Going Bananas: Chapter 10

"What are you being for Halloween?" Daffy asks me, between spoonfuls of apple sauce.
"I don't know. Nothing, I guess?" I shrug, picking at my now cold fries.
"That's what you always say." Daffy whines, putting her elbows on the lunch table, and balancing her head on her hands.
"Then why do you always ask?" I respond, rolling my eyes.

"Come on, it's senior year, Roe! Let's do something fun-something memorable!" She says.
"Fun burns me." I reply.
"Awww, why?" She pouts.
"Why what?" Adam's voice says from behind me.
I jump in my seat a little, not expecting him to show up during mine, and Daffy's lunch hour. He usually misses his study hall to hang out with us, but he surprised us today. Adam pulls out a seat, turns it backwards and sits down, snatching one of my fries in the process.

"Why won't Roe ever dress up for Halloween!" Daffy pointed her finger, incriminating me.
"It's not a big deal, Daffy. I'm eighteen now. A little over aged for trick or treating."
"You can never be too old, babe. Besides who needs trick or treating. I have something much more exciting in mind." Adam said, grinning wickedly.
"Oooh. Something ghastly?" Daffy replies.
"Something absolutely ghoulish. Mwhahahaha." Adam laughs devilishly.

"You two are such dorks." I snort, flicking a fry in Adam's direction.
"Why must you hurt me so?" Adam puts his hand over where his heart is.
"Loser." I shake my head.
"Come on, come on. What do you have in mind, Adam?" Daffy says.
"Well, I know a guy, who knows a guy, who knows a girl, and said girl is having a Halloween party, and I'm invited."

"And where are you going with this?" I ask him. Adam smiles bemusedly at me.
"What I'm saying is that, I hereby invite you two to attend this bash on All Hallow's Eve with me."
"Oh my gosh. Seriously?" Daffy exclaims.
"Hold on a sec. How can you invite us to someone else's party?" I wonder.
"Why do you think so many people end up attending these things? Most of the people there don't even know who this chick is. I sure don't. But that's besides the point. You go there for the fun, not the acquaintances." Adam answers.

"I thought the fun was in the acquaintances you knew."
"No. The fun is in the alcohol." He says, smartly.
"Then I guess it won't be fun for us." Daffy says, bummed out.
"Not necessarily. You don't have to drink. Just go for the fun, and to dress up amongst others."
"I haven't had a drink in a while." I say under my breath, but Daffy hears me.
"You drink, Roe?" She says, eyes wide.

"I used to." I answer. There's a lot of things I used to do, and a lot of ways I used to be.
"Really? You're just a pile of mysteries." Adam says to me, his eyes connect with mine for a moment, before he turns back to Daffy.
"How did high schoolers get drinks? Aren't they all underaged."
"Well said girl must have a few connects. Not my problem though."
"So you think even if we don't drink, we could go?" Daffy asks.
"For sure. Just dress in some sorta costume, otherwise you guys will stick out like a sore thumb." Adam answers.

"I don't have a costume." I say, trying to find some sort of excuse to not go to this party.
"Through on some face paint, and call yourself a zombie!" Adam spits back, ever so ready with the answers. I grumble, and go back to my lunch. These parties are exactly the kind I try to avoid at all costs. It's just going to be a bunch of stupid people, acting stupid, but if Daffy wants to go, and Adam pesters me enough, I'll be hard pressed to resist.
"Yeah. Anyway, don't you have that old vampire costume of yours?" Daffy turns to me.
"That is a uniform for work." I point out.

The costume she's referring to is a red, and gold velvet vampire garb that my boss gave to me to wear at my job during the Halloween season. My boss figures that if his employers are dressed for the festivities, this will subconsciously make costumers buy the ridiculous pet costumes that we have in stock around this time.

"So what? You can use it for a night. Who's going to know?" Adam buts in.
"That's not very professional of me."
"And since when have you cared about being professional?"
"Hmmm... I don't know. Ever since I realized that I like making money?"
"Oh don't be such a Debbie Downer." Daffy whines. "Can't you just be footloose for a night? That's all we're asking here."

