Mirror

Where to begin
Lighter than light brown skin
5’10 
Look at me again
Tell me what you see
Stare into my eyes
Brown eyes 
Are you mesmerized?
Hypnotized?
No
After all they’re just brown eyes
But do you see who I am on the inside
You see me on the outside
Flaws and all
You don’t take a chance to see who I really am
Inside
Behind these eyes 
Chocolate brown eyes 

Behind these eyes
A crouching tiger lies 
I follow my prey 
Day by day
But in the end those dreams fade away
And on to another I stray
My actions are but embers
Not much to remember
My thoughts are the fire 
Initiated with desire
Burning in my mind
Thoughts of all kind
But to say them out loud, no I’m too shy
But these thoughts of fire
Burning with desire
Circulate my mind until I retire

Behind these eyes 
The piano of life 
Plays a song from a symphony
The keys, each one has its own melody
A melody
That’s tellin me
What’s meant to be
My destiny?
Maybe
Then I begin to think
Is death apart of that destiny
Or is it an obstacle one is afraid to come to
Face it no one actually wants to
Death is something preferred not to cross
But I’m boss
At least over my own piano
None of my keys are, nor will be, at a loss
Of that melody
For my destiny

----

This was an old piece from 2009. I completely forgot about it until now. I was completely proud of it because it was the first poem I wrote realizing all poems didnt have to rhyme!! Even though this has rhymes...

The Shining Sun and the Key to Success...

Her name was Camille Hampton. Her name alone was one to turn heads, for her family name was distinguished in Palm Springs generations before her in medical fields, scientific fields, engineering, and journalism. The Hampton name was profoundly known all over the state of California. Hampton School of the Arts—a large mansion sized building built of brick, stones, and cement while surrounded by woodland greenery—had been founded by Leon Hampton and Linda Milani-Hampton, Camille’s parents, one year after their marriage and had been successful ever since. Linda’s passion for all things artistic led to the school—Leo’s extravagant birthday gift to her—and thanks to her the Hampton name expanded into the arts category.

Camille’s petite legs guided her down the painfully familiar, brightly lit halls ignoring the soft whispers shaping around her as she passed. It was Saturday, so the school held club activities or PTA meetings in few rooms. Camille knew all too well that the few eyes watching her on her journey knew who she was, but she ignored them as she climbed multiple staircases and turned corner after corner to get to her destination: the board room. The board room was, simply put, a room where conferences or small meetings were held. The meeting she was already ten minutes late for was one she didn’t understand why it wasn’t being held in a more private, legal building. She had long ago vowed to never return to this place, for it brought back too painful of memories. But this would definitely be the last time she stepped foot in this building.

Climbing her last set of stairs, she rounded her last corner and came face to face with a dark handcrafted oak door at the very end of the hall. The golden plate screwed to the door reading ‘Board Room’ stopped her in her tracks. Behind this door held her past and the people from it that she so hard tried to evade. She could feel the blood rushing from her olive colored complexion as her size seven black and white converse shoes slowly inched her closer to the door. Her hazel eyes shifted about the barren hall looking for any excuse to not step to the door yet. As if her prayer had been answered, Camille’s eyes connected with the soft, familiar green eyes of a woman slightly taller than herself with similar long, curly brown locks as her own. The two smiled at each other and soon embraced. The woman broke the hug and looked down at Camille, “Mia sorella, I’ve been waiting for you.”

Camille smiled hearing her older sister Christina’s Italian accent. Christina was two years older than Camille, but it was obvious they were sisters with their same olive complexion, petite figures, and astounding dancing skills. Christina wrapped her arm through Camille’s and led her away from the door they both were supposed to be entering. “For some reason, that scares me, Chris,” Camille laughed softly allowing her sister to take her away. “How’s school?”

“School is awesome. I love Italy.” Christina attended Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milano, Italy. She had transferred from Julliard in New York after wanting to experience life with her mother’s Italian family. “Nonno and Zio Paolo are always arguing over something. Nonna ignores them. Oh, and her cooking is the best! I go for dinner four times a week. Actually, she wants you to come and visit. They haven’t seen you since the funeral.” A lump the size of a ping pong ball formed in Camille’s throat at the mention of the funeral, their mother’s funeral five years ago. “Oh, Nonna got you a birthday present. She sent it a few days before your birthday. Did you get it yet?” Camille smiled as she remembered opening the box of herbs and candles and handmade jewelry. Chris smiled in response and opened a door that led to a dim lit hall. “You liked it? She’ll be happy.”

“So where are you taking me?” Camille asked suddenly as the door behind them squeaked closed. They climbed a revolving staircase that seemed never ending with each swirl. “Chrissy, I’m getting dizzy.”

