Replaced by Two Ghosts

Chapter 3

Ding dong. Stan opens the door.

"Hiya mate, how're you doin'? Come in, come in."

"Hi there." I give Stan a little smile and slip through the little space he left between the door and his body.

"Most people are in the living room."

I walk down the hall, Stan follows me. A smell of alcohol and smoke hits me. People I don't know are standing around with drinks in their hands. I need to step around a couple of them. The smell is getting stronger with every step and the second wave hits me when I enter the living room. I look around. There are a few people sitting on the couches. Everyone has red plastic cups that they are taking sips from every once in a while. I can feel the base of the music vibrating. It's too loud in here, but I don't mind it. At least that way, the music covers my thoughts.

Originally, I didn't want to come. Stan told me about his party plans a couple of days ago, when we hung out at his house. It was right after I went to the lake. We weren't doing much that evening. We just talked a bit and watched some trash TV. I had just recovered from...well, what even was that exactly? My outburst of emotions? Anyway, I wasn't in the mood to go anywhere but mum said it would get my mind off things. She said the same thing this morning, when I mentioned the party.

"Oh Lou, that sounds like fun!"

"Yeah, maybe for people who like parties. I don't."

"Don't be silly, love. We both know you like parties." She chuckled a bit.

"That was the old me", I gave back. She just gave me an amused smile. "Mum, honestly. I don't feel good."

"Love, you haven't been feeling good for the past few days. Don't you think it's time to get out again? Change of scenery?"

"I changed my scenery when I moved back here", I said dryly.

"You didn't particularly move back here, you're just figuring stuff out." I gave her a blank look. "Okay, you know what I mean. Go and live your life, have fun. Just try it, okay?"

"I don't know, mum."

"Please, do it for me. It hurts me to see you that broken." I thought I could see her eyes getting a little wet.

"Okay", I said.

"Okay?"

"Okay, I'll go. But only this one time and only because it's you."

She hugged me afterwards and whispered a quiet "I love you, Lou" in my ear. I couldn't help but smile.

Now I'm here. At Stan's party, with a bunch of people I don't know. And I'm not sure if I'll be able to enjoy it as much as my mum was hoping I would.

"Here drink that, mate. Can't be at a party without a drink, too sad otherwise." A guy I've never seen before hands me one of the red cups. Hesitantly, I smell it. Vodka and some kind of energy drink. I presume it's Redbull. Perfect. My favourite drink. I chuck half of it down and make my way to one of the couches where Stan and the lads are chatting.

"Lewis! What have you been up to? Haven't seen you in ages!" Micah gives me a clap on the shoulder. "Scooch over, lads. Make some space for our old friend here."

I sit down on the small spot between Micah and Sam.

"Good to have you back", Sam turns to me with a smile. "We've missed you here."

"Yeah", is all I bring myself to say. How lucky I am to be back. The lads pick up their conversation again. Something about some guy hooking up with one of their sisters. I'm not paying attention. It doesn't really matter. I just chuck down the rest of my drink and get up, making my way to the kitchen. Some couples are making out on the counter. I simply walk around them and grab the bottle of vodka. I fill my cup halfway, skip the Redbull and chuck the vodka straight. I grimace. The vodka burns in my throat. I fill the cup again, this time I add some Redbull. With the drink in my hand, I walk back to the couch. A guy bumps my shoulder and for a moment I lose my stability.