Chapter One – Bon-Bons at the Bonfire

Sand sneaks into the crevices of my toes as my bare feet walk alongside the ocean. Waves lap my ankles shivering my skin from the sensation. A sigh of relief flows through my lips. I glance to the stars above watching them glisten in the sky. Scrunching my nose in a childish fashion, a burst of joy lightens my chest for finally getting out of the house. I couldn't stand another boring night pretending to study in my room.

I pass the pointed beach house that reminds me of an origami swan and hurry along. Tonight we have the shore to ourselves. It’s the first exclusive party I’ve been invited to, celebrating the end of the mandatory imprisonment nine months out of the year. It’s the official first day of summer and the start of a new me… hopefully.

To most, I’m the weirdo of the class. My reddish brown dreadlocks ward off the normal characters in my school along with my sterling silver decorated features. Snakebites, Medusa, Septum, Eyebrow; I’m also probably the only teenager with enough guts to get the upper half of my arm tattooed. What I find cute, others find odd. It’s probably why I had no idea this bonfire existed until a few hours ago. But I’m determined to become part of the normal class of students while keeping true to myself. Today will mark a new beginning I have long awaited.

Down the shore I spot the celebration. Beyond that are The Ledge, an infamous hangout cliff, and the woods that lead to it. While exploring the landscape with my eyes, my pocket buzzes. I reach into my distressed shorts and see a text from my best friend.

<3KatieBear: where u at?

A smile widens my lips. Instead of answering my Katie, I race down the beach. The crisp night air whips through my dreads and tickles my studded ears. I slow down as I reach the hordes of teens idly hang about swigging back one red solo cup after the next. I strain to see above everyone for the only girl to invite me. Finally, I spot her bouncy black pixie cut in the light of the fire.

Her back is to me as she talks to her boyfriend, Xander. He’s clothed in his usual leather jacket and spiky blonde hair. His stormy green eyes flick up as he plays with one of Katie’s short curls. I gag. It’s almost sickening how cute they can still be after two years of dating. Using their obliviousness against them, I sneak over with mischief influencing my thoughts.

“She’s not answering her phone,” Katie whines. “Scott probably saw her sneaking out.”

“She’ll be here, babe” Xan half sighs.

I roll my eyes. Of course she’s blaming my foster dad. Katie checks her phone one last time before stuffing it into her back pocket. Now is my chance. Running closer, my fingers grab her exposed sides and tickle mercilessly.

“Fuuuaahh,” she squeals, keeping her potty mouth cleaner than normal. Her hands slap at her sides and I almost fall back from laughing at her. Priceless. Katie turns to tell off the culprit who assaulted her but as soon as she sees my laughing face, she throws her arms around me and jumps up and down. “Ruiseñor, what the hell! Where’ve you been?”

“Stupid S-scott saw my first attempt,” I snicker at her. “Oh my god, your face. Ha!”

Katie slaps my arm before sticking her tongue out and fixing her outfit. I greet Xander with our usual fist bump and pull him in for a hug too.

“Always good to see you,” he welcomes.

“Always good to be here.”

I settle in and Katie gets me updated on the party I don’t care about. Vintage 40s bandanna and bright red lipstick, she is stunning like she is every day. Her Jack Daniel’s tee is knotted behind her to display a belly ring while cut shorts flaunt her long, naturally golden legs. Glancing around, I notice a few guys staring at her. Xander better watch out, the guy standing behind us is definitely thinking something naughty. I smirk and barely listen as her pouty lips continue.

“Oh and Trevor’s here,” Katie says, stressing his name. She sits on her boyfriend’s lap and indiscreetly points toward the guy in question. My amber eyes flick past the fire and find him by the keg. “I didn't think he knew anyone well enough to even know about this place. I mean, it’s taken me this long to get you here!”

I turn back to the one everyone knows and shies from. Trevor, with his ruffled brown locks and bronzed skin, is an enigma wrapped in a dark past surrounded by moody vibes. Most might consider that attractive but his personality is the complete opposite. His bizarre tendencies in school made him fall quickly from who’s-hot to who’s-not. I shrug, not swayed by his deep set brown eyes. Trevor’s stare suddenly flashes directly towards us like he knew we were talking about him. The guy takes a sip and I break our eerie eye contact.

“Such a freak,” Katie scoffs. I down her drink and smirk at the comment.

“It’s a good thing you don’t judge on appearance,” I murmur with more than a tinge of ridicule in my voice. Katie flicks my right arm over the multiple flowers inked onto it and narrows her chocolate eyes with pursed lips. I giggle at her face and we go back to ignoring our differences and talking casually. Xander stands on the side not understanding our girlish ways.

“I need more guy friends,” he says, grabbing Katie from behind and twirling her around. Xan kisses her neck and I smile genuinely, finally feeling like I belong.

.

An hour later, Katie is completely wasted. I’m not that much far behind. My hips sway along with the music encouraged by the drink poisoning my system. The bass thumps through my ribs and makes me feel like I can do anything. Not many times have I ever gotten comfortable with our classmates.

