Chapter 11
“Ariel! ARIEL!”
My eyes snap open. Mother stands over me, like a doting mother bird. I cringe at the sound of her voice.
“Just, cancel this fucking party,” I mumble, pulling my blankets to hide from her intense gaze. It is not working, but it was worth a try.
“What did you just say to me?”
“Cancel the party!” I shout from under the blankets. “I love all of them. I want to marry all of them. There are you happy. That is all you wanted, for me to find love. Right? That’s what a good mother would hope for her daughter.”
She rips the blankets off my face.
“Stop being ridiculous and wake up this instant!”
“NO!” I pull the blankets back over my face. I feel like acting like a five year old, because that is how they are treating me.
“Ariel! I will get your father!”
“Then go get him,” I say through the blankets.
She shakes her head, and I hear her footsteps stomp out of the room. I don’t wait for her to return with my father. He will just be mad she made him take a trip to my bedroom I push the blankets off myself and get up. I stare lazily around the room. I see a dress in a clear garment bag is hanging on my closet door. It’s an off white. Subtle, I think to myself rolling my eyes. She didn’t want me to have a choice this time. I sigh and stand, stretching. Today is going be horrible. I am not even giving it a chance to go alright.
Most of the morning, I spend in the kitchen picking at food , while people race around me getting ready for the grand event. I feel very similar to a zombie or something stuck amidst a wild storm with no chance of escape. It’s like my parents glued my feet to the floor and I am completely trapped. At least there is a giant platter of fruits and cheeses in front of me here. I think these are for the party, but it will do. It is my party after all.
I have not seen any sign of the guys. I wonder if my parents are keeping me from them. I wonder why they would do that. Or maybe they all left now that our summer has come to an end. My heart sinks a little lower in my chest. Does it have to end?
“Scuse me, miss,” one of the cooks says, but I don’t hear her. I am too lost in my own thoughts. “Scuse me!” she shouts. I shake my head.
“Sorry,” I step back. She smiles quickly and rushes past me with a big platter. Just then, my mother sticks her head in the kitchen. Her hair is done up in giant rollers. She stares at me.
“Ariel, I have been looking for you all day. Why are you in the kitchen?”
“I’m hungry,” I say plopping a grape into my mouth.
“Well, stop eating. If you eat too much, then you won’t fit on your dress.”
“Is that a bad thing?” I ask, popping another grape down my gullet.
She grimaces and grabs my wrist.
“I am over it!”
“What?” I laugh. I turn to the cook and mouth help me. She doesn’t find it funny, unfortunately. My mother parades me down the hallway like a child in trouble, making me feel like I am just four years old.
“Mom, let go of me.” I yank my hand away. She furrows her eyebrows.
“Then move it!”
“Calm down; the parties not for another several hours! You and dad get so worked up about this stuff, but like - you throw fifty a year. I don’t get it. Why be involved with something so stressful?”
She ignores me; which is probably for the best, because right now I am totally just trying to piss her off in the best way possible. She is pissing me off; it’s only fair. I scan the rooms looking for the guys.
“Where are the guys?” I ask. She snaps her head and looks at me.
“Getting ready, like you should.”
“How long does it take them to get ready?”
“Not as long as you.”
She shoves me into my bedroom.
“Woah. I’m going to have to call social services about the way you are handling your child.”
Again, she ignored my sarcasm. I should probably stop; it's just wasting my energy at this point, and I don’t have much. Once we are both in my room, she shuts the door. I turn to see the stylist Beverly standing by my mirror with all of her supplies set up. If I didn’t like her then she would be walking out of the room right now.
“Hey,” I wave. “Ready to spend hours hiding my face?”
She waves back and laughs cheerfully. It is good someone is going to enjoy this,
“Yes.”
My mom leans against the door in a overly dramatic manner, as if she is the one tired and forced into a series of torments. But no that is me.
“Ariel, please. Today is a happy day for all of us. Stop acting like we are going to chop your head off.”
I chew on my cheek.
“You are just going to embarrass me,” I say back, sitting in Beverly’s chair. She starts to brush out the tangles of my hair.
“I’m not going to get into with you again today.”
“Because you know that I am right.” My fists clamp down into the arm of the chair.
“No, because I know that you are being ridiculous.”
“You always say that.” I start to mock her in a high shrill voice,” Oh, Ariel! You are so ridiculous. Blah, blah, blaaah.”