I humph a bit, refusing to look up at the two. Daffy will be staring at me with puppy dog eyes, and I know that if I look at Adam, I won't be able to resist.
"Please, Roe?" Adam says softly, his voice making a chord in my heart twang, and resonate.

"I hate you all." I say, relenting.
"Is that a yes?" Daffy perks up.
"Well it's not a no." I reply.
"Yippe! We're going to a parrr-tay." Daffy does some kind of happy dance in her seat.
"Great. What are you going as, Daffy?" Adam asks.
"I'll cook something up. What about you?"
"It'll be a surprise! But it's going to be a good night."
"Tell me all the details!" Daffy leans in, her face alight with joy.

I sit back and watch as Daffy, and Adam, talking animatedly about the location for the party, and other details . It's the middle of the week, late October, and Halloween is this Saturday. I don't want to think about how fast approaching it is. I really do not want to go to this shin-dig, not only because I despise drunken idiots, but also because I do not want to be around Adam for a unnecessary reason, believe it or not. I have my reasons for wanting to avoid him, however. Since our little talk at the playground a couple of weeks ago, Adam has more than fulfilled his duties as a friend. Things have been peachy between us, and he does not flirt with me in any way shape or form. You see all those things I listed there? All those examples of prime friendship-hood? That's the problem!

If I receive one more comforting, but friendly pat on the shoulder from him, I'm going to freak. I know I said I wanted to be friends with him, and that's what I got, but it's becoming too much to bare. I miss his flirting, and innuendos believe it or not. It doesn't help that though his friendship towards me has increased, so has my feelings towards him. I do not quite understand it myself. I'd hoped that if the touching, and the looks stopped, then that would curb my growing crush on him, but how wrong I am. I still find myself drawing hearts all over my math homework, and hearing how well my first name goes with his last. It's ridiculous, and I know it, but I can't help it. It sucks even more to know that it's my fault for pushing him away. I remember the times that I would roll my eyes at his stares, finding them too awkward. I would do anything to have him look at me like that again-to stare me down until I could do nothing more than blush, and look away. That's what he used to do, anyway.
'Be careful what you wish for.' Roeanne patronizes me.

I ignore her comment, but I can hear it ringing in the back of my head.

***************************************

"Mommy look how much candy I have!" Joelle scuttles over to my mother with a toothy grin, eager to show off her booty. My mother stops rinsing off a dish, and "My, my, my. That is quite a pile. How about you pick out five pieces of candy, and we'll save the rest for sometimes else."

Joelle pouts, but does as she's told, begrudgingly handing over her plastic pumpkin over to mother. Since she's been trick-or-treatin' for a while now, she knows the drill. No use fighting the power. I walk to where my mom is standing, and give her a peck on the cheek.

"How was it, cherie?" My mother asks me.
"Great. It is a balmy night, and we had a good time. There was a free haunted house, and that gave Joelle a scare." I answer.
"It did not!" Joelle stomps her foot, nearly dislodging her crown from her head. This Halloween, both me, and my mother urged Joelle to dress up as something other than a royal princess. That was a fight to match any wrestling match. :P Joelle finally compromised saying that she would go as a fairy- if, and only if she could be a fairy princess. That was better than nothing.

"Joelle you nearly cried." I roll my eyes at her, grabbing a kit-kat bar from the pumpkin that my mom put on the kitchen counter top.
"It's not polite to lie." She remarks haughtily.
"Take your own advice."
"Perhaps I may have been caught off guard." She sticks her nose in the air as she says that, flicking her dark hair behind her shoulders and stalking away.
"Kids will be kids." My mom says, laughing softly.

I take out my cell phone seeing that it's eight-thirty now, and Adam will be coming to pick me up in fifteen minutes, with Daffy in tow. I already have my vampire costume on (though I feel like I'm betraying my boss somehow) , but I decide I can do up my hair a little, and get some makeup on (not that I'm trying to impress anybody or anything.)

