Masquerade of Lies (9 page)

“You guys want some coffee to go with your cake?”

“Thanks, honey. That would be great,” my mom said.

I made a pot of coffee and got two coffee cups out of the cupboard. I measured the sleeping pill powder evenly and put some into each cup, then poured coffee on top of it. I got a spoon from the drawer and stirred each cup to make sure the powder was completely dissolved. I kept looking to make sure they didn’t see me, but they were too much into each other to notice.

I brought them their coffee and sat in the living room with them to ensure they drank it. I felt a little bad for drugging them with sleeping pills, but there was no way I was gonna miss this party; besides, sleeping pills are harmless.

When I got to my room, I closed the door behind me and leaned on it. Hanna Clark from Deerwood never would have done this. I wasn’t sure whether to be excited about seeing Josh at the party or frightened of who I’d become.

CHAPTER EIGHT—LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

I couldn’t see my reflection in the mirror, as it was steamy from my shower. I used my hand to wipe the steam away, then stood there for a moment in my robe, staring at my face. I simpered, as I was happy with myself. I opened up the top drawer and grabbed my blow dryer. Once my hair was bone straight, I sat down at my vintage vanity table to do my make-up. I looked at the time on my Motorola: it was quarter to ten. I put on Claire’s extravagant dress and shoes and looked at myself in the full-length mirror. I turned slowly from side to side, admiring the way I looked.

I then sauntered over to my bed and picked up my Motorola to send Claire a text:

I’m ready now. Come and get me.

She texted back a few seconds later:

k just picked up Katie and Jessica. On my way
.

I crept into the living room to check on my mom and Hank; they were sleeping like babies. About fifteen minutes later, my phone started buzzing. It was Claire texting to let me know she was outside. I quietly opened the front door and closed it behind me, then strutted over to Claire’s car. Jessica was sitting in the front seat, and Katie was sitting in the back.

“Hey, girls!” I cried out, feeling fabulous.

“Wow! You look hot, Hanna!” yelled Katie as she poked her head out of the backseat window.

“She looks all right,” said Jessica, playing on her smartphone. She did a double-take at my dress. “Hey Claire, she has the same dress as you.”

“That
is
my dress,” Claire sassed.

“So what, you guys BFFs now?”

“Since when do I have to explain myself to
you
?” Claire snapped.

Jessica lowered her head like she knew she’d forgotten her place.

I got in the car, and Claire hit the gas. When we got to Angela Blaine’s house, people were sitting outside smoking and drinking. The music was booming, and all kinds of couples were on the lawn making out. Some people sat in the back of their pick-up trucks smoking weed. The parties I went to in Deerwood were nothing like this one. I was used to a small group of friends hanging out with a few beers and chips. Sometimes we had a bonfire and played truth or dare, but it never got out of hand. The most daring thing anybody in our group ever did was take off a layer of clothing, but nobody ever revealed private parts; I guess you could say we weren’t a wild bunch.

Cars were everywhere, some parked illegally. A lot of them were on the lawn, and most of them lined the streets. Claire found a spot on the street to park, next to a large oak tree. She turned off the ignition, and the engine hummed to sleep. We then all got out of the car and smoothed out our dresses. Claire was wearing a gorgeous pink Chanel dress that fell just below the knees and a pair of chic leather Louis Vuitton heels. Her hair was in an updo, while diamond studs sparkled her earlobes. Katie had on a dark grey ruched seam Donna Karan dress and a pair of Jimmy Choo glitter platform pumps. Jessica flaunted a stunning black Versace mini dress and fuchsia Louboutin stilettos.

“Showing off those sexy legs of yours, Jessica?” Katie teased.

“Ooooh
, risqué
,” Claire taunted.

“You look gorgeous, Jessica,” I said.

She looked at me in disgust. “I know,” she sneered.

“Come on, girls, let’s go,” said Claire.

As we walked across the grass, my eyes widened. Before us was a massive cream stucco house with oval-shaped dormer windows. Leading up to double entry doors was a curvy cobblestone walkway. The front door was open, and people were constantly going in and out.  A girl with sandy brown hair with thick curls that fell over her shoulder stood by the door with a martini glass in her hand.