“Refills,” my best friend slurs, taking a break from dancing sexily with her boyfriend. She yanks my arm toward the fire, stepping sloppy over the sand-grass mixture. “Come on, Gail. Tonight we get drunk!”

Not wanting to wait longer to join her liberating intoxication, I follow blindly. But Xander remains the designated sober one and takes the empty cup Katie flaunts in the air. “I think you've had enough, babe.”

“But baby,” she moans back. He shakes his head no and I tease her for having to stop. Katie gets even by jokingly pushing me toward the fire. The heat tickles my shoulders but I evade its flaming grasp. I prance backward to the music and out of her reach only stopping when I collide with someone. My drink spills on their feet accidentally and I turn around giggling like an idiot to apologize. The smile on my face falters when the Bon-bons glare back. Wrong girls to mess with.

“Oh great,” Bridget says coolly. Every ounce of my good mood drains with two words out of her mouth. Her crystal green eyes look us up and down, hating every bit of our loud and free-spirited lifestyle. Since that’s not enough for her, she goes and says more. “It’s the future Welfare citizens of America. Fun.”

‘Bridget the midget’ and her lackey, Rose, stand proudly with their luxurious layered hair and pastel dresses. Even with her heels and my flats, I stand over Bridget by an inch or two. I glare back and bow with mocking respect. Rose doesn't take kindly to that.

“Too bad she won’t even be able to work at McDonald’s,” the taller girl says gesturing to me. “Her hair is too much of a health hazard.”

A few boys eavesdropping laugh, turning me to a blushing mess. My usual instinct is to shrink away and take their comments. Tonight, however, I’m feeling bolder. I sneer back at them as they begin to walk off, regretting it instantly.

“At least I’m not the one with rich-bitch daddy issues.”

I get a couple ‘oohs’ for that one but lose my nerve as Bridget swings around. She looks me straight in the eye for daring to call her out. The people around me, Katie and Xander included, watch. Nobody ever insults her. So much for fitting in.

“Excuse you,” Bridget replies, stamping her expensive heel into the ground. I can tell by the tint in her cheeks I’m done for. “Stop trying to be someone,” she orders. “You’re an attention-seeking freak no one likes. At least our dads are around. Even if yours was alive, he’d kill himself anyway to get away from you. Do yourself a favor and leave the normal humans be.”

Both Xander’s and Katie’s jaws dropped yet no one denies their comment. Smiles plaster in triumph below their perfectly engineered noses while the bonfire behind them flares in sync with my seething emotions. Gripping my messenger bag tighter, I keep everything together and leave. Though I’m livid at the prom queen wannabe bitch, my personal rule is to never let anger get the better of me. Katie is not so controlled.

“Oh, hell no,” she shouts next to me. I grab her wrist before she can do anything else. R-rated language is shouted in Spanish at the Bon-bons, so named for their deceptive sugary appearance. She fights against my grasp trying to claw at their eyes. I want nothing more than to set her free.

“Katie, calm down,” Xan tries as he picks up her lightweight body. Katie struggles in his arms as the Bon-bons laugh her away. I flip them off but make sure my best friend stops the tough chick act. I’d rather not have more of a scene. Tears threaten my eyes but I hold them back and lead her away. Another rule is to never let anyone see me cry. Emotions are a weakness.

Once she’s under control, my best friend grabs for the refilled cup in my hands and pours its contents down her throat. Xander does nothing to stop her. Instead, he hands me his red plastic cup and makes sure I take it. Our eyes click and he rubs my shoulder gently.

“She was way out of line,” he says gently. I scratch my nose on the back of my hand trying to be indifferent. Xan doesn't buy it. “You okay?”

“Nope.”

I follow Katie’s example and drink. My throat burns but I drain the cup. A subtle buzz thrums in my brain from both the alcohol and the bass. I know I’ll regret this in the morning but I don’t care. I like it. My eyes stay locked on the preppy twosome, eager for their hair to ignite from a falling ember. I play out a scenario in my mind where it actually comes true. Oh boy, do I wish it would come true.

“Come here,” Xander mumbles.

He drags me in and wraps his muscular arms around my shoulders. I sigh. Xan is as close to me as anyone could be, understanding the pain of loss and of ridicule. His dad died when he was young which led to a harder life. Mrs. Stenman tried her best to raise her son properly but her mothering turned to smothering and Xander grew distant. He’s more normal than his bad boy exterior displays and still, he gets me. My cries are sniffed back, inhaling his masculine aroma.

Katie pulls me in next but a high-pitched shriek steals our moment.

Our attention returns to the bonfire where two girls thrash about. Bridget flails her arms at her auburn hair; her beautiful auburn burning hair.

The cup in my hand drops. Flames lick like a halo above her while her manicured nails swat wildly. My eyes widen as Rose tries to put the fire out with her jacket. Over and over she slaps her best friend, hurting more than helping. I can’t tell who’s screaming more.

Splash!

