so please, check it out.

and comment. i need feedback. i know what I think, but I think the way I write…so it doesn’t tend to change much and i tend to slip back into habits.

like flashbacks. i don’t know if it works in this story. if I go with “Flashes of Light/life/something along those lines” for the title, it may work. but how do you feel about them? do you still feel connected to the characters?

like narrative…i tend to go in to first person monologue. i’m not impressed with it. help?

please give me feedback. thanks! much love!

This is a story. It’s about love. I don’t know if that necessarily makes it a love story. It’s about life and death, but ultimately about living.

Summer 2006 (when they are 20/21)

The sun was setting as I twirled and twisted a strand of hair between my fingers. The show was sold out and I was just waiting for intermission when I could leave the tiny box office prison and head backstage where the fun was waiting. The anticipation, the hurry and hustle, the flow of people, hushed whispers, and a whole different world under the lights just a few feet away. I loved the theatre.

My mind had drifted anxiously off and away from my job, when I was suddenly jerked from my theatrical reverie by a boyishly handsome face in the window. “Can I help you? The show’s sold out but we do have another performance tomorrow night,” I said in my politest voice. I just wanted to pull the blinds and leave this guy but I couldn’t help but grin at him as he stood there grinning at me.

“No, sorry. I work here,” he stammered out.

“You do? Why have I never seen you around?”

“Well, I’m on the crew. I run the rigging.”  Ah, the rigging. A wall of ropes and weights and constant movement. I didn’t go there for fear of screwing someone up. And I certainly didn’t want to the be the cause of a little kid getting crushed by a piece of scenery being flown in.

“Umm…last I checked, we were in the middle of the show. If you run the rigging, shouldn’t you maybe, I dunno, be back there running it?” I smiled, but I was kind of wondering who the heck this guy was. By no means did I even begin to think that I knew everyone around this place, but at the same time, this guy was someone I would know. I would go out of my way to get to know that smile.

“I have tonight off, but of course, couldn’t bring myself to leave completely. You know how it goes.” I nodded. It felt like I lived here, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. “Anyway, my name is Nathaniel. Everyone calls me Nat. I’ve seen you around and I heard you were working up here until intermission, and so I just thought I’d say hi.” The words jumbled out in a nervous mess.

“Well, hi then. I’m Amie–that’s with an “ie,” none of this “y” crap. But then again, you probably already knew that since you’ve been stalking me,” I laughed. I felt kind of guilty for giving him such a hard time, but I kind of liked the way a sudden blush crept across his face and his sandy hair fell over his face as he ducked his head. “I’m just kidding! I’m flattered!” My guilt won; although maybe it was the sparkle in his blue eyes that won me over. “I’m just about done here and was planning on heading backstage–I know you practically live back there but if you want to join me…” I trailed off. I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t know this guy at all, but something about that darn smile had me totally hooked. And I am not a hook, line and sinker kind of girl.

“Yeah that’d be great! Maybe I can show off and redeem myself for being such a creeper,” he laughed. And I was sunk.

The sun set and the stars came out. We never made it backstage. We walked around for hours, watching the stars come out and talking–about everything and nothing. For being two complete strangers prior to those few hours, there was no awkward lull in the conversation and something connected.

Summer 2008
We walked through the empty outdoor theatre, fingers threaded.  It’d been two years since we’d met and started something special. I was never a romantic. I wasn’t a believer in love at first sight or anything silly like that. Yet, the connection between Nat and I had been evident from that first night and had only grown stronger through the years.

The theatre was deserted. The final show of the season had closed. Lights were off, sets dismantled, costumeds stored. But the magic remained. For me, there was always magic in the theatre. Something about the simplicity of walking onto a stage and becoming someone totally different, living in a completely different world. Magic.

We talked and giggled, reminiscing. We were good together. I knew. Nat knew it. Everyone seemed to think so. I was glad. I had never known someone I felt so right with. Words didn’t do it justice.

We meandered backstage. As we neared the rigging–that magical wall of ropes that intrigued me so–Nat pulled me close. I held my breath as he twirled a piece of my hair between his fingers. His strong arms wrapped around my waist and he leaned in for sweet and tender kiss. He was shaking.

Then he dropped to one knee.

I almost passed out.

“Amie, I’ve known since the moment we met that you were the girl I was meant to be with forever. I know you don’t believe in that corny stuff, and I never did either. Yet, something drew us together and I can’t imagine another girl better for me. And I honestly can’t imagine spending my life with anyone but you. I don’t want to go another minute not calling you mine permanently. Will you marry me?” His words tumbled out like they always did when he was nervous. The charm and boyish grin would always win me over.

I threw my arms around his neck and squealed with delight. “Of course!” He laughed and pulled a gorgeous but simple diamond ring out of the box he was clutching for dear life and slipped the band on my outstretched hand.

Summer 2009
I blinked sleepily at the streaks of caribbean sunlight streaming through huge windows that were landing on the four poster bed where I’d been sleeping. This seemed like a dream.

I looked over at the handsome man laying next to me. The sun had left his sandy hair blonder than normal–that, or the major tan he was collecting was just making the contrast much starker. My husband. Could that be real? Husband.

I smiled as I rolled on to my side, thinking over the week. Our wedding had been beyond perfect. I couldn’t have asked for anything more beautiful. I felt like a princess; the way every bride such. The best part? Being whisked away to a beautiful island with the man of your dreams. To live happily ever after.

Summer 2010 (when they are 24/25)
I finally grasped sight of him.  His car was pulling up to the driveway and soon I saw him climb out.  I would’ve ran to him right away but with the family surrounding me, swarming towards the burgers Dad was grilling, there was no getting across the yard.  I saw my brother helping Nat with his bags.

This trip had seemed especially long–only two weeks, but still–when you’ve only been married a year anything seems like forever.   Nat works for a company that makes toys; he develops their advertisement campaigns and presents them to prospective buyers.  This sometimes takes him out of town.  I often accompany him and we spend many fun nights in ritzy hotel rooms that are free of cost!  But this trip came at a bad time, and I was therefore, unable to accompany Nat on this two week trip to Boston.

The family was over for our annual big Fourth of July picnic.  I had offered to host it at our cute new condo, but as of late I had been regretting that decision.  People were everywhere–our middle sized backyard, the deck–where I had relocated to–and meandering through the house.

Finally Nat had made his way over to me and I threw my arms around him.  “I’ve missed you, Mister.  This condo gets a lot bigger when you’re staying all alone.”

“I’m sorry, love.  I kept trying to get home earlier but the clients wouldn’t hear of it. But man, I missed you.”  He pulled me close and I took all of him in.  There was a bit of sadness in his eyes and I felt a tender squeeze and he let go of me.  “Yeah, I really missed you,” he whispered as he took my face in his hands and kissed me–sweetly at first, but swiftly progressing into the passionate embrace of two newlyweds separated for much too long.

