The Pact - Season 1: Episode 11

I called a cab, and Tyrone insisted that he rides in the same cab with me, to make sure that I got home safely. I was too drunk and confused to protest, and so I agreed. When I got out of the cab, Tyrone got out too, and was going to walk me to the door, when suddenly David and Steve appeared out of the darkness. I was too surprised to react, and just stood there, while they both stared at Tyrone and me.

“Michelle, what the hell is going on?” asked Steve. I tried to defend myself by saying,

“I’m 18 Steve, and I can take of myself. I don’t need a babysitter.” David came over to me, and said angrily,

“Yes, you’re right. It seems like you can take care of yourself all right. And you don’t care that you tell lies to everybody. You told me that you were too tired to come out with me tonight. I got bored at the party, and called you to see if you wanted to hang out somewhere. Your mobile phone was switched off, so I called at home. And I got your brother instead, and he said that you were out, and you had told him that you were with me. He got pretty worried about you. So I drove over here, and we kept calling you all night. Geez, we were so scared something had happened to you. And then you drive up here with this ... this... jerk.”

“Who are you calling jerk, you freak?” Tyrone shouted.

“Stop it, you two.” I said. “David, it’s not what you think, really. And Tyrone, please don’t make it any worse.”

“So he can say what he wants, and I can’t do anything?” Tyrone asked. David went over to him.

“That’s right. You can’t do anything, because you’ve already done enough. You can’t just go about ruining the lives of everyone around you. Why the hell can’t you leave me alone?”

“Well,” Tyrone answered angrily. “For the record, I didn’t ask your girl out – she came looking for me. And I am the one who ruins people’s lives? It seems like you are confusing me with yourself here, because I somehow recall that it was you who made your ex-girlfriend’s life a living hell, with your obsessions, and it was you who made your sister choose between the two of us. And guess what, this girl here seems to be destined for the same ending, hanging around with you.”

“Stop it, you two,” Steve cut in. “Tyrone, go home. This isn’t the place, nor the time for this. David, calm down. Let him go. Your problem is with my sister, not with him. Let him go.” At that moment, Tyrone came over to me, and said angrily,
“This is all your fault.” I was surprised and hurt.

“My fault? Why?”

“I told you to stay away from me, and you wouldn’t listen. You had to come and find me tonight. If you want to find answers, go and ask your parents. But don’t bother me anymore. I don’t want to see you, or any of your friends again, do you hear me?” And with those words he stormed away.

We walked back into the house. Steve left David and me alone in the living room. As soon as he was out of earshot, David asked,

“So are you going to tell me what that was about?” I looked at him, not knowing where to begin.

“David, it’s not what you think, really. I only met Tyrone yesterday morning in the cafeteria. I just wanted to find some answers at all costs.”

“Answers to what?” he asked.

“Well, for one thing, it seemed strange what had happened to you because of him. And then when I mentioned my brother’s name yesterday, Tyrone acted so weird, and… and… well, scared. And I wanted to find out what had happened.”

“Well, and did you?” he asked. I shook my head.

“No. He doesn’t want to talk about it. We just spent the night drinking and dancing, and talking about everyday stuff, but he didn’t want to talk about anything that might have happened.”

“Dancing and drinking? Is that all that happened?” I looked down.

“Well, we did kiss, but it was a mistake, really.” David was obviously shocked and hurt to hear this.

“Oh God,” he said. “You kissed?”

“David, I drank too much Tequila, he drank too much beer – it was a mistake really. It just happened, but we both know it was a terrible mistake. I’m really sorry, David. I love you.” He looked at me and shook his head,

“I don’t know Michelle. I really trusted you, and you lied to me, and you kissed him. Do you do that often, fraternize with the enemy?”

“He is not the enemy, David. Please stop thinking of him as the enemy. Don’t you realise how much that hurts your sister?”

“And you think that by kissing him, you have done my sister a favour, don’t you?” I shook my head.

“I told you that was a mistake. Neither me nor Tyrone meant for it to happen. And I’m really sorry.”

“I don’t know Michelle. I guess I’d better be going. You need to sleep.”

“David, please don’t go like that. Can I call you tomorrow?”

“I don’t know. I’m too mixed up right now to know what I really want.” I was crying by now, as I said,

“So am I David, believe me. I am too mixed up to think clearly. I don’t know what’s going on, and I want to find out, and no one wants to help. I will go and find Tyrone tomorrow, and I will make things right about what happened tonight.”

“Why? Why do you want to see him again?” I shook my head.

“I don’t. I made a terrible mess tonight, and now I have to clean things up. But I am telling you, because I don’t want to lie to you anymore. You have a right to know where I will be, and with whom.”

“We’ll talk about that later, because right now, I don’t think that I can take anymore.” And with those words he walked out of the house, leaving me to cry myself to sleep on the sofa.

What was happening? Why didn’t anyone want to give me one single answer? What didn’t I remember? Will David forgive me, and still want to be with me? Will Steve be ok, if I stayed with David? All these questions kept swirling in my head, together with the Tequila, and I felt like I was on a roundabout that wouldn’t stop. I wanted to get off, but I couldn’t. Sounds and words were mixing together, and I couldn’t see clearly anymore. The last thing I remember thinking before falling in a sleepless dream was, “I’ve been on this ride too long. It’s time to get off. Please make it stop.”