“Huh, you used to love this staircase.” Christina thought aloud as they reached the top. The hall was different from the other halls in the school. This one was smaller, with only three doors. The lighting was a bit dark, seeing that the only source of light came from a small circular window granting Camille the knowledge that they were at the very peak of the school building. Christina led Camille to a worn wooden door and then turned to Camille with a smile. “Do you remember this?”

Camille looked at Christina oddly and shook her head. Almost as if something was pulling her near, she walked to the door and rested her palm against the hard wooden surface. The door held a cool sensation against her warm hand, and she found herself massaging the face of the door. “What is it?” Her hand instinctively moved to the cold, round copper knob and turned it. “It’s locked.” She turned to Christina who wore a dejected expression. “What’s wrong?”

Christina shook her head and sighed. “I forgot she always kept this room locked. I figured someone might have pried it open by now.” She looked at her watch and sighed of relief. “We are officially thirty minutes late. Shall we return?” She walked over to one of the other doors and opened it, revealing stairs leading down.

“And why didn’t we take those in the first place?” Camille glared at her playfully and followed behind a laughing Christina.

Camille once again found herself facing the door of the Board room. Christina held her hand reassuringly, also to keep her from running off. “So, Cammy, how does it feel to be nineteen?”

Camille shrugged not able to give a real response. “Same as eighteen, I guess.” She and Chris came to the door and she hesitated in opening it. Behind this door she already knew was the person she didn’t want to see for at least a few more months, maybe even years. She had yet to forgive and forget the past events and wasn’t ready to face them just yet. She felt a warm hand enclosed tighter around her own and let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. She looked over to Chris who gave a soft smile and nodded for her to open the door.

Upon stepping in the room, her silent entrance was overpowered by her dominant presence. The six pairs of eyes in the room floated to the two sisters as the door behind them closed. Christina dragged Camille to the glass table in the middle of the room where everyone else was seated. The silence of the tension in the room was so thick a knife wouldn’t even leave a scar. Camille’s livid eyes connected with her father’s own astonished ones as she took a seat. Christina sneered beside Camille, taking her seat as well. Tired of the staring game, Camille looked away from her father and around the room to see the head of the committee of the school, Mr. Bower, the lawyer, Mr. Garner, and her father’s wife, Victoria Hampton. Camille scowled as she stared at the 14 karat white gold three stone diamond ring that lay on Victoria’s finger. Months before Leo and Linda’s wedding anniversary, she had caught him with Victoria underway to sex at his job. On the last day of the divorce settling, Linda was rushing to the final signing, but got in a car accident that ended her life. Not two years after her death Leo remarried to Victoria, and Christina and Camille have yet to forgive him. Camille turned and looked at Christina. “Why is she here?” Christina shrugged but said nothing.

“Well, now that the two guests of honor have graced us with their presence, we can continue with the meeting,” Mr. Garner spoke as he stood from his seat tightening his red and tan striped tie. “Let me start off by saying happy late birthday, Camille. Now that you have turned nineteen, as stated in your mother’s will, you all have regrouped to finish the reading.”

“Yea, about that,” Christina interrupted looking at Leo and Victoria. “Why is she here?”

Victoria ran her manicured fingers through her rinsed black hair that fell perfectly to the middle of her back—courtesy of the extensions granted by her hair dresser. “I came for your father. Honestly, neither of us thought you two would show up.”

“Whether or not we show up to our mother’s will reading is none of your concern, Vivica,” Camille snarled maliciously clenching her fists.

“Why don’t you just leave? Your presence is obviously unwanted here.” Christina watched as Victoria ran her smooth cocoa tinted hand over Leo’s and shook her head. “Mr. Garner, can we speed this up? This is my last day in the US and I have other people I’d rather be stuck in a room with.”

Leo ran his hand over his freshly cut fade and sighed. “Girls, let’s not do this right now.”

Camille leaned forward, looking over at Mr. Garner and Mr. Bower. “Yes, please Mr. Garner.”

Mr. Garner and Mr. Bower looked at each other then went back to the papers before them. “Well, there were few things left out at the prior reading due to circumstance. Your mother wanted to wait until you both were at the appropriate age. If you would be so kind as to read this aloud, Ms. Hampton.”

Garner gave the letter to Christina, she cleared her throat before eyeing the letter. “‘Dear, girls, I know how much you hate lengthy letters and such so I will get straight to the point. Happy belated my darling Cammy. You must have grown into a beautiful young woman, as have you Christina. In the first letter, I have left you both my physical possessions, so to skip on to what is in store for you both. Mr. Bower, the head of the committee board has been notified and we have been setting up this process since you both were born. I have created joint accounts splitting your inheritance from my stored profits from Hampton School of the Arts. Both accounts together sum up to 5.2 billion dollars, and as I already said, will be split equally.’ Holy shit, are you serious?” Christina looked over at Mr. Bower for confirmation, and accepted his nod. “Wow. ‘In addition to this, I leave you both my seat as the founder to overlook all roles and undertake the responsibilities as I did. The documents have already been created, all is needed is your signatures and your cooperation towards Mr. Bower as he guides you through things. May your lives be filled with happiness and love and good times to come. Arrivederci, my darlings.’”

