There’s An Abba Song For Everything
You can dance
You can jive
Having the time of your life
Ooh, see that girl
Watch that scene
Digging the dancing queen
Throwing a 70s-80s music-themed party had best idea that Mary could think of. Mid-September, and the weather was still warm enough for people to get creative with their outfits, making her 17th birthday a vintage fashion parade. The only big rule she had set was her exclusive claim to ABBA because no one in the world loved ABBA more than she did. It was simply impossible and irrational; she had at least 4 posters of them in her room, knew the names of all the band members, and could sing every song's lyrics better than Agnetha herself. As for her birthday outfit, she was proud of her showmanship, wearing a white and silver jumpsuit adorned with ruffles on the sleeves and pants' bottoms. She had paired it with silver hoop earrings and white makeup, making her look like she had stepped right out of an '80s reference within "Mamma Mia." Mary had never felt more beautiful; she was confident and proud of her work. Not all her guests could be as creative as she was and reach such a high level of attire. On the other hand, not everyone could shine like her. She realized it could be a challenging request.
<<For the love of God, what are you wearing?>>
<<Why?>>
<<Fake mustaches, really?>>
Sirius Black spread a guilty smile in front of her before giving her a twirl to showcase the magnificence of his costume: he was wearing a pastel pink sweater and a hideous black leather skirt, heels that were too high to endure for the entire party, and blinding highlighter pink earrings. It was a dazzling and dreadful sight that Mary never wanted to see, especially because it involved silly synthetic mustaches that made Sirius look ridiculous.
<<I'm Freddie Mercury in 'I Want to Break Free.'>>
<<Freddie can pull off that wardrobe, but you? I don’t think so>> she told him with raised eyebrows and a skeptical look, while on the other hand, she received only an offended look. But her frown lasted only for a few seconds.
<<You're just jealous because I look better than you.>> and before she could complain about anything or throw a punch, just to prove to the world that they were insufferable and she deserved respect as the birthday girl and now older than him, Sirius planted a kiss on her cheek and ran away.
<<That idiot.>>
Mary heard a noise behind her ear.
<<Boo.>> With a start, she turned to the other side, letting out a sigh of relief when she saw that it was only Dorcas. Her friend had been hesitant to come, saying she didn't know anyone and probably wouldn't be much of entertainment or welcomed company anyway. They didn't have many mutual friends, and as talkative as she could be in her areas of interest, she lacked social interaction skills. But Mary had begged her on her knees, and as stubborn as her friend could be, she knew she wouldn't miss her birthday. <<You look fabulous,>> she said, smiling and giving her two kisses on the cheek. The other girl laughed, trying to fix her hair.
<<I don't think I'm nailing who I'm trying to portray, unfortunately.>>
<<I hope you're kidding.>>Mary playfully punched her arm.
<<It's certainly not extravagant, but it's just fine. Besides, you're not the only one who went for leather jackets just to be safe>> she joked, nodding towards James and Lily on the other side of the room. When they arrived with the most atrocious couple costume they could even consider for her fantastic theme party, she had to restrain herself from strangling them with her bare hands and using them as piñatas to beat.
<<Who are they supposed to be?>>
<<Sandy and Danny from Grease.>>
<<So, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Can they be considered singers?>> Dorcas objected, raising an eyebrow.
<<Well, they did a musical, I suppose.>>
The response was accompanied by a resigned sigh from Mary, who, as much as she was disappointed, wouldn't ruin the couple's entrance.
Suddenly, Mary felt an arm slowly slide around her shoulders, and she turned around sharply, startled, ready to put into action the 4 years of taekwondo her father had forced her to take years ago. Fortunately, she had time to see Marlene's cheerful face beside her, flashing a bright smile before attempting any special moves. A real shame; it could have been a wonderful show for everyone present.
<<Hello there.>>
<<Could you kindly stop scaring me to death on my birthday? Until proven otherwise, I'd like to surpass seventeen.>> Mary replied.
Her friend simply shook her blonde locks as a muffled laugh pressed to escape from her lips. At least she was trying to hold it back.
