Chapter Three – Part 2
"You wanna party?"
The guy said with such deadpan earnestness that Macy snickered. Allison sucked in a breath but couldn't stop herself. She started laughing. It started as a small giggle, but before she'd raised her hand to cover her mouth her entire body was shaking. The giggle fit was contagious and in a moment Macy was laughing as loud as she was. Allison tried to control herself, and she could feel her face flushing with embarrassment. But she couldn't stop, especially when the guy's expression showed that this wasn't anywhere near the reaction he was aiming for.
Macy steered her away, toward the entrance, and Allison caught sight of what had to be this guy's friends by the Taco Bell. They all wore abused jeans and black T-shirts advertising metal bands. They were also in the midst of their own laughing jag, which made Allison laugh even harder. . .
As they pushed through the glass doors to the food court Allison heard the guy's voice behind them. "What're you? A couple of lesbos?"
Macy shouted back, "One look at that face makes me seriously consider it!"
The door closed behind them and Allison stumbled out into the parking lot. She was actually gasping now, no longer laughing. She had begun hyperventilating, and she was in the lightheaded throes of an oncoming migraine. Macy still laughed, up until she caught up with Allison, who now stood gasping, doubled-over, her hands on her knees.
"Allie?"
"I'll be fine," Allison said between gasps. "I just have to catch my breath."
"Can you believe that guy?" Macy asked, rubbing Allison's shoulder.
Allison shook her head.
"His face could set of a metal detector."
Allison nodded.
"Are you sure you're all right?"
Allison pushed herself upright, the wind felt as if it was biting into her temples, but she told Macy she was fine. She turned to look back toward the mall entrance. "I kind of feel bad about laughing like that—"
"Sometimes I don't believe you." Macy shook her head in disgust, grabbed Allison's arm and started dragging her toward where the car was parked. "You can't feel sorry for that guy. He copped the clumsiest feel of the millennium and hit us with a line so moldy I don't know if he was offering a joint or tickets to a Grateful Dead concert."
Macy stopped next to her sister's car and studied at Allison.
Allison's head throbbed a little, enough to let her know that later on tonight she would be clutching her head and trying to smother herself with her pillow. Still she forced a smile to try and deflect her friend's concern.
"You look like hell, girl."
Allison's smile collapsed. "Thanks."
"Just worried about you."
Allison nodded and patted Macy's arm. "Thanks, really. But I don't know what you can do."
Macy grabbed her hand and said. "So what is up with you and David?"
"Nothing," Allison said.
After Macy let go, Allison continued. "Totally, completely and absolutely— Nothing. I don't know, but when I talk to him it's like, sometimes, I'm talking straight through him. As if nothing sinks through, takes hold. It's like he doesn't hear the same words I do." She shook her head. "Sometimes I think he's afraid of me."
"That's rough."
"I mean, I can't tell him what's going on in my life, because every time he thinks something's wrong he goes into paralysis mode." Allison looked back at the mall. "Can you picture him back there just now, with metal head?"
"I see what you mean."
"Let's get out of here." Allison walked carefully around the car and let herself in the passenger side. She rubbed her temples.
"So is that it?" Macy asked as she got in the car. "You and David? Is that what's got you in the dumpster?"
Allison shook her head. "He doesn't have anything to do with the way I feel."
Not for a long time now, she thought.
"Is it the party?" Macy asked.
Allison nodded slightly but said, "No."
"I thought that once you got a little distance from it you'd realize how silly Chuck looked."
"I don't want to talk about it right now."
"Come on, you don't think the guy will mess with you after—"
"Not. Now." Allison spoke through gritted teeth. Macy must have hear the seriousness in her voice, since they didn't say anything more until the car pulled in front of Allison's house.
As Allison got out, Macy asked, "Are you really going to be all right?"
Allison nodded.
"No problems, like between you and your mom?"
The question startled her, and Allison looked back at Macy. "What makes you— of course not."
Macy looked relieved. "I didn't think so. But that's the kind of problem that gets you. Hard to escape from."
"Well don't worry about that."
"If you ever do need to get away from that kind of problem, you got my help." Macy reached across the passenger seat and pulled shut the passenger door. "Got to get the car back before my sister thinks I ran away with it. See you tomorrow?"
"Sure."
Allison watched as Macy drove away.
Problems between her and Mom? That was ridiculous. . .