I start walking away, heading towards the staircase but my mother's voice stops me.
"Where are you going?" My mom asks from behind me.
"Upstairs... to get ready." I face her.
"Ready for what?" She asks me, puzzled.
"For the Halloween party... remember? I told you about it like a day ago, mom." I say, slowly, hoping that she'll remember.

"Oh yeah..." It's coming to her. "But, I thought we were going to watch scary movies, and have some brownies... like always? Me, you, and Joey." Her voice holds disappointment, and I begin to feel guilty. I hate making my mom feel any sort of disquiet.
"We can still do that, mom. How about tomorrow?"
"I suppose so." She responds, but I can tell she's still not satisfied with that compromise.
"Sorry, mom. I can stay if you want." I don't really want to stay home, but I can't stand to have my mom unhappy.

"No. No. No." She swats the air with her hand. "Go on and have a good time. It's not like you do this often. Plus, I have Joelle, though most likely she'll want to watch Beauty and the Beast."
"We must try to discourage this behavior, mom." I say with a laugh, about to head up the stairs, but my mom places a hand on my arm, halting me.
"Just be careful. I know lately you've been hanging out more often with your pals. I'm happy about that, really, I am. Just... don't do anything illegal, or dangerous please. I don't want... I don't want you to go back to that." She said timidly, dancing around the point we both knew she was trying to make.
"It's alright mom. I'm not a stupid little kid anymore. I'll be fine." I pat her hand, and give her a kiss on the cheek.

Up in my room I brush my hair, trying to eliminate the frizz, and fly hair. I apply my eyeliner, and mascara heavily, but in a flattering way. I outline my lips, and use dark red lipstick, dragging it past my lips to look like dried blood. That's good enough I suppose, looking over myself. I still feel kinda of bad for wearing my work costume outside, but then again, what Mr. Roper, my boss doesn't know, won't hurt him. It doesn't look too bad, I must admit. It is a floor length gown, made of scarlet, and black velvet, with golden-colored thread running up the bodice on my chest. It wouldn't win any awards but it was good enough for me. My phone rings, and I already know who's calling, picking it up quickly, not bothering to see the caller ID.

"Hello?" I ask, though I already know who'll respond.
"We're outside." Daffy says to me, not surprisingly.
"Ok. I'll be out now."
I shut the phone then, and give myself one more look over, before putting my phone into a hidden pocket, and hustling out of my room.
"I'm going out now, mom. Won't be out late." I call over my shoulder. "Have a good night. Bye Joey."

I'm out the door before they can respond, and I walk up to the door that is in front of my driveway. Adam is sitting at the driver's seat, one arm out the window. He turns, giving me a friendly smiley. and my breath catches. I wave, but I don't pause in my step though, and I get to the door of the car, and climbing into the passenger seat.

"Oh my gosh!" Daffy turns to me, as soon as I'm seated in the car. "Aren't you excited?" Daffy gushes.
"No. I'm not." I say honestly. It's true, though. Though I'm happy to be getting out of the house, I'm just looking to spend some time with Adam, and Daffy. Especially Adam.
"Oh don't be such a Debbie Downer. This is so kewl. We're gonna have a blast. When I told my mom I was going to a party, she actually told me not to drink so much. Isn't she the coolest?"

I smile, shaking my head. Daffy's mother, and father, like I said, are definitely very laid back. They said that as long as Daffy was at least seventeen, and drinking reasonably, she could have alcohol. My mom was never like that when I was growing up. When I became a teenager, she constantly was warning me about the dangers of drugs, and alcohol. Sadly, her precautions didn't work. Sometimes, things happen in one's life that causes one to seek out those kind of distractions. Drugs, cigarettes, drinks - all the world's vices; you don't turn to them because you're mother told you not to, or because you want to rebel. You search for them because they make you into something you aren't, a person that is the opposite of yourself. That's the whole point, though. At that moment, "yourself" is the last person you want to be.