<<Alright, I'll try again at 27. At least you'll die at the age of rock stars>> Marlene said, shifting their attention from Mary to Dorcas, who leaned against the wall with crossed arms, looking elsewhere as if not to disturb them. It was, to be honest, quite unusual for Marlene to take notice of someone like that. Not that they couldn't like her, but she usually went for the louder, more chaotic things. Who knows what had caught her attention that evening as her brown eyes scanned every single atom that made up Dorcas's body.
<<Mary, you're a terrible host, you don't even introduce your guests to each other; it's unacceptable.>>
Now, Mary didn't need to dig any further to understand that Marlene was interested. But Marlene's interest could mean many things, which Mary was not ready to entrust to Dorcas. Nevertheless, finding someone else she could converse with so as not to be isolated in a corner all evening was a welcome idea. Unfortunately, Mary was someone who didn't think twice about introducing two people to each other; it was the individuals that made relationships complicated, and she wasn't going to take on any further responsibilities.
<<Oh, come on, you're the one who appeared behind me.>> Mary said with a wave of her hand, turning to Dorcas with a look she hoped would serve as a warning. <<Well, she is—>>
Everything is fine
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance
Mary's face began to frown as she turned slowly. She raised a finger in their direction, while her gaze surveyed the room. <<Just give me a moment.>>
YOU ARE THE DANCING QUEEN
YOUNG AND SWEET
ONLY SEVENTEEN
<<BLACK, TURN THAT STEREO DOWN BEFORE WE GET REPORTED>>
Both of them watched the scene, laughing, as Sirius and Mary stumbled over their outfits and too-high heels, chasing each other around the room. They also saw them bump into someone and nearly spill some guests' drinks, all with the magnificent background of the still playing radio and colorful threats filling the atmosphere. Certainly, there would be no boredom later. That was a certainty learned by most of the guests.
Marlene was the first to turn towards her with a smile plastered on her face.
<<Back to us…>>
<<Whitney.>>
She looked at her, particularly confused. <<Sorry?>>
Pointing to her outfit, the white tank top, jeans, and leather jacket accompanied by specially voluminous hair, the girl in front of her tried to make sense of her response.
<<You wanted us to introduce ourselves, right? For today I'm Whitney Houston.>>
<<What about tomorrow?>> A truly silly question. Any human being would interpret that little charade as a sign of little interest in deepening acquaintances. But the shrugged shoulders Marlene received in return amused her even more, it even delighted her. So, she extended her hand.
<<Pleasure, Debbie Harry. Well, mostly during her golden years.>>
╚══════╝
Dorcas blew her nose as if a waterfall could come out of her nostrils. Her eyes were red from crying, watery and tired, as she remained wrapped in blankets on the couch. A pathetic sight, she realized, but she couldn't help it. She felt awful and wanted to disappear, to go far away. Maybe she would, packing her bags and running away forever didn't seem that difficult. But her friends had definitely thought differently, and there wasn't much she could do about it.
<<I hate her.>> she muttered.
Mary wrapped her arm around her, pulling her closer and resting her head on Dorcas with a sigh. <<We know.>>
<<You didn't have to come>> Dorcas said, not with malice, perhaps with a hint of shame and some guilt.
<<We know,>> Alice replied this time with her comforting smile as she placed the biscuits she had brought on the table. She sat down on the other side of the couch and placed a hand on Dorcas's shoulder. <<But we came anyway, didn't we?>>
With a nod, she indicated the rest of the room. Usually, the number of people in front of her at that moment would have been overwhelming, not to mention the fact that they were seeing her in that state, and she would have preferred to dig a hole and never come out rather than be there. But as much as she would never admit it, this was one of those cases where she didn't find the company of others burdensome, even when she herself looked unbearable. Even being crushed on one side by Mary's embrace and on the other by Alice didn't make her feel suffocated, so she gave in to a sigh and wiped her tears away. Mary tried to lighten the mood slightly, failing miserably as she recited some strange quip about how "the sea being full of fish, and she could find better than a shrimp." But it didn't have the desired effect, and Lily gave her a tap on the shoulder as a reprimand.