She stares at me blankly.
“Are you done?”
The stylist begins to curl my hair.
“Yup.”
“Good.”
“I’m done with all of this!”
“Ariel!
“What? I said I was done. Are you?”
She wants to hit me. I can see it in her eyes. I would probably want to hit me too if I was my daughter, but poise and reputation keep her palm away from my cheek. All she can do is send daggers through me.
“I’ll see you at the party.”
“Will you?”
“You will regret if I don’t.” The threat that comes out of her mouth is very serious. And part of me feels a little scared. She opens the door with a whoosh and slams it shut. The noise echoes through the room and the stylist silently spins me around. There is a long moment of silence that follows, and I feel the need to fill it.
“I bet that was pretty awkward,” I say to her, as a hot ringlet of hair falls down my cheek.
“Not my business,” she says softly. And she’s right. No one in their right mind would jump into that madness without a good reason. I close my eyes and lean my head back.
“Is it alright if I just fall asleep?” I ask.
“Sure, that’s fine.”
“Cool.”
I let the feeling of Beverly softly padding her brushes onto my face relax me slightly. I wonder when my father will come barging in demanding answers, and I wonder what I will tell him. I sigh, and try to focus on other things. My mind just wanders to the guys. I wish I was with them right now. I wouldn’t feel so isolated and alone then, like a trapped bird. They’re lucky they have one another. I know Enzo is probably trying to have everyone take bets on who I will pick, and Ian is telling him that it's not a game. Adam is probably reading some serious philosophy book to pass the time. Deric might be working out. Nicholas is telling Louis some joke to try and get him to laugh. It’s not working though. His jokes never make Louis laugh. Eventually I drift off, not into a heavy sleep but a weird state of unconscious. I don’t think my brain will let itself turn off, not now any way.
The door opens.
“Uh, miss?” Beverly’s hand rests on my shoulder, shaking me gently.
I jerk up out of the seat; my eyes open wildly.
“What is it?” I breathe heavily as I come too. I see Clay standing in front of the chair with his arms folded, wearing a black suit with a royal blue tie.
“Hey, little lady,” he smiles.
“Hey,” I say.
Beverly dabs a little bit of drool off the corner of my mouth. That’s embarrassing.
“Thanks,” I mumble, sitting up.
“You look absolutely stunning, cuz,” he says with wide eyes.
“It wasn’t me. It was a professional. You clean up pretty nice yourself there.”
He laughs.
“My mom made me.”
“Same,” I chuckle. “What are you doing here?”
“Your dad wants me to talk to you. He said he was going to, but now that guests are arriving he’s ran out of time.”
“Are you serious?” I ask dumbfounded. I want to throw something at him and tell him to get out. If I don’t have this talk then maybe everything will go away. “This really is one big show for him. Isn’t it?”
“No...I don’t know. Anyways -” He looks at Beverly. “Will you give us a moment.”
“Sure,” she nods her head. “I am all sent anyway.”
“Thank you once again,” I say, as she heads out of the bedroom. I peer into the mirror. My eyes have a smokey black look with a sheer lip gloss, making me look older, more sophisticated almost. My hair tumbles into loose beach waves, making my short hair look voluminous. I rub my lips together, and turn back to face Clay.
“Do you know who you would like to marry?”
“Nope,” I shrug. I do not want to talk about this.
“Then - just lie. And break it off later. Like in a year. You can’t embarrass our family in front of everyone.
“Um, they are the ones who decided to throw a party for this. Not me.”
“I know,” he says softly.
“Besides I can’t lie. That would kill the others. I know they say it won’t bother them, but I know it will.”
He purses his lips together.
“It's hard.”
“What?” I ask, cocking my head to the side. My hair tumbles over my shoulder.
“Trying to tell you what to do,” he smiles.
I shake my head.
“And I don’t know why everyone keeps trying too.”
“Well,” he stands slowly, holding my hand in his. “Put on that dress, show up. At the end of the day, Ariel Dubois is going to do what Ariel Dubois wants to do. And no one, not even her dear cousin can do anything about it.”
I smile at his kindness, and kiss his knuckles.
“I wish that my represents saw it like that. Like, they say me as an adult person”
“I think that’s what makes them parents.”
“You’re probably right.”