Daffy goes on prattling about what she hopes the party will be like, dominating the conversation. I'm plenty fine with that. She's dressed as a hippie, a ribbon about her head, ragged clothing, and a peace sign drawn on her cheek. I try to focus on her, and her animated talking, but it's difficult with Adam right besides here. I catch myself glancing at the rear view mirror, staring at Adam's reflection. He's dressed himself as a zombie, albeit not a very convincing one. Green, and brown face paint covered his face, with black underneath his eyes to have appear more ghoulish. His clothing was tattered, and splattered with red dye to mock blood I guess. It was a meager attempt to look zombie like, and for that I'm glad. His handsomeness shown through regardless, and that's what kept me sneaking peeks into that mirror from time to time.

"You're being awfully silent, Roe. You're alright?" Adam's eyes catch mine for a moment in the mirror, and we connect with each other for a while longer than we should, before our eyes part.
"No, No. I'm just thinking, that's all." I say back, casting my eyes downward. "Are we there yet?"
"Actually, yes." Adam answers.

Adam is heading up an unfamiliar driveway now. The house we're pulling up to is much bigger than my own, along with the sprawling lawn in front of it. The house's front steps is alighted with a large, craved pumpkin, and more Halloween ornaments decorate the lawn. The driveway is huge, and already, a coupe of cars are parked in the light. Adam parks, and as we all step out, I can tell that the party is in full swing. Music spills out of the house, an up beat bass thumping in the night.

"Let's all get boogie with it!" Daffy said, raising the nonexistent roof with her hands.
"Yes. Let's! I'm a bag mama jama and I'll prove that tonight." Adam says, walking before us up the back deck, and to the back door of the house.

Inside is exactly what you would expect from a high school party. The air is hot, and I swear it feels like I've been transported to the Amazon. I instantly regret my choice of wardrobe, 'cause I know I'm going to be toasted by the time we leave. It seems like a million bodies have been cramped into a slightly bigger than average living room. Everyone is pressed up close to one each other, the tell-tale red cups in hand. Some people are making attempts to "dance", or grind as us teenagers say nowadays. Overall, it's pretty tame, and not rowdy. Everyone is made up as a something - a ghost, a goblin, a robot. Most of the girl's outfits have been made to show as much skin as possible, but that's not surprising is it? The house is decorated nicely, with black cats, skeletons, and fake cob webs strewn up on the walls and ceilings. I like so far.

We cluster together and move towards an unoccupied corner of the room by a couch that's been displaced to provide more room.
"So since I'm the designated driver, I won't be getting wasted at all." Adam says to us then.
"How non cavalier of you." I add in.
"Well what can I say. I'm a nice guy like that." Adam smiles. "You guys can get a little buzzed if you want, but I don't want to be wiping up any body's puke so spare me."
"Gross." Daffy interjects.

"Exactly. So please, be rational young adults here."
"Yes, mother. I'll be sure to behave just a good little girl." I say, impersonating a child as best as I can.
"Very funny, Roe, but I'm telling you now, I don't want to be scooping you up off the floor.. I'll be back in a bit. I see a couple of pals that I want to check out." He said. "Catch you all later. Enjoy."
With that he departs, leaving me to stare after him as he moves through the crowd, which parts like the Red Sea.
And then there are two.
"So what now?" I say to Daffy.

Daffy opens her mouth to respond but she stops at the sound of her name being called from across the room. We both follow the sound, and I recognize that it's a couple of her other friends from school trying to grab her attention.
"There's Julie!" Daffy exclaims. "Mind if I go over there for a sec to say 'Hello'?" She asks me.
"Yeah. Yeah. Go ahead. I'll be here." I say, shrugging.
Daffy claps her hand giddily, and she to delves into the crowd, disappearing into the throng of people.

Not knowing what to do with myself, I sit on the couch underneath me, and wait for Daffy to get back. I stare at the masses of teenagers, socializing, and drinking the spirits. They seem like they're having a good time. I would be having a good time too, I guess, if I actually knew anybody else here to talk to. I could've gone with Daffy, but I know I would've just ended up standing awkwardly behind her while, she made chit-chat with people who I never took the time to get to know.

Ten or fifteen minutes pass, and I'm getting a bit antsy now. I crane my head, trying to make out Daffy, but I can't find amongst everyone else. I sigh, feeling as if I've been forgotten.