<<I could always go buy some drinks.>>
<<Remus John Lupin.>>
<<What? It usually helps.>>
This time, Dorcas laughed. Remus's embarrassment in that type of situation reminded her a lot of her own, and somehow it was more comforting than any words from Mary about how she could do better. It reminded her that even the person in front of her was human and that there were those who were worse off than her. If he wanted, Remus could be a formidable opponent.
<<If I didn't look like a wreck, I would have agreed to go out for a drink at some dingy place with you, Lupin.>>
<<Well, Meadows, tomorrow is a new day, and it doesn't sound like a bad plan to me.>>
<<Maybe.>> Dorcas replied.
<<Cassie, Rem is actually almost right; you've been locked in here for three days already. If not today, then tomorrow, you must try to get up.>>
Lily said it, leaning against the wall and looking at her with worried emerald eyes and a wrinkled nose. She had always been like that; concern wrinkled the skin between her eyebrows and her nose so much that half of her freckles disappeared into the creases. The most annoying thing about seeing that specific expression on her face was that she was always right, which prompted Dorcas, in despair, to let out a groan.
<<It depends on what gifts you've brought for your queen's recovery.>> Her words came out too exhausted and almost muffled by tears, but the others present still managed to muster a laugh, which she had hoped to hear. Everyone except Mary, who seemed quite offended instead.
<<How dare you? The only queen in here is me. This is an outrage against the crown of England, a great offense that I will not easily overlook.>> Before the other could retort, she found herself facing a tray full of strawberry jam cookies. Alice gave her a warm smile.
<<Baked with my own hands.>>
Dorcas took one and brought it to her lips with a painful sigh. <<Why can't you become my girlfriend? I would be so happy surrounded by your cookies.>>
<<Because she's already engaged to me, Your Majesty.>> Frank said, getting in between them and even pinching her cheeks as if punishing her for her words.
<<You don't deserve her.>>
<<Oh, and you do?>>
As the two bickered about who deserved Alice's love more, a battle that, judging by Alice's expression, was already lost from the start for poor Dorcas, Lily shook her head and took her guitar out of its case. Now, not everyone in the midst of a heart crisis would be keen to spend an evening surrounded by people, cookies, and a guitar, for obvious and justifiable reasons. But this was their way of overcoming problems together, even the most personal ones, the kind Dorcas used to prefer to keep to herself and resolve with the sheer strength of her arms because that's what normal people did. But The Valkyries, accompanied by Remus's emotional support, who, like Dorcas, was one of the group's most recent additions, were not normal people after all. They celebrated any difficult moment in their lives, because celebrating and venting the drama always made it look ridiculous the next day and allowed them to laugh about it. So, Lily took a chair and sat down to tune the guitar, while next to her, Remus took a seat on the floor, with his legs folded up against his chest and his knees near his chin.
<<So, what do you want to play?>>
Mary got up with a knowing smile and went to the room she shared with Dorcas, pulling out two karaoke microphones, one blue and one green. That was also a ridiculous detail; the two microphones had the same quality as a Nokia and probably came from the same era. When she returned to the living room where they were all gathered, she handed the second gadget to Alice but addressed Lily.
<<Well, there's an ABBA song for everything, right? Who is better than them for a broken heart?>>
At Remus's impertinent snort, she shot him a glare, but he responded with a shrug, as if he were not guilty. As punishment, Mary decided to sit next to him; she would sing in his ears for his insolence. He had learned the hard way how persistent Mary's obsession was, and when he started complaining, Mary had obviously taken it as a personal challenge. Lily, on the other hand, just let out a laugh and shook her head. What else could she do? Her friend was right.
