Color party

Anastasia James

As soon as I got out of Johnny's truck, the wind whipped against my face, blowing my hair away. I slammed the car door and took a good look around. It was crowded. Very crowded. Frighteningly full. I wondered if everyone could fit in there.

“Johnny says he's here already.” Steph warned, looking at her cell phone display. “He came with Greg.” I just nodded, relieved.

It must be really bad to want to go places and have to depend on others for that. I hope he recovers soon.

A group of girls walked past me laughing loudly, drawing my attention to them. Their clothes were so short and vibrant, it made me compare them to mine automatically. I was wearing black jeans 'shorts' and a pink wool blouse, with many colorful stripes. On my feet, my favorite white All-Star.

“Don't you think I'm too…” I looked for the right words. “Different?”

“How different?” Steph frowned, looking at herself through her cell phone display, while she touched up the blood-red lipstick on her lips. I looked down and saw that she had similar clothes on, so I sighed and looked where we were going. I think I'd better leave it at that…

“Nothing.” I laughed nasally. She looked at me, confused, and I smiled, assuring her that everything was fine.

We approached the entrance and presented the invitations to the security guard, who immediately pulled the red buckle and let us through. As we entered, I had to strain my eyes, because the difference in lighting was so great. The interior of the place would be completely dark if it were not for the colored lights, which wandered from one side to the other. There was even a large dance floor in the center, where people were already there, having fun.

Steph walked ahead of us and guided us to the back of the place, where all the people were seated around a table. I couldn't help but find the boys' clothes funny when we got close, because each one was wearing an eye-catching piece of clothing. Johnny, for example, was wearing a yellow teal pantsuit, Greg a fluorescent green cap, and Scott an orange shirt. There was also Kaleb, but I definitely have no idea what that flashy piece is. Actually, I do, but I prefer to pretend I don't.

“Look who's here!” Johnny exclaimed, smiling broadly at us.

“Took you long enough, huh?” Kaleb commented, filling his glass with beer.

“You always say that.” Steph rolled her eyes and settled down next to Johnny, as usual.

“I'm always right.” He shrugged, convinced.

“Yes, you are.” She nodded, ignoring him. I laughed and sat down on one of the chairs, facing Steph and Johnny.

The guys started talking about something, which I didn't pay attention to, because I was more interested in looking around. Everyone was either wearing a single color, or they were like the boys: all black and one flashy item. As for the women, well, all dressed minimally. It looks as if there was a lack of cloth when they made their clothes…

I let out a long sigh and crossed my arms under my breasts, trying to stay focused on what they were talking about. I could see their mouths moving, but my attention couldn't focus on them. Every woman who passed by in those short, tight clothes caught my eyes. It was as if she wanted to make me feel more and more inferior…

“Hey, did you decide to show up?” Johnny's voice woke me up from my reveries.

I stared at him and realized that he was staring at a point behind me, so I followed his gaze. My jaw dropped when I saw Matthew approaching us in a completely black outfit. From his shoes to his hair, there was not a single “color” there.

“I thought he didn't want to come to a party that is only good for getting your clothes dirty.” Johnny used Matt's argument, causing him to roll his eyes.

“I was bored.” He shrugged and looked at each person at the table, until he stopped at me. We looked at each other, so I smiled and, surprisingly, he smiled back.

“Okay, but what are you wearing?” Steph said, drawing our attention to herself. “You're not even wearing anything flashy!” She looked at him strangely.

“Who says I don’t?” He crossed his arms and smiled mischievously at her.

“Wearing pink underwear doesn’t count.” She rolled his eyes. “The point of the party is to be visible.”

“Okay, but what I’m wearing it’s visible.” He said the obvious. “Black is the union of all colors.”

“And who knows that but you, nerd?” She stared at him, boredly.

“I'm not a nerd.” Matt snorted. “I'm just a man with a lot of knowledge.” He bragged. “And another that Kaleb looks identical to me.”

“His earrings are pink.” Greg commented and took a sip of his drink.