Silence found itself back in the room after Christina finished the letter. Mr. Bower reached in his briefcase and retrieved two small boxes while Mr. Garner took a small envelope from his own briefcase. Mr. Garner gave the white envelope to Leo. “From Ms. Milani.” Camille’s eyes watched as Leo’s fingers reached into the envelope and pulled out Linda’s wedding ring. Victoria rubbed her hand across his shoulders and he placed the ring back in the envelope and in the breast pocket of his suit.

Mr. Bower placed both boxes in front of Camille and Christina. Camille stared at her box. It was a soft cream colored rectangular velour box, whereas Christina’s was navy blue. They both took hold of their boxes simultaneously. Christina was first to open, she gasped softly as she removed the hand crafted sun shaped pendant embellished with a black onyx stone from the box. “Mom’s necklace.” She marveled in the beauty of the dim red stone surrounded by the gold outline. “Mom always wore this and told me I was her shining sun.” Tears brimmed her eyes as a hint of a smile crept upon her lips. Camille gave her a half hug and squeezed her shoulders. Christina wiped the one escaped tear and looked at the cream box. “Open it.”

Camille looked at Christina, then Mr. Bower, then down at the box in front of her. She slowly moved her hand over the box and opened it. As the lid snapped open, Camille eyes the content curiously. Inside was a large, tarnished antique gold skeleton key hanging on a 16 inch gold wrapped wire chain. She picked it up and noticed the card on the inside lid that read ‘the key to my success’. Camille smiled to herself, almost hearing her mother say those very words in her ear. “It’s beautiful.” Her forefinger and thumb traced the cold heart design of the handle of the key. “This was her special key. She said it opened the door to her success, but I was the main source of her success. I was her key to success.” Camille continued to hold tight to the key during the rest of the meeting, wondering what her mother used it for.

Camille sat on the burgundy leather couch with her legs crossed and shaking impatiently. After the meeting Camille tried to make a quick exit, but was stopped in the school’s parking lot and kidnapped by her grandmother, Helen Hampton. The two went out for dinner then Helen commenced into taking Camille to her old home against her will. Upon arriving, Camille called Christina to rescue her from the hell and was expecting her to arrive shortly. And as if kidnaping her wasn’t enough, Helen had gone to her guest room to bring Camille’s late birthday present, leaving her alone.

The front door of the house opened and Leo and Victoria entered. Camille looked over and groaned in frustration as she caught eyes with them both. “Camille?” surprise was evident in Leo’s tone as he walked over to her. He stood awkwardly as she gathered her things to leave. “What are you doing here?”

“Grandma Len abducted me, but I’ll be leaving now.”

She walked past Victoria wearing a scowl. Her hand barely touched the doorknob when Victoria spoke up, “Leo, don’t you think this is a good time to talk to Camille about the school?”

Camille peered over at him, “What about the school?”

“Well, your father thinks it’s best if someone else were to hold the seat and responsibilities. Temporarily, of course.”

Camille looked back and forth between them both steadily growing irritated. “Let me guess, that someone should be you?” she sneered at Victoria. “Over my dead body.”

“Camille,” she looked over at Leo, “it would only be temporary. Victoria has had proper training and has gone to school. You and Christina can’t possibly handle that much of a responsibility at such young ages. You both are still in college, after all.”

“What about being in college?” The three turned to see Christina standing behind Camille.

“Your dad here wants Victoria to have mom’s school,” Camille spoke venomously. Her eyes never left Leo as she practically felt Christina burst to flames behind her.

“Say what?!” Christina moved in front of Camille and began pointing between Victoria and Leo. “You mean you’re trying to take the last thing our mother left us in her will and give it to this bitch?”

“Christina, language, please.”

“Screw you, Leo! I don’t even know why I'm so surprised. Once again you’ve put this bitch before your own flesh and blood.”

“It’s only reasonable, Christina. You’re all the way in Italy in school. How are you going to take care of a school like Hampton?” Christina was silent trying to think of a comeback. “And Camille is all the way in New York. Though it’s closer than Italy, it’s not close enough to California. I'm only thinking of you girls.”

“Now what's all this commotion down here? I leave for five minutes and all hell breaks loose,” Leo’s mother and the girls’ grandmother, Helen, descended the stairs with a neatly wrapped box while surveying the room. “Christina, when did you get here?” She walked over and hugged her eldest granddaughter.