“Heh hmm…’” I heard some muffled commentary on our embrace but I didn’t care.

“I missed you, too.  No more trips for awhile, k?”

“I promise.”  He smiled and released me to walk over to the grill to see what was cooking.  I couldn’t help but smile.  He truly was as great guy and an awesome husband–always looking out for my well-being.  And I certainly didn’t always make his job easy; I could often be stubborn and stuck in my ways.  But I love him and he loves me.  And that’s what counts.

I wandered over to where my little brother–though I really couldn’t call him little anymore–had carelessly shoved Nat’s bags.  I pulled them out from under our porch swing and headed towards the door.  I made my way back to our bedroom, happy for the slight escape from my overwhelming family.  I smiled at Nat’s bravery.  He had to be exhausted from his trip; I had seen it in his eyes.  And yet he hadn’t taken time to himself, but instantly immersed himself in my family picnic.  Yes, he was a good husband.  I was absentmindedly unpacking Nat’s bag when I came across a stash of small toys.

Baby toys.

Questions flooded my mind.  Why?  How?  Why would he bring these home from work?  A sharp pang hit my chest and and egg of chills cracked over my head and spread down my spine all the way down to my feet.  I stood there clutching a small baby rattle to my stomach, eyes filling, chilled to the bone, until a hand slid around my waist.  I felt Nat’s lips brush my neck and his hand stopped as it grazed the toy.  He froze, pulled away and turned me to face him.  I couldn’t bear to look into his eyes.  I swallowed and composed myself.

“Hey,” Nat whispered.  “I’m sorry.  I thought I left that bag in the car.”

I looked up at him.  “No, it’s okay. Don’t worry about it.” I dropped the toy back into the bag with the others.

“Yeah like I can’t read you like a book.  I’ve only known you for four years.”

“Maybe, but you also forget that you left me alone for two weeks and I’m doing just fine now, Mister.  You think I can’t get by without you?”  I smiled and leaned in to kiss him.

He leaned away. “No, definitely not. I know you, Miss Stubborn.  You can get by just fine without anyone’s help.  I just thought…”

“Don’t,” I interrupted.  I slid my arms around his neck and kissed him.  I’d missed him so much.  It was so hard to be apart for so long–missing him, wanting him.  I didn’t want him to realize just how lonely and sad I’d been.  Lately, being alone in our condo had only resulted in me hitting pretty low.  But I got through it; I always did.

Oh, how I longed to have a use for those baby toys.  How I wanted to have a baby of my own–not just get my “fix” by holding babies in our church’s nursery.  I wanted to create a family.  I wanted to not feel quite so alone when Nat left me on one of his trips.

Nat interrupted my stream of thoughts by pulling away slightly.  “Hey, where’d you go?” he cooed gently into my ear.

I smiled as I nuzzled into his chest.  “Nowhere.  Just thinking.  ‘Bout how much I missed you and how much I can’t wait to have a use for those little toys you are off trying to sell.”

I hadn’t expected it, but Nat suddenly wrenched away from me and turned towards the door.  There was a scowl furled across his brow that I never liked seeing.  He stopped in the doorway, placing his arms over his head.  “Amie!  God!  Why can’t you let it go?  Why do you want to bring this up now?  With people over and everything? Come on!  We’ve been through so much already–why in God’s name do you want to do this to yourself again?  You know exactly how it’s gonna end up!  The same way it has the past two times!  This isn’t normal; it isn’t right.  Nothing we do can make this work!  Why won’t you accept that?  If you won’t listen to me, listen to everyone else!”  With that he stormed out leaving me standing in the middle of the room, emotions swirling through me and tension hanging in the air.

Fine, if that was the way he was going to act, he could go back to freaking Boston!  He was right!  I had been through a lot–we both had!  So I definitely didn’t need his ranting and raving at the drop of a hat!  What was his problem?  I was not about to give up easily!  This was something I really wanted and he’d known that all along.  Why was he being so easily disheartened?  I was listening to people–no one said we couldn’t try!

There was such a mixture of emotions ravaging my soul.  I was so angry, so heartbroken, so at a loss.  I just didn’t know what to do anymore.  So I left the security of my bedroom and headed to the kitchen.  Miraculously it was empty–Dad must’ve finished cooking and everyone must be eating in the yard.  I reached for the fridge and pulled out a bottle of wine I’d been resisting for the past week.  Now was as good a time as ever.  I quickly downed a glass; this was more like juice than wine.  I poured myself another glass and leaned against the fridge.

There was no trying to sort out my emotions.  That much was clear.  I wanted to be mad at Nat but try as I might, I just couldn’t.  This wasn’t totally his fault.  Although, if I wanted to think about it that way, it definitely could be.  But no, I wouldn’t put it all off on him.  I loved him.  He just…didn’t understand the passion I was feeling about this.  He couldn’t see things the way I was.  I sighed.  It was useless for me to try to figure everything out.  I just needed to relax.  Thus the wine.

I poured a third glass, rationalizing that they were small wine glasses, and headed out to join the family.  The Fourth of July had always been a fun holiday for me–our family picnic and later biking out to a perfect spot to watch the fireworks with Nat.  I doubted our annual bike trip would be happening this year.  I hated to admit it, but I was just wishing that my family would leave so I could curl up in a blanket and finish off another bottle of wine.  Sad. I wasn’t trying to drink away my problems but I’d been waiting a long time for this bottle and now seemed as good a time as any.

I settled down at the dessert table with my glass and grabbed a brownie.  Today would just be a day of self-indulgence.  I carried on polite conversations with different family members and occasionally glanced up and saw Nat staring at me.  He seemed out of it, kind of dissheveled–as if the scene in our room had unnerved him.  I had seen him try to head my way a few times with the air of an apologetic husband.  On those occasions I had stood and headed back in to refill my glass.  His attempted approaches came fewer and farther between.

By the time my family had entirely cleared from our house, I was pretty much finished with my bottle of wine and definitely feeling it.  I was so beyond caring.  If Nat didn’t want to deal with me, fine.  I would get along just fine without him.  Men!  Who needs em?

Who was I kidding? I needed him–I loved him too much.  And I always had.

I was in pjs and curled up in bed by the time Nat came in from cleaning things up. I felt kind of bad for leaving it all for him to take care of, but tipsy enough to not feel that bad. Yet, when he crawled in bed and scooted up next to me, I felt the wall between us melt away.

“I’m sorry, baby. I just don’t know what to do or say to fix this…” His voice faltered and I rolled over and looked into his eyes. I couldn’t speak. All I could do was bury my head into his chest and bawl. He rubbed my back and I could feel his tears hit the top of my head.

