Marya
“So Natalie, did you tell Natalie about what happened in class today?” Dolokhov said, holding his head up as Marya tied the fabric around his shirt collar.
“No, what happened in class Mar?” Natalie turned her head to face Marya.
Not bothering to look at her, as her cheeks were becoming more warm with color, she simply just waved the question with a simple,
“Oh nothing. There was just a test is all.”
She finished tying the knot on Dolokhovs tie and straightened it out.
“Oh really? Just a test?” He parroted, repeating Marya’s words.
“What do you call that eye to eye action with that new girl then? Cause I would call it flirting.” Dolokhov plopped down on the living room sofa.
Natasha's eyes widened with shock and disbelief.
“Marya you were flirting?!”
“No I was not flirting! I was just looking at her and she just happened to be looking at me!”
The redheaded girl marched to the front door, leaving Natasha and Dolokhov in the living room.
“Now that Dolokhov’s tie has been tied, can we leave now?” She began to turn the handle on the door, when Dolokhov began to speak.
“Yeah, and then after that, she did that thing with your hair. Man you were so red!”
Marya turned back around, and marched back into the living room.
“I was no -”
She began before Natasha interjected.
“Wait what thing?”
Natasha said, darting her eyes between Marya and Dolokhov with a wide smile on her face, clearly amused by the conversation they were having.
“Her hair fell in front of her face, and then Helene just took it, and put it behind her ear. Real smooth like.”
Dolokhov said grinning at Marya.
“Marya!” Natasha got up out of her seat, practically jumping to Marya.
“That's flirting! She was flirting with you.”
Natasha hugged the very visibly uncomfortable Marya.
“Can we leave now?” She asked, while making her towards the door - wanting no parts of their conversation.
“Wait, is this why you let me put makeup on you? So you could impress her? Ohhhh Marya!”
Natasha became giddy the more she put the pieces together.
“But wait, that's not even the best part! She even helped Marya cheat on the math test.”
Dolokhov said, from behind Natasha.
“You cheated on your math test? Woah, Marya, that's a federal offense. I'm afraid you've broken the law.”
She shook her head, jokingly at the girl standing in front of her.
“Arrest her.”
Dolokhov whispered in Natasha’s ear.
“Well no because ACAB ya know.” she whispered back to him.
“Oh right right.” He nodded his head in agreement with her.
Marya eyed the both of them.
“I'm leaving now.” Growing impatient with the two in front of her, Marya opened the front door of her house, and stepped out onto the porch, closing the door behind herself.
Not long after Marya had closed it, Natasha opened the door again.
“Okay, okay we're sorry Marya.” She chased after the girl, who was already on the driveway. She made sure to hold on to her gown as she walked.
“Yeah we're sorry. Don't be like that.” Dolokhov stopped in front of her, as he jogged his way out of the house.
“It's alright that you like her. We’re just happy for you.”
Natasha elbowed the other girl.
“I just get nervous when things like that are brought up - crushes. And with Helene its still so new, but its something my heart has never felt before… I hope she likes me back.”
Marya gazed her eyes over to her neighbors house.
The line of black limousines on the side of their very much suburban street was seemingly endless. Marya could tell the Kuragina’s were of high wealth and status. Why was moving to the middle of the suburbs their optimal choice? Why would Helene ever want to be with her, when she could have so much better?...
“Marya, you're a great girl, a great friend… you're honestly one of the best people I know. Why wouldn't she like you back?”
Natasha smiled at Marya.
“Yeah, and plus you can totally get to know her better at this gala thing! I'm sure you two will really hit it off.”
Dolokhov added to the compliment.
Marya smiled at both of her friends. Sure, they can be two asses at times, but she wouldn't have it any other way.
“Cmon, lets go.” Natasha grabbed Marya’s hand as they walked onto the driveway of The Kuragina’s.
The faint sound of violin and piano could be heard from the outside of the house.
Natasha rang the doorbell of the elegant home.
Opening the door, an energetic voice began to say. “Hello, welcome to The Kuragina Welcoming Gala.”
Marya could tell he’s said that sentence more than once today.
A smile began to make its way onto Dolokhov’s face.
“Hello Dolokhov.” Anatole said, looking him up and down.
“Anatole.” He eyed the other boy up and down as well.
Anatole then took his hand and kissed it. Dolokhov could feel his heart begin to swell.
The two girls gave each other knowing looks.
“Ah! Where are my manners? Hello ladies, I’m afraid I do not know your names?”
He shifted his head between looking at Marya and Natasha.
“Natasha Rostova.” she smiled at the blonde boy.
“...And this is Marya Arkhrosimova.” she gestured to the friend on her right.
“Ah, Dolokhov has told me about you. You're friends with my sister.”
This caught Marya off guard. Could Dolokhov be any more of a blabbermouth?!
“Um yes, but I'm also your next door neighbor.” She pointed at the house next to the one she was standing in front of.
“Oh, well I invite you into my home, new neighbor and her friends.”