Jake, a jock boy, stands there with an empty bucket; the ocean water which filled it now all over Bridget. Everyone freezes to stare at the Bob-bons shaking in pure fear. Even the music has been turned down to know what’s going on. It’s pretty hilarious. Katie doesn't mean to but her snort is the first sound into the quiet night. A few others join in and soon everyone is roaring and bent over laughing.

“I didn't know she could be hotter,” an idiot shouts. Bridget begins to sob at her humiliation and runs off. Rose trips in her heels after her leader. I laugh lightly. I know what it’s like to be the butt of the joke and yet it serves them right.

Katie’s hysterics die down after a few minutes only so she can breathe. Xander shakes his head at his girlfriend but lets the party girl go back to dancing the night away. He’s good for her like that. The bass soaks through my feet and vibrates my bones but my mood is ruined. I don’t know why I thought coming here tonight would suddenly change the way people think about me. I’m still getting dirty looks and being ignored.

Whispering about a smoke break, I leave my friends and walk toward the base of the cliff. I stare up at The Ledge longing to hike up but I stay put and light a cigarette. The smoke heats my lungs before releasing from my lips and curling over the scene of adolescent hormones. It mixes well with my beer tarnished throat. Gazing past the pack of jock drunks, my eyes rest on Ryan.

I fidget with the crush amusing my thoughts. Sitting by himself next to the stereos, the offbeat boy bides his time until the party is over. Ryan may not be the normal type of hot with his pudgy cheeks and a nose too large for his face but I can see past imperfections. He’ll be utterly handsome one day. His already gorgeous gaze could make any girl swoon. Too bad his black hair constantly falls over his face.

Suddenly, a footballer blocks my view and stalks over. My eyes close hoping he and his friends will pass but their footsteps halt in front of me. A long exhale of my cigarette puffs in their direction before I dare look. Blowing smoke at them probably isn't the way to go.

“What’s your problem with Bridget,” the one guy, Adam, asks. He saunters close with a couple of his buddies joining up behind. He makes me uncomfortable, forcing me to shift my weight and stare straight into his coffee colored eyes.

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Nah,” Jake says behind him. The three surround me making me back up into a tree on the edge of the woods. Jake gets closer to the point where I can smell the alcohol on his breath. “Stop being such a psycho. It’s not her bad that you’re ugly and easy to mess with.”

His friends laugh and I push my way out of the circle. My cigarette is thrown to the ground and stamped out as I toss the rest of my drink to the ocean. Tonight is nothing I can salvage. I might as well sober up before driving home.

I hurry off from the party, holding back the stupid emotions my body is so keen on feeling. I attempt to find Katie and Xander but they’re nowhere to be found. They need alone time. I need the same.

My legs pause on the worn dirt path before going any further. There’s a sensation on my spine, tickling the back of my neck like someone is staring at me. My head whips around. Sure enough, Trevor is gazing at me with his dark eyes. Like I need him to add to my problems. Huffing in the air, I reach for the keys on the bottom of my bag. The strap falls from my shoulder and even though I try and catch it, everything tumbles to the ground. I swear loudly. Today is a mess.

“You know, Bridget’s the ugly one,” someone says above me. To my surprise, Ryan bends down and helps gather my belongings with a smile. I replace my stuff in my bag and force my emotions down. Being this close makes my cheeks go pink. When our hands touch by accident, Ryan clears his throat. “At least I find her that way. Fake is horrible on anyone.”

“Yeah,” I reply. His gaze rolls over me, making me realize my state of dress. He’s the boy I've had my eye on so the need to look good overwhelms me. My denim studded jacket is peeled off to expose my white fitted tank. He watches as I fold it over the strap of my bag and flick back my dreads. My spazzy behavior probably isn't as flirty as it could be but it distracts him for a little. I take that as a good start.

“Thanks for that,” I say, taking back his attention. “But I should probably get going. I came here for The Ledge but no one seems willing to show it so…”

My voice drifts off and I start to walk away hoping he’ll take my hint. My optimism dwindles with every step. I leave the bonfire’s light and pass the origami house. Inside, I spot a woman staring at me with a curious expression. I don’t have time to acknowledge her as Ryan finally runs after me.

“Maybe I could take you up to the cliff,” he suggests breathily.

Pretending to be surprised but genuinely excited, I nod and bite my lip coming close to one of my snakebite piercings. Ryan takes my outstretched hand to lead me away. Maybe I can actually have a little fun tonight. We walk through the crazed teens and into the woods. Before we’re completely out of sight and up the hill, I turn back to the new boy on an impulse prickling through the heat weighted air.

Trevor’s eyes are finally off me and looking to the distant ocean. He scratches the stubble on his defined jaw after dismissing Olivia, a clearly interested girl. I guess gazing like that does give him a haunted allure. Maybe next party I’ll listen to my gut and forget what Katie says. But not tonight. I turn and follow Ryan up to The Ledge.

“I wonder if I can handle your type of fun,” he jokes. “I've heard you have a crazy streak.”

A smirk twists itself on my face as I place my hands on my hips. My expression is enough to let Ryan know that tonight there is no such thing as too much fun. His dark grey eyes nervously agree as we race up the cliff to be alone. I’m so ready to have some fun.