Torn

9.

     The party was already in full swing when I arrived with Hannah.  She was dressed as a Sexy Kitten, in true Hannah fashion.  Darry said that he had needed more time to get ready and for us to go on without him.  I was annoyed, but was determined to have a good time, so we left without him.

     People crowded the dance floor.  Hannah and I found a small table off to the side and took a seat.  I scanned the crowd.  No sign of Darry yet.  

     Hannah reached across the table and tapped me on the arm.  "Hey girl, what's eating you?  You usually love all this Halloween stuff."

     I shook my head, determined to make the best of it.  "Naw, nothing.  I'm fine."

     "Then what the hell are we waiting for?  Let's dance!"  Hannah grabbed my arm and hauled me to my feet.  

     What happened next made my blood run cold.  There, standing in the doorway was Darry, with his arm wrapped around some girl dressed as a Devil.  They were laughing and smiling at each other.

     Hannah must have seen the look on my face because she stopped suddenly.  "What?  What's up?"  Her gaze traveled to the doorway.  She spotted them just as I had.  "Oh come on Mila, that's nothing.  She is probably just some girl from one of his classes or something.  Like Darry would be stupid enough to try anything at a party for your work.  Come on girl, get a grip."

     "I guess so, but the party is invite only."

     "So?  She could be anyone's plus one, right?"

     "Yeah, you are probably right.  It's nothing.  God, when did I become "that girl"?"  I used air quotes and made a face at Hannah.  She laughed and shook her head.  I looked back to see Darry now making his way through the crowd towards us.

     "Hey ladies,"  He said, giving me a quick kiss on the forehead.  "Are we having fun yet?"  His attitude had done a complete one-eighty.  He was smiling and happy.  A far cry from the moody Darry of late.

     "Yes we are."  Hannah exclaimed loudly.  "But, I am in dire need of a drink.  How about you guys?"

     We both nodded in agreement.  Hannah made her way over to the bar and grabbed all of us drinks.  I took a deep breath and decided to let my earlier suspicions go.  He was here and happy, so I sure as heck didn't want to ruin it with my own stupidity.

     As the night progressed, we danced, laughed, sang karaoke and had a fabulous time doing it.  The party started to break up just after 1am.  Hannah called for a cab and the three of us piled in.  The cab stopped first at the dorms for Hannah.  

     "Love you kids!"  She sang, as she exited the cab.  "See you tomorrow!"  He voice rang out in the quiet of the night.  She laughed loudly, and walked her drunken self up to the front doors.  

     I laughed myself and yelled out the car door, "Night you sexy kitten you!"

     She waved without even turning around.  I closed the cab door and we continued our drive to my apartment.

     I managed to unlock the door and get us inside before Darry crushed his lips against mine.  I fumbled for the light switch, swatting it with my hand.  The light came on and Darry took a staggered step back.  He smiled crookedly.

     "I have to wash this off first."  He motioned to his face and his already tired looking Dracula makeup.  I nodded and he went into my tiny bathroom.

     I changed out of the costume and pulled my house coat around me, while waiting for my turn in the washroom.  I pulled a sexy, red lacy bra and underwear set out from my drawer.  I slid them into the pocket of my house coat.  A little surprise for Darry when I came out of the washroom.

     He emerged from the bathroom a few moments later, face washed and hair combed.  "It's all yours."

     I quickly washed the Halloween makeup off and changed.  I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror.  Not bad, if I do say so myself.  I slowly opened the bathroom door.  Darry had turned the overhead lights off and turned on the lamp at my bedside.  I could see him lying on his side.  I stepped out of the bathroom and let my house coat fall open, and then fall to the floor.   

     "What do you think?"  I asked, as I struck a pose.

     No response.

     "Darry?"  Still nothing.  I sighed, and crossed the cold floor to the bed.  The only sounds that I could hear was that of his rhythmic breath going in and out.  I groaned and turned off the lamp.  I went around to my side of the bed and crawled in.  I rolled over on to my side and faced the wall.  Angrily, I fell asleep.