Ain't No Mountain High Enough

"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"

 There was an uneasy silence in the living room while Veronica thought up a "juicier" question for me. I was starting to feel sick from chugging the beer from the dare I did a few turns back. I'd heard of alcohol poisoning before, and while part of me was worried I'd just poisoned myself, the majority of my mind was too fuzzed up to care.

Besides, who could be worried about alcohol poisoning with what came out of Veronica's mouth next?

"All righty, Rand," she said, raising a finger. "How about this? Do you love Valerie?"

All of a sudden, the atmosphere of the room became almost hostile. Arjun facepalmed, and, though I couldn't get myself to face Valerie directly, I saw her turn white as a sheet out of the corner of my eye. And, good heavens, Stephen looked as awkward as anyone would be in his situation, staring at anything but me or Valerie. His face was starting to turn red.

"Me?" I said, horrified. And then a fury of emotions ran over me like a charging army. Confidence, rage, and frustration all joined into one like Legend of Zelda's Triforce. However, what came out of my mouth wasn't one big "Hyah!". But that would have been a lot less embarrassing.

"Actually," I said, straightening in the wheelchair. "I don't even have to answer that." I found it in me to face Valerie, and her eyes were wide with horror. She was giving me a look that was practically screaming at me to shut up. But I went on. Of course, like an idiot, I went on.

"Valerie knows the truth to that," I said to the group, and I almost felt bad for how out of place Stephen suddenly looked. "She's known the truth to that ever since our graduation. Don't you, Val? Why don't you tell everyone what happened that night?"

"All right, that's enough," Arjun said. He glared at me like this was my fault. I guess it sort of was, but hey! I wouldn't have said my thoughts if I wasn't drunk, and if Veronica hadn't pushed me with that truth!

"You know, I have to get up really early tomorrow," Valerie suddenly said as she got up from the couch. "I have a dance rehearsal tomorrow."

"I'll take you home," Stephen said just as abruptly.

"Well, you kind of have to," Keto said, giggling like a kid and drunk as a skunk. "You drove her here in the first place."

Poor Stephen was as red as a tomato, but I found myself enjoying it. I realized I was grinning, and after an angry glare from Valerie, I quickly turned it into a frown. Man, I was really drunk.

Veronica stood, wobbling. "We haven't even had the cake yet, though!" she cried.

Arjun took her by the shoulders. "I think what you need is to sleep," he said gruffly. He started to steer her towards her room, and Keto, who looked half-asleep already, followed.

"Wait-- It's still early!" I said, but when I glanced at the time it was, in fact, nearing midnight. How long had we been playing that stupid game?!

"Randall," Valerie said as Stephen helped her put on her pink peacoat. She was still glaring at me.

I paused, my mouth hanging open as I tried to find something to say. Anything that would help to fix the situation. "Val, I'm--"

She glanced at me once, hurt in her eyes. Her and Stephen hurried out the door and she slammed it before I could finish.

Well, wasn't this just fantastic? I was left alone with my drunk thoughts until Arjun came back out into the living room.

"Happy birthday to me," he said as he plopped down on the couch. He turned his head to face me. "Randall, never give alcohol to that girl again. I thought we agreed on that a long time ago?"

I shrugged. "She's an independent woman, Arjun." I leaned my head back and stared at the ceiling. What a night this was turning out to be. "I'm sorry about this, man." I clapped my hand over my forehead. It was starting to pound already, and I knew I'd be hurting in the morning.

I heard him grunt. "I don't like parties anyway. Especially surprise ones." He shrugged. "I'll admit it's not entirely your fault, I guess, but you really stepped in it this time."

I gritted my teeth. Now who knew when Valerie would ever talk to me again. Regardless of whether or not it was fully my fault, that girl could hold a grudge. Once in high school I had accidentally deleted a ten page paper she had been working on and she ended up having to rewrite all of it again. I helped, of course, but she didn't speak to me for days after. And that was a complete accident!

Arjun got up and stretched his arms. "Well, I've got to be at work early tomorrow. Thanks for...what fun we did have. I'll come by for some cake tomorrow if I have time, so don't let Veronica eat it all."

"I can't promise anything," I said rubbing my face to keep the frustration from showing. "You might as well take it with you."

Arjun smirked. "I almost want to, but I wouldn't be around to see the tragic look on her face when she realizes I took it." He shook his head. "Nah, I'll just come by for some tomorrow."

He put on his jacket, then headed out the door without saying goodbye.

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This one's a little late, so sorry about that! Thanks for reading!

Check out Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"!

Peace ✌ ~ A.J.