“A few seconds ago, but me and Cammy have to go now because your son is tripping hard.”

Helen frowned as she handed the box to Camille, “Well, I guess there’s nothing I can do about that. When will you visit again?”

“Honestly, when he gets rid of that trash over there. But, I’ll try to call more. School is kind of hectic, you know?” Christina smiled innocently and kissed her grandmother before heading to the door. “Cammy? Dai! Let’s go.”

Camille kissed Helen and smiled. “I’ll call, too. Thank you for the present.” She walked the path following Christina. She stopped in the door way and glanced at Leo over her shoulder. “I'm sure Mr. Bower can set up something for Christina and me, since he and mom had been thinking about this for a while before she died. Don’t worry about our school. It has nothing to do with you anymore. And I’d appreciate if you didn’t show up to the remaining meetings, as I said Hampton School of the Arts has nothing to do with you anymore.” She closed the door behind her and allowed Christina to lead her to her car. “Chrissy, my car’s back at the school.”

“I got you, Camille.” They got in the car, Chris turned on the ignition and looked over at Camille with a smile. “That was freaking beast, Cammy! You told him off all proper-like.” Camille smiled as Christina laughed and drove away out of the driveway, the house behind them slowly growing smaller by the second.

Moving On...

When I walked in I was mortified. People were everywhere—too many people for my own liking. Some were having their own party out on the front lawn completely zoned out of the world by the music, and the beer. But inside, there were people scattered—not even scattered, that would mean there’s room to scatter—from every corner. Just one look at the too crowded living room and I was ready to be out. I wished I could have stayed home so Phil, my boyfriend, would be able to call me. We had plans tonight to go to a movie, but he was home sick with the flu. It was sad because we never have much time with each other, but what could we do?

“How lucky Phil the neanderthal got sick so you could come hang with us,” Peach said pumping her fists in the air to the music. Peach’s real name was Delia but back when she’d hit puberty, her eyebrows grew freakishly fuzzy, and Jess taunted her with the name Peach Fuzz and it kind of stuck. Peach was your Mexican typical girl-next-door with her pretty brown eyes and slightly chubby baby face. She had her long brown hair curled with mousse and blonde highlights that complemented her 'peach' complexion.

“Maybe he should get sick more often,” Jess added while tugging my arm as we moved through the disarrayed crowd. They both were on either side of me holding my arms as they dragged me through the meshing bodies. Jess was the taller of me and Peach, Peach being the shortest. Jess was African- and Native-American with her 5'9 build. She was both slender and thick, a good proportion most might say. Her hair was naturally shorter than mine and Peach's, it stopped right at her shoulder. Her eyes were sharp yet soft at the same time. Their original gray hue had been turned a slight hazel in the living room lighting.

I sighed unable to respond to their lashes at Phil. They knew I wasn’t a real party person. When they realized that the fact that it was a homecoming after party didn’t matter to me, they practically bribed me here telling me they would stop dogging my boyfriend Phil for the rest of the semester. They hated him, and weren't afraid to let it be known. They say he takes up my time and has no respect for anyone that's not him. At first I thought he was like that, too. He flirted with all the girls. He was known for always getting in trouble and bringing others down with him, whether they were associated or not. He'd disturb classes just to hear himself talk. He had this attitude that the world was his and everyone owed him glory for allowing them to stay in it. One time he had the nerve to try and cheat off my test and then blamed me when he got caught. Yea, I hated Phil once upon a time. But Phil was at times sweet and kind to me. Not to mention he was nice to look at. He wasn't all that tall, but he was taller than me. He had the prettiest brown eyes, but at some angles his nose looked too big for his otherwise perfect face. He had a sort of 'charm' that drew me in to him. I grew to accept his ways. So in a desperate attempt to have my best friends and boyfriend get along, I was conned to this wild party.

Peach threw her hands in the air and gave a kind of caveman-slash-Tarzan yell as some upbeat techno sounding song blasted through the speakers. In unison, everyone in the room began bouncing around while singing along with the words. I felt someone bump into me as Jess, lost hold of my arm. The crowd danced simultaneously in discord of one another. It was like a wild and raging ocean during a tsunami or typhoon. Just being in the room for less than five minutes I had heard at least three different sounds of glass breaking from different sides of the room. The smell of liquor was evident from the front door. Most, if not everyone here, was wasted.

Peach’s grip grew firm as we maneuvered to the nearest wall and posted against it. “That was torture!” I exclaimed over the blaring beat of one of Katy Perry’s songs, or it might have been Lady Gaga, who knows. I looked out at the vast mob as few people made out on the couches while others preferred jumping on the couches. A quartet of football players were tossing about a clear, small, triangular plaque. In the middle of them was, I assumed, the host of the party who was going back and forth trying to grab the plaque. Apparently the party had gone well out of his control. I turned to Peach and Jess to see their eyes dancing around the room with a sort of exhilaration. If this was what parties were always like, I had no intention of crashing anymore in the future. “I'm ready to go,” I shuddered as I felt an unknown presence slide uncomfortably close past me.