“Just try and enjoy tonight, for what little joy it might bring you.”
I gently kick him.
“Shut up.”
“What?”
“Just go schmooze and flirt. You have always been way better at this stuff than me.”
He walks out closing the door. I undress, taking my time. I pull the dress out of the garment bag and hang it up. It’s smooth and sleek, and when I put it on it falls just right. Its very simple except for the straps sparkle with crystals at my shoulders. I slide on the pair of nude heels my mother set out. Again with the heels! She is trying to murder me. I stare at myself in the mirror and remind myself that this beginning of the summer started with a party I thought I would dread. Now look at me. Ending with one that I think will be horrible. The first one turned out well, so maybe there’s still hope. No...most likely not.
I press my ear against the door. I hear the strumming of a low music, and the keys on a piano being tapped along to it. The low hum of people talking covers it all. There’s a lot of laughter, probably from Nicholas. My heart begins to quicken, and I feel my throat begin to close. I try and relax. What am I going to do? I hate being in front of people. I grasp the door knob. Okay, on the count of three. I open it and walk to the foyer. I scan the loud crowd of black dressed and tuxedos. My heads feels like it is going to spin.
“Ariel!” a deep voice bellows out. My eyes scan quickly. Who is that? I see Deric raising his arms and waving rapidly, signaling me over. My heart swoons. They all look so handsome. Each of them is wearing a suit that almost match. They run up the stairs. Enzo and Ian offer their arms and escort me down the stairs.
“Well, my god, woman,” Nicholas begins, “Do you look stunning.”
“Well, thank you good man.”
“It's true,” Ian pats my hand.
“We’re the luckiest six guys in the world,” Deric says nodding.
“Guys, hide me from my dad!” I say suddenly. I jump.
“Why?” Adam asks.
“Because, she doesn’t want to have to pick one of us in front of everyone,” Louis says plucking a martini off a passing tray and handing it to me. “Of course, with you looking as beautiful as you do, you really do stand out.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good thing.”
“Usually is,” Enzo whispers in my ear. “Usually.”
“But this is not usual circumstance,” I whisper.
“No...I’m afraid it's not.”
“I wish I could just melt into a puddle right now. I’m sweating so bad; I basically already am one,” I say fast. It seems like it's becoming hard to breathe. My lungs are tight. I want to go back to my room and bury myself in bed.
“Ariel, calm down,” Ian says, rubbing my back. We stop in the corner of the room. So far we have remained undetected, but who knows how far that will go before someone shouts at me.
“Look, we talked it over,” Louis begins. “Whoever you pick, we’re cool with. As long as the others get to come over and spend time with you.”
I pause and think it over.
“That could work - I guess.”
“Then there’s no pressure for you to select the best of us,” Adam says casually. His hands are buried deep in his pants pockets.
“I don’t know...I just don’t think I am ready to get married,” I stutter looking at their faces.
“We’re in this together,” Deric nods softly.
“Believe me, none of us want to give you up, but we get it,” Enzo sighs. His beautiful eyes lock onto mine.
I stare at each of them. Where they giving me an answer to this mess after all. But which one would I actually marry. Oh, I couldn’t choose.
My heart stops when I see my father ascend the tall stairs and stand at the top. Oh, god. No. Please. No. He puffs up his chest, in a grey suit and white tie. My mother stands at his right arm in a long black evening gown with ruffles at the sleeves and a deep v cutting into her cleavage. A heavy necklace of diamonds is strapped around her neck. It sparkles bright. My parents do look absolutely lovely.
“Excuse me. Ladies and Gentlemen, if I could have your attention please.” He waves his arm out high, and the music stops playing. I squeeze behind Deric. A tray of fancy food set on fire walks past me. I cringe. Really, my dad got flambé.
“Thank you all for joining us. Tonight is a very special night for us and for our dear daughter Ariel.”
His eyes scan the crowd. He’s looking for me. I can feel it.
Ian looks at me.
“Ariel, are you going to go up there?”
I shake my head.
“Nope.”
He frowns. Enzo glances back at me.
“You really should.”
“Nope, I don’t want too.”
My dad frowns and leans into my mother’s eyes. She begins looking as well.
“Has anyone seen my daughter?” he asks.
I squeeze my fingers into Deric’s shoulders.
“Don’t you dare give me away,” I hiss in his ear.
“Woah, Jesus,” he says. “It’ll be okay.”