You and I can share the silence
Finding comfort together
The way old friends do
And so they started to sing in a circle around the living room table. Some on the couch, some on the floor, some on chairs borrowed from the kitchen. It was almost a comical scene, but at that moment, there were only the six of them. University, work, and broken hearts could wait until the next day. Remus had always noticed it: ever since he had known them, they had always been like this, seeking solace in each other, perhaps even with a touch of nostalgia, a feeling he could not understand or grasp like most of them. He could never perceive it properly, and yet he didn't mind witnessing it, and he knew that there was a part of them that perhaps he would never have time to see and know, because when they were there, as much as they were having fun, their voices echoed like there was a void they couldn't miss, resonated with missing parts and adventures left behind. Nevertheless, Remus was grateful to be there and to participate in that small reality that had become part of his days thanks to them. On the other hand, he never sang with them, sometimes Lily forced him to stay with the guitar because she wanted to be able to get up and sing with the others, and he strummed enough chords to give her that freedom. But he never interrupted, never intruded on their intimacy for fear of bursting a bubble too delicate. He always thought that singing himself would break a spell he couldn't understand. And he was fine with that; his voice wasn't great anyway.
We will always see it through
Oh, I don't care what comes tomorrow
We can face it together
The way old friends do
Meanwhile, Mary had gotten up, freeing his ears from the terrible microphone quality and joining Alice in her increasingly dramatic performance. And while Dorcas hadn't stopped sniffling, a shadow of a sincere smile could be seen between her lips when Mary pointed at her theatrically. To say that she looked better would be an exaggeration, but certainly the situation hadn't worsened, and seeing the others sing for her, disappearing into questionable dance moves, couldn't help but do her good. They had two different ways of making fools of themselves, but they complemented each other splendidly. After finishing their song, they even bowed, receiving nothing but heartfelt applause from the three people still seated: Remus, Dorcas, and Lily with the guitar.
This time, Alice turned to Lily cheerfully.
<<Give us another one, maestro.>>
<<Not an ABBA one>> Remus joked beside her: not that he didn't like them, mind you, he would never dare to defame such a great band, but in that house, they were a constant, and he could only tolerate '80s disco-pop for a limited period of time.
Poor Remus, he would never learn that there are certain things you just have to endure and not complain about when you're inside Maryam MacDonald's walls. Because insolence, as mentioned before, must certainly be punished.
<<Okay. Lily, play whatever you want.>>
The first chord rang out in the air.
<<But you, Remus Lupin,>> she admonished, pointing the karaoke microphone at him, <<have to dance.>>
He laughed. <<Nice one.>>
<<I'm not kidding. I'll kick you out, Remus.>> The unpleasant realization made him open his mouth as if it were the most absurd thing he had ever heard. Mary expected him, Remus John Lupin, to get up and dance.
<< You’re playing with me.>> A single look from Mary made it clear that she was absolutely serious and that if he didn't get up, she would drag him out by his feet and leave him out in the cold. To avoid that from happening, because deep down (maybe a bit too much), she cared about him, she pulled him up herself.
<<Mary, I don't dance>>
<<Today, you do>> she replied, turning her back to him and giving Dorcas a scrutinizing look before dragging her into the dance. Oh no.
<<Mary, I don't either like- >>
<<Oh, don't play coy. You're always bouncing around the house; you can dance, even if it's terribly questionable, and Remus can learn. Commit to it and give us a nice waltz.>> She sat back on the couch with her arms crossed and raised eyebrows, waiting. Lily continued to strum in the background, and to encourage them, Mary began to clap her hands in time. Remus and Dorcas looked at each other as if they had suddenly become strangers, as if they had just been paired up without ever having seen each other in their lives and had to attempt the impossible, and maybe that was the flaw of being too similar to each other. But Alice started singing, and Mary stretched her leg to deliver a well-placed blow to his calf, making him curse and roll his eyes. Dorcas saw him realize that there would be little escape from Mary's clutches and that the sooner they started, the sooner the torture would end.