“Not yet. We just got here!” Peach exclaimed as the dj changed the song, which apparently was her song. “Just a little bit longer, pleeeeease, Lane? We never get to hang with you anymore.” A random person walked up with flower necklaces, like in Hawaii, and put them around our necks before disappearing in the crowd. “Ooo! I got blue!”

I shook my head and laughed. “Yea, ever since Phil came in the picture, he expects you to drop everything when he calls for you,” Jess added rolling her eyes.

“You're more like his dog than his girlfriend, Lane. You should just break up with him!” I flinched and held my ear as Peach yelled over the loud music.

I rolled my eyes as she gave her infamous puppy dog face which caused her big brown orbs to grow wide as she batted her long lashes and poked out her bottom lip. She could make a kidnapper release his hostages and cuff himself for the police. Jess clapped her arm over my shoulders. “Well, either way, I drove so she can’t go anywhere even if she begged.” I groaned in frustration as they laughed at my self-pity.

I took the chance to survey the room and automatically felt bad for the scrawny host. He was definitely going to have a job to clean when this was all over, starting with the plastic cups that would probably be thrown all over the lawn. I heard a few people cheering, over by the stairs. I looked over and I saw Tyler—Jess’s brother—at the top of the staircase. “Hey, Jess, there’s Ty.”

She and Peach looked over at the stairs. We watched as he was helped up onto the rail and stood there, surveying the crowd. “Oh, God. What is he gonna do now?” My eyes drifted down to his feet and I saw he was standing on a skateboard up on the rail. He and the guys around him were all smiles as he inched toward the curve that would take him down. “OH MY GOD!!” We watched in awe and horror as he sailed down the rail with his arms out like he was surfing a wave or something. His knees bent ever so slightly as he neared the bottom stair and soared off into the air. Those standing around cleared a path and cheered him on as he crashed into the floor lamp, both landing on the floor with a ‘crash’ and ‘thud’. Jess immediately ran over to him as he was helped up by his buddies. I couldn’t hear what she said for the music, but I know ‘You idiot…’ was along the lines.

By the time Jess and Tyler made their way back over to me and Peach, Peach had obtained a dance partner—some varsity tennis player—and I had my eyes on a sight I never thought I’d ever see. On the opposite side of the room in a corner, I saw—or it looked like—Phil, my Phil, with some girl dancing on him. I stared in complete shock as I tried to get a better look through the wave of dancing bodies. There was absolutely no way Phil would be at a party—he's sick after all—without me knowing, let alone dancing with some girl like that!

“Hey, ladies. Did you like my performance?” I heard Tyler’s voice ask but I couldn’t move my eyes from the Phil look alike. My heart pounded heavily in my chest as I felt my foot step forward towards the perpetrator. “Lane, you ok?” Tyler grabbed my arm gently and I forced my eyes to meet his. He and Jess were twins, so they had the same gray eyes covered by long lashes. Honestly, Jess and Tyler are some sexy twins. No matter what gender you are, there's one for each.

“Hey, Tyler. Yea, I'm ok.” He stared into my eyes, almost as if he were seeing into my very soul and knew something was wrong with me. I gave a smile and punched his arm softly. “You are an idiot, you know that? What the hell possessed you to surf down the stair railing?”

He shook his head and chuckled. “Now when you say it, it sounds sweet and caring. Jess asked me almost the same thing word for word. But when she asked me it came out naggingly.”

Jess overheard him and slapped the back of his head, the skin on skin contact sounding loudly as he winced in pain. “That’s not even a word, jackass.”

The scrawny host pushed past and came over to Tyler. “Dude! What the hell was that?!”

“Sick, wasn't it! I wondered if I should have greased the rail first. I would have gotten better air,” Tyler nodded with a dumb grin on his face.

“You almost killed yourself! And not to mention the lamp...” We looked over and saw the lamp on the floor shattered.

“Aw that's just the light bulbs. You've got more, don't you?” Tyler put his hand on the guy's shoulder and patted it. “Don't stress, dude. Next time, just put all the breakables away. Hey what are those guys doing to that statue?” Tyler pointed over to a group of people clinging to a statue by the window.

“Wait, wait wait no!! Don't do that!” We watched as he went over to the group in a frenzy.

“Tyler, you sneak,” I smirked.

He laughed and put his hand on his head. He shrugged, “I mean, it was bound to be broken by someone else. Next time he'll put it away.”

“Oh, wow.” I shook my head.