This is a story. It’s about love. I don’t know if that necessarily makes it a love story. It’s about life and death, but ultimately about living.

Summer 2006 (when they are 20/21)

The sun was setting as I twirled and twisted a strand of hair between my fingers. The show was sold out and I was just waiting for intermission when I could leave the tiny box office prison and head backstage where the fun was waiting. The anticipation, the hurry and hustle, the flow of people, hushed whispers, and a whole different world under the lights just a few feet away. I loved the theatre.

My mind had drifted anxiously off and away from my job, when I was suddenly jerked from my theatrical reverie by a boyishly handsome face in the window. “Can I help you? The show’s sold out but we do have another performance tomorrow night,” I said in my politest voice. I just wanted to pull the blinds and leave this guy but I couldn’t help but grin at him as he stood there grinning at me.

“No, sorry. I work here,” he stammered out.

“You do? Why have I never seen you around?”

“Well, I’m on the crew. I run the rigging.” Ah, the rigging. A wall of ropes and weights and constant movement. I didn’t go there for fear of screwing someone up. And I certainly didn’t want to the be the cause of a little kid getting crushed by a piece of scenery being flown in.

“Umm…last I checked, we were in the middle of the show. If you run the rigging, shouldn’t you maybe, I dunno, be back there running it?” I smiled, but I was kind of wondering who the heck this guy was. By no means did I even begin to think that I knew everyone around this place, but at the same time, this guy was someone I would know. I would go out of my way to get to know this smile.

“I have tonight off, but of course, couldn’t bring myself to leave completely. You know how it goes.” I nodded. It felt like I lived here, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. “Anyway, my name is Nathaniel. Everyone calls me Nat. I’ve seen you around and I heard you were working up here until intermission, and so I just thought I’d say hi.” The words jumbled out in a nervous mess.

“Well, hi then. I’m Amie–that’s with an “ie,” none of this “y” crap. But then again, you probably already knew that since you’ve been stalking me,” I laughed. I felt kind of guilty for giving him such a hard time, but I kind of liked the way a sudden blush crept across his face and his sandy hair fell over his face as he ducked his head. “I’m just kidding! I’m flattered!” My guilt won; although maybe it was the sparkle in his blue eyes that won me over. “I’m just about done here and was planning on heading backstage–I know you practically live back there but if you want to join me…” I trailed off. I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t know this guy at all, but something about that darn smile had me totally hooked. And I am not a hook, line and sinker kind of girl.

“Yeah that’d be great! Maybe I can show off and redeem myself for being such a creeper,” he laughed. And I was sunk.

The sun set and the stars came out. We never made it backstage. We walked around for hours, watching the stars come out and talking–about everything and nothing. For two completely strangers prior to those few hours, there was no awkward lull in the conversation.

I finally grasped sight of him.  His car was pulling up to the driveway and soon I saw him climb out.  I would’ve ran to him right away but with the family surrounding me, swarming towards the burgers Dad was grilling, there was no getting across the yard.  I saw my brother helping Nat with his bags.

This trip had seemed especially long–only two weeks, but still–when you’ve only been married a year anything seems like forever.   Nat works for a company that makes toys; he develops their advertisement campaigns and presents them to prospective buyers.  This sometimes takes him out of town.  I often accompany him and we spend many fun nights in ritzy hotel rooms that are free of cost!  But this trip came at a bad time, and I was therefore, unable to accompany Nat on this two week trip to Boston.

The family was over for our annual big Fourth of July picnic.  I had offered to host it at our cute new condo, but as of late I had been regretting that decision.  People were everywhere–our middle sized backyard, the deck–where I had relocated to–and meandering through the house.

Finally Nat had made his way over to me and I threw my arms around him.  “I’ve missed you, Mister.  This condo gets a lot bigger when you’re staying all alone.”

“I’m sorry, love.  I kept trying to get home earlier but the clients wouldn’t hear of it. But man, I missed you.”  He pulled me close and I took all of him in.  There was a bit of sadness in his eyes and I felt a tender squeeze and he let go of me.  “Yeah, I really missed you,” he whispered as he took my face in his hands and kissed me–sweetly at first, but swiftly progressing into the passionate embrace of two newlyweds separated for much too long.

“Heh hmm…’” I heard some muffled commentary on our embrace but I didn’t care.

“I missed you, too.  No more trips for awhile, k?”

“I promise.”  He smiled and released me to walk over to the grill to see what was cooking.  I couldn’t help but smile.  He truly was as great guy and an awesome husband–always looking out for my well-being.  And I certainly didn’t always make his job easy; I could often be stubborn and stuck in my ways.  But I love him and he loves me.  And that’s what counts.

I wandered over to where my little brother–though I really couldn’t call him little anymore–had carelessly shoved Nat’s bags.  I pulled them out from under our porch swing and headed towards the door.  I made my way back to our bedroom, happy for the slight escape from my overwhelming family.  I smiled at Nat’s bravery.  He had to be exhausted from his trip; I had seen it in his eyes.  And yet he hadn’t taken time to himself, but instantly immersed himself in my family picnic.  Yes, he was a good husband.  I was absentmindedly unpacking Nat’s bag when I came across a stash of small toys.

Baby toys.

Questions flooded my mind.  Why?  How?  Why would he bring these home from work?  A sharp pang hit my chest and and egg of chills cracked over my head and spread down my spine all the way down to my feet.  I stood there clutching a small baby rattle to my stomach, eyes filling, chilled to the bone, until a hand slid around my waist.  I felt Nat’s lips brush my neck and his hand stopped as it grazed the toy.  He froze, pulled away and turned me to face him.  I couldn’t bear to look into his eyes.  I swallowed and composed myself.

“Hey,” Nat whispered.  “I’m sorry.  I thought I left that bag in the car.”

I looked up at him.  “No, it’s okay. Don’t worry about it.” I dropped the toy back into the bag with the others.

“Yeah like I can’t read you like a book.  I’ve only known you for four years.”

“Maybe, but you also forget that you left me alone for two weeks and I’m doing just fine now, Mister.  You think I can’t get by without you?”  I smiled and leaned in to kiss him.

“No, definitely not. I know you, Miss Stubborn.  You can get by just fine without anyone’s help.  I just thought…”

“Don’t,” I interrupted.  I slid my arms around his neck and kissed him.  I’d missed him so much.  It was so hard to be apart for so long–missing him, wanting him.  I didn’t want him to realize just how lonely and sad I’d been.  Lately, being alone in our condo had only resulted in me hitting pretty low.  But I got through it; I always did.

Oh, how I longed to have a use for those baby toys.  How I wanted to have a baby of my own–not just get my “fix” by holding babies in our church’s nursery.  I wanted to create a family.  I wanted to not feel quite so alone when Nat left me on one of his trips.

