folklore fanfic

     On the outskirts of the town was a small cottage. Normally, it was quiet, inhabited by only a girl and her mother, but tonight was different. There were many cars in the yard, as well as a few bikes, but none were the mother's. That car was parked right in front of the loudest bar in town, and its owner was likely inside, surrounded by shot glasses and empty bottles. The whole town knew of her addiction, but neither the bartender nor the owner could turn down a face as sad as hers.

     Betty was usually a quiet girl, preferring to spend her time alone, but with her mother gone again and the events of the day, she figured a small party wouldn't hurt. She called all of her friends, who then called their friends, and soon the house was full. Betty only hoped that nobody had been cruel enough to invite James.

-

     James had just heard about the party. His friends urged him not to go, but he could not bring himself to stay away from her.

     He drove a vintage Ford Mustang, which he thought of as an analogy to himself - loud but reliable. His father had bought it as a present for senior year. It was expensive and unique, meaning that most knew who was there when it drove by. By now, half the town knew what he had done, and he got several ugly stares from passing people.

     “What are you going to tell her, then?” asked Charlie. James, on his way to the party, had called his best friend for advice.

     “Just that Inez lied. She's made up stuff before, so Betty's gonna believe it. How do you think Inez knew, anyway?”

     “Honestly, who knows. You don't exactly have the best reputation, so maybe an educated guess.”

     “I can't believe you encouraged me to do this,” grumbled James.

     “I was right, you know. You're too good for Betty. Just leave her,” replied Charlie.

     “Even if I leave her, I can't have Augustine! She's in California. I need one of them.”

     “Okay, whatever. But going to this party is not a good idea,” Charlie warned.

     “You're not helping. I need this,” said James. He pressed end call on his phone, and Charlie 

went silent.

     The road was dark and quiet, and it only amplified his loneliness. He knew what he'd done was wrong, but it felt right in the moment. And it was Betty's fault, wasn't it? Maybe if she wasn't so quite and boring, thought James, he would've stayed loyal to her. He couldn't bring himself to beak up with her, though. He liked the power he felt he had over her.

     As he pulled up to her house, he felt more and more confident. He was a beacon of sunlight, the only bright thing in her boring, bland world. She'd have to take him back, she had no choice.

-

     "FUCK JAMES! FUCK JAMES! FUCK JAMES!" her friends all shouted in unison. Betty appreciated the gesture, but couldn't bring herself to join in. She was tired, tired of this relationship, tired of him. She wanted it over, and she wanted to move on. She halfheartedly grabbed a shot, and downed it to her friend's cheering. It was water, but that didn't matter much. Betty didn't drink, as seeing what alcohol had done to her mother had turned her away forever. 

     Out of the corner of her eye, she almost thought she saw- no- he wouldn't be here. How dare he be here, ruin the one moment of what could be fun that she has with her friends.

     The party quieted as more and more people turned to look his way. I guess he is here, then, thought Betty, come to be my savior as always. Thankfully, her friends gave him dirty looks as he walked up, but he didn't flinch. He looked disheveled, however, and it gave Betty a flicker of hope that perhaps she was cracking his ever-perfect exterior. 

     "Betty, I promise, I can explain," he said. "Inez lied, or at least didn't tell the whole truth, but the important part is that I would never do that to you. You believe me, right?"

     Betty let the silence speak for her. She would not give him he satisfaction of a response.

     "Please, Betty, I love you, I've always loved you. Can't we fix this? We were perfect together." He walks closer, a triumphant gleam in his eyes. "Kiss me already, tell me you love me."

      She stood stoic. She would not yield.

     He rushed upon her, pressing his lips to hers. It was no longer romantic, like any of their earlier kisses. Instead, it filled her with disgust.

     She pushed him back, and pointed at his shocked face.

     "Go fuck yourself, James. Go back to that other girl, who's obviously so much better than me. I don't want to see you again," said Betty.

     "Fine. I hope you rot here alone." He stormed off, and all Betty could feel was relief that it was finally over.

-

     "Augustine, come on, I need you," James muttered. It had started raining on his drive home, and the water poured over his windshield, making it hard to see.

     The phone beeped, and a loud voice answered, "Hello? Who is this?"

     "Augustine, it's me, James."

     "Oh, hi! What's wrong? Are you coming back?"

     "That's the thing, um, Betty wouldn't take me back, and, um, I really need someone right now, and I kinda figured I'd call you," James stuttred.

     "Wait, James, who's Betty?" asked Augustine, her voice going cold.

     Shit, shit shit shit shit SHIT, thought James, she doesn't know, and I told her, and she'll never want me and I don''t know-

     "James, you better not be fucking lying to me. Who is she."

     "She's just a girl, she isn't important, you-"

     "So you were cheating on me, or I guess cheating on her then, since I'm obviously not important. I was your side piece, James. Go to hell."

     The phone clicked off, and James couldn't even bring himself to step on the brake pedal as the car veered off of the road and into a tree.