“I see her!” a voice screams. It’s Thomas’. His finger points directly to where I am standing like a deer in the fucking head lights. He is just at the perfect angle to be able to catch a glimpse of me, and god, is he drunk. He can barely stand up. God dammit. I slowly scoot out from behind Deric and force a smile, but I am sure it is not very lovely. I make my way to the bottom of the stairs, clutching the railing with white knuckles.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to introduce to you, my daughter a true-”
“Whore!” Thomas screams over my dad. I think I might throw up. Everyone freezes. Thomas staggers about, flinging his drink. “I bet she is sucking every one of those cock suckers’ big old dicks.”
My mother and father keep their dignity.
“Thomas, please keep your thoughts to yourself, or I will have you removed.”
He held up his middle finger.
“Fuck you! You are a piece of shit family, who thinks they are better than everyone else! Well, you know what. Your daughter is - is a fucking slut. Trust me, I would know. I use to fuck the shit out of that tight twat.”
I want to melt into the floor. People gasp; my mother almost faints. This would happen to me. I look over to see the six guys march over there. Anger has washed over their faces. Deric looks like a monster.
My father holds up his hands.
“Please, everyone calm down!”
But it's too late. The first fist is thrown. Ian, of all people, comes bounding out of the crowd, landing Thomas square in the jaw. But Thomas is too drunk to feel it. He staggers backward, fumbling and knocking into people. Screams and shouts erupt among everyone. My parents look mortified. Thomas reaches for the tray next to him, the one covered in flambé, hurling millions of fires through the crows.
“Fire!” a voice screams, as smoke covers the room.
Mass chaos ensues. The fire catches onto one of the new drapes, spreading fast. Orange and red tongues reach toward the ceiling and floor. People begin shoving one another making their way up the stairs to one of the exits. I am completely bombarded. Black smoke billows out and consumes everything in its path. I choke and cough; my eyes water. I try to make my way up the stairs, but I am continually shoved and pushed down. I stumble onto the ground. Three people step onto of me; a large man slams on my leg, and it snaps.
“FUCK!” I scream, clutching it. My lungs sear and burn. More and more people climb up in sheer madness.
“Help!” I wait out, trying to stand. I grab the railing and try to hoist myself up. Alarms are ringing over me, along with screams of all the terrified people. I cling to the railing. I almost pass out the pain is so intense. Just make it outside, I tell myself. There are supposed to be sprinklers installed. Why aren’t they turning around.
A woman pushes past me, knocking me down the stairs. I cry out in pain, lying on the floor. The fire spreads wildly around. Blood seeps out of my nose and leg. I cry uncontrollably. My head begins to spin.
“Help...I whimper out.
My throat begins to close. I try and cough, but I can get no air. I twist on the ground. It is so hot, so very hot like an oven bombarding everything in its wrath. How did this happen? I close my eyes.
“Ariel!” a voice screams.
“She’s down there!”
“You go get help. Deric, come with me.”
My eyes flutter open, but my brain feels cloudy, nothing is making any sense to me. I try and stay focused but it is all a blur.
“We’re coming!”
“Fucking shit, her legs wrecked.”
A hand gently touches my shin. I scream in pain and buck forward.
“Ariel, look at me. Look at me!”
Louis bends over me, amidst the smoke and flame. His dark eyes lock onto mine.
“You’re gonna be okay,” Deric says. In one motion, he throws me over his shoulder. Then, he barrels up the stairs. The flames spin around us. I dangle in his arm like a child. Louis runs behind us. He reach the top of the stairs. Enzo and Nicholas are standing waiting.
“Come on, this way!” he shouts.
We move through the hall. The smoke is everywhere. I cough and sputter, trying to catch my breath. At last the doors open. Ian and Adam stand waiting by the ambulance.
“Bring her here!” Adam shouts, waving his arms frantically.
The cold air rushes into my legs. I feel some relief as my convulses. Swarms of peoples stand around us crying and talking. Deric places me gently down on a long stretcher. The paramedic places the oxygen mask over my face. My eyes open as my lungs open up.
“You’re gonna be okay,” Ian says.
“God dammit, Ariel. Why did you have to stay inside. You never do what people want; do you,” Nicholas says, giving my hand a squeeze as I am lifted into the ambulance. I close my eyes and darkness overcomes me.