Maria found herself falling uncontrollably backward with everything moving in slow motion. Chad’s face looked wild and angry. Like some kind of monster leering down at her. Instinctively she flailed backwards attempting to escape, but with only air to grab onto she just continued to fall until the pain of her backside biting concrete and skidding rose to greet her. Unthinking, she started crawling away from Chad until she ran into a car. For a few brief moments Maria and Chad locked eyes, and she felt what she thought prey felt when fallen before a hunter. A familiar voice cut through the tension.

“Hey lover girl. You looked winded down there. Been trying to make up dinner?” Liz’s voice was an angel’s chorus to Maria’s ears.

Maria looked to where her friend’s voice came from and smiled with relief. Liz was a dead set average looking young woman, but right now she looked like a brown-haired guardian angel sporting a ponytail. The analogy broke down fast in Maria’s head, and she started chuckling to herself. Everything was good again. Things would be fine.

Liz helped Maria up. Her smooth hands were comforting, and as soon as she was on her feet Maria embraced Liz.

“It’s good to see you.” Maria looked around. “Where’s Mitch?”

Liz turned around. “He’s probably hiding. He’s shier than a puppy.” She started waving her hands in the air. “Mitch, get your ass over here and meet everyone.”

From behind one of the cars came a not overly thin, shaggy pup of a boy. He wasn’t much to look at, especially compared to Chad, but his amber eyes were electric with nervous excitement. He let out what seemed like a long-held breath and waved cautiously. “Sorry,” he flinched back as the words poured from his mouth, “I didn’t want to interrupt.”

Maria gave Liz the nod of approval and they shared a smile. She returned her gaze to her date and shook her head. Liz had good taste, but why couldn’t she leave any of the best picks for her?

Chad intercepted Mitch before he had taken three steps towards them, bulling him into a car, all the while whooping like a complete imbecile. “Here to make me look good, bro?” He elbowed Mitch like they were best friends before wrapping his arm around Mitch’s shoulders and pulling him close. “Don’t worry. I’ll teach you the ropes and once I’ve exhausted these two, I’ll give you the leftovers.” He gave Liz a once over and winked. “Ever heard of the Eiffel Tower?”

Mitch blushed and stammered something Maria couldn’t make out. Liz was on top of her game, though. She pushed her way between the two and pulled Mitch out with a tight hug.

She winked at Chad, “I’m gonna disappoint but this snack here,” she patted a blushing Mitch on his ass, “is more than enough to fill me up.”

Chad laughed, “Suit yourself but you know where to find me if you want a real meal.”

Liz rolled her eyes and grabbed Maria’s hand. “We need to grab our tickets. Come on.”

“No, I don’t think so,” Chad said. “Let’s ditch this kiddie shit. I know of a hot party nearby. If we ditch the cars here, then even miss prude’s parents wouldn’t be the wiser.”

Maria’s stomach was in knots. Ditching Chad altogether sounded better than seeing the movie or partying with him. She needed to keep this together. If it fell apart, and her family found out then she’d never be allowed back out. With senior year coming to a close, her dad might not even let her back out of the house until he married her off. She wilted at the thought. She had to make this work, but even as she opened her mouth to speak she could see things falling apart.

Liz’s voice cut over her own attempt to speak, “You can do what you want Chad. We’re heading inside.” She pulled on Maria’s hand and walked away.

Chad grabbed Maria’s other arm. “I don’t think so. She’s coming with me.” He grunted defiantly. “She’s mine to play with.”

Maria ripped her hand from Liz’s, whirled around on one foot, and slapped Chad as hard as she could. The resulting sound echoed ominously through the parking lot. “I’m not some toy for you to enjoy, you sick pervert. Get out of here. Leave.” Why was this asshole so infuriating? Oh right, it was that asshole bit.

His eyes spoke back with a hateful anger. For a moment it looked like he would strike her back, and in that moment Maria welcomed it. She’d fight back tooth and nail. That strike never came. Slowly, as if coming back to his senses Chad’s face softened to a bitter anger, and he jumped back in his car leaving without saying another word.

For several long moments tense silence hovered over the group. Mitch’s nervous laughter broke the spell. “I told you he was an alpha douche. Didn’t I?”

Liz smiled at him and shrugged, “I thought he’d be more fun than this. He’s hilarious in class.” She turned to Maria. “The mood’s ruined. Want us to take you home or drop you off at the church?”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to kill your date night. You two go enjoy yourself. I’ll take a walk and maybe get something to eat. Worse comes to worst I’ll send you a message if I need an immediate ride home.”

Liz hugged her. “If that’s what you want, girl. I’ll keep my phone on buzz in case you need anything.”

Maria walked with them up the huge steps leading to the ticket booths before peeling off to sit in one of the guardrails that separated the raised patio from the lawn and parking lot. Beyond the theater parking sat the sagging facade of old town. The red brick buildings shined like fire in the setting sun. It was the heart of the town. Most of it consisted of closed and run down factories and machine shops, but scattered throughout it were a few shops and restaurants.

She watched people milling from their cars to the theater and wondered what she would do with herself. Food sounded good. A sandwich made from leftovers was nice, but proper warm food sounded amazing right now. Her wandering gaze fell upon a group of teens hiding in the shade of old town. They were a ragged, dark looking bunch. Dressed mostly in black with what appeared to be punk additions. That wasn’t something she could clearly make out at this distance. A few of them watched the parking lot, while a few others poked their heads around the corners of buildings as if they were waiting for someone.

That thought sent a pang of longing through her. How many times had she wanted her friends to ensure she made it to an event? Too many. These dark types were misfits and weirdos, but what she perceived as friendship made her want to go out to them. That wouldn’t work though. She wasn’t like them. Her white blouse and blue jeans alone were enough to prove that. It was best if she stayed back and watched with a morbid curiosity.

Nothing much happened for several minutes, but as she grew bored with idly fantasizing about friendship something pale in the shadowy alleys between the buildings caught her eye. The group reacted to it at almost the same time she did. There was a general excitement. Some of them started tackling and wrestling with each other while others whooped or shouted. The pale figure stepped out into the group and began speaking. The others circled close around him in a way that reminded Maria of trained zoo animals. The young man was rougher looking than the rest of them. He was somehow more primal looking. His black hair hung in long dreads that seemed mismatched with his lean and hungry build. Yet, there was something magnetic about him. A spark of static drawing all the tension in the air towards him. The way the others gathered around him made Maria think they had to feel the same thing. It was a fierce yet protective feeling. Something deeper than she had the words or experience to express, and now he was looking at her. His icy blue eyes locking with hers.

There was a crackle of nervous energy that rose through her belly and out of her gaping mouth like an explosion of butterflies. Her grip tightened around the rail, and she pushed herself up from the guardrail. Why shouldn’t I join them? She thought. I belong there. I deserve friends who look at me like that and not just as a tool.

The man scowled and shook his head, breaking the connection. He barked something to his friends, and they all walked away from her and toward the factory section of old town.

With the tension broken, Maria found herself confused. What had just happened? Her head swam and stomach churned as the butterflies created new hurricanes of emotion. Something about that wild-looking man called to Maria, and though she knew she was being stupid, she had to find out what it was.