They all walked into the home. Apart from the scattered crowd of people, the home was strangely un-decorated. The few specks of furniture, like couches and chairs were there, but that was about it.
They probably did not have time to unpack, as they were preparing for the gala.
A man in a black and white tuxedo holding a tray of champagne, came up to greet the trio.
“Oh we can’t sorry, we're under -” Marya stopped short when she saw a hand wrap around the glass.
“Thank you kind sir!” Natasha said, before she lightly sipped the alcoholic beverage.
“Natasha!” Marya was about to scold her for doing such things.
“Oh no it's fine, at the Kurgina residence we don't shy away from alcohol. Just don't get too drunk to the point where we have to call an emergency ambulance.”
Anatole chuckled a bit.
Marya was at a loss for words.
“It's happened before.” He whispered to them, in a more serious tone.
They all stare at each other in silence for a bit.
Dolokhov decided to break the silence.
“So Anatole, you wanna show me around the house for a bit?”
He smiled at the blonde boy, who in turn smiled back.
“Of course.” He said, taking Dolokhov’s arm.
“Ladies, make yourselves at home. The hors d’oeuvres will be around shortly.”
They began to make their way up the stairs.
Marya and Natasha walked into the living room, where many people were gathered. The music of the violin and piano players accompanied the room.
“So do you see her?” Natasha turned to Marya.
“No not yet.” The girl looked around to find bouncy brown curls, but to no avail she could not.
“Okay, well I'll be around. I see this really handsome guy over there.” She pointed inconspicuously to a tall man in an all white suit.
“I'm gonna go talk to him.”
Natasha beamed at her friend.
“Be careful Natasha, we don't know these people. And promise me you wont drink too much champagne tonight?”
Marya held on tight to her friends hand.
“Relax Mar, I'm gonna be okay.”
Natasha began to walk off, but was jerked back.
“Promise?...”
Marya eyed Natasha, giving her a serious yet concerned look.
“I promise Marya.” The smaller girl said, looking back at her.
Marya loosened her grip on Natasha’s hand and watched her walk away towards the man.
He looked about Marya and Natasha’s age, possibly a few years older. Marya could not deny that he was quite handsome. He had short hair, and muscular arms. He had a soft smile that could make a woman swoon. No wonder Natasha found him interesting.
He seemed to be talking to an older gentleman at the time. Marya couldn't imagine what about. Everyone here looked so regal and elegant, but that was because they were regal and elegant. That was their lives. Marya was not fancy at all. She couldn't help but feel like a sore thumb sticking out, trying her hardest to blend in.
She decided to stand in the corner of the room, not wanting to draw too much attention to herself. She looked around nervously, suddenly feeling like it was a mistake for her to have come. But Helene did invite her. Would it be rude of Marya to come to the gala per request and then leave when the parties barely even started?
I'll stay here for another hour. She told herself.
Blame it on homework.
Her anxiety was through the roof. Maybe she did need Natasha to watch over her? She'd been standing in the corner for nearly 30 minutes. It felt like the party was happening around her rather than her being a part of it.
She glanced over to where she last saw her friend, Natasha. Yep she's not there, nor is the man in all white. Shit.
She could feel the anxiety rising in her chest. Her heart felt like it was going to combust, and her head felt light as air.
Abandoning her previous thought, she found her way to the front door and left the house. She almost made it to the driveway when a voice from behind her revealed itself.
“Oh, gone so soon? I don't like parties either. Why I'm out here.”
Marya immediately turned around to see a small woman sitting on the front porch fence post, dangling her legs from the metal.
Marya inched closer and closer to the girl.
“But it's your own gala.. Shouldn't you be inside?”
“It's not my gala. It's my father’s. We have one every time we switch homes. They’re becoming so redundant now, I've begun to hate them.”
Her voice is monotone. The only emotion present being boredom.
She took a sip of whatever was in her cup. Presumably the spiked punch.
“Everything about tonight is a reminder of the past, and I hate how much that bothers me…” she sighed, looking into her cup.
Marya is frozen on the edge of the lawn. She and Helene are the only ones outside, but it doesn't seem like Helene is talking to Marya. More like she's talking to herself, allowing herself to get her thoughts out. Marya just so happened to be a witness.
“I hate how Anatole doesn't have a care in the world about how many times we've moved in the past two years. Every time we move he just finds a way to fit in, and make friends. And when it's time to move again, he just does it all over again.”
She stared up at the sky.
“For me, it's not that easy... I'm not that easy…”
Marya hopped up on the fence and sat beside her.
Helene turned to face her.
“My father he - he hosts these galas to make it seem like we're all okay. He stamps his wealth onto the neighborhood, so it must seem like we're golden right?” she scoffed. Her breath smelled a tinge of alcohol.
“Were not.” She took another swig.
“After mom died… things haven't felt the same. I did a lot of things I regret. I started drinking,..”
She flashed a fake smile to Marya while raising her cup to the sky. Her smile faded fast as she continued to talk.
