Poison -19- by Melanie Brown

Poison

By

Melanie Brown
Copyright © 2024

Part 19

 “That’s a very pretty dress. You look great!”

“Thank you, Diane,” said Mom as she turned this way and that in front of her full-length mirror. I’m trying to be positive. Zach and Corey both have jumped on my case about making Mom sad. It still chaps my butt about her going on a date with a man who’s not me, but then I need to give it up. I’m female for the long haul. My complaint is moot.

I can’t really gripe about Mom going out with a man when I’m going to a party in the hope of talking with Gene. And why does that make me smile? And why do I get pissed when I think of Rhonda?

I’m trying to get dressed to go to the big blow-out at Stewie’s tonight. Corey as well. I almost fainted when I saw Corey take a shower and comb his hair. I suggested he wear a tie, and he just laughed.

And I wasn’t kidding. Mom’s dress really is pretty and she looks beautiful in it. I have no idea who this clown is who is picking her up, but I’m pretty sure he’s not worthy. I won’t even get to see what Mom’s date looks like. Karen will be picking Corey and me up in about ten minutes before Mom leaves on her date.

I debated using that time to go wash my face. Mom again decided I could use some make-up despite being quite adamant that I’m not old enough yet. And no, I haven’t asked her about it. I don’t like make-up. But now I’m sporting eye-liner, mascara and some blush. Why does she keep violating her own rule?

I struck a pose in front of Mom. “How do I look?”

Mom squinted at me. “Cute outfit, but don’t you think that skirt is a bit short?”

I looked down. “No. You can’t see my underwear or anything. It’s no different from what everyone else wears. Besides, you never gripe about how Corey is dressed.”

Mom smirked. “He never tried to wear a skirt that’s too short.”

The doorbell rang.

“Too late now. There’s Karen,” I said as Corey answered the door. “Have a good time, Mom. And I mean it.”

Mom said, “Thank you, honey. Have fun at your party. Well, not too much.” Mom is now super concerned about boys since she found a spot of blood in my panties. She sat me down that evening and gave me THE TALK. I tried to remind her how she got pregnant with the boys, but she insisted that with me, it’s different now. Trust me; I have no interest in getting that close to a boy. I don’t like wearing tampons.

As we approached the car, Corey leaned over and whispered, “Why don’t you take the front seat? I’ll sit in the back with Karen.”

I shook my head. “No. You always ride shotgun. I want to talk to Karen.”

Corey hissed, “Please take the front seat. Please?”

I grinned. “Okay. This once.”

After Corey and I climbed into Karen’s Dad’s car, a late model Nissan Pathfinder, she turned to me, leaned forward and giggled, “I’m surprised your mom let you out of the house in a skirt that short.”

                    *

I watched Karen’s dad drive away after being dropped off. We were actually a half block from Stewie’s because there was just so much traffic. There were a ton of kids walking along the sidewalks. Karen and Corey seemed unconcerned as they hurried along through the crowd giggling with each other. I hurried along behind them, feeling like a fish out of water. They were among friends – kids they’d known for years. Technically, I can’t even claim to have known Corey for more than a few weeks. I felt alone.

As we arrived at the entrance, everyone had to show their student ID card. The event was for eighth graders, after all. There were three middle schools feeding into the two high schools. When I showed my ID, I got my hand stamped.

I was trying to stick close to Corey and Karen. Karen turned to face me. “Hey, girl. Go have some fun. Mix. There’s a ton of boys here.”

Corey shook his head at me. “Don’t worry. Trust me. They have a lot of security here.”

I sighed. “Okay. I think I’ll go get a soda.”

Keeping a grip on my purse strap, I made my way through the milling crowd.  Karen was right.  There were a lot of boys. And they weren’t with dates. Terrific.

As I got in line to get a soda and a hot dog (I was suddenly hungry) I saw Gene and Rhonda sitting at a table, laughing together. Who cares, right? It’s not like we were dating. Why did I think of it in that way?

After getting my drink and hot dog, I actually managed to find a table to sit down at. Looking around, I noticed a few arcade games off in one corner. I thought as soon as I finished my hot dog, I’d go check them out. But, no sooner was I seated as a couple of boys stepped up. I tried not to look at them.

One of them pointed. “Hey, you’re that girl, right?”

I cautiously looked over at him and said, “Maybe.”

Another boy with him said, “Dude, that’s definitely her. The math genius that saved the Rock’s ass!”

The first boy said, “Hey, we’re on the team and we were afraid we were going to be dead. But because of you, we have a chance at state. We just want to thank you.”

Grinning, the second boy exclaimed, “Yeah. School hasn’t even started yet and I can tell you, you’ve already been voted the Football Sweetheart for this year.”

I felt my cheeks flush. “Um, thanks. That’s kinda jumping the gun, isn’t it?”

Both boys laughed. “Are you kidding? You saved The Rock.”

Another boy stepped up. All this attention was embarrassing the hell out of me. The boy asked, “Hey, you’re a cheerleader, right?”

I shook my head. “They haven’t had tryouts yet.”

“You’re a shoo-in. Hey guys, look. There’s Freight Train. Hey, girl. Catch ya laters.” Five boys walked away from me. Well, that was insane.

I finished off my hot dog. I decided to go check out the games before I got mobbed again.

I worked my way through the crowd. Gene waved at me and then looked away. Rhonda scowled at me. I didn’t care. Several boys pointed at me and called me out as the genius. I guess there were worse things they could call me. It was better than being called Poison.

As I approached the games, I was disappointed that the game I wanted to play was occupied. I stood behind the boy playing to watch him play. I have to say he was really good.

As the game paused to go to the next level, he turned to look at me. He smiled. “You can get closer. I don’t bite.” I smiled weakly and stepped up to the game. He smiled at me again. It was nuts. I found myself captivated by his smile. “Do you want to play?”

I nodded.

Grinning, he let himself get killed and the game reset. “Let’s play.”

I plunked in my quarters. Damn, it took four quarters. As he put in his quarters, he looked intently at me. “Do you know how to play?”

I smiled and nodded. “It’s my favorite.”

As the game initialized, he looked away with an embarrassed expression. He said, “Sorry. You’re very pretty.”

I smiled demurely at him and turned my attention to the game. I giggled and said, “You too.” For some reason, the word gorgeous came to mind. I shook my head. That’s crazy.

He flashed me a smile. “My name’s Brian, by the way.”

I momentarily forgot my name. After a moment, and after blasting a few aliens, I said, “My name’s Diane.”

Pounding on the fire button and taking out a row of enemies, Brian said, “That’s a pretty name.”

“Thanks,” I said, trying not to smile. Why am I feeling giddy?

After many quarters, we both ran out of lives, and the game ended. “If I just had one more quarter!” I announced. “That was fun, Brian.”

Laughing, Brian said, “You’re a good player. You know, for a girl and all. Maybe sometime…”

“Hey, Brian!” called out a boy from across the way. “Get your butt over here!” There were several boys at a pool table waving him over.

Brian smiled an embarrassed smile. “My team needs me. Talk to you later.” He grinned and turned away.

I watched him walk away as I smiled slightly to myself.

“You like him, don’t you?” said Karen quietly in my ear. I nodded. I knew I had a goofy smile on my face.

End of Part 19