Nerds Are Lovable

13: Nerds Are Partiers

I am not sober. I knew this was going to happen. I was going to try and avoid it, the drinking. But dang, do I love a party. Especially when it helps me forget the last time I was here. Apparently actually seeing the house again really struck a brain cell because I'd gotten flashes of this night one year ago. It was an ugly reminder of who I'd been for so long after my mom had passed.

"Emma!" I excitedly yell, "I found you!"

"We've been together the whole time, Haley."

"Really?" I keep smiling, "Awesome! Do you wanna go party?" I ask, looking to the makeshift dance floor that's packed with sweaty teens in skimpy costumes.

The whole school was here, partying like there was no tomorrow. It'd been such a heavy crowd of people that no one looked familiar. Everyone blended together, especially after a couple of drinks. The music was so loud that thinking wasn't even an option, talking to people even less. It was just one big game of charades.

"You mean dance? Sure, let's party."

"Woo, party!" I disappear into the crowd.

Best part about parties? I get to grind on anything or anyone and not be judged over it. You can't be embarrassed over something you don't remember happening. And so, I start shaking some ass. The short skirt I'm wearing only bettering my situation. I feel a pair of hands snake around my waist, but the evil glare Emma must give them is enough to make them pull away.

A little unwarranted advice, always have a bad ass friend with you when under some type of influence.

"Woo!" I feel a surge of energy as I drop my hands on Emma's shoulders.

We start jumping up and down when the song switches. Bad idea. The quick movement makes me remember how much of drank and how little I've eaten. There's a pit in my stomach that I know well. And being as long as it has since the last time I was this intoxicated, my tolerance is low.

"Emma," I call for her, "I don't," I can't even finish my sentence, but Emma catches on.

She grabs my waist and leads me off the dance floor. The sweaty bodies slam into us as they don't even realize we're there and can only focus on jumping to the beat, which they're doing poorly. We zigzag our way off the dance floor and Emma guides me up the stairs to the bathroom. From our vast partying experience at Chad's house, we knew that the downstairs bathrooms were either covered in puke or occupied by horny teens.

Emma opens the door to an empty bathroom and follows me in. She grabs my hair and helps me kneel by the toilet. God, I must look so attractive right now.

"God, don't let him see me like this."

"Who?"

"I'm a mess."

"Who can't see you like this?" Emma urges me.

"Jay," Is all I'm able to get out.

Yup, all the downsides of alcohol tend to hit like a truck when they do end up hitting. And having it been a while since my last party, my tolerance is low. The little I have left of both motor and brain function is just enough to make sure I make in the toilet, but that's about all I can process. I breathe heavily, feeling my clammy body.

"What time is it?" I ask once I know I've expelled all the alcohol I could.

"A little past two. Why?"

"Oh, I am a bad influence."

"Are you okay, Haley? Do you need to go home?"

I nod unconsciously, standing up slowly with the help of Emma and any other piece of furniture or wall that I could find. Once I'm up, I walk to the door and pull it open. Low and behold, I'm slapped in the face by Chad seductive talking with some cheerleader on the other side of the hall. And by seductively talking, it's Chad being a total playboy to this poor girl. They both turn to face me when the light from the bathroom hits them.