Fiction/Short Story
Echoes Of 1988 — Part 2
The best of times
The evening air was crisp as Mike and Sandy approached Jenny’s house, the sounds of Madonna’s latest hit pulsating from within. Cars lined the street, each one a relic of the decade: boxy sedans, vibrant hatchbacks, and the occasional station wagon.
“Looks like the whole school is here,” Mike observed, his voice tinged with a mix of excitement and apprehension.
Sandy laughed, her eyes reflecting the neon lights strung around Jenny’s porch. “Welcome to the party of the year, my friend. Let’s make some memories!”
They stepped inside, greeted by a kaleidoscope of 80s fashion—girls in leg warmers and acid-wash jeans, guys sporting mullets and leather jackets. The air was thick with the scent of hairspray and cheap cologne.
Mike scanned the room, taking in the sea of familiar faces, when his gaze landed on a girl he hadn’t seen before. She was standing by the record player, flipping through a stack of vinyl. Her style was quintessentially 80s, with a neon headband and oversized earrings, yet there was something distinctly different about her.
“Who’s that?” Mike asked, nodding in her direction.
Sandy followed his gaze, a flicker of something unidentifiable crossing her face. “Oh, that’s Lisa. She’s like, totally new. She, like, moved here from California last week.”
Mike’s interest was piqued. “California, huh? Might be worth saying hey.”
As Mike made his way through the crowd, Sandy hung back, her eyes lingering on him. She chatted with friends, laughing and dancing, but her attention was divided, subtly drawn to Mike and Lisa’s conversation.
Lisa’s laugh was infectious, and Mike found himself captivated by her stories of life in California, so different from their small town. They talked about everything from the latest U2 album to the surf culture she missed back home.
Sandy, meanwhile, found herself in a conversation with Jenny, but her responses were half-hearted. Jenny noticed, her eyebrows arching inquisitively. “Like, are you okay? You, like, seem a bit out of it.”
Sarah forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m cool.”
As the night wore on, the party swirled around them. Mike and Lisa had migrated to the makeshift dance floor, moving to the rhythm of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” Sandy watched them, a complex mix of emotions swirling within her. There was happiness for Mike in finding someone he clicked with, but also an unexpected twinge of jealousy.
You can follow and subscribe to get notified of my latest drops.