Nat interrupted my stream of thoughts by pulling away slightly.  “Hey, where’d you go?” he cooed gently into my ear.

I smiled as I nuzzled into his chest.  “Nowhere.  Just thinking.  ‘Bout how much I missed you and how much I can’t wait to have a use for those little toys you are off trying to sell.”

I hadn’t expected it, but Nat suddenly wrenched away from me and turned towards the door.  There was a scowl furled across his brow that I never liked seeing.  He stopped in the doorway, placing his arms over his head.  “Amy!  God!  Why can’t you let it go?  Why do you want to bring this up now?  With people over and everything? Come on!  We’ve been through so much already–why in God’s name do you want to do this to yourself again?  You know exactly how it’s gonna end up!  The same way it has the past two times!  This isn’t normal; it isn’t right.  Nothing we do can make this work!  Why won’t you accept that?  If you won’t listen to me, listen to everyone else!”  With that he stormed out leaving me standing in the middle of the room, emotions swirling through me and tension hanging in the air.

Fine, if that was the way he was going to act, he could go back to freaking Boston!  He was right!  I had been through a lot–we both had!  So I definitely didn’t need his ranting and raving at the drop of a hat!  What was his problem?  I was not about to give up easily!  This was something I really wanted and he’d known that all along.  Why was he being so easily disheartened?  I was listening to people–no one said we couldn’t try!

There was such a mixture of emotions ravaging my soul.  I was so angry, so heartbroken, so at a loss.  I just didn’t know what to do anymore.  So I left the security of my bedroom and headed to the kitchen.  Miraculously it was empty–Dad must’ve finished cooking and everyone must be eating in the yard.  I reached for the fridge and pulled out a bottle of wine I’d been resisting for the past week.  Now was as good a time as ever.  I quickly downed a glass; this was more like juice than wine.  I poured myself another glass and leaned against the fridge.

There was no trying to sort out my emotions.  That much was clear.  I wanted to be mad at Nat but try as I might, I just couldn’t.  This wasn’t totally his fault.  Although, if I wanted to think about it that way, it definitely could be.  But no, I wouldn’t put it all off on him.  I loved him.  He just…didn’t understand the passion I was feeling about this.  He couldn’t see things the way I was.  I sighed.  It was useless for me to try to figure everything out.  I just needed to relax.  Thus the wine.

I poured a third glass, rationalizing that they were small wine glasses, and headed out to join the family.  The Fourth of July had always been a fun holiday for me–our family picnic and later biking out to a perfect spot to watch the fireworks with Nat.  I doubted our annual bike trip would be happening this year.  I hated to admit it, but I was just wishing that my family would leave so I could curl up in a blanket and finish off my bottle of wine.  Sad. I wasn’t trying to drink away my problems but I’d been waiting a long time for this bottle and now seemed as good a time as any.

I settled down at the dessert table with my glass and grabbed a brownie.  Today would just be a day of self-indulgence.  I carried on polite conversations with different family members and occasionally glanced up and saw Nat staring at me.  He seemed out of it, kind of dissheveled–as if the scene in our room had unnerved him.  I had seen him try to head my way a few times with the air of an apologetic husband.  On those occasions I had stood and headed back in to refill my glass or plate.  His attempted approaches came fewer and farther between.

By the time my family had entirely cleared from our house, I was pretty much finished with my bottle of wine and definitely feeling it.  I was so beyond caring.  If Nat didn’t want to deal with me, fine.  I would get along just fine without him.  Men!  Who needs em?

Who was I kidding? I needed him–I loved him too much.  And I always had.

***(this portion I originally wrote in 2008. However, I  get bored with the way I write–the fact that i narrate everything and the reader doesn’t get to experience that much…so I put this chunk in italics and the next chunks is the start of trying to rework this portion in a different way–the 2009 tweaks)

Nat and I had met four years ago.  At the time, we were attending different colleges but Nat and I worked and performed at the same community theatre in our shared hometown during the summer.  We became great friends during those few months and kept in touch throughout the school year despite my clingy boyfriend.  The following summer came and I returned home single and a little remorseful.

Nat and I spent the summer working and doing a show side by side–laughing, growing closer and realizing how alike we truly were.  We both kinda knew that we liked each other and we knew for a fact that we made a great pair.  However, I was coming out of a relationship and was unsure if I was ready to start another and Nat was afraid of ruining our great friendship.  So on things went without really changing.  We would hang out nearly everyday and when we weren’t together physically, we were often on the phone or in contact via some source.

I know eventually I began wishing things would happen between us, especially knowing that we both liked each other.  I understood Nat’s fears, but I also knew we would only end up making ourselves miserable if we ignored our feelings. ***

4th of July, four years earlier…(09 rewrite)
The sun was setting as I twirled and twisted a strand of hair between my fingers. The show was sold out and I was just waiting for intermission when I could leave the tiny box office prison and head backstage where the fun was waiting. The anticipation, the hurry and hustle, the flow of people, hushed whispers, and a whole different world under the lights a few feet away. I loved the theatre.

My mind had drifted anxiously off and away from my job, when I was suddenly jerked from my theatrical reverie by a boyishly handsome face in the window. “Can I help you? The show’s sold out but we do have another performance tomorrow night,” I said in my politest voice. I just wanted to pull the blinds and leave this guy but I couldn’t help but grin at him as he stood there grinning at me.

“No, sorry. I work here.”

“You do? Why have I never seen you around?”

“Well, I’m on the crew. I run the rigging.”  Ah, the rigging. A wall of ropes and weights and constant movement. I didn’t go there for fear of screwing something up. And I certainly didn’t want to the be the cause of a little kid getting crushed by a piece of scenery being flown in.

She liked to play her guitar when she was thinking, so she continued to strum.  The music flowed from her fingers.  She wasn’t playing anything in particular and she didn’t need to.  She was just letting her fingers go, playing whatever they felt, moving as they ought.  She loved just playing; letting her muscle memory take over.  The music would come without any thought, and her mind could then drift off.  She did this often lately, which wasn’t a bad thing, just unexpected, as it was a rather busy time.  She had just turned 21 and moved into her own new apartment.  Well, not solely her own.  She was sharing it with a good friend.  That’s what friends are for, right?  To move in together when neither can handle living in their parents’ houses anymore.

