Mackenzie

Chapter 14

I really didn't know what hit me most. The fact that I had been thinking it was some girl and had been down or the fact that the girl was definitely Tanner's sister. I felt really stupid. Thankfully, the girl didn't see me. As soon as I saw her, I really wanted to let out a squeal but stupid cramps wouldn't let me. I guess that helped in a way. If I did squeal, Tanner and his sister would have caught me and I'd have been​ looking like a child ready to steal.

It was so damn weird how I felt a little better when I realized the girl was just Tanner's sister. As I said before, she surely had his love and I almost cried at the thought of Tanner ever loving a girl as much as he loved his sister. Maybe it wasn't ever going to happen. I mean, most big brothers won't cook for their baby sister. She was lucky.

I got home and opened the door. The thought of calling mom had come to me while I was teaching Tanner. I wanted to talk to her, ask how she was doing. I walked to my room and grabbed my phone from my reading table. I sighed and laid down on my bed as I dialled mom's hospital line. I waited patiently for her to take the call. My heart beat fast. If she didn't take the call, that had to mean something was wrong with her.

Pick up, mom. Pick up. Please.

"Hello?" I heard her say and I sighed before talking,"Mom! It's MZ."

"Baby girl.." even through the phone, I could hear her weak voice. It was so weak, I knew I couldn't be breaking down while talking to her.

"Hey mom," I smiled

"How are you, MZ?"

"I'm fine.. how are you?" I asked.

"I'm quite okay... I guess, but I don't want to talk about me. Tell me, MZ, how are you doing alone? How're Bambi and Ryan?"

"They are good.. I'm doing okay for now."

"Say hi to them for me," I could feel mom's smile as she said that and I chuckled a bit. "Tell me everything. School. Your health, y'know... Tanner?"

I laughed because mom was so bent on making me like Tanner McCann.

"School's good... Uh, except I get distracted in class sometimes, but Mrs Martinez just calls me. The attack hasn't come in a while but right now, I'm battling terrible cramps​, but I'd be okay. Nothing will change between Tanner and I."

"I hear you," she chuckled, "What did you take​ for the cramps?"

"Nothing. I just got back from Tanner's. Wait, mom.. Tanner was a little nice to me today."

"Really?"

"Yeah, but those things last for a few seconds."

"Go have a cup of hot tea."

"Hot tea?"

"Yeah. I know you won't use meds so go drink a cup of hot tea. Heat helps reducing cramps."

"Oh... Okay. I will."

"Yeah. And I'd call you later to ask how you're doing."

"Right. Thanks, mom. Have you been eating?"

"Yes. The nurses make me. I miss homemade food, though."

I chuckled.

"I love you," Mom said

"Love you too."

....................

"For Heaven's sake, Mackenzie Starr, wake the f**k up!" Bambi shouted as she pulled my blanket off my body.

"What the f**k, Bambi?" I stretched, yawning

"No, what the f**k, Kenzi! This is a f*****g school morning and you're still in bed, get up, Kenzi."

I yawned again, "Ditch school with me."

"There's no way we'd ditch school today-"

"Right. Another day, then?"

"No, Kenzi! Get up c'mon.. we'd be late! I can't believe I came in to wake you up."

I got up as I groggily walked to the bathroom. I soon came out as I looked at Bambi. "Make breakfast?"

"You're still gonna have breakfast?"

" It's the most important meal of the day, Bambi."

"Ugh!"

.........................

"Girl, you wouldn't believe what I overheard yesterday," I took a bite of my toast as I looked at Bambi who drove.

"What?" Bambi threw a quick glance at me and I told her what I heard Edward and Lenore said.

"I mean, can you just imagine? I didn't even do anything to make the b***h feel threatened and she's so insecure!"

Bambi chuckled,"Damn, but I still find what you just told me hard to believe."

"You better believe it because​ it did happen. Yesterday. After school.. I told Ryan, then apologised for what I said during lunch."

"I see..." Bambi nodded,"Don't even let that bother you. Just stop getting rides from him if he really feels that way."

"I'd just gotten​ a ride once!" I shook my head as Bambi found a good parking space in the school parking lot. We got down and walked into school. "Anyway, I spoke to mom yesterday. She says hi."

"Really? How's she doing?"

"She sounded weak an-"

"Damn, tomorrow night is gonna be lit!"

"Trust me, the girls there would be way more than the guys there"

"I'm going to just get drunk!"

Bambi and I heard as we walked to our lockers. We looked at each other as we asked together, "What is happening tomorrow night?"

"Hey girls!" Ryan appeared behind us as he pulled Bambi's hair and pulled my cheek.

"Don't ruin my hair," Bambi scolded, whacking his arm and I laughed.

"What's up?" Ryan looked at us.

"What's happening tomorrow​ night?" I asked him.

"Oh. It's Jesse's house party," Ryan said, smiling.