“Why don’t you stop harassing my friend and disappear,” Jess announced appearing behind me.

“Jess, he’s fine. Why don’t you stop turning down offers to dance. I'm telling you I will leave in five minutes if I want. You may as well enjoy the little time you have now.” As if on cue, some guy walked up and asked her to dance, she accepted. I looked up at Tyler, his eyes were fixated on something over my head and he wore a frown. “Ty? You ok?”

His head snapped back to face me and he placed a smile on, “Yea, come on. Are you thirsty?” He pulled me by the arm into the kitchen where, shockingly, it wasn’t as crowded as the rest of the house. I leaned against the island as he walked to the refrigerator.

“Are you sure its ok for you to be raiding his fridge?” I asked as he rambled around the stainless steel two-door machine.

His head resurfaced from inside and he held a can of Sprite in each hand. “Yea, it’s cool. I know Calvin, he doesn’t care.” I mentally pictured that scrawny kid from earlier playing a wicked game of monkey in the middle with those four guys. “So what are you doing here?” He handed me one of the cans.

“I was bribed by Peach and Jess.”

He laughed. I smiled at the sight of his deep dimples. Jess had them, too, but hers were softer than Tyler's. “Figures. When I first saw you come in you looked like you wanted to run for cover.”

I rolled my eyes. “I resent that. They promised to stop talking about Phil for the rest of the semester.”

I frowned at the sound of his name. I suddenly remembered the sight from earlier, the Phil look-a-like. Tyler frowned at my frown. “You saw?” I looked up, ready to deny knowing what he was talking about, but I just nodded. “Why do you put up with that?”

I crossed my arms. “He was just dancing with her. It’s not exactly a capital crime.”

He stared at me confused. “What part of his tongue down her throat was dancing?” Realization crossed his eyes as confusion and hurt flashed in mines. “Oh, you didn’t see that.” I felt tears sting my eyes and I tried to hold them back. Tyler grabbed me into his arms and petted my hair gently, “You don’t deserve that, Lane. He’s a jerk to you.” I nodded and sniffed softly into his chest. His arms encircled my body, and he brought me closer to him. “Come on, let's go dance. Get your mind off of it.” He wrapped his hand around my wrist and took me back in the living room.

I looked back to the corner where Phil and the mystery girl had been, but they disappeared. I sighed, dismissing them from my mind and focused on Tyler. “I'm ok, Tyler. You don't have to keep me company. Go have fun.”

I Like It by Enrique Iglesias blasted through the speakers and everyone bopped to the music. Tyler held both of my hands and jumped around with me. “I have fun when you're around, Lane. You need to start having fun, though.”

“I'm not really a people person, Ty.”

He twirled me around a bit to mix with the jumping around. “You don't have to be a people person to have fun with your friends.”

I looked around and noticed Jess and Peach dancing and enjoying themselves. They caught eyes with me and gave big smiles. I couldn't help but smile back. “I guess you're right.”

He held his hands up so I could see them and smiled, “Jess is right 85% of the time, and for the other 15 it's all mines. And look, I don't even have to make you dance anymore.” I looked down at my body to see it moving on its own. I hadn't even noticed. “Having fun yet?”

I smiled up at him, “I think I am.” Peach and Jess had danced their way over to us. They both wore a smug look as they watched me dance with Tyler. “What?”

Jess looked at Tyler then at me, “You having fun?”

I rolled my eyes, “You twins are ridiculous.” Tyler laughed.

Peach grabbed my hand and danced along with me, “But, Laney! I've never seen you dancing so wildly and freely! I'm so proud of you!”

I laughed as she hugged me and we jumped around in a little circle. Someone tripped over the leg of the couch and bumped into Peach, who braced herself with me, which caused me to fall back and bump into someone else. “Hey, watch it!” Jess yelled to no one really since the person had hopped up and ran off to continue partying.

“You ok, Lane?” Tyler helped me off the floor as I apologized to the guy I bumped into.

“Yea.” I felt my shirt grow cold and it stuck to my skin. It wasn't until I felt wet drops rolling down my back and I smelled heavy beer that I realized the guy spilled his drink on me. “Aw shit!”

Jess reached in her pockets for the car keys, “I guess it's time to go.”

“It's ok, hold on,” Tyler looked around the room before finding someone. “Hey, Calvin!” seconds later an astronaut maid appeared in front of us. He was wearing a yellow sanitation over all with a white apron tied on. He held a mop and a bucket in both hands while some 409 spray bottles hung to a sort of tool belt around his waist. “Dude, what the hell are you wearing?”

The martian pulled the mask over his head to reveal Calvin—the host. “Someone puked upstairs in the hall, had to clean it. Someone puked out on the lawn, going to clean it.”

Peach pointed across the room, “Well, looks like someone's emptying their guts in that plant over there.”