She was grateful for her dear friend, Maisy.  She was her lifesaver.  They had been friends since high school, but not really close friends.  Once all their mutual friends moved away to go to out-of-town colleges, they were, seemingly, the only two left.  They had become fast friends.  She couldn’t imagine being stuck in this town without Maisy.  Maisy made it interesting and fun.
Maisy also showed her that it was ok that they both had grown differently than their friends who had been away.  It wouldn’t kill a person to live life on the edge a bit.  God wasn’t going to strike them dead if a curse word slipped past their lips.  They didn’t have to act like they were the same girls they were in high school.  If they were unhappy they could say something about it.  If they didn’t feel God, they sure didn’t need to act like they did.  She and Maisy had been in the same youth group since middle school with all the same people.  It was reassuring to know someone else felt the same way–life behind a mask was frustrating.  It felt so wonderful to be real.

Summer had been nice, but so restraining.  Yet, she hated actually voicing that.  Everyone had returned home from the summer, and it was almost as if everyone wanted to act like they were all still in high school.  Everyone had grown, but in different ways, through different situations.  Every one of us had had different experiences over the past years at school, yet everyone acted almost as if none of it had happened.  It was so restraining to act as though nothing had changed.  It was almost like being back in high school and trying to act like everyone was the same.  So frustrating.  She was glad that school was about to start and everyone had returned to their respective schools.  And she was especially glad she and Maisy had decided to rent an apartment of their own.  A new chapter of their lives was about to start.  She was so excited.

Only one thing could have made everything better.  Ryan.  The man of her dreams, at least she thought so.  Ryan.  The boy she had been desperately “in love” with since high school.  It was pathetic really.  How could anyone like someone for so many years and never have anything develop?  She knew he didn’t like her.  That was the story of her life.  Yet they were friends, so there was no getting over her crazy feelings for the boy.  It had been merely a crush the first two years, but as they both grew up, they became good friends.  The crush had grown as well.  She wasn’t obsessed but she knew he was the man for her.  They had shared a kiss–it had been onstage.  Ironic, how life could taunt a person so much.  It had been her first and only kiss, and from the one man she knew could make all her dreams come true.  If only he knew it.  He had once.  Her sophomore year of high school they had gone to a dance together, and one of her friends–Maisy in fact–had told him that she was “madly in love with him.”  It had been completely embarrassing, yet she had hoped he would then realize everything and fall for her.  However, it hadn’t happened like that.  In fact, now Ryan looked back on it and would laugh about “the days when she had loved him.”  She laughed too, at her own silly hopelessness, and kept on loving him.

“Arielle!”  Maisy’s voice cut through her thoughts and ended her guitar playing.  “Hey, where you at?”

Arielle smiled at her friend.  “In here.”

“Honey, I’m home!” Maisy laughed as she popped into Arielle’s room.  “Whatcha up to?  Oh, you were playing!  Sorry for interrupting!”  Arielle could only grin at her bubbly friend.  Maisy dark hair hung straight to her shoulders and her green eyes sparkled and danced.  She had something exciting to tell me, but was holding it in for some reason.  The last time she had looked like this was before she had sprung the news of a great apartment deal she had heard about from her uncle.

“What’s up, girl?  Tell me why you’re so excited,” Arielle said as she brushed her long auburn hair behind her ear.

Maisy scrunched up her nose, in the cute way she so often did.  “Ok.  Don’t get mad.  But I invited over the guys tonight for a little housewarming party!”

“Why would I be mad, you weirdo?” Arielle laughed.  “I love the guys.  And a party sounds rockin!”  The guys Maisy was referring to was Ryan and his best friend Dominic.  Dom was also a close friend.  Maisy, Arielle, Ryan and Dom.  They were practically inseparable.  The girls and the guys.  Everything was perfect, except…

Except for the whole Ryan issue.  One more thing that complicated Arielle’s extreme liking for Ryan was the fact that her best friend was also in love with him.  Maisy had liked Ryan for almost as long, but hadn’t been as true.  She had had a serious boyfriend her senior year in high school, but after that had fallen apart she had come back to Ryan.  They hadn’t fought over him since early high school, which was the reason they hadn’t been good friends during those years.  They each respected the fact that they both liked their good friend.  They often joked and laughed about his blindness.  Ryan had no idea that the girls liked him, and if he did, he never showed it.

It would seem as though Dominic would be left out, but that just wasn’t the case.  Dom was everyone’s best friend.  And unbeknownst to either of the girls, he had fallen hard for Arielle.  He, too, never showed it because he didn’t want anything like that to break up the friendly foursome.  Also, because he knew all to well of her deep feelings for his best friend.

Although Arielle was excited for this party, she had a slight feeling that Maisy was leaving something out.  “Maisy, is it just the guys, being Ryan and Dom, or the guys, being a bunch of people?”

“You always guess my surprises!  Yeah, it’s a bunch of people.  And not just folks I know from school, people you know too.  I looked through your phone and called a bunch of people.  Is that ok?  You’re not mad, right?”

Arielle rolled her eyes and smiled.  “Of course not.  If you’re gonna have a party you gotta do it right.  And Maisy Laine only throws good parties!”

“You got it girl!  K, I’m gonna go get ready.  I already got all the food and stuff and some other folks are bringing the drinks.”  Maisy smiled conspiratorially at me and winked.  I knew exactly what was up.  Maisy had made some friends with some guys from the other college in town and occasionally partied with them.  They were good guys, which I only knew of through word of mouth.  Every time I had planned on going out with them, parents got in the way.  So now with our new apartment Maisy had brought the party to me.  “Don’t worry, girl.  It’s nothing too serious.  Just some Smirnoff’s and stuff,” Maisy grinned, as if she were reading my thoughts.  “And Ryan and Dom are coming too; to make sure we are taken care of.”

Maisy really could tell what her friend was thinking.  Though she always acted enthusiastic about parties, Maisy could tell Arielle was nervous about her first drinking party.  Arielle was right though, Maisy only threw good parties, and they weren’t the kind that got out of hand; just friendly hangouts, possibly with a slight amount of liquor.  Maisy had never been a partier in high school, mainly because she was expected to be the perfect little church girl, much the same as how Arielle had grown up.  Once in college, once all those friends who would have looked down on drinking had gone, Maisy was free to discover things for herself and make her own choices.  She was loving it, especially since she was now 21, Maisy felt invincible.  She loved not having to be perfect anymore-just able to act how she felt.  If she was pissed off, Maisy said something about it.  Maisy was outgoing and friendly, which was how she was able to fit into almost any crowd and easily make friends.  Not to say that Arielle wasn’t friendly, but she was more comfortable around people she knew or had something in common with.  This was partly why Maisy had wanted to wait for Arielle’s first drinking party to be in their own place, where Arielle was sure to be more comfortable.

This was also why she was sure to invite Ryan and Dom.  Maisy knew for a fact that Ryan had been to parties before-she’d seen him.  They’d been so close to hooking up at a party the week earlier.  Maisy knew her dear friend hopelessly liked Ryan, but so did she.  And Ryan liked her, she was pretty sure.  She knew that Arielle would probably be hurt if she and Ryan did hook up, but they had discussed it before.  Each girl knew one would be hurt no matter what.  Maisy felt bad for that; she didn’t want her best friend to be upset.  However, there was no hiding the excitement she felt as she set everything up and got herself ready.

