About You

5

By 10pm the party was in full swing. I didn't think this small house would hold so many people, but I stand corrected. People were pouring out into the backyard, around a big bonfire JJ and Pope had made. And thank god John B doesn't really have any neighbours, because this many people are not quiet at all.

"Take another shot!" Charli says to me, holding a bottle of vodka.

"I can't do vodka and you know that!" I say laughing. I have had bit to drink tonight. JJ had bought a pack of cigarettes so we've been smoking those too.

Charli and I were sat outside on a big log next to the bonfire with JJ and Kiara. They all had introduced me to multiple people, too many names to remember.

"Fuck it, I'll do it." Kiara says grabbing the bottle and downing a shot.

She passes the bottle to me and I hesitantly take a long swing from it. Immediately I regret it, the taste of vodka makes my toes curl.

"I'm so happy you and your mom finally moved here!" Charli says giving me a small side hug.

"Me too! This is the most fun I've had in a long time."

Quickly my face falls when I remember that I had not called or texted my mom all day. Shit.

"What is it?" Kiara asks me.

"I told my mom I would talk to her and I forgot. Hold on, I'll be right back." I say getting up.

"Are you good?" Charli asks.

"Yeah, I'm gonna call her, just need somewhere I can actually hear her." I laugh and make my way through the crowd of people towards the front of the house. I weave myself through the mass of cars that are parked all the way up the small lane until I find a spot where the music of the party isn't blaring in my ears.

"Theo." My moms voice calls into my ear when she picks up the line.

"Hey mum, I'm so sorry I forgot to text you. We've been out at Sarah's swimming."

"Sarah? Sarah Cameron?"

"Yeah, she's really sweet. All of Chalri's friends are great."

"Well that's good. Are you home tonight?"

"No, gonna stay at John B's house I think."

The line goes silent for a moment.

"The Chateau?"

I make a confused face at my phone. How does she know what its called?

"Yes. The Chateau. How did you know that?"

"I grew up here, Theo. I know a lot of your friends parents."

"Oh yeah."

"I'll let you get back to it. Don't drink too much! I can hear that party through the phone!"

"Ok mum, see you tomorrow. I love you."

"I love you, honey."

Our call disconnects and I stand in the darkness of the forest for a moment. I remember the pack of cigarettes that JJ bought are in my pocket so I decide to light one up before heading back to the party. I lean up against a random car and inhale the smoke into my lungs. I really need to stop smoking.

"Did you bring it?" I hear a voice ask not too far from me. I peak my head over the car and see a guy down the street talking with.. Rafe?

"Yeah man. Left it in the truck." Rafe's voice answers. The two stand in the middle of the small road, Rafe's back to me. I take another hit of my dart.