'Now give your friend a bit more credit than that." Roeanne tells me, and I take her advice. Daffy is probably just absorbed in the camaraderie. Twenty more minutes pass, and even Roeanne doesn't have anything to say. I bite my nails, distracting myself from the dread that was staking its territory in my stomach.

A shadow appears to my left, quickly followed by a voice.
"Hey there." The person's words come out slightly slurred. Oh great.
I look up, and standing near me (nearer than I'd like), is some teenage boy, a cup in hand. He's in a gladiator costume, with lace up sandals, a skirt, shield, and everything. He's rocking unsteadily on his feet, swaying back and forth, sloshing whatever drink he has on himself. I roll my eyes. I can see what's coming from a mile away.

"I said hello." The guy says again, this time a little louder, thinking I couldn't hear him over the music.
"What?" I say finally, looking up at the guy. He's average looking, but his bloodshot eyes, and sleazy smile are making him look highly unattractive.
"Want a drink?" He said, stretching out his occupied arm, offering me the cup.
"No thanks." I say, my voice void of emotion, hoping that he could tell from my tone that I wasn't interested.

"Yer sure? I mean what's a party if you don't get a little tipsy." He laughs at his statement, and then falls down on the couch besides me, spilling half the contents of the drink on himself.
My cue to leave. I stand up quickly, and he makes a grab for my arm.
"Not so fast. Let's talk." He pleads, as if he was able of making interesting conversation. I pull my arm away, and stalk off. Stupid brute. Disturbing my peace.

I squeeze between bodies, close enough to feel a person's hot breath on my neck at times. I head toward the kitchen which is lighted up, and relatively empty, asides from a guy, and girl, sucking each other's face against a counter. The kitchen to is decorated much the same as the living room. I run my hand over my face, looking at the wreck that's been made of the place. Beer cans are crushed on the floor, along with chips, and things. Alcohol has been spilled on the floor. The lighting is dim, and the air is much cooler here, because of a window that is open above the sink. I stand in front of the window, feeling the breeze come through. I've reached my limit, and I'm more than ready to go. I knew coming here would be a mistake. I could've been watching Friday the 13th with my mom right now, and brownies, but no, I decided that this would be a better way to spend my Saturday. I don't get the last laugh. Trust your instincts, that's what I've always been taught.

I get my phone out, checking to see the time. It's ten after ten, and we've been here for about an hour. I wrestle with myself, wanting to leave the party, but not wanting to spoil Adam's and Daffy's fun. Though Daffy was joking earlier, I can be a Debbie Downer oftentimes.

'Well how about you make the best of the situation and go find where they are?' Roeanne suggest.

I mull it over, and agree with my mini-me. I might as well try to have a good time, since we weren't leaving anytime soon. With that I push myself off the counter, and leave the kitchen behind me. I stand under the arch, scanning the crowd, trying to see where Adam and Daffy are. All of a sudden I see the back of Adam's head, and he's walking away from the kids, into a hallway. I call out his name, but he doesn't seem to hear over the din of the music. Ugh. Look's like I'll have to swim with the fish again.

I nudge my way through the crowd again, avoiding roaming hands. Eventually I make it through the traffic, and I end up on the other side. The hallway is less populated, nothing but a couple of folks macking, and saying sweet nothings to one another. The hallway is dark, and the doors on either side are closed, and locked. To the end of the hallway is a staircase, but the upstairs is dark, so I don't think anyone could be up there either. I look around once more, stumped. I glance around once more, about to call it quits, when before me, a door that I hadn't notice opened up. It had been sequestered by shadow, but the bright light coming from a light within the room, pushed aside the darkness, making an entrance.

Two bodies stumbled out, one a male, and the other a female. The girl was laughing in merriment, while the guy was holding onto her hip, bent down and whispering in her ear. I couldn't make out who they were, their heads not directed towards the light. They hadn't seen me, and as they passed, I moved aside, saying excuse me, to let them through. The boy looked up then, at my voice, his steps faltering. Turned toward me, half his face became alighted.
"Roe?"

