ᵒⁿᵉ 𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐄 ⁿᵉʷᵗᵐᵃˢ ᵃᵘ (ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᵉᵗᵉᵈ)

Twelve

"Let's play a game." Newt says as Thomas, Teresa, Brenda and Minho sit at a table in the cafeteria. "Who's life sucks the most?"

Thomas laughs. "Newt, I don't-"

He puts his head in his arms. "I need a drink."

Thomas puts a hand on his shoulder. "You're fourteen."

"I don't care." He mumbles.

"Hey, speaking of which," Brenda says. "There's a party. You two are coming."

"None of that was a question." Thomas says.

"It wasn't meant to be." Brenda says. "You're coming."

"I don't want to." Newt says.

"It's fine." Brenda says. "Your boyfriend will be there too."

Thomas blushes but Newt doesn't lift his head.

"Come on." Brenda says, lowering her head to meet his. "It'll be fun. Promise I won't leave you all alone."

Newt groans.

"Well, Thomas has to come." She says.

"Fine." Newt says. "I'll come. But only is Thomas comes too."

That night, Newt stands in his bedroom, Thomas sitting on his bed.

"Newt, you look amazing, stop fussing with your hair." Thomas says, wrapping his arms around the blonds waist from behind, putting his head on his shoulder.

Newt runs a hand through his hair again. "But...this is a high school party, Tommy. It's different."

"The only thing different is the fact that there's beer." He says.

"Like I said," Newt says. "Different."

Thomas nods. "Alright. Well, we still have to go. Come on. You look amazing."

"You have to say that." Newt says.

"Doesn't make it not true." Thomas says.

Newt laughs. He turns around and wraps his arms around his neck.

"I'm only going for you." Newt says.

Thomas kisses him. "Alright. Let's go."

He spins around and grabs Newt's hand, pulling him out the door.

Newt and Thomas stand in front of the house. Newt's head hurts already. The music is too loud. He squeezes his eyes shut and grips Thomas's hand tighter. Then, Brenda runs over to them.

"Boys!" She says, giving them each a kiss on the cheek. "I'm glad you came!"

"Are you?" Newt asks bitterly.

"What's his problem?" She asks Thomas.

"Doesn't want to be here." Thomas says.

"You'll have fun." Brenda says, patting his arm.

She walks back inside.

Newt looks at the house apprehensively.

"Come on." Thomas says, pulling him along. "Let's go."

As soon as they walk into the house, someone thrusts a drink into each of their hands. Thomas sets his down, but Newt holds it tight.

"Newt, don't-" Thomas starts.