TEEN AMONGST THORNS

Chapter Two: Lexi's Party

Kayden silently observed his surroundings as he stood beside the fuel pump, listening to the whooshing sound of diesel rushing into hollow can.

It was late in the evening, the Gas station was desolate, and cars breezed past on the express.

His phone suddenly beeped, and he startled. The screen of his phone lit up his face as he read a test message from Lexi.

“Where are you? The party’s about to start…I don’t even know where she lives,” Kayden muttered.

The phone beeped again. It was another text from Lexi- a text stating the location of the party.

Kayden shook his head and put the phone back into his pocket.

Suddenly, a clang rang out in the distance, startling him again. The fuel stopped rushing into the can, and there was silence, save for the distant whooshing sounds of vehicles.

Then it rang out again, this time, louder. It sounded like metal. And then, there was a loud, pained groan.

“What the…” Kayden screwed the cap of the can and gently lifted it. He placed it into the cargo basket of his bike. “Who’s there?”

His voice echoed dully. “Is there anybody?”

His booted feet tapped the ground noisily as he rounded the back of the building. “No, don’t do it…Please…”

Muffled grunts emanated from the inside of the building, reaching Kayden’s ears through a rusty netted window.

Kayden placed his ear to the wall and listened. “You thought you would get away with it?” “I…I didn’t mean to. It was…”

“Shhhhhh”

Another metal clang and a slow groan.

“Bring it over.” A deep voice growled. “Here you are, boss.” “No…please…please don’t…”

As the whimpers reached a crescendo, a loud ring pierced the air.

Kayden gasped, looking down quickly at his pocket. He let out a shaky breath of relief. It wasn’t his.

“Who’s it?” The deep voice said impatiently. “Your girlfriend.”

There was a low ruffling of shirts, and a high female voice cracked through the phone, almost doused by sounds of partying.

“Where are you?”

“I’ll soon be there. Give me a few minutes.”

“The party’s already started!”

“Alright.” The young man growled impatiently. “I’m on my way.”

“I’m waiting.”

A beep indicated she ended the call. There was silence for a few seconds, after which there was a dull clang of metal on pavement.

“Let’s go.”

Kayden pressed his back to the wall, his heart racing. Now that he thought of it, that voice sounded a lot like Lexi’s.

***

“You invited Tooth?”

“And what is the problem with that?” “Are you asking me?”

Lexi rolled her eyes and continued painting her artificial nails a brilliant red. Her sister rounded the center table.

“They are a group of thugs…criminals.”

“Nuh- uhn. They are my ‘boyfriend’ and his friends. The more the merrier.” “Lexi! It’s not going to get any merrier with killers in the house!”

Lexi groaned. “Tooth wouldn’t hurt a fly, talk less of taking a person’s life.” Her sister let out a laborious breath. “I wish Dad were here.”

Lexi cleared her throat. “He’s not. So can you please stop talking about him? It already sucks enough that he died, and now I have to be reminded of it every single day.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Forget it.”Lexi smiled suddenly. “All this talk about Tooth and ‘his g**g’ has dampened my mood. I have to be in a good mood to receive my guests, don’t I? Now, wipe that look off your pudgy face and help me with the disposable cups, will you, Dorothy?”

Dorothy swallowed bile in her throat as she observed her sister’s undisturbed appearance.

Lexi painted the last of her fingernails and stood up, straightening what little part of her dress ran below her hips. “Oh! That reminds me.”

She picked up her phone and dialed a number. After a few minutes of witty exchanges with the person on the other side, she dropped the phone with a satisfied look on her face. “I have secured myself one more guest.”

Dorothy scrutinized her sister’s face. “What are you up to, Lexi?” Lexi sashayed over to the door. “You’ll see.”

“When mom comes, I will…”

“Oh, come on!” Lexi interrupted and spun around. “We both know Sasha is up and about her own ‘business’. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind me throwing a little party.”

Dorothy knew her sister was right. Their stepmom hardly ever concerned herself with either of them. “Well, I’m not going to attend your stupid party.”

“Suit yourself.” Lexi made a dismissive wave with her hand and hurried down the staircase.

***

Kayden squinted as he walked through a door left ajar. The large, luxurious sitting room resembled a bar. It was lit up with dim lights of different colours and music was blaring out from a speaker hidden in a corner.

He squeezed past congested bodies and sat in front of the makeshift counter. “Want a beer?”

Kayden recognised the bartender. It was Yvonne from school. Her eyes were almost completely closed, thick mascaraed lashes drooping down her lids.

“No, thanks.”

He placed his elbows on the counter and looked around. Many people partied, both those he recognised and those he didn’t. He suddenly felt he had made a big mistake coming here. Before he could contemplate leaving, a lady dressed in a very short black gown, whom he didn’t initially recognise, walked over to him, holding two glasses of what looked like beer.

“Hey, Kayden. I didn’t think you’d make it eventually.” Lexi said, all smiles, her lip gloss gleaming in the dim light.

“Yeah, I guess.” He replied.

“I’m actually kidding. I knew you would come. Nobody misses Lexi’s party.” She giggled. Kayden rolled his eyes. “You’ve got a boyfriend?”

Her eyes widened suggestively. “Why? Got a crush on me?” “You probably shouldn’t mingle with dangerous people, Lexi.” “Oh…not you too!”

“You called your boyfriend a few minutes ago- to come to the party, didn’t you?” “Yes, I did,” Lexi’s batted her eyelids, letting out a dramatic sigh.

“Well, I heard him trying to beat up a poor boy for some reason. It didn’t sound good.” “I’m not the only one throwing a party this evening, in the entirety of Laketown.”

“I suppose you’re not the only one who’s got that distinctive, high-pitched voice in the entirety of Laketown either.”

Kayden’s voice was laced with sarcasm.

“I don’t have a high-pitched voice,” Lexi grimaced. “Yes, you do,” Yvonne chipped in.

“Shut it,” Lexi retorted and Kayden chuckled.

“Well, anyway…” she shook herself, and her thick hair bobbed around her face. “I brought this…for you.”

Kayden raised an eyebrow at the glass she held in her hand.

“Don’t worry, it’s just soda.” White teeth flashed at him as she stretched out the glass. “Thanks.” Kayden collected it. “Happy birthday.”

“Hmm.” Lexi grinned quickly.

Kayden felt her gaze as he lifted the glass to his lips and took a sip. “Really, Lexi?”

“Sorry.” Lexi giggled. “You wouldn’t have drunk it if I told you it was alcoholic.” “It’s not funny.” Kayden handed her back the glass.

“No need to get offended.” Lexi replied and twirled around. “So, how do you see my party?”

“I don’t know.” Kayden scanned the room.

“Well, you’re here already.” Lexi caressed his shoulder. “Just have fun.” She sashayed away and Kayden leaned back on the counter.

“So, Yvonne, does your dad know you’re playing bartender at a beer party?”