Maisy spun in front of her full length mirror.  She’d never thought of herself as gorgeous, but she definitely knew how to pull off “cute” and got an occasional whistle from guys.  She smiled at herself.  She knew tonight was different.  She was looking good for Ryan tonight.  Maybe it was low, but Maisy knew Arielle would be focusing on the whole first 21 and over drinking party and not Ryan.  Maisy was hoping she could pull him away for awhile so they could talk.

A silly grin spread across her face as she remembered the party last week where they’d run into each other.  Maisy made it a point to never get truly trashed unless she was staying the night at whoever’s house the party was at.  That night, she had come with a friend who was the designated driver for the night, so Maisy was free to drink.  She hadn’t had much and wasn’t planning on too much more when she looked up and noticed Ryan across the room.  They had locked eyes then, and Ryan’s face had lit up with a smile.  Maisy didn’t want to read too much into it, since she had no idea how much he’d had to drink so far, so she just made her way over to him.  “Hey there, Mais!” Ryan had said when she reached him.  “Hey Ry.  Wasn’t expectin to see you here!”  He nodded, “I could say the same bout you.”  Maisy could easily tell he had barely had anything; the bottle in his hand was probably his first.  It wasn’t her fault alcohol made her more flirty than normal, but she definitely had not been the only one flirting.  They had stuck together for the remainder of the party-dancing, talking, drinking.  Somehow they had ended up in a quieter room towards the end of the night.  A few people were chilling, watching a movie-probably all the DD’s.  She and Ryan had ended up on a couch in the corner, only talking.  But Maisy could tell they both had wanted so much more.  As she drifted back to reality, she knew she had to grab him early in the night and talk to him.  She glanced back over her outfit:  a short bright pink skirt and white tank top and a pink ribbon as a headband in her dark hair.  Yep, it would do.  “Bring it on,” Maisy thought as the doorbell rang.

Arielle opened the door for Ryan and Dom, who both looked dashing.  Though she couldn’t tell, Dom was both nervous for this night and floored by her looks.  One of the things he loved so much about Arielle was her natural beauty.  She always looked great, no matter what she was wearing, but she never looked like she had spent hours in front of the mirror picking her outfit.  That was the difference between Arielle and Maisy.  They were both very pretty girls but while Maisy flirted and flounced her looks, Arielle’s were natural and shone from the inside.  Arielle didn’t wear much makeup and usually left her hair down, yet always managed to look stunning.  She always stopped Dom in his tracks.  If only she would notice.  There was so much that this girl he loved didn’t seem to understand.  How could she not see that he was the better match for her than his jock pretty boy best friend?  And how did she not see that Ryan liked Maisy?  That was a small fact that they all seemed to be overlooking.  Dom shook his head at that thought.

“What?  You don’t approve?” Arielle laughed at Dom’s headshake, snapping him out of his thoughts.

His face flushed and he smiled as he hugged her.  “Of course I approve.  You’re gorgeous, as always, Ari.”  That was his pet name for her.  He was the only one to call her that; she loved that and he knew it.  She did look gorgeous in her bohemian outfit-a green skirt and white peasant blouse.

“You look pretty nice yourself, mister,” Ari laughed at him as she led the boys into the apartment.  Dom did look good in his jeans and white button up shirt that contrasted nicely with his tan skin and shaggy dark hair.  But she couldn’t help looking over her shoulder at Ryan who looked amazing in his khakis and blue polo which brought out his shining blue eyes.

“What about me?  Don’t I look nice too?” Ryan laughed.

“Of course.  But that’s a given,” Maisy chimed in as she joined them from her room.  Ryan and Maisy hugged and joined Dom and Arielle in the kitchen.  “Everyone should be getting here in just a couple minutes, so make yourself at home.”

“You mean we’re not a good party enough for you?” Ryan said as he grabbed a handful of chips from the bowl on the counter.

“’Friad not,” Maisy smiled at him.  Dom had picked up on the flirting between the two the moment Maisy had entered the picture, but Arielle seemed to be lost in a world of setting things up.  She was nervous and he could tell.  He knew every smile, facial expression, everything about her.  He wanted to stand behind her, slip his arms around her waist, and whisper in her ear to relax, that everything would be fine.  But he had to fight that urge.  Instead he just stood at her side by the counter and put things where she instructed.

In an hour, the house was moderately full of a lot of people that Maisy had invited, but for once, she didn’t care about any of them except for one-Ryan.  He was standing at her side, smiling at her.  So close, yet so far.  She just had to get up the nerve, and come up with an excuse to pull him away from the crowd.  She smiled up at him.  Man, he was amazing.  “Hey you never got the official tour!” Maisy finally said to him, though it was more of a yell over the music.

He leaned his face close to hers, “What’d ya say?”

“Come on, I’ll give you the tour,” she said as she bravely took his hand and led him away from the crowd.  As they climbed the stairs, Maisy talked along nervously, “Up here is the bathroom, Arielle’s room and my room.”  They had reached her doorway.  Ryan stopped and she turned to face him.

“What’s up, Mais?  I didn’t need a tour.”

“I dunno.  Just after last week…I don’t know.  I just wanted to talk.  I wanna know what’s going on.  I don’t wanna make a fool of myself.”

Ryan put a finger to her lips and smiled at her.  He did like her a lot, and he had for awhile.  He wasn’t as blind as the girls made him out to be.  He may be a “jock,” an athlete, but he wasn’t dumb.  He didn’t want to hurt the friendships that had formed between the four of them.  He didn’t want to hurt Arielle, either.  But he knew now, none of that mattered.  It was just him and Maisy.  He took her in his arms, like he had wanted to so badly a week earlier.  Last week, though, he knew that they had both been drinking, and even though they had both wanted to, neither of them were willing to do anything when they were drunk.  Tonight, though, neither of them had had anything yet, and he wanted her to know that he meant this.  They moved into her room and closed the door.

“I like you, Maisy.  I like you a lot.  And I have for awhile.  But I think we both know why we’ve both held back.  Well, those reasons are still there, but they’re not gonna change any time soon.  And, well, I don’t want to hold back anymore, Mais.  I want to hold you.”

She smiled up at him.  How she loved this boy.  And neither of them were made for the slow track.  He leaned in to her and they kissed.  It was sweet and something she would never forget.  This night, she would never forget.

