With Me | Chris Sturniolo

4.

Today is Friday. Almost a week since I went back to school. Today was Halloween, Matt's party. It wasn't hard to convince Callie to come to the party like I thought it would be. With Jack and I annoying her, she gave in quickly.

My phone buzzed with a text from Callie, saying she'd be here in five.

I took a deep breath, pushing my Mom's words out of my head. When I told her my plans tonight, she didn't take it well.

You promised, Sabrina, she lectured. You're not supposed to be out partying and drawing attention to yourself.

It's one night, I'll be on my best behaviour.

She shook her head, not believing me. This is a bad idea, she said. If people around me get hurt, it'll be my fault.

Pushing her out of my mind, I grabbed my small purse to put my keys, gum and phone in, and then I went downstairs.

At 9:30, Jack's car pulled into the driveway. My mom was at work, so I sent her a text, knowing she wouldn't reply until later. My Mom was a flight attendant, so it was normal to not hear back for a while.

Here, in Boston, I'm going to do things differently. I already screwed up my plan to keep my head down, but I'm going to have friends.  I want to have friends, I want to live a normal school year.

I lock the door and walked to the car, where Callie got out of the front seat, so we can admire each other's costumes.

"You look hot!" She said, smiling.

I was dressed as a 20's flapper in a black dress, with long beaded necklaces.

"You too!"

Callie was dressed as a Pink Lady from Grease.

"Hello?" Jack interrupted, walking around the car from the driver's side. "Why has no one commented on my outfit?"

Jack was wearing cargo's, a navy shirt and a black hat with FBI on it.

"Very creative" I said, rolling my eyes as we got into the car.

"Yeah, I've never seen it before" Callie added sarcastically.

"What? Like a pink lady and a flapper are creative" he said, pulling out of my driveway. "Plus, I figured almost every other girl is going to be dressed as a cop, a nerd or some hero. I figured if I dress to match, it'll be easier to hook up"

Callie looked back at me from the front seat and rolled her eyes.

"Are you drinking tonight, Jack?" I asked him. "If you are, I don't want you to drive us home"

"Duh, it's no being the only sober guy at a party"

"Alcohol makes you an idiot, Jack. Remember at Christmas when you tried to backflip off Nate's roof into his pool?" Callie pointed out.

"Hey, In alcohol's defence, I've done stupid things sober"

"Can't argue with that" Callie muttered

I felt anxious. "If Jack is drinking, how are we getting home?"

Callie looked back at him. "Jack is crashing at Matt's with the guys. My brother will pick us up when I call him"

I let out a sigh of relief, and Callie and I went back to talking about our costumes.

Ten minutes later, we pull into Matt's street. His house was easy to find from the kids in the front, and the loud music. There's a lot of people here already.

Jack parked a few houses away from Matt's and for late October, it wasn't cold. Walking up the driveway, and saying a hello to some people, we go to the front door and walk into the Halloween themed house.