"Yeah?" Bambi's eyes widened and Ryan nodded.

They both looked at me.

"What?" I asked, "You know I'm not going for the party."

"Yeah...." They said together, nodding.

I chuckled, "You two are sick"

The bell rang and Bambi went off to class, ranting about how late she was already. Ryan and I laughed, shaking our heads.

....................

Disappointment flowed through me when Tanner didn't ask how I was feeling, but I scrolled myself. Who was I kidding? Did I actually expect him to ask? Just as I sighed, I heard a voice call, "Mackenzie?"

I looked up to see Jesse. I smiled at him,"Hey Jesse."

"How're you?" He smiled back and I saw what Bambi said about him smiling. It would definitely leaves effect on any girl he smiled at.

"I'm good."

"Awesome. So, are you coming for the party tomorrow night?" He asked

"Uh, no. I can't."

"Why?"

"Nothing really, it's just that I'd be really busy and-"

"Right, let's strike a deal. If you come for the party, I'd help you with whatever you're busy with after the party."

Whoa.

I chuckled,"Jesse.. it's nothing, but I really can't come."

"C'mon Mackenzie... Please?"

I shook my head, smiling.

"Right. Tanner, could you please beg Mackenzie to come?"

Of course Tanner would have to be there.

Tanner looked at Jesse as he said, "It's your party."

Jesse sighed as he said, "Mackenzie... Okay. If you come, I'd get you a box of chocolates-"

"Jesse!" I laughed this time.

"What?" He laughed too,"I know you're a chocolate freak and I'd get you a large box of'em."

"Do you really want me to come or there's some other reason?" I asked.

"I really do want you to come," he said seriously.

I sighed, "Alright. Fine. I will."

"Aw, I love you!" He gave me a loud kiss on my forehead and I laughed. Yep. I would never think of Jesse in that way.

"Mackenzie... Uh, is.. is Bambi coming?"

My eyes widened as I smiled, "Is that why you made me agree to coming?"

"To be honest, Mackenzie, no. I want you to come, but is she coming?"

I rolled my eyes, smiling. "Yes. Yeah, she is."

"Right. Thanks, Mackenzie," he said and he walked away.

.......................

"Announcement, guys!" I clapped my hand once and Bambi and Ryan looked at me.

"What's up?" Bambi asked.

"I'm coming for the party"

"What? Really?" Ryan smiled.

"Yep. Jesse made me agree to coming." I rolled my eyes playfully. "I told him Bambi was coming too."

"What? Why?" Bambi's eyes widened.

"Easy, girl," I laughed, "He was the one who asked if you were coming."

"He did?" She blushed. Badly.

.....................

I talked with Bambi by her locker after school and we were both laughing.

"Hey girls!" Edward appeared at our front, smiling.

I inwardly groaned and let Bambi smile back.

"So, are you guys coming for the party?"He asked

"What? You wanna drive us there?" I snapped.

Edward's smile disappeared and a confused and surprised look replaced the smile. Bambi nudged me a bit and I said to Bambi, never breaking my gaze at Edward, "Whatever. When you're done talking to him, I'd be outside." I walked away.

.....................

The Next Night (Friday Night)

Bambi and I walked into Jesse's house. After school, I had gone home to study a while, and when it was 6:15pm, I got up to have a quick bath and waited patiently for Bambi to arrive. I had no idea what to wear, but when she came, she picked out a beautiful gown I didn't know I had. I got into the dress and grabbed my purse, but Bambi grabbed me, pushed me to my dressing mirror and did some works of art on my face. To be honest, when she was done, I felt good and beautiful.

We got to the party with 'You Was Right' by Lil Uzi Vert, blasting loudly. I could see red cups everywhere, and guys and girls were in all corners doing all sorts.

"What's up, girls?" Ryan asked, smiling as he came to us.

I couldn't help but wonder if he was with that girl in the party, but I pushed the thought aside.

"We just got here," Bambi said as we both smiled.

"You guys want anything yet?" Ryan looked at us.

"No.. I don't think so. We just got here, Ryan," I laughed as Bambi shook her head.

"Right. Well, I need a drink so I'm gonna leave you girls." Ryan smiled as he started walking away, but he turned around as he looked at Bambi and I, "Be careful. If you two are in some kinda trouble, call me."

"Yes, father," Bambi and I rolled our eyes and he chuckled then left.

Just as Bambi and I walked around. We spotted Jesse. He was holding a red cup and talking to a group of guys and girls. He saw us and immediately walked over to us.

"Hey girls! Thanks so much for coming." He smiled as he gave Bambi and I hugs.

"Thanks a lot, Mackenzie. It took a lot to make you come," he said and I laughed. He then looked at Bambi and his gaze lingered on her for some time,and she already started blushing like an i***t. He smiled and walked away.

"What the hell is happening to me?" She said as she watched him leave and raise her hands​ to her cheeks.