When we were younger
We thought everyone was on our side
Then we grew a little
And romanticized the time I saw
Flowers in your hair
Awkwardly, Remus took her hands, and they began to sway to the rhythm, as stiff as logs, with no fluid movement in their legs or arms. In front of everyone, they seemed even more ridiculous. Perhaps a bit too much, because among the others, Frank decided to get up. They approached them and adjusted their arms so that they were slightly closer. As sudden as it might have been, moving together was easier now, more automatic due to their proximity. As if to instruct them, Frank offered their hand to Alice to dance. When the two couples stood side by side, Remus realized he couldn't keep up with them and felt more embarrassed than before, no matter what Frank's intention was. They moved with their girlfriend as if they were the same person, something Remus didn't know how to do, no matter who his dance partner was.
Cause it's a long road to wisdom
But it's a short one to being ignored
So he decided to improvise. He couldn't move like they did, he wouldn't succeed, and he couldn't shake off the feeling of crossing an invisible line in his mind, which he liked to call the great boundary set by his conscience. He spun Dorcas around and, knowing that the song's rhythm was about to change, he stopped her turn and made her face away from him so Remus couldn't see her annoyed expression, and she couldn't sense his nervousness. They could do it; how many strangers danced together in bars? They knew each other; they were friends. It was something they could do. Now that they had changed the dynamics, they were still clumsy, but they were beginning to keep time, and Dorcas, in turn, started to take the initiative.
Be in my eyes
Be in my heart
Be in my eyes, aye-yeah-yeah
Be in my heart
Since then, they finished the song dancing wherever the guitar took them, not as tightly as Alice and Frank, but in their own way, with a different kind of intimacy. They linked arms, spun around, clapped hands and elbows, and, in their own small, somewhat ridiculous way, they made it work. It was more fun than either of them would admit to the others later, when they would pretend to be offended by the situation. They were more in sync with the rhythm than with each other, and somehow tried to take turns giving directions. Next to the couple, who probably had a lifetime of experience dancing together, they were laughable, but perhaps that had been Mary's intention all along because even they were laughing, whether at themselves or the situation, didn't really matter.
Cause it takes a man to live
It takes a woman to make him compromise
For the final chorus, Remus bent down and hugged Dorcas's legs, lifting her up in surprise and spinning her around. A daring move, probably done in the heat of the moment, because he wouldn't have taken such an initiative otherwise. It simply wasn't among his qualities, but when he was with that group of lunatics, he tended to forget what his strict conscience whispered in his ear. After the moment of surprise, she also extended her arms as if he were making her fly and burst into an incredulous laugh. Maybe Remus was going more insane than he thought.
So be in my eyes
Be in my heart
Be in my eyes, aye-yeah-yeah
Be in my heart
When he put her down, Dorcas sighed in relief and hugged him, which perhaps surprised him more than his improvised dance move did.
<<If you weren't a man, I would go out with you.>>
<<I'm not the first person you've said that to tonight, so I'll take that information with a grain of salt.>>
Before they could add anything else to their conversation, Lily stepped in.
<<Dorcas, be careful. Our Lupin has a line of admirers. If someone hears you, you might be in trouble.>>
Remus rolled his eyes and gave his best friend an elegant middle finger and a forced smile. In return, she blew him a kiss before strumming a few more chords.
<<Alright.>> Mary got up from the couch, clapping her hands. <<Now it's Your Majesty's turn to pick the song.>> she said, pointing to Dorcas with a half-bow. The two exchanged a knowing glance and a sly smile, and Remus knew what awaited him.
<< ‘Voulez-Vous'? >>
<<And 'Voulez-Vous' it is.>>
Resigned to his fate, Remus sat back down on the floor, sighing and leaning against Lily's chair. But before they started singing, Dorcas approached him with a smile.
<<Thanks, Rem.>>
Although it was actually more thanks to Mary than him, he just smiled and tilted his head to the side. He thought that the brilliant girl in front of him was a bit foolish to lock herself away for matters of the heart, but he thought it in the most positive sense possible. Dorcas could be a quite cold and rational person, enclosed in her little world of studies, books, and yet, when she became attached to someone, she seemed to magically acquire the ability to amplify her emotions. The human mind was strange. Or maybe Remus just befriended crazy people.
<<You're welcome, Cassie.>>
If he ever met this infamous Marlene who had reduced her to this state, he would probably scratch her car. It seemed like a quite reasonable reaction after all.