We all looked at him and then at the curly-haired redhead, who was trying to take some pictures of himself. I had to strain my eyes to see the earrings and wow, I wonder how Greg could see them?

“That doesn't even count.” Matt snorted. “You can barely see! “

“Better than being dressed like you're going to a funeral, right?” Steph countered, but Matthew just ignored her. He motioned to pull up a chair to sit down, but Scott interrupted him.

“Get some more beers while you're still standing.” He asked, holding up the empty glass bottle.

“Actually, I’m not standing anym…” Matt was interrupted.

“Oh, stop being a pain in the ass!” Johnny threw a napkin ball at Matt, who started to laugh.

Wow. That was the best, most infectious laugh I have ever heard. Since I arrived in Sturgis, I have never seen him as relaxed as he’s now, and I must confess that I am glad. Not that I have anything to do with it, because I am sure I have only said what everyone has said to him, but my happiness in itself is that he is coming back to life. Slowly, but he is.

“Okay, okay…” Matt took a deep breath, pulling himself together. “Anyone else?” He asked, sweeping his eyes across the table.

“Me.” I raised my right hand, causing him to arch my eyebrows.

“Since when do you drink?” He frowned, looking at me suspiciously.

“Since when did you become my father?” I retorted, making everyone laugh. Matt narrowed his eyes, but I could see a smile playing on his lips.

“What do you want to drink?” He asked, looking directly at me.

“I saw some girls with colorful drinks.” I commented, looking at one of them, who was laughing at something her friend had told her. “I want one of those!” I looked at Matt and said firmly.

“Okay.” He raised his arms in surrender and laughed. “I'll be right back.” He warned and turned his back to us.

I took a long sigh and stared at my fingernails, painted a light pink. I've never been a drinker. To be honest, I only drink socially and so on, but I feel weird not doing it here. I’m sure that if I said I wanted to drink Coke, the people here would understand me perfectly, but the critical eye of others on me, is something difficult to deal with.

I pushed away the negative thoughts and started paying attention to the music that was playing. The lyrics, the rhythm… It was impossible not to get excited about it. 'Buttons' by 'The Pussycat Dolls' started blaring through the speakers, bringing me a certain nostalgia. Despite the suggestive lyrics, I love this song, and all thanks to Bethany, who influenced me completely.

I remember well the day when, as we were leaving the dance academy after a long ballet rehearsal, she pulled out her purple headset and held out one side to me. Her first argument was that she had discovered some sensational old music. Yes, Bethany is the type who prefers old songs, and for her, there would be no others.

When I would go to her house, and we would end up alone, it was certain that the neighbors would suffer, because this song would play at top volume while we danced in front of the TV – if jumping and swaying from side to side could be considered dancing.

“Oh, I love this song so much.” Molly sighed, rousing me from my reverie.

“Yeah, me too.” I nodded, smiling broadly. It's nice to know that there's someone else who likes the same things you do.

“Then let's dance!” Steph shouted, getting to her feet.

“I'm not sure that's a good idea.” I narrowed my eyes, laughing at her abrupt animation.

“Come on, I know you want to!” She rolled her eyes, resting her hands on her waist as she tapped her feet impatiently. I couldn't help but smile.

I looked at Molly, who nodded to me. Finally, we got up from our seats and walked with her to the dance floor. I felt a few glances at us, but I'm sure they were directed at Molly and Steph, after all, their bodies are breathtaking. I can only imagine how jealous Scott must not be of Molly.

The girls stopped right in the center of the dance floor and started moving around. Each one was doing something different, and I didn't know who to imitate, so I opted to “follow my heart”. Despite the cliché phrase, it was the truest truth, as I just let the beats guide me in the best way possible, as if I were with Bethany, in the living room of her house.

It was liberating. I have never danced like this, of my own free will, without a choreography to follow. Even the 'hip-hop' steps that Johnny taught me and said were freestyle, were minimally calculated by me.

But not today.