"You've caught feelings. That's what," I told her.

It seemed to me like Jesse liked Bambi, but I couldn't be sure at the same time.

"I can't. I just can't," Bambi closed her eyes and opened it," He's just going to play with me. It has to stop."

"You can't control it, Bambi."

She sighed as she rolled her eyes, "I want a drink."

"Me too," I nodded.

Bambi and I picked up a red cup each from the stand. We drank in silence and we went for our second. I blinked hard. That was it. I wasn't having another. I saw Bambi pick up her third and I stopped her, "Bambi, this is your third."

"Yeah..." She also blinked hard and raised the cup to her lips.

My gaze dropped on the couch at a corner of the living room. Edward and Lenore. Lenore sat on his lap as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. It looked quite heated considering they looked like they were going to swallow each other. I rolled my eyes.

Minutes later, I really wanted something to chew on and thankfully, Jesse had also set up a donut stand.

"Bambi, please stay here. I wanna go grab a donut. You want?"

"Yeah..." She shook her head. I didn't know which to go with.

I walked to the donut stand when someone grabbed my hand and I started to shout, "Leave me the f**k alone! Get your f*****g hands off me!"

I couldn't even see where whoever the person was taking me to, but then, my back was rested against a wall.

"Mackenzie, it's me!"

I opened my eyes. Edward. I got angrier.

"Yeah, I see you. Now get your f*****g hands off my arm!"

He looked at me in surprise and I got irritated, "Don't you understand? Stop touching my skin!"

He immediately released my arm,

"Did I do anything to upset you, Mackenzie?"

"Step aside, Edward. Get the f**k outta my face."

"Just tell me.. did I do anything to make you mad?"

I laughed.

"Are you drunk?" He asked me.

"I don't know. Are you?"

"Ma-"

"Edward, go meet your girlfriend and stop wasting your f*****g time. After all, you can't be found talking to a girl like me."

"What are you saying?"

"What am I saying? You've got to be kidding me! You are an actor and f**k, you're so good," I smiled

He seemed to think for a while and then he looked horrified as he opened his mouth to say something, but I said instead, "Yes. I heard you and your girlfriend." And I walked away.

...................

I walked back to where I left Bambi, but she wasn't there any longer. I wondered where she went. I sat and replayed what just happened with Edward. I picked a drink from the stand. f**k not taking another one. I had another. And another.

Soon, I felt pressed. I needed to use the restroom. I got up and staggered which caused me to fall back to the seat. Yep. A girl was drunk. I got back up and walked around, not knowing where the toilet was. My vision was blurry and I really couldn't control myself. Guys pulled me and I pushed them away. They weren't the toilet. I saw a door and was happy. I opened it and felt a burst of air in my face. I was outside? All I could see were shiny lights. I staggered a while then fell into a bench. I slid down the bench, sighing. I closed my eyes.

"Why... Why are you always following me?" I heard the voice. I opened my eyes and I could see a blurred vision of a guy standing over me, a drink in hand. The first person that came to mind was Tanner. It was Tanner. And he was drunk. Like me.

I snorted, "I only thought this was the toilet...."

"Of course you thought I was the toilet... You said I was full of s**t once, remember?" He chuckled, "You're such a-"

"An asshole, you know?" I shouted as I got up, staggering a little, "Why do you hate me so much? Why are you nice to me only sometimes and then other times you act like you want me dead. Why aren't you like that to everyone but me? I've been made to understand you don't want girls close, and trust me, I have no intention of being close to you, but treat me like I'm human! I have feelings too!" I breathed

"Look at a pot calling the kettle black. You equally say hurtful things!"

"That's because you make me!"

"Well, you get on my f*****g nerves," he spat.

"If anyone gets on anyone's nerves, it's you! You get on my nerves!"

"You act like a f*****g spoilt b***h all the f*****g-"

"You could keep calling me a b***h because I'm used to hearing it from you, but spoilt? Spoilt? I can never be one to be called spoilt. You don't know me. You don't know where the f**k I'm coming from, so just shut the hell up!"

"Alright, b***h. I hope Edward drives you to hell, though-"

Why did he always do this? I was practically steaming at the moment and I decided to show it, the alcohol giving me confidence, "Okay, don't call me a b***h because I am not! And you know what, Tanner McCann, I've had enough of you and the truckload of bullshit that comes with you. I'll repeat what I said earlier, you are an asshole and I have no intention of being close to you. Nothing good ever comes out of talking to you! You. Are. Crude, and I'm tired of being the one you do all your s**t to. So, go look for someone else to pick on. Go look for someone else to display your bipolar disorder to. Go look for someone else to tutor you!" I didn't realise I was tearing up, so I blinked hard and sniffed. I saw something flicker in his eyes, but I didn't know what exactly, because of the state I was in. f**k, that shouting made me a little sober.

"Mackenzie."

I heard Tanner call, but I kept on walking.

Again.