musical duet together. He was having fun. That was good. She should do so too. That was their original plan. Have some fun and start some mayhem. To not care about what everyone else thought and just say fuck it. He was doing a far more successful job than she was Frowning, she turned to Shawna, pulling her into an intimate embrace, “I go pee, babeh. Start fire, or slap butt for me.”
If Shawna hadn’t lived the life she had over the past eight months, she wouldn’t believe it was possible to fall down the sobriety ladder as quickly as Chrissie just did. It was like Shawna’s entire flask of tequila hit Chrissie all at once. In fact, Shawna should probably be thankful that her time in the underbelly off Palm Beach had built up her tolerance as much as it did. Poor Chrissie must be swimming right now.
Or drowning, if the embrace Shawna found herself in was anything to go off of. Even when things got… steamy between the two, she never remembered Chrissie being in this kind of state. Still, at least she was aware enough of herself to know that she had to use the facilities. Shawna returned the embrace and held Chrissie close enough to know she cared. “I’ll do my best, Chris. If you need any help or anything, just text me, OK? I want to make sure you don’t get trapped in the bathroom for the rest of the night.”
“Yep! Okiedokie. I got chu on speed.” Letting go of her friend, Chrissie dismissed herself by doing finger guns, before prancing off, making sure to go around Stella, unnoticed. Or trying to, at least. Her drunk self thought the best route was through the dance floor, but if anything, it was like pushing through a mosh pit and everyone was so, so sweaty. “‘Cuse me!”
As her friend darted off to make use of the facilities, Shawna continued to look out over the throng of people, wondering just where all her other partners had wandered off to. It would be pretty difficult to lose a guy like Jack, or her beautiful girlfriend, but it appeared it happened. That new guy, he had taken over proceedings, making the floor his own private karaoke bar. Well, that's one way to get everyone's attention... The sighting of Kavi on the dance floor made her wonder how Ariel was doing. Maybe she should try and find her vibrantly-haired friend...
Eventually, Chrissie left the ballroom and rushed to the bathroom. She didn’t actually have to pee. While she was a lightweight, she knew breaking the seal would only make the rest of her night a pain because she’d have to pee every five minutes. It wasn’t that time of the night to suffer. Instead, she held herself using the sink and looked at her face in the mirror.
As unfocused as her eyesight was, she saw how flawless her makeup was, yet how sad her eyes came across. Turning the sink on, she wet her hands and patted her face. “You. Actress. Act like it!” She had been so invested in her conversation with Shawna that she wasn’t paying attention to how quickly she was drinking. There was no need to repeat the homecoming after party. A night she couldn’t even remember.
Get a grip, Chrissie.
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