We looked over and saw someone bent over in a floor plant, a disturbing wrenching sound was audible through the music and people. Calvin grimaced, “Just great. That was mom's favorite plant.” He sighed and started away.

“Wait, Calvin. Someone spilled their drink on Lane. Her clothes are soaked.” Tyler grabbed my arm and turned me so he could see my back.

“You can take something from my sister's room. Upstairs, third door on the left.” With that he left to clean the puke spots.

“Come on.” Tyler led me, Peach and Jess up the stairs. He and Jess were in front of me while Peach was by my side. My back was cold from the liquid. “He said the left. So I guess...this one?” He opened the door and he and Jess gasped in shock.

“What the fuck?!” Tyler closed the door quickly and tried quieting Jess.

“Jess, no.”

“What do you mean no?! That fuck-face is in there--”

Tyler put his hand over her mouth and looked at me. “Let's try that door over there.” He nodded to one behind me. I stared at him and Jess, Peach by me just as confused.

“What's in that room, Tyler?”

“Nothing. Let's go get you some dry clothes,” he tried to smile to prove nothing was wrong. He released Jess, who seemed to calm down a bit, and gave her a look. “Let's find the room, ok?”

She frowned but nodded. She grabbed my hand and gave a sad smile, “Come on, Lane. Maybe we should just leave after getting you some new clothes. Want to go get a smoothie or a Slurpee from 7-eleven?”

I allowed her to lead me away from the door. I glanced behind me and saw Tyler allowing Peach a peak inside. Her face grew shock and anger before he closed it back. She began to rant trying to get access into the room again. Tyler shook his head and dragged her to follow me and Jess. I sighed and grabbed a hold of Jess's hand. She looked at me softly, “Jess...who was in the room?” She didn't say anything. “Was it Phil?” She squeezed my hand but said nothing. “Because I saw him earlier dancing with some girl downstairs. Then Tyler saw them kiss. And when I looked back, they were gone. I guess they came up here?”

She opened a door and looked in, it was empty. “I think this is it.”

“It is. Find something for her to wear, I'll wait out here,” Tyler avoided my gaze as he closed the door behind Peach.

“You know he likes you, right?” Peach announced after a minute.

“Who was in the room, Peach?” I tried to not let the apparent shock show in my face. She was just saying things so I wouldn't ask questions. There's no way Tyler liked me.

“I think he has for a long time now.”

Jess walked to the closet, “He has. He tried hiding it forever, but I know him too well.” She pulled a brown tee shirt and tossed it to me. “You don't want to take something too special since we're leaving.”

“What were they doing, Peach?” I stared at her hard, knowing Jess wouldn't say anything more. “It was Phil, right? What was he doing?”

“Low key, Tyler is hot. I think you and him would be cute together, chica. You ever think of that?”

“I remember she used to say how cute he was when we were little,” Jess added.

“Peach,” She looked at me warily, “what was Phil doing?”

Peach's lip quivered furiously and her brow furrowed deeply. Jess shook her head and stepped forward, “Peach, no. Don't--”

“Oh, Laney! What do you see in him?! You're too good for that dirty bastard!” Tears ran down her cheeks as she engulfed me in a hug. Jess sighed and slapped her forehead with her palm. “It's not like you can't get another boyfriend! You're totally cute. You're a freaking black-Filipino princess. You have pretty green eyes guys would love to stare in! No to mention you're a freaking tomboy! You're good at sports and not too much of a girly girl. Any guy would be happy to be with you! AND you're smart! You're a total package, Lane. I would totally date you if I were a dude.”

I looked over at Jess confused as I comforted Peach's sobs. She crossed her arms, “Screwing.”

My heart felt heavy and I let out a sigh. “I guess it was bound to happen.” I ran my fingers through my bob-cut black hair.

“You're not...mad?” Peach looked up at me through running mascara.

“Yea, I guess. But I'm not hurt. I mean yea I'm hurt and I'm mad. But you guys hated him, so I was bound to break up with him eventually. I can't be with someone you guys hate.”

“Lane,” I looked at Jess and she wore a frown, “that is the saddest bull shit I've heard this month. If you want to cry or whatever, it's ok.”

“But that's the thing, I don't want to cry.” I paused, trying to find the right words to say. “I feel like a weight has been lifted, but I also feel like I wasted my time so in a way I'm happy. In the back of my mind I kind of knew he was doing something behind my back.” I changed shirts and handed the wet one to Peach. She had lent it to me since I obviously had no party clothes. “Sorry about your shirt.”

“Oh Lane!” Peach squeezed me tighter. “Since you're ok, I guess it's alright if we kick his ass, right?”

I smiled and wiped her wet cheeks, “Do what you want.”