My eyes widened, as my brain did the necessary calculations, piecing together that voice with someone I knew well. My heart began to race, and my blood quickened, causing my face to flush. It was Adam. Adam, who had his hand on this girl's hip, the girl who was currently grasping to his shirt possessively, eying Roe up and down.

"Roe, w-what... what? Listen..." Adam began to stutter, attempting to pry that bit - I mean chick's hand off himself.

"Adam, erm, sorry, I-I didn't mean to interrupt, I..." I stopped talking then, and turned around, unable to continue my sentence, too embarrassed by the situation. I hurry out of the hallway, ignoring Adam's calls after me. I immerse myself in the crowd again, thankful for the coverage they provide. I nudge my way to the kitchen again, trying to hold back the unwanted tears that were fighting to get out of my tear ducts, and onto my cheeks. I stumbled into the kitchen, gripping onto the counter ledge. A hand landed on my shoulder, and I turned around.

"Adam look -" I began, and then I stopped, realizing that it wasn't Adam at all.
"Caught ya." Alcohol reeking breath blew into my face, making me wrinkle up my nose. It was the gladiator from before, but now he was even more inebriated, his words being spoken with hardly any spaces between them. I try to move to the side, but his hands clap down on my arms, blocking me.

"I don't think so. I should enjoy my winnings." He says to me, and before I know it, his liquored mouth is descending on mine. I struggle some more, but he wouldn't budge, and I'm caught between him and a hard place (literally). I lean my head back, doing anything to prevent what's about to happen. He is closing in on me, and I close my eyes, fighting the vomit that's climbing up my throat. Next thing I know, the jerk's being pulled off me, and he falls to the floor, a sprawl of uncoordinatedness.

I am shocked momentarily, unsure of what just happened. Adam gets into my line of vision, and I'm brought back to reality.
"What the hell, Roe? What the fuck was that?" Adam is yelling at me now, his voice rattling my eardrums.
"Adam you don't understand -" I started shakily, trembling.
"Save it! Just save it okay! This is how you work? I finally, finally move on, and that's too much to take, huh? You gotta go and slobber over, over some random dude?" I can see that he's pissed, to an extent that I've never seen before. I raise my hand trying to grab onto him.

"Adam that's not how it was at all. That guy -"
"Oh it's not? Then tell me how it was 'cause I sure am confused. You want to know what, ya I was hooking up with that chick in the bathroom, and that's my business if it was. It's just pathetic that me, having a good time, and enjoying myself would send you running to some, any low life with a dick!" He slams his fist on the counter top behind me, and I jump, startled. I look at him, my tears running freely now, but for a different reason entirely - from hurt.

"I-I can't handle this right now. I want to go home." I push past him, and evade his hands that reach out for me. I burst through the people, who've thinned in numbers now. I get to the back door, swing it open, and run off the deck, and into the night air.

I wipe away my tears with the back of my hand. I've never been a fan of crying, especially when it comes to guys.
'Don't dwell on what he said. He didn't mean those words.' Roeanne says, with less conviction than before.
'Don't even... don't even...' I say back. I've had enough of this glass-half-full shit.
"Roe!? Sorry, I lost track of time, back there. What's going on? I saw you leave the party." Daffy's voice breaks the silence, and I hear her steps coming down the deck, in my direction.

"Roei-pooh?" She says again, once she's by my side. "What's going on?"
"Could you just leave me alone Daffy? You're good at doing that." I snap at her. I'm not so sure that it was entirely undeserved.
"Roe..." Daffy said, her voice trailing away.
"Leave her. She's fine. She's very good at playing pretend." Adam's scornful voice joined in.
"What are you talking about? What did you do to her?" Daffy says, taking her protective mother bird stance. She's taken that stance before, when we were younger, and I was the target of bullies, and mean kids that just simply didn't like the me.

"What did I do? I saved her from making a terrible decision, the way she was going, she was about to give away herself to a guy in a skirt." He said flippantly.
I've had enough.

