Tales of Herc. and Meg

The sound of rain pounding against my bedroom window was making it even harder for me to get out of bed. I knew that my best friend Sarah would not forgive me if I came a minute late to her birthday party down at the civic. Luckily the civic was only two blocks away from my apartment. I could be out of the shower and in my Megara costume in mere minutes. Sarah had prepared the costume for me a couple of weeks in advance. She insisted that I be Meg from Hercules because my name is Megan and that I have her dry sense of humour, but I know her for about ten years and I feel that there may be a hidden motive. Through mercy, I restrained the idea, but also because of my lack of interest really.

The lilac costume actually looks flattering on me. It highlights my tiny waist and broad hips. I never fancied my curves or any part of my body since my first blood flow - when I became self-conscious of my appearance. I know that after years of watching me frequently visiting the restroom immediately after we ate my mom suspects something. She is probably in denial, or holds a blind eye, but she never spoke to me about it directly. I like to believe that those visits are the only thing keeping me sane, but somehow drive me insane even more than I care to admit.

My phone whizzes on the dresser beside me interrupting my thoughts. It’s Sarah.

"Meg, where are you?" screeches Sarah through loudspeaker. She sounds mad.

"I'll be there in a few minutes," I replied "I'm almost done."

"Make quick! What are you still doing? You supposed to be here already."

"I'm just finishing my hair. Relax! I'll be there now."

"You should've let me do your hair."

"No, no, no. You can't work on your birthday."

"Listen here; bring me a white scarf please. That one you wore this week."

"I knew you weren't calling to find out where I was, you maniac!" I chuckled.

"Just bring the scarf please" Sarah said sweetly, and then hung up.

There were already a few cars parked in the lot when I arrived. None but one had I recognized - the dark blue BMW that belonged to Sarah's boyfriend, Joe. I looked at the watch on my dash board; 6:10. The party starts at 6:30. I wonder who’s already here. The building was hard to see in the dark. With the drizzle blurring my vision, I decided to follow the glowing lights emitted from the entrance. The hall looks magical. There is light blue sparkly draping flowing from the ceiling and down the walls. Round tables dressed immaculately with crisp white cloths and white roses with a long candle in the centre. A large semi-circle dance floor toward the front, and a low stage with band instruments were set up.

Before I could observe any more, I was distracted by a hassle coming through an orange door. I started walking. Thank goodness Megara wears sandals that do not make a sound. People are arguing. It grew louder as I got closer. The door squeaked as I slowly pushed it open with my left hand. Suddenly feeling out of place, I unconsciously clench the white silk scarf in my right hand that Sarah had requested. The altercation halted immediately. Two familiar figures stood before me - Joe and Sarah. Sarah looked stunning in her white shimmering gown and faux fur shawl. She had her dark blond hair twisted into dreadlocks and on top of it; a tall silver and spiky crown. She is the white witch of Narnia. Joe had on a full body lion costume. I reckon they are probably having one of their usual arguments about Sarah's constant infidelity. I cannot be sure. It was the first thing that came to my mind, I was aghast.

Sarah started gracefully towards me, heels clicking against the shiny tiled floor. Not taking her eyes off mine, she raised both hands and placed it on my shoulders. I winced by the coldness of her fingertips.

"I just got here" I stuttered, answering Sarah's unspoken question.

Sarah scanned my costume then finally spoke, "You look hot Meg!" and slaps my left shoulder. "But your hair... Uh huh, dreadful."

"You're the one with yucky dreadlocks!" Sarah and I both laughed.

"Why don't you go welcome the guests? Joe and I will be right there."

"You do know that the White Witch and Aslan are enemies, Joe?" I say over Sarah's shoulder.

"Good to see you too, Meg!" Joe mocked.

"Alright. What's this for by the way?" I hold up the scarf.

"No worries!" Sarah grabs the scarf. "You'll see."

Sarah twists on her heels and shoos me off.

The party is in full swing. Joe and Sarah are half drunk, both dancing to the loud music of the band. I felt a bit nauseated. I have not eaten this much in a couple of months. I literally stuffed myself with coconut tartlets and caramel cake all night. I could not help myself, like any other time. To get myself away from all the food I get up from my table and head toward the side patio. It was dark and empty. The sudden wave of cold air enveloping my skin not only brought goose bumps to my slinky arms, it also reminded me of the bitter and lonely burden I am faced with each night alone in my bed. I feel lifeless. I lean with my back against the wooden railings next to a brick pillar and held my head down. It took me about fifteen minutes to clear my head and motivate myself enough to consider myself worthy of being here.

