(11) The Party


Max was the last to arrive at Michael’s party. His intentions were to stay home but staying home and moping wasn’t an option either. As soon as the front door was open his ears were immediately assaulted by the thumping sounds of No Doubt.

Alex walked up to him. “So I see you decided to come after all?”

“Yeah, decided to get drunk and have fun with the masses.” Max shrugged. “Where’s the beer?”

Alex rolled his eyes. “Drowning your sorrows is not the answer man. Loosen up tonight.”

They walked over through the crowded room to the kitchen where some guys from the football team were mixing drinks.

Just then a drunk Kiley Martin latched herself on to Max’s arm. “Hey baby, I’ve been waiting for you all night. Wanna dance… better yet wanna go upstairs?”

Max glared down on the inebriated cheerleader. “I don’t think so hun. I prefer my women sober when I’m about to pleasure them.”

She reached down and stroked his crotch. “For what you have to offer I can sober up pretty quickly.”

He grabbed her hand and thrust her away from him. “I don’t think so. You’re a tad to easy for my taste. I prefer my girls to be pure. That way I know that they’re free from disease.”

Her hand shot out to slap him but he caught it before it made contact. “Don’t do something you’d regret later.”

She walked off in a huff. “Man that girl is like a pariah.”

Alex laughed. “Don’t you think you were a tad harsh with her.”

“Hell no. What I said was true. She is easy.” Max saw a flash of blonde hair out the corner of his eyes.

He looked up into Maria’s brightly shining green eyes. She was wearing a short tan skirt with a split on each side and a soft green tank shirt that brought out her eyes. Her hair was loosely hanging down her back.

“Max,” she smiled at him, “you decided to come after all.”

He shrugged. “Yeah I’m here. Where’s Mark.”

She rolled her eyes. “I don’t know we were dancing at one point then two guys from the football team spirited him off somewhere. Have you guys seen Isabel?”

“No I just got here.” Max answered.

“She’s sitting next to the pool where that idiot Kyle is trying to seduce her.” Alex said.

“Wow, I’m surprised you’re not out there playing your doting mother game.” Maria teased.

“I’ve taught her well. She knows better than to fall for his charms.”

“Oh yeah? Then she must be over there administering CPR.” Max said pointing out the window where he could clearly see Isabel and Kyle kissing.

“What?” Alex sputtered he looked in the direction where Max was pointing then he turned and stalked angrily out the house and towards the pool.

Maria and Max laughed as they watched Alex walk up to the engrossed couple and push Kyle away from his sister right into the cold water. Isabel stood up and smacked Alex in his head.

Maria took Max’s hand in hers and pulled him along. “Come on. Let’s go save that boy from Isabel’s fury.”

Max grinned and lightly squeezed her hand. ’Her skin feels so soft.’ “Yeah I guess we do need to save the meddlesome guy.”

Maria smiled up at him. “You act like my brother at times but even you have the brains to know not to go that far.”

‘Is it intelligence really or am I just to freaking cowardly to stake claim in what I want?’ He asked himself. Aloud he said, “I don’t mean to act like your brother. Just want to be that person that loves you.”

She pulled him close to him and gave him a hug. “I know that you love me Max. I love you too, you’re my best friend.”

‘Ever think about us being much more?’ He gently pushed her away holding her at arms length. “Are you happy Maria?”

“Max that’s a silly question.” They stopped a few feet away from where Isabel was going off on Alex.

“Please Maria, just answer it.” He guided her away from the pool and over to a secluded spot in the backyard where there was a swing hanging from a tree branch.

She sat down in the swing and looked up at him. “Well… I guess now I am happy. Ever since Isabel came and motivated me into being my own person I’ve been having so much fun.”

“You weren’t having fun with me?” Max was hurt.

“Oh Max I don’t mean to hurt your feelings. Of course I had fun with you. We did and still do a lot together.” She began to swing back and forth slowly. “It’s just that there are some things that I can share with Isabel that I couldn’t share with you. I’ve never had a girlfriend before. It’s different. I like it.”

He nodded. “I can understand that. As long as you’re happy then I’m happy for you.”

“Max, since you seem to be in the mood for questions I have one for you.”

“Yes?”

“Maria, I’ve been looking all over for you.” Michael walked up looking sexy as ever in his black jeans and white shirt. “Mark is going to be a little detained, so he asked me to keep you entertained. So what are you doing out here? Is Max boring you.”

“We were just talking friend stuff.” Maria said standing up. “Where’s Liz?”

He shrugged. “I’m not her schedule book and she’s not mine. So do you want to dance. I think I hear R. Kelly playing.”

“Sure I’d love to.” Maria turned to Max. “We can talk later, ok?”

He nodded. “Yeah sure, I need to go check on Alex anyway. Great party Michael.”

Max walked off but not before hearing Michael say. “Damn baby you working that skirt. Turn around and let me see that sexy ass.”

Max scowled and thought about turning around and letting Michael see his flying fist. Instead he kept walking.

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Isabel was sick and tired of Alex jumping in when his presence was not need nor appreciated. He had totally ruined a perfect moment between her and Kyle. She wanted to scream so badly. She paused in her tracks as her mind traveled back to the kiss they shared beside the pool. ’God his lips tasted so good. His kisses were so wow.’

She smiled softly to herself as she made her way down the hall towards the bathroom. As she neared the bathroom she could her soft cries coming from inside. At first she just brushed it off as a couple making out but as she listened closer it sounded like someone was crying.

She knocked softly on the door. “Hello? Are you okay in there?”

Silence at first then, “Please go away.”

It was Tess’ voice. “Tess what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

She refused to answer at first but then the door opened and Isabel gasped at the sight before her. Tess was a mess. Her hair was disheveled. Her clothes ripped. She had bruises on her inner arms as well as on her stomach and probably in other places that Isabel could not see. Her lips were swollen and her eyes puffy.

“What in the hell happened to you?” At that Tess burst into tears again.

Isabel went further in the bathroom and shut the door behind her. Then she pulled the weeping girl in her arms. “Shh Tess, it’s okay. Honey it’s okay.”

Tess buried her face in the crook of Isabel’s shoulder. Her tears were muffled. After a few minutes she calmed a little bit. She pulled away from Isabel and stared pleadingly at the older girl.

“I can’t let anyone see me like this. I can’t let Kyle see me like this.” She whimpered.

“Please Tess, what happened to you?” Isabel asked in concern. Tess was a really sweet girl. She didn’t deserve what Isabel suspected happened to her.

She cringed in pain and anger when Tess confirmed her suspicions. “They hurt me Isabel. They held me down and hurt me.”

She started crying all over again.