"You know what, you can shut the fuck up!" I shout, walking towards him, getting in his face, just like he did to me.
"I'm just -" He tried to cut in, but I'm not having it.
"I'm not finished yet! So you just wait. I've heard your voice enough for today!" I took a shaky breath. "What do I look like to you? Some kind of whore? I didn't want that guy's filthy hands on me, alright? He was just some guy, who liked to play grab ass, ok? But trust me when I say that the way you spoke to me just then, that made me feel even dirtier than that guy did." I said breathlessly, between pauses and sniffles.

He just stood there, on the deck, looking down at me, silent.
"You think I don't want you to be happy? Or to move on? Well you're wrong, alright. You're dead wrong. I'm fucking rainbows and sunshine for you. I don't care who you fuck in a bathroom." I say, closing my eyes, taking in another breath. My head hurts now, and all I wanna do is lie down to sleep.

"Roe... look, I didn't know that. I'm sorry about that bastard, and I'm sorry for being a bastard." Adam said, all traces of anger gone from him. "It was the heat of the moment, and I was just so pissed -"

"Pissed? For what? Did I get all up in your face about that bitch, huh? No, I removed myself from the situation. And let's just say, hypothetically, that I was with that guy. Why is that any concern of yours? That would be my business, and I can kiss any person I want without any say from you! Get that?" I say bitingly.

I walk away from them both, Daffy gaping at us, so clueless. I get to the passenger car door and I try to wrench it open, but it's locked.

"Could you open this stupid door?" I say, pounding on the window.
"Roe, could you just talk to me?" Daffy says, trying to console me.
"No. I don't want to talk. Just leave me alone." I shout. Don't these people get anything at all? Why is it that when I do want to be by myself, they find it the perfect time to get involved?

"I'm sorry, Roe. Alright, I bugged out on you, and that was wrong. I acknowledge that, and I accept that. But don't expect me to accept that you didn't feel anything back there!" At this point he came up to me, grabbing my arms and spinning me around to face him.

"What are you talking about?" I say, truly confused.
"I saw your face, okay? You ran out of that hallway like death was on your heels. Rainbows, and sunshine? We both know that's shit, so just stop pretending. Stop pretending that you don't feel anything for me."

"I thought you were moving on, Adam?" I say, and for the second time tonight, I try to wriggle my way out of someone's hold.
"Yeah, but I haven't gotten that far away yet. I can't just throw my feelings in the trash, and I know you can't either. We shared something that night, in that kiss, and for you to just stand there and act as if that was nothing, well that's just insulting."
"Kiss? What kiss?" Daffy says, her cries going unheard though.

"Don't make me into the bad guy. You just had to go and ruin everything. We were fine-fine as being just friends. Now... now everything's just messed up. You couldn't leave well enough alone." I say, my body going limp. All of a sudden I just feel really tired, no longer able, or willing to throw any punches.

"It doesn't have to be. Why can't we just try? That's all I'm asking for is a try. These past couple of weeks, do you know how agonizing it was to just sit there and act like I don't think about you every night - what you're doing, and where you are. Do you know how many times I had to throw my phone into a corner, just to resist texting you? I know I said I was okay with just friends, but I'm not. I'm not and unlike you I'm going to admit that." He said, letting go of me, and moving back.

"Adam... I don't want to try. I don't want you, ok? If you want to hear that I have some feelings for you, then yes, alright, I do. I did, I guess. But I'm not going to go through all of this drama just to satisfy some rudimentary urge."

Adam sighed, hanging his head.
"I'm getting real tired of begging here, Roe. It's not in my nature."
"Oh isn't it? I'm sure hooking up with random girls with bigger tits than brains is then, huh?" I lash out at him, ready to throw a couple of jabs.
"I don't have to justify myself to you."
"Neither do I. It's obvious that this friendship, can't work out, through no fault of my own, mind you."

'Stop and think about what you're about to do, Roe." Roeanne pleads.

"Things that just don't work need to be set aside." I say finally.

"So that's it then? You're just gonna call it quits then? Then again, I can't expect you to accept my feelings, when you can't accept your own. You want this to end? Then fine, you can have that." He says, taking out his car keys, and opening the passenger door. I grabbed the door before he could close it.