Today the fear of the new won’t take hold of me, and I’ll try everything I’m curious about.

***

Matthew Jones

I don't know how long I stood in line to order the damn drinks, but it was a good time, because I took the time to think a little.

I wasn't even coming here. I really hate these parties, because this damn dust they throw, besides giving me allergies, also shits all over my clothes. And Steph's argument is completely invalid. It's not just washing, because you suffer even for that. It seems that that powder sticks three times more when mixed with water. It makes me hate it…

To be honest, I only came because I really had nothing better to do. Sometimes, staying at home is a drag, and I confess that, thanks to Anastasia, I am starting to feel… Normal again? I don't know if this is the right word, but before, even setting foot in Rachel's was complicated.

Not to say that I wasn't here after I lost Rachel, I came to hear Johnny announce that he would be back with the championship. And only because even though he said in no uncertain terms that he would participate – almost signing a contract, subject to a fine for non-compliance – he claimed that the others would not believe him. My goal was not even to stay there long. I was literally going to listen to what he had to say, confirm it, and put my foot in it. However, I was very curious to know if Anastasia was only with us for ulterior motives.

Anyway, I also don't want to seem like a hypocrite – any more than I surely already am – for only having started to treat Anastasia with a little decency after she… Honestly? I don't know. She said almost the same things that everyone has said to me ever in my life, but, I don't know… There was something different about it. I even believe that if she had looked at me with pity, aka the thing I hate most in life, I would have accepted very willingly. Maybe it's because I know she understands me.

I turned around, with the bucket of beers and the colored drink in hand, and went back to the table, finding the boys laughing and watching the dance floor. I put the drinks on the table and realized that the seats previously occupied by Anastasia, Steph, and Molly were left over.

“Where are the girls?” I asked, frowning. Johnny smiled and pointed with his chin at something behind me.

I turned on my heels slowly and got one of the biggest surprises of all when I saw the girls dancing on the dance floor. Not the girls, but Anastasia. Molly and Steph is something very common. But, not Anastasia. And she was so… Wow. I have no idea if she has any idea how attractive she looks, but, I know all the guys here are drooling over her – and rightly so.

Starting with her outfit. Those 'shorts' clinging to her thick thighs were breathtaking. Not to mention that Anastasia was simply genius in wearing a colorful blouse to a Festival of Colors. She outdid each and every person. Especially the women, because everyone here is used to seeing them showing off their bodies, throwing themselves on the first man that comes along.

When I heard Kaleb's outrageous laughter, I woke up and realized that I was still standing there, staring at them longer than usual. So I huffed and pulled up a chair, sitting down next to Steph's vacant chair. I tried to steady myself, so I opened one of the beer bottles and poured myself a glass, but as the chorus of the song approached, my curiosity spoke louder, so I looked at the dance floor again.

The girls were dancing together, very close to each other, to the rhythm of the torturing music. Anastasia's brown hair was loose and swaying from side to side as she moved, and I don't know if it was because of the moment, but I simply switched off from everything around me and couldn't look away.

Does Anastasia even know what each word that is being sung means? That this slow hip movement is killing more than half the club? And that some women are staring at her with uncertain envy? I'm sure she doesn't. I took the glass to my mouth, swallowing all its contents, and as soon as I set it down on the table, I tried to pour myself some more. I was about to turn that glass over again, when the air in my lungs ran out for a minute.

Anastasia was looking at me.

But it wasn't just looking at me, it was looking at me. What is this demonic music that changes people's personalities? Why is she looking so… Fuck. I don't know. I swallowed hard, not even daring to look away, and saw the moment when her lips hissed the line from the song “take a chance to recognize that this could be yours”.

She's kidding, right? Anastasia can't think that this is a fair game to play with a man. Not just any man, but me, because she is looking directly at me. I poured my beer, but it would have been better if I had let the foam go down, and it got warm, because it went down so deep in my throat that my head throbbed.

