The Dark: Chapter Four

Kelly leans over and shouts something in your ear. The music's as loud as a bitch though and so all you hear are the words "think" and "hot".
You give Kelly a puzzled look that lets her know that you’re stuck somewhere between lost and really lost.
Sighing, Kelly leans over again. This time her lips brush against your ear.
"I said 'I think she's hot!'"
Kelly points in the direction of the drinks table.
Your eyes follow the length of her arm to where she is pointing. Standing next to the drinks table is none other than Fifi Payton. Tall, big breasted and beautiful.
Who also happens to be a lesbian.
People have waited for her coming out party for ages but she seems pretty determined to hold it off for as long as possible.
Well, she is sleeping with the captain of the football team. That must have some privileges, right? And it’s not like Reggie Stafford really minds. Fifi is easily the hottest chick in school. It's only more points to Reggie for hitting that.
"You do know that it’s rude to point don’t you?"
"Not if the person knows that you’re watching them." Kelly says cockily.
If Fifi is aware of an audience, however, she isn’t letting on. Holding a cup of something yellow with a few flecks of blue in it, she appears to be completely engrossed in the music. Her eyes are closed, her body slowly swaying to the thump-thump of the beat.
"She doesn’t exactly look like she knows you’re watching." you point out.
Kelly just smiles.
"Oh, she does."
You sigh. Kelly has obviously made up her mind. No matter what may, she was going to get lucky tonight.
You both watch Fifi in silence for a bit. You can understand where Kelly is coming from. Fifi is like a spell, a magical force you can’t get away from.
"Fifi's the one who invited me, you know."
Kelly says this sedately. You glance over at her. The girl is whipped.
And although you honestly doubt the truth of Kelly's admission, you still decide to play along.
"Then go over there and talk to her." you say.
Adjusting the Yankees hat sitting on top of her head, Kelly tells you that she just might.
"Go for it." you say and give her a little shove to drive the point home.
Kelly flashes you a quick smile and then sucking in some air, struts across the room.
"Get me another drink while you’re over there, will you?" You shout after her. She doesn’t hear you though and you don’t really expect her to.
Go Kelly, you think and take a sip of your beer.
You watch as Kelly approaches her swaying goddess. It takes a moment but Kelly manages to get Fifi's attention. You see Fifi's features light up when she realizes who it is. She throws her arms around Kelly and gives her a lengthy hug.
They are soon engaged in an animated conversation and it’s not long before you start to think that maybe Kelly had been telling the truth about Fifi inviting her after all.
You turn away; try not to make it look so obvious that you have nothing better to do than watch Kelly set her ball into motion. You can’t help it though and soon you find your eyes back on the couple.
With a stray glance, Kelly catches your eye. Then getting Fifi's ear, you watch as she points in your direction. After a moment Fifi nods and then collecting a couple of fresh drinks they walk over to where you are.
Kelly pulls you in for a hug.
"Be nice." She tells you and gives you a warning pinch just in case you didn’t get it.
You give her a grimace that lets her know that you got it loud and clear.
Then all smiles again, Kelly asks Fifi if you two have met before.
Fifi shakes her head saying that she's seen you around but doesn’t think that you’ve actually ever met.
"Well in that case...” Kelly goes on two introduce the two of you.
"Pleasure." Fifi says, beaming over at you.
You smile briefly.
"I'm sure it is."
The smile on Fifi's face fades considerably. Shooting you a warning look, Kelly makes a move to kick start a conversation. One that after only about thirty seconds you realize does not interest you. Your mind begins to wander. So do your eyes.
After a moment they lock onto a red jacket.
You know he's going to come over even before he takes a single step. Working the room, he steadily moves towards the three of you. Kelly and Fifi don’t notice him until he's no more than a foot away.
"Hey."
Fifi flips her hair out of her face, over her shoulder. Only slightly glancing over at the new arrival.
"Hey Reggie...what are you doing here?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing."
Fifi turns and gives Reggie her full attention for the first time. Looks him up and down as if she she's trying to decide on something.
"I'm talking."
She cocks her head to the side.
"Your turn."
Reggie smirks. Glances over at you and Kelly.
"With them? How much have you had to drink, Phee?"
You’re used to such slights and so you just ignore it. Kelly, however, was part of the in-crowd once and so still finds it hard to swallow such insults which she thinks are reserved only for the likes of you. Not that she would ever say that to your face
Kelly speaks up to say something but Fifi grabs her arm and digs her nails into it, quickly cutting Kelly short.
Raising her cup Fifi waves it in front of Reggie's face.
"Obviously not enough to leave with you, Regg. Now beat it."
Reggie shrugs, his smirk seeming to say something like "You'll be back".
"Suit yourself," he says, turning to leave.
"All I'm trying to do is do you a favor." He throws over his shoulder
"Save you some embarrassment."
With a swagger that makes you want to break your bottle on back of his head, Reggie saunters off.
"You okay?" The question is directed at you.
You nod.
"I'll live."
"You?" Fifi asks Kelly.
"I will be as soon as you get your nails out of my fucking arm." Kelly breathes through clenched teeth.
"Oh my God, sorry!" Fifi exclaims letting go of Kelly's arm.
"Baby, are you okay?"
Baby? You think. Okay...
"I'll be fine. Just never, ever do that again." Kelly says rubbing her arm. The nail marks look nasty. Like they were about thirty seconds away from breaking skin. That must hurt like a bitch, you say to yourself.
"How about we go outside?" Fifi offers.
"I’ve got a car. Some wicked tunes too."
Kelly looks at you pleadingly. This is her chance.
Sighing, you tell the two of them to go ahead.
"What about you?" Fifi asks.
"I'll be fine." You tell her.
"I'll just...drink some more beer or something."
"You can do that in the car." Fifi insists.
"Now come on."
You shrug in resignation.
"Okay."
Turning, you give Kelly a look that says ' at least you can’t say that I didn’t try'.
Rolling her eyes, Kelly let's Fifi take her by the hand.
"Let's get out of here." Fifi says and pulling Kelly by the hand, heads for the door.