“Hi, Angela!” Claire shrilled.

“Hey, girl! Glad you could make it!”

“Uh, hello? Have I ever missed one of your parties?”

“True,” Angela agreed. “Hanna, right?” she asked, referring to me.

“Yeah.” 

“Well, come in bitches! Enjoy the party!” she said before walking away.

As we walked through the crowd, somebody pinched my ass, then an athletic looking guy with dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes approached us and walked right up to Claire.

“Hey, you,” he said.

Claire’s cheeks went red, but she remained cool. “Hey,” she replied.

An awkward silence lingered between them.

“Are you here with Josh?” he asked.

“Duh. He
is
my boyfriend.” 

Three kegs were in the living room, and a bunch of guys were doing keg stands while chugging beer through a hose.

“Oh, there’s Josh!” Claire wailed. “Sorry, gotta go,” she sneered before walking away.

“Who was that?” I asked Katie.

“Chad McCowen.” 

“Oh.” 

I looked over and saw Josh standing across the room with a couple guys. He was wearing a grey and black plaid shirt and dark blue jeans. Ohmigod, he looked so hot! I couldn’t take my eyes off him, and I knew Claire noticed; I could feel her stare burning the side of my face. I immediately looked away.

Josh walked over to us and said, “Hi, ladies.”

“Hi, baby!” Claire said, then grabbed him and stuck her tongue down his throat. It felt as if she were marking her territory.

“I need a drink,” said Jessica.

“Wait for me,” said Katie, and the two of them vanished into the crowd.

I was standing there alone while Claire and Josh lip locked. I started to feel like the third wheel, so I decided to mingle. It was so hot in there! My straight hair started frizzing up from the heat. Rihanna’s
Don’t Stop the Music
was vibrating through the speakers, and everybody was dancing and having a good time. The air was thick with cigarette smoke. I stood there for a moment, looking at everybody. I couldn’t help wondering if Brooke’s killer were there, the person who tried to frame me.

Suddenly, some guy started grinding up behind me. I was startled at first, but then I just went with it. He put his hands on my waist as I grabbed my hair and pushed it up because my back was covered in sweat. I decided to turn around to see who I was dancing with. He had brown eyes, and his hair was styled like Justin Bieber’s. He was wearing a white wifebeater and a pair of black jeans with a chain hanging from the pocket. He was
kinda
cute. I put my arms around his neck, and his hands eventually went from my hips to my butt.

“Hey!” he yelled over the music.

“Hi!”

“What’s your name?”

“Hanna!”

“You’re very beautiful, Hanna!”

“Thank you!”

“You got a boyfriend?”

“No!”

“Want a drink?” 

“Sure!” 

I was dying of thirst, so I followed him to the kegs. He poured me a drink and handed it to me.

“Thanks! So what’s your name?”

“Zack. I haven’t seen you at one of these parties before.”

“Yeah, my mom and I just moved here.”

“Who are you here with?”

“I’m here with my friends, Claire, Jessica, and Katie.”

“Oh, the awesome threesome,” he said with a smile. He had a nice smile.

“So you know them?”

“Everybody knows them. So, are you a senior?”

“Yeah!”

“Nice!  I’m a senior, too.”

“Cool!”  

“Hey, it’s hard to talk over the music. You wanna go someplace more quiet?” 

“Sure, but first I really have to use the bathroom. I’ll be right back.” 

I pushed my way through the crowd to find the bathroom. I felt somebody grab my arm. I turned around and it was Mark. “I’m ready for that dance now.”

“Sure, but I have to empty my bladder first. I’ll be right back.”

“Alright. I’ll be here waiting,” he said in a coy way.

When I finally reached the bathroom on the main floor, there was a long line up. I didn’t think I could hold it much longer, so I made my way upstairs, where I found another bathroom. I went inside and locked the door behind me. When I was done emptying my bladder, I flushed the toilet and washed my hands. I leaned against the wall and took a moment for myself. I stepped closer to the mirror and observed my sweaty face and runny eyeliner. My lip gloss was almost gone, and my hair wasn’t as straight as it was when I left the house.