As the music drew to a close, the more relieved I felt, because, Anastasia was also stopping dancing. I don't know, but it was bothering me in a way, but when I thought about looking away from her, something inside me made me look back.

When the music finally came to an end and the girls mentioned returning to the table, I tried to look away and act as if nothing had happened. As soon as I picked up the bottle of beer and poured myself another glass, they arrived. They were panting and smiling broadly. I took a good look around, just to pretend that I wasn't affected by them, and ended up seeing some men raising their glasses to me, smiling mischievously, as if congratulating me.

I know what they are congratulating me on, and I don't like it one bit.

“Oh, I haven't danced like that in a long time.” Molly commented, shaking herself. “No pressure, you know?”

“Yes. It's nice to know that if we get the timing wrong, we won't be penalized.” Steph sighed, sitting down next to me again.

“Yeah, you girls should dance like that more often.” Kaleb commented and took his drink to his mouth. The girls didn't notice, but I know there were ulterior motives in his tone of voice.

“Hmm, how delicious it’s here!” Anastasia exclaimed, making every hair on my body shiver at her poor choice of words for the moment. “I thought the alcohol would be bitter, but it's so sweet!” She referred to the drink and took another sip, licking her lips as she set the glass down on the table.

Damn. This is going to be a long night…

***

It was past eleven at night, and there was hardly anyone else at the table. Molly and Scott left twenty minutes ago, and Kaleb got lost around the track hours ago. I bet he got along well and got the hell out of here, too. The only ones left besides me were Johnny, who can't put one of his feet on the ground, Greg, but he was already more asleep than anything, Steph, Johnny's new babysitter, and Anastasia, the thief of other’s peace.

If I had known that after drinking that damn colored drink, she was going to get even crazier, I would never have let her anywhere near that. Anastasia was unrecognizable. And I hate the DJ of this party for playing those atrocities that he calls music, and that made Anastasia go on the dance floor with Steph more times than I could count. She went so much that there came a time when she started going alone, since Steph was tired.

It was a real 'show' of torture.

“I think the party's over.” Johnny said with a sigh. “Shall we go?”

“Yes.” Greg said, half shambling, groggy with sleep. I just agreed.

“Come on, I'll help you up.” Steph warned, holding Johnny's hand.

“But what about Ana?” He asked, as he stood up carefully.

“She said she was going to the bathroom, but it's been so long.”

“Do you want me to go get her, while you take the two of them to the car?” I suggested.

“Car?” He frowned. “Who's driving if everyone's been drinking?”

“I will.” I shrugged. “I didn't drink much.”

“I don't know…” Steph said, suspiciously.

“That's ok.” Johnny nodded. “But instead of taking us home, let's all stay at Greg's. He lives alone and it's close by.”

“Okay, see you in the parking lot.” I said and turned away, going on the mission to find Anastasia.

Steph said that she had gone to the bathroom, so that's where I walked. Obviously I wasn't going to invade the ladies room, but there was only one door, so whoever goes in, has to come out sometime, right?

I crossed the dark corridor leading to the bathrooms, but before I could reach the end of it, I felt someone pulling me by the arm. I was startled, even more so when I saw that it was the person I was following.

“Anastasia?” I frowned.

Her cheeks were flushed from the amount of alcohol she had ingested, and she was staring at me with narrowed eyes. I looked around, believing that she was looking at someone else, but no one was paying attention to us, so I assumed it was at myself. I opened my mouth to question, but was taken aback when Anastasia stood on her tiptoes, held my face with both hands, and pressed her mouth to mine.

Her lips were cold compared to mine, and tasted like tutti-frutti, which was the flavor of the damn drink. I didn't even have time to react, because Anastasia soon pulled away. My mouth tingled as our lips parted, and when I tried to do something about it, she simply stepped back and threw up everything she had ingested in the last few hours. I closed my eyes and held my breath, forcing myself not to look at my shoes, which were now relatively damp and warm.

You know another bad thing they have at the Festival of Colors that I hate? Colorful tutti-frutti flavored drinks.