˗ˏˋOur Differences Sequelˊˎ˗

-47-

Maddie

Each week got easier than the last, and I started to enjoy my summer away from Stanford.

Josh and Anna came over constantly, and we spent almost 3 days straight watching Orange is the New Black with basically zero sleep.

Being surrounded with friends and family was the best thing for me as I tried to get over the breakup. I actually felt bad for Devin, who's pushed away everyone in his life and is having to go through the breakup and more all by himself.

I sure as hell could never. More power to him, though.

Austin's fraternity friends were all getting together tonight and throwing a party at one of the guy's houses. He invited me, Dylan and Alexis, Brandon, and Brandon's girlfriend, Meagan, who I've never met before in my life.

Though I despise parties, Dylan assured me that this was more casual than a party — more of a relaxed hangout/get together with alcohol.

In all honesty, the free alcohol was what called my name, and I also didn't have anything planned for tonight. So I agreed to go.

I was informed of Austin's arrival to our house by Dylan screaming "let's go" from the other side of my closed bedroom door. I threw my shoes on and went downstairs, greeted by Alexis, who was saying goodbye to Nick for the night.

Brandon and Meagan were already in the backseat of the car, and we all piled in to the remaining seats carelessly.

"Is this your Mom's car?" Dylan joked after getting into the passenger seat and adjusting the AC immediately.

Austin started putting the house into his GPS and snickered. "Yeah, dude. My car wouldn't fit everybody."

"It smells like lady in here." Dylan replied with a straight face, and Brandon busted out laughing in the backseat.

The drive to this guy's house took forever. We got stopped at nearly every red light, and Austin got lost 4 times somehow. Probably because Dylan was navigating, and he doesn't know what the hell he's talking about.

The driveway was full of cars already, so we had to park on the side of the road. You could hear the music from far away too. It wasn't club music, which I appreciated.

"Party's in the backyard, so go around the side." Austin instructed all of us as we started walking up to the house.

The backyard wasn't huge, but it was the perfect size for a party this size. There were lights strung up everywhere. the grass was short and green, and the atmosphere seemed incredibly chill.

The sound of Badfish by Sublime echoed throughout the yard, immediately bringing my mind to Devin. He loves Sublime. And I miss him.

I tried to shake the thought of him out of my head by making my way over to the drink station on the patio. They had a wide selection of alcohol, which I'm admittedly inexperienced in the field of expertise.

"Austin, which drink should I get?" I asked him while digging through the ice chest curiously.

Since Dylan and Alexis were coupled off together and Brandon and Meagan were off talking to people, me and Austin had a mutual agreement to hang out during the party.