"Listen here, bud. I didn't ask for you! I didn't ask for any of this! You came into my life! You started this fucking game, and you're just mad 'cause it didn't play out the way you wanted it to! I'm not jumping out of my seat to make out with you in a lavatory! So don't sit there and act like your heart is just torn to pieces, 'cause I certainly don't buy it."

I let go of the door, and he promptly slammed it go. I wrench the passenger car door open, sit in the seat, and slam the door just as forcefully. Daffy too enters the car, staying silent as she rightfully so.

The ride back home is quiet. No one makes a peep, and not even a sniffle can be heard. Adam pulls up to my drive, and as soon as the car stops, I jump out, ready to leave all of this behind me.

"Wait!"
I turn back, and Adam is standing near the door, half in and half out.
"Didn't you... didn't I make you just a little bit more happy than you were before?" He says, his voice quivering, like the legs of a fawn just learning to walk.
I take a deep breath, and I decide to tell the truth.
"You did make me happy, Adam. But that isn't enough to get me to want you, in the way you think you want me."
His shoulder's slump, and it gives me the impression that he's actually sincere (and not some jealous douche).
"You should be a lawyer. You're very good at manipulating the truth."

I don't bother replying. Our conversation has lasted to long already. I turn, and walk quickly to my doorway. I pause when I hear Adam shut his car door, it solidified that Adam would be shut off from me too.

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Dear ladies, gents, and all those in between,

No need to write a long drawn out explanation of why I've been gone. This should make up for it... and if not... well... *cough*

Um, this scene is what I've always intended but it might speed things along faster than I'd like... hmm so this might be ending soonish. :L I wish it was more prolonged but, it is what it is.

This chapter was supposed to be you guys' treat for Halloween but I've been behind schedule... sowies. But I hope you felt the festivities in the air!

NOTE: I'm not good with time frames. It's only Halloween and all this shit is happening. So understand that the story started off in the second week of school, and that's also when Roe met Adam. So in two weeks time was Roe's birthday, and then three weeks later is Halloween. Give or take a couple of days. So basically they've known each other for two months now, and you might think that is a short time to be having crazy feelings for people, but c'est la vie I guess. I'll just have to pay attention to time in my next stories. :P Hope you guys' still enjoy it.

NOTE: So maybe if you guys are careful readers you might have caught that I made quite a big oopsie.

In part one of the sixth chapter of this series, I established that Roe and Adam exchanged phone numbers. I forgot this fact, and made it seem like she hadn't in chapter nine. This may seem like a petty thing, but it is important nonetheless.

To clear up this discrepancy, I've rewritten that scene. The new version is:

I turn on my side, and look out of one of my windows. It's mid-afternoon, and the sun is still bright yellow, but I know that in a couple of hours the sky will cease to be blue, but yet an array of purples, and pinks, signaling the end of the day. My cell phone buzzes from somewhere behind me, and I groan. Who dares interrupt my peace? I roll over, grab my cell, and flip it open to see that I got a text from Adam.

I open the message and it reads: 'Can we talk?'
Errrr... I want going to ignore it, but a tiny butterfly in my tummy flaps it's wings hurriedly, and disturbs my thought process.

'Please.'
I can't pretend that the butterflies aren't flying around a bonfire of happiness now that Adam's contacting me.

'I guess so...'
'Can we chill for a bit?'
'I have work later, and I'm babysitting my sister.'
'Look I really want to talk to you. She can come with us. We can go to the park.'
'Idk if you want to do that.. you dk my sister. :P' I mean come on... the dude deserves a fair warning.
'It's kewl. Come on. Are ya gonna chill?'

I glance at the window again, and I know that even though I can't pick up on it, the sky got just a little bit darker. I know that Adam's going to want to talk about Friday, and hash things out, and as much as I want to avoid the confrontation. I know that it'll be better to face it head on. If I just let the tension hang, our friendship will just get dimmer, and dimmer, like the setting sun, and that will signal the end of our relationship.

'Sure.' I reply finally, after my deliberation.
'Great. Meet @ the park at 5?'
'That's fine.'

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I just tweaked it here and there and the rest of the chapter continues as written. No big deal haha :D Well toodles.