Jess jumped up with wide eyes, “No shit! Seriously!?” She swung the door open and ran out to the hall. Me and Peach followed behind but stopped short seeing a crowd in the hall gathered around watching something. We walked up to a random person. “Hey, what's going on?”

“These two guys are fighting.”

“Who?” We pushed through the crowd and saw Phil and Tyler going at it. Phil was in his boxers and socks, the girl he was with was screaming from the doorway with the sheet wrapped around her. “Tyler!” I ran over and grabbed his arm as it slammed into Phil's chest.

“Lane, move. I'm not done with him!”

“Tyler, it's ok. He's not worth it. He looks practically dead anyway.” I looked down and saw Phil trying to manage standing upright. His face was bloody from where Tyler punched him in the nose, his eyes were black and on the verge of swelling to a shut. His lip was busted and he had various bruises on his body. “We're leaving. You coming?” He nodded and allowed me to take him away.

“Tyler!” We looked and saw Calvin with a worried expression. “What the hell, dude?! A fight?!”

“Sorry, man. If you clean it now, it shouldn't leave a stain,” Tyler offered apologetically.

“Hey, Calvin can we clean him off in the bathroom?” I asked with a smile.

He blinked twice staring at me then nodded. “Uh, yea. Uh over there. Use any towel.” He pointed to a closed door and went off to get cleaning supplies.

“Ty, you couldn't even warn me?” Jess complained as we headed to the bathroom to wash the blood off Tyler. “I mean, I wanted to get some licks in on that fucker.”

“I saved you the trouble of getting your pretty little hands dirty, sis. Be thankful,” he retorted.

She rolled her eyes as I pushed him in the bathroom. “That was gonna be the highlight of my night. Thanks so much, Tyler.”

He slammed the door closed with his foot. I heard Peach laughing as Jess yelled at him. “She's so annoying.”

I turned on the faucet and chuckled, “But you love her. Now hold still.” I grabbed a rag and doused it in the water. “That was a stupid move, Ty.”

He watched as I rubbed his arm of the blood. “I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself,” he admitted shamefully.

“It's ok. I appreciate it,” I smiled at him softly.

“I was standing outside the door waiting for you guys, and I couldn't get that image from my head. He was fucking some other girl when he has you. It just pissed me off.” I wrinkled my brow in confusion but said nothing. “I mean, you are such a fucking dime! You're smart, fun, nice to everyone, and sexy. Who would cheat on that?”

“I guess not everyone sees me like that,” I shrugged and began cleaning the small cuts on his face. “Is there a first aid kit here?” He opened the medicine cabinet and pulled it out, handing it to me. “Thanks.” I wiped at a cut by his brow with a wipe, then placed a bandage on it. “All done.”

“Thanks, Lane.” He let out an exhausted sigh as I cleaned the wrappers and trash. “A fucking dime,” he'd muttered to himself, but I heard clearly. I tilted my head up in confusion to look at him and ask what he meant but his lips crashed down onto mines. In that split second I felt heaven. Phil never kissed me like that, never held me so gingerly the way Tyler had. As much as I tried to fight it, I couldn’t help the satisfaction overtaking my body. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he wrapped his around my waist. All outside noise had been drowned out by the loud beating of my heart in my ears. My face grew hot as the blood rushed there. Our heavy breathing filled the small space of the bathroom as Tyler rotated us, so I was leaning against the sink instead of him. He hovered over me showering my lips with sweet kisses. “You don't know how long I've wanted to do that.”

I looked at him with shock, “Really? Why didn't you--”

“I'm your best friend's brother. You never saw me as anything more.”

I bit my lip in agreement. “Sorry.” I leaned up on my toes to give him another kiss—I liked his kisses—but someone began banging on the door. I jumped back but hit my back on the counter. “Ow!” Tyler chuckled and rubbed my back where I'd hit it.

“Are you guys done yet? I'm ready to go! I need a cherry Slurpee ahora!” I rolled my eyes at Peach's impatience. “P.S. Jess started reminiscing about Phil and is ready to go find him and finish where Ty left off!”

“She gave us permission to do what we wanted! I want to kill him! Taking advantage of my Lane like that. He's lucky he can still breathe without tubes right now.”

I looked at Tyler and we both laughed. He moved to the side so I could open the door. “Wait.” I looked over at him and he stole another kiss. “Ok, I'm good.” I stood immobile as he opened the door for me.

“What's wrong with you?” I looked over at Peach and shook my head. “Your face is flushed.”

“The smell of blood got to me,” I dismissed the topic immediately. “So, 7-eleven it is?” I wrapped my arms around Peach and Jess's waists and we walked for the exit. Tyler stood on the other side of Peach. I stealthily maneuvered my arm so I could hold his hand while wrapped around Peach. We shared knowing smiles as we all four walked out the front into the dark of night.