My Motorola starting buzzing; it was a text from Katie, saying they needed help with Claire. Apparently, she was wasted. She ended up falling into the pool and taking off her shirt, giving everybody a strip show. I texted her back and told her I was in the bathroom upstairs and would be right there. All of a sudden, I heard a knock on the door. I guess somebody else figured out there was another bathroom upstairs.

“Just a minute!”

I quickly reapplied my lip gloss and puckered my lips, then slipped my lip gloss back in my purse before opening the door.

“Hey, baby.”

“Zack? What are you doing here? Ohmigod, did you follow me up here?” 

With the door open, I could hear the undertone of chatter amidst the music. He came in and closed the door, locking it behind him. He then walked towards me with intent.

“You’re really beautiful, Hanna,” he said in a placid tone.

My stomach tightened, and my palms became sweaty. He traced his finger around my face, which sent chills up my back. His eyes became dark. Fear clenched around my chest like a tight fist. I attempted to run, but he grabbed my leg and pulled it, causing me to lose my balance and fall. I lay flat on my stomach with my arms stretched out and my palms face down. My hair was disheveled. He turned me over and crawled on top of me. Tears streamed down my face. I screamed, but the music was so loud, nobody could hear me. My heart was pounding so fast, I thought it was going to burst. It felt like all the air was sucked out of the room. I tried to push him off me, but I wasn’t strong enough. My legs became weak.

“Wait!”

“Ssh, it’s okay,” he whispered in my ear.

He forcefully grabbed both my wrists and hiked them over my head. As he kissed my neck, his tongue felt cold against my skin. The smell of his cologne stained my nose, and his breath reeked of booze.

“Let go of me! Please! Somebody, help me!”

“Come on, Hanna. You know you want this.”

“Screw you!” I screamed, then spit in his face.

He hiked up my dress and ran his hand up and down my inner thighs. Just as he began to unzip his pants, there was a knock at the door.

“Hanna! Are you in there?” It was Mark.

“Yes, I am! Please, help me!” I yelled.

Zack quickly jumped off me and said, “Hey, you know I was just fooling around, right?” 

I ran to the door and unlocked it. Mark pushed it open, and I sprinted towards him, threw myself into his embrace, and put my head on his chest. I didn’t want to let him go.

He placed his hands on my shoulders and looked at me. “Are you okay?”

“I am now.” 

Mark gazed at Zack and grimaced.

“Come on...we were just having a little fun.”

“He tried to rape me!” I blurted.

Mark grabbed Zack by his shirt and punched him in the face, making his nose bleed.

“What the heck, bro?!” 

“I’m not your bro! Come on, let’s get out of here.” He put his arm around my waist, and I flinched. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just a little shaken up.”

I fixed my dress and ran my hands through my hair. I looked at my phone: it was almost one o’clock in the morning. I didn’t know how much time I had to get home before those sleeping pills wore off. We proceeded down the stairs, then pushed our way through the crowd and headed outside to the pool. When we got there, Claire was splashing in the water, wearing only her bra and underwear. Her hair looked like a wet mop, and the bottoms of her eyes were stained with black mascara. Katie stood by the side of the pool, unsure of what to do. Josh clenched his fists, and the muscles in his face tightened.

“Where’s Jessica?” I asked Katie.

“I don’t know,” she said, shrugging her shoulders.

“I thought she was with you?”

“She was, but then she met some guy and took off. Then I came outside and found Claire hammered in the pool. That’s when I texted you.”

“Fantastic,” I mumbled to myself. Mark stood beside me.

Katie’s eyes shifted towards him. “Having fun with Mark?” she asked in a low voice. I smirked. “Okay, you two go help Josh with Claire, and I’ll look for Jessica.” 

I agreed and watched as she disappeared into the house, then we walked over to meet Josh by the pool.

“Claire, let’s get out of here!” he shrieked.

“Oh, hi, new girl! Get in!” she squealed, ignoring him.
“Hi Mark.”
He smiled and waved.

“Hey bro,” Mark said to Josh.