Downstairs, Arielle was beginning to finally feel comfortable with this crowd of people in her apartment.  She didn’t know many of them, only a few people she recognized from school and some guys Maisy had introduced to her when they had first arrived.  Arielle clung to Dom’s side most of the night, and he relished her closeness.  They had a little to drink, but neither of them were big partiers or big drinkers.

“Have you seen Ryan lately?” Arielle leaned over to say in Dom’s ear so he could hear over the music.  He savored everything about her being so close: the smell of her vanilla fragrance, the warmth of her breath, just knowing her lips were so close to him, but not to kiss him.  How he wished she could rid Ryan of her mind for just one moment.

Dom didn’t know that Ryan hadn’t crossed her mind for most of the night, when he had seemingly disappeared awhile ago, so had her thoughts of him.  Dom had been by her side all night, and she was enjoying herself.  She had enjoyed having Dom there with her.  She didn’t know where Maisy was-probably dancing it up in the other room-but she hadn’t been around Arielle much, though she had promised she’d be with her every step of her first party.  Arielle wasn’t sure if it was the new liquor in her blood-she’d had enough to get a little buzz-or what, but Dom was looking especially hot tonight.  He’d been so thoughtful of her all night, staying with her to calm her nerves.  Even now, he was talking to a guy he knew from school, but kept looking over at her to make sure she was ok.  Arielle had always known Ryan was the guy for her.  She’d been so sure of it that she hadn’t even thought about the possibility of Dom.  And he was a pretty good possibility, now that she was thinking about it.

Dom finally turned his full attention from his other conversation to Arielle and gave her a big smile.  “What’s on your mind, beautiful?”  He was always so complimentary and sweet to her.  Could he possibly think there could be something between them?  Arielle wasn’t sure if she could really think about these things right now, in the state of mind she was in.

“I was just realizing that I haven’t seen Maisy and Ryan for awhile.  Let’s go find them!”  She grabbed his hand and pulled him away from all the people, the same way Maisy had led Ryan an hour earlier.

Things had moved quickly with Maisy and Ryan, as neither of them wanted to go slow.  The first gentle kiss had turned to two, and three.  They were now lying on Maisy’s bed, making out.  They knew this was real, no alcohol complicating things.  They had been waiting so long to be together, now that they had been given the chance they were taking it, full speed ahead.  Ryan gently brushed Maisy’s hair from her face as he sweetly kissed her nose, her cheeks, and continued down to her neck.  Maisy smiled as she ran her fingers through his blond hair.  He was so perfect; this was so perfect.  Her lips found his and they kissed again, more passionately than the first few innocent kisses.  She felt his tongue brush along her lips and chills ran down her spine.  Three years ago when she’d had her last serious boyfriend, and even with other guys since then, nothing had come even close to being this good.  What could possibly come between them now?

“What…?  What the hell is going on?” Arielle yelled from the doorway.  Dom stood behind her.  He had known something like this was bound to happen sooner than later, but he still looked shocked.  Maisy and Ryan quickly sat up and straightened up. “Could someone please tell me what is going on and how long it has been going on?”

Maisy could tell her friend was close to tears, but she knew it was better she find out from her.  She could think of much better ways for her to have found out, but this was the situation and she was going to make the best of it.  “Um, Arielle, gosh!  We weren’t expecting you!”

“Yeah, I guess not!”  Dom had placed his hand on Arielle’s shoulder but she shrugged it off.

“Look, I’m sorry.  We didn’t mean for this to happen, exactly.”

“Well, what exactly did you mean then?”

“Ok, let’s just get this out in the open here,” Ryan spoke up from behind Maisy.  “I’ve liked Maisy for awhile now.  And, yes, I knew both of you girls liked me.  I didn’t want to break up the four of us, especially get in between you and Maisy.  Maisy and I ran into each other at a party last week.  We hung out and talked most of the night.  Nothing happened, though I think we both felt something and wanted something to happen.  We decided to talk it out tonight.  And well, we both like each other.  Obviously.  And, one thing led to another, I guess.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”  Arielle looked really hurt.

“I’m sorry, Arielle.  It wasn’t supposed to happen quite this way.  But that’s how we feel.  I hope you’ll be ok with it,” Maisy pleaded with her friend.

Without answering, Arielle turned on her heel and fled the others.  Dom looked at the couple and their helpless, guilty looks and took off after her.  “Hey, Ari!  Wait up!”  That hurt look on her face was seared into his mind’s eye.  He hated seeing her hurt, but he had known this day would come eventually.  If only she could see him and his feelings, but first, he knew she had to get over what she felt for Ryan.  She couldn’t hear him calling her name over the people and the music, but the crowd seemed to part for both of them.  Dom followed Arielle through the downstairs rooms and finally, out the front door.  There she stopped.  She collapsed onto the grass and he could see she was crying.  He knelt at her side and put a hand on her shoulder.

“Oh, Dom,” she cried as she buried her head into his shoulder.  He held her in his arms like that for awhile, until the crying calmed.  She lifted her head and looked into his eyes, then quickly stared down at the grass.  “Dom, I feel so stupid.  I knew it, I just knew it.  And I still let him hurt me, over and over again.  I’m so dumb!”

“No.  No, you’re not,” he said soothingly, as he brushed her hair from her face.  Tears were still silently slipping down her cheeks.  He wanted to kiss them all away and make her happy, put her world right again.  They had been having such a fun evening together.

“No, Dom, I really am.  I’ve liked him for years.  And why?  Probably because I knew I’d never have him.  And I never even thought about you.  And you are so good to me.  I’m sorry, Dominic.  I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay.  I’m alright.  And I’m still here, aren’t I?”  A small smile graced Arielle’s face as she looked up into his eyes.

“I’m glad.  Maybe I should have been liking you all these years.”

Dom didn’t know what to say and he wasn’t sure if Arielle knew what she was saying.  She’d had a bit to drink, and it being her first time, she was probably feeling some of the effects.  Not to mention the whole dramatic ordeal that had happened barely 10 minutes earlier.  Arielle’s face was close to his now and it felt so natural, so wonderful for her to be in his arms.  A little voice inside his head told him not to do anything under these circumstances, but he calmly pushed it aside.  Arielle brought her lips to his and it was unlike anything he’d ever felt.  Her hands ran over his face and hair, as his slid up and down her back.  As he had wished, he sweetly kissed the tears away from her face, and she smiled at him.  This was all he’d ever wanted.  “Oh, Ari,” he whispered, “You don’t know how long I’ve wanted this.”

She felt his lips brush her cheek as he spoke.  She kissed him again and again.  She loved this; every minute, every second.  Then suddenly the words he had spoken sunk in.  He had wanted this.  He had liked her for a long time.  While she was busy obsessing over Ryan, Dom had been silently pining for her.  What was she doing?  Did she really like Dom?  Or was she just hurt and trying to get back at Ryan and Maisy somehow?  Show them she wasn’t hurting and didn’t need them?  Arielle pulled away suddenly, her face a mixture of hurt and confusion.  “Oh gosh, Dom.  I’m so sorry.”  She stood up and ran into the house.