“I made friends with some of the wrong people…”
Marya did not know what compelled Helene to dump this all on her, but she could tell that it needed to happen, for the sake of Helene’s own mind. She hasn't even known Helene for two whole days, yet she is trusting her with this very personal information. The least Marya could do for Helene, is listen to what she has to say.
“I slept with a lot of people I shouldn't have… Andrey Bolkonsky is the first on that list.”
Recognizing the last name, Marya perked up.
“Bolkonsky? Does he have a sister named Mary Bolkonsky?”
Her mind went to Sonya, who was currently at Mary’s house, keeping her company while she had to take care of her sickly father.
“I guess… I don't really know Andrey that well. It was just a one time thing. Something I wish never even happened.”
She hopped down from the fence onto the concrete of the porch.
“And he has the nerve to show up to my father's gala and call me a slut! Can you believe it?”
She began to take a sip of her beverage again.
Marya’s eyes widened at what Helene just said.
“He called you that?..What an asshole.”
“Yep. He left with some girl. I hope she finds out quick what kind of man he is, so she can leave his ass.”
She stood with her hand on her hip, downing more of what was in her cup.
Marya could see the hurt in Helene’s eyes. She knew Helene shouldn't be drinking, and she also knew Helene didn't want to be drinking. If she could help her newfound friend in any way, it would be to get out of this party. It was clearly damaging Helene’s mind, and with this Andrey guy showing up, it probably escalated all of her numbness.
Not thinking of Natasha or Dolokhov in the moment, Marya asked Helene a question.
“Helene, do you want to get out of here? We can go to my house? Watch a movie? I understand if you have to stay, but for the sake of your mind, we can leave if you'd like.”
All the nervousness Marya had felt before melted away. Helene needed help, and she was glad to have offered it to her. And if need be, she would do it again, and again and again.
Helene looked at the girl on the fence post. How much a contradiction she looked right now. A beautiful woman in a beautiful dress, sitting on a fence post in the most unladylike of ways. That's what she liked about her. Every person Helene had ever met was all the same; Big house, big wallet, pretty face, worse personality. Almost everyone, except her brother fit that description. (Anatole was tolerable, not too much of a bad personality.) Every guy Helene had ever slept with was either horrible to her or ignored her after a week. Every time she would try to make a friend, the rumors would circulate back to them, tainting Helene's chances of friendship. Needless to say, all Helene wanted was a friend. And it looked like she had found her friend in Marya Arkhrosimova.
“No alcohol?”
A smirk arose on her face.
“No alcohol.” Marya repeated as a statement rather than a question.
“Perfect.”
She stepped down from the porch and poured what was left in her red solo cup into the green grass on the lawn.
“Lets go!” She threw the empty cup on the ground.
Marya hopped off the fence post and took Helene by the arm, so she wouldn't stumble when she walked.
Together the two walked to the neighboring house, with the sounds of the crickets chirping in the air as the only sound they could hear.
Once they got inside the house, Marya immediately went into the kitchen to fetch Helene a glass of water, Lord knows she needed it.
Helene plopped down on the sofa, and curled herself into the blanket that was hanging on the couches back.
“Okay I've seen Natasha get drunk too many times to know that the morning after is always the worst. So tomorrow, you should drink this glass - “
Marya stepped into the living room to see Helene sound asleep on her couch, snoring quietly into her blanket.
She set the glass down on the coffee table beside the sleeping girl. She must've had a few drinks before her and Marya’s porch side conversation.
Remembering she left Natasha and Dolokhov at the gala, she pulled out her phone to text them.
Marya: Sorry I left, had to help Helene. I'm in my house with her. Probably gonna stay here the rest of the night. Are you two okay?
After Marya removed Helene’s shoes from off her feet, she sat down in the blue living room chair, across from her. She decided it would be best if she stayed with Helene in the living room tonight, just in case she woke up unexpectedly from her slumber.
Marya kicked off her own shoes, and curled into the chair as best she could. She was just about to close her eyes, when she felt a buzz from her phone. Thinking it was either Natasha or Dolokhov responding to the message she just sent, she checked it without much consideration.
Unknown: Marya, where are you? My brother just brought a very drunk Natasha into the house. I don't really trust Andrey with Natasha, so please as soon as you can, come to my house. Sonya left about 30 minutes ago, and you're the closest to my house.
Marya didn't even think twice before grabbing her keys.
Slipping on her flats, her mind was racing with angry and concerning thoughts of her dangered friend.
I told her not to drink too much, why can't you listen Natasha?!
Oh I hope she's alright by the time I get there…
God, please let her be okay.
Before opening the door, she gave one last glance to the girl on her couch.
“I'll be back Helene.”
She swung open the door, and ran to her old Ford Focus. Before starting the car, she pulled out her phone and frantically texted back.
Marya: I'm on my way
She put the car into drive, and sped down the street towards Mary Bolkonsky’s home.
The thirteen minutes she spent in the car, felt like the longest thirteen minutes Marya had ever experienced.