𝑻𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌🌙 |𝑳𝒖𝒊𝒔 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒛𝒂 𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒄|

-21-

"Gone"

NAI'S POV

"Have you heard anything about Portman?" Luis asks as we take a seat at our lunch table

"He said he was still very sick" I answered, a bit sadly but shrugged it off "I feel bad for him, but I'll probably go bring him something along with his homework"

"I wouldn't mind tagging along if that's fine with you"

I smiled and nodded. I do feel bad that Dean isn't here, but all I can do is at least bring stuff to make him feel better.

I noticed that Fulton was skimming around the cafeteria confused. Luis noticed the same and asked him who he was looking for.

"I'm looking for Portman" He sighed as he took another skim of the cafeteria

"Dean?" I repeated as I cocked an eyebrow "He told me he's still sick"

Fulton looks at me with a bewildered look as he said the following "Portman told me he was gonna be here to help me find my helmet for practice"

"So.... He lied?" I pondered, but didn't think much of it.

He might've felt better after he told me, but then again- the way he sounded on the phone sounded as if he had a terrible flu. I offered to miss school to go see him but he recommended I stay away from him until he's fine.

The team and I noticed a group of people handing out bright yellow invitations to everyone. One of them headed over to our table and handed each of us an invitation.

"A party on a Tuesday?" Charlie clarified as he cocked an eyebrow

"Who's party is it?" Julie questioned the person

"Duh! It's Dean Portman's party man! His parties are the craziest" the person chuckled as he continued "One time, a kid broke his whole arm because he jumped from the counter to the table! You guys gotta stop by"

I continued to rethink what Dean told me. He never lied to me before. As far as I know, we would tell each other everything. So why all of a sudden?

Luis grabbed the flyer from my hand as he re-read what the invitation said. He looks at everyone and asks if they were actually going to go to this party.

All of them shook their heads, mostly because it was a school day and also they heard a lot about Dean's party. Ken heard that someone literally broke down the door because they were so drunk that they thought the door was a man and started to beat the fuck out of it.

As Ken and the others were talking about how crazy Dean's parties were, Luis slightly nudged me. Breaking my thoughts.

"Are you gonna go still?" He whispers

"Yes, I just need to know why I didn't hear about this party and probably clear things up" I whispered back

*****

Tuesday, September 16th. 5:30pm

"Ughhh I'm so hungry" Goldberg groaned as we all got out of the stadium

Julie nodded "I can really use a hamburger right now"

"After practice?" Brian chuckles "Wouldn't that gain the carbs you just burned?"

"Don't question a woman Brian" she warns as we laugh

"I'll see you guys tomorrow. I have to do something" I waved goodbye as Luis follows

Luis didn't bother to ask anything or matter of fact say anything. We walked in silence until we reached Dean's street. People from every corner headed to his apartment as we were able to hear faded music just down the street.

I stare nervously at the building as I tightly gripped my bag and hockey stick. Luis slightly tapped me on the shoulder "We can head back if you want"

"No- no I wanna do this" I gulped "I-It can't be that bad? Right?" I stared at him as he shrugged

"I never went to parties like his before, but since you wanna do this, I got your back"

I slightly nod as I continued my way towards the building. The music started getting louder and louder with each step I take. I'm surprised his neighbors haven't filed a complaint.

As we made it to his door, we watch as a tall guy throws a short guy out the door. Luckily Luis pulled me back or else he would've bumped into me, and I do not want to get involved with that.

"Let's stick together for now" he said

"Yeah, I was gonna say that as well" I gulped as I looked down at the short guy "You don't think he's..."

"Let's just head inside so we don't have to find out"

When we entered, the music was too loud that I couldn't hear my thoughts. People were laughing, some talking like they are shouting and some arguing about God knows what.

"Where are we gonna find Portman?!" Luis shouts, barley enough for me to hear "There's too many people that I can't even look at my feet!"

I skimmed around the room, no sight of him "We should split up! In exactly five minutes we will meet outside okay?!"

He gives me a thumbs up as he pushes through the crowd on one side and me going the opposite direction.

I call out for Dean a few times but there was no answer but people continuing to be boisterous. How the hell can there be so many people on a party that's on a weekday? I couldn't see no sign of him until I saw the scary guy from yesterday.

I walk over to him and tap his shoulder. He looked almost out of it as he grabbed the wall for support.

"You're the pretty girl from yesterday right!?" He asked as he lets out a chuckle

I ignored his weird comment, not wanting to get into it "Have you seen Dean?! I've been trying to find him and I can't see him anywhere!"

After what I said, I think it made him snap out of it "You should probably go! This party can be wild!"

"Go?! Why?! I have to find Dean!" I stated

"C'mon kid! This place is dangerous! You're gonna get hurt!" He warns me

"I'm not gonna repeat myself mister!" I told him, a bit irritated

I skimmed through the crowd once more and finally saw him.

"Excuse me but I gotta go see my boyfriend! Thanks anyways!" I thanked as I walked passed him and followed Dean

I tried calling his name but he didn't turn back. I pushed past people until I see him take a seat on his couch.

I bump into a woman as she cusses me out "Watch it you little rat!" She spat as I continued walked through the crowd

"Never again am I going to a party" I thought annoyingly

"There you are Dean! I was looking everywhere for-"

I felt my heart drop as I see him sitting down, with a girl on his lap.

***********************************************