Dominic couldn’t move.  What had just happened?  “Damn it!” he exploded.  “Why didn’t I listen to myself?”  He had pushed ahead and look where it had gotten him.  He didn’t know what to do know.  She knew he liked her, and had for awhile.  Was that what had scared her away?  Did she not like him?  If she didn’t, what had that all meant?  He wanted to hit someone, something, anything.  Ryan.  He wanted to hurt Ryan for all the drama he had caused.  But Dom knew it wasn’t Ryan’s fault.  Why couldn’t everything just work out perfectly?  Then they would still be the four friends, but they’d be able to double date?  It should work out wonderfully.  But Arielle’s feelings had been hurt, this little scene between them probably had not helped anything.  Why couldn’t he have just comforted her as a friend?  But, she had made the first move!  She must feel something, she must!

Arielle didn’t know what she was feeling; what she should be feeling.  There were so many things spinning around in her head.  She just wanted to run up to her room and cry into her pillow.  However, she didn’t see Maisy or Ryan anywhere, so Arielle figured they must still be upstairs and she knew she couldn’t walk past Maisy’s door knowing they were together in there.  Also, Arielle felt she couldn’t abandon the party she and her friend were supposed to be hosting.  As long as Dominic didn’t come inside, she’d be fine.  Arielle just knew she couldn’t see him.  Why had she done that?  Sure, she thought Dom was a great guy.  She may even be able to like him, but right now?  When she was so upset with Ryan and Maisy?  She needed to get over Ryan first, she knew that.  She was at fault for what had happened with Dom, but resolving that would have to wait.  She was going to party now, without any worries.  Drown your sorrows, right?

Maisy had seen Dom and Arielle outside from her window.  Maybe things would work out ok.  “See, darling?  It’ll all be ok.  I knew Dom liked her, so that’ll take her mind off of us.  It’s working already.”  Arielle and Dom were making out on the front lawn.  Maybe, just maybe.  Ryan tilted Maisy’s head to his.  He kissed her gently.  “It’s gonna be alright.  We have each other now.”  Maisy smiled.  She did love him.  She wrapped her arms around his neck and they fell softly back onto her bed.  Maisy laughed softly.  “What are you laughing at, beautiful?”

“You!”

“Oh really?”

“Yep,” Maisy giggled.  She pulled him tightly to her and kissed him.  This was wonderful:  her and Ryan, Arielle and Dom, the party downstairs.  The party!  As much as she loved being up here with her new boyfriend, Maisy knew she should be down with the party she was hosting.  “Hey baby,” Maisy whispered as she pried Ryan from her.

“What?  You didn’t like that?” Ryan smiled as her kissed her again on her neck.  A shiver went down her spine, and she smiled back at him.

“No, I liked it.  But we really should get back downstairs.  I’m supposed to be hosting this party, and I haven’t been down there in hours!”  Ryan sighed and smiled as he sat up.  “I know, I don’t really wanna go back down, but it’s the right thing.  Besides, now that we’re dating officially, we can do this whenever we want!”

“I like the sound of that,” Ryan said as he helped Maisy up.

Arielle had downed a record amount of bottles of whatever they were in the amount of time she had been inside.  As she finished off another, she noticed two things that made her want to cry-Ryan and Maisy coming down the stairs holding hands, and Dom entering the front door running his hand through his hair.  She was carrying on with a group of people she had recognized from school, and some guy who had been hitting on her.  Whoever he was offered her another bottle and Arielle readily grabbed it.  She did not want to face any of her friends.  Maybe being with this crowd would conceal her, but she doubted it.  In fact, she could see that Dom had spotted her already and was heading her way.  Please, not now, she thought as she swigged from her bottle.

“Arielle, what are you doing?”

“Partying!  What are you doin, Dom?”

Dom shot a glance at the guy at Arielle’s side.  “Who’s your friend?”

Arielle looked at the guy she was standing with.  She smiled sheepishly and shrugged.  “I dunno.  What’s your name again?”Arielle asked as she finished off another bottle.

The guy seemed to think it was funny.  “Jeremy, baby.  ‘Member?  Here,” he said, handing her another bottle.

“His name’s Jeremy, Dom.  You should have some of this, Dom.  It’s good,” Arielle offered him her bottle, after taking a long drink.

Dom took the bottle from Arielle.  What had she done?  “Come on, Ari.  I think you’ve had enough for tonight.”

“Hey man, I don’t think the lady’s ready to go yet,” Jeremy said, putting his arm around Arielle’s waist.  Arielle smiled at the guy and snuggled closer to him.

Dominic bristled.  He hated this.  He needed to get her away.  Up to her room where she could sleep all this off; completely forget ‘this night.  But before he could say another word he heard Arielle saying she wanted to dance.  She was pulling this guy off to the other room with her.  Dom was furious and worried for her.  She probably had no idea what she was doing.  He wished he knew how much she had had to drink.  Before they’d even found Ryan and Maisy she had been feeling a slight buzz.  Now, she was beyond tipsy.  Dom followed Arielle and Jeremy into the other room.  If that guy’s hands strayed to anywhere they didn’t belong, Dom vowed he would take him down in a matter of seconds.  How could he have let this happen?  It was then he noticed that Maisy and Ryan were across the room.  He made his way over to them.

“So nice of you to join the party,” Dom snidely said to Ryan.

Ryan slyly grinned at his buddy.  “I could say the same for you, dude.  We saw you out front.”

Dom scowled.  “Well how long were you watching because you apparently didn’t see more than a few minutes?”

It was Ryan’s turn to scowl.  “What do you mean?  We saw you and Arielle hitting it off.”

“Well you saw all there was then.  She ran off on me all of the sudden.  I sat out there for awhile, and I come back in to find her completely gone with some other guy.”

“What?  That doesn’t sound like her at all!”

“Sound like who?” Maisy asked as she tuned into the boy’s conversation.

Dom looked at Maisy.  “Your best friend.  She’s trashed and dancing with some guy.  You haven’t been watching out for her very much.”

Maisy’s face turned bright red and she looked out to the dance floor, where she easily spotted Arielle.  Ryan put his arm around his girlfriend.  “It’s not her fault.”  Dom just shook his head.

“No, you’re right, Dom,” Maisy said.  “I promised her I would be with her the whole way for her first party, and I haven’t been at all.  Maybe I can get her to leave that guy.”

“I doubt it.  I already tried.  She thinks she’s having a good time.  So, I’m just gonna watch out for her.  And make sure Mr. Jeremy doesn’t have too much of a good time.”