I take a deep breath. Then I hear footsteps coming onto the patio. It stops. I flinch to the sound of a loud, masculine exhale. I slowly turn around, and stand gaping at the most magnificent creature I have ever seen. His lips - pink and perfect, strong jaw bone. His head is tilted back projecting his bold Adams apple. His eyes are shut. He looks so peaceful sitting on the bench, but he is breathing heavily. Only now, through the dim moonlight, do I notice that he is wearing a Hercules costume. I sniffle quietly at the realization hoping not to interrupt his peace. Is this God finally granting me an opportunity for my long awaited prayer of a better life? A fuller life? The Hercules to my Meg? I laugh again at the senseless thought. He creases his eyebrows, and then rests them again. Before a half a minute, his eyes shoot open in my direction, scrutinizing and penetrating my cold and ravenous skin. I stood motionless. He closes them again.

Shit. I have to go. I start towards the door, looking to the ground as I stride past him as quietly as possible.

"Hey" His voice is hoarse. "Please, stay."

"I was about to leave anyway." I say with too much emphasis.

"Oh" His nautical blue eyes are searching mine now. "Please, stay?"

"Why?" What the hell is wrong with me? Just say OK!

"I..." He looks away.”I wanna ask you something."

"Ok" There. I said it. Wait. "Do you know me?"

"Actually, tonight is the first time I've seen you." He has the most beautiful smile. My legs are numbing. So I sit beside him.

"You're a great dancer" he says

"Um..." I laugh, trying to hide my embarrassment with my small hands.

"You shouldn't hide your face." He holds my wrist with his cold hand, releasing my blood-filled cheeks. "I've had a really bad day, and it always makes me feel better to see a pretty girl smile."

Suddenly, I burst out laughing and he follows. Is he really being cheesy with me? "Oh my God, I have to go now." I get up. "You're so funny, really."

"Wait! I'm sorry I just..." He is serious now. "I just wanna... talk."

How can I walk away from this adoring face? I do not even know his name and yet, feel like I belong to him.

"Alright" I finally say. So I sit back down.

"So," he begins "Are you a princess?

"What?" I am confused.

"Your costume."

"Oh... You don't know who I am?"

"You're not a princess?"

"No" How is he Hercules and not know who Meg is? "I'm Meg. Megara from Hercules."

"What? You're kidding!"

"Nope"

"I should probably watch the movie then." he charms with his celestial smile.

"You haven't watched the movie?!" We both laugh.

"Hey" he put his hand on mine, it is still cold. "Will you dance with me, Megara?"

"I don't know, Hercules.”

"Come on. I may not be as good as you" he stands up, holds out his right hand and bows his head, then looks straight into my eyes "but I can try, right?"

I take his hand "Should we go inside?"

He just shakes his head.

He pulls me to my feet. With his right hand at the base of my back, I am almost relieved by its coolness. I trace my hand up his left arm to his shoulder. It is warm, much warmer than his chilling hands. For a minute - which felt like hours - we stood there staring into each other’s eyes, mesmerized.

Incidentally, the fire alarm goes off. People are rushing out of the patio like a raucous parade screaming “Fire! Fire!” and knocking me over. I look up to find that Hercules is gone. I get up to join the growing crowd on the grass. Still searching every face to match that of Hercules'.

Then, after an extremely long five minutes, Hercules exits the patio door carrying a distressed pregnant woman in his arms. I have not seen her before. She looks beautiful with her wavy auburn hair swaying in the wind and the glow that comes with pregnancy. She even looks beautiful distressed. Sarah's social circle is much larger than mine. I do not know half of the people here anyway. Hercules lays her down on the grass holding her head up. She is saying something, but I cannot hear what through the deafening screams of the crowd. Hercules hurriedly searches her satchel. He throws out its contents; lipsticks, eyeliner, pack of tissues. He discards the satchel as well. She is crying now.

"Somebody call an ambulance!" He screeches. Nobody takes note.

I take out my phone to call 911.

"Somebody call a fucking ambulance! My girlfriend is pregnant! For God’s sakes!"

My finger freezes one inch from the dial button. His girlfriend? Of course he has a girlfriend. No guy as handsome and dreamy as he is ever single. I am so naive. I feel queasy. My bloated stomach is about to give in. And almost immediately do I spew all the undigested food contents over the grass.

Then David, Sarah's younger brother and a few surrounding people hear his plea.

"I'm calling an ambulance right now!" David shouts.

Hercules nods appreciatively at David then hugs the lady, trying to calm her.

I see Sarah sitting alone on the far end of the grass. I pace toward her. The sour taste of vomit is still on my tongue. Her tiara is lying beside her. She has tears coming out of her black-ringed eyes. Eye shadow and mascara smudged all over. She is laughing uncontrollably now. I sit beside her, and take both of her hands.

"Did you see?" she laughs again. "The fire! Your scarf!"

"Happy 21st birthday, Sarah" I smile.

I hug her and she cries again. We both sit there for hours.