Beneficial | ANTHONY VAUGHN

008

Tori was not feeling good. In fact, she wanted nothing more than to run away and start a new life in Tasmania.

It was her first big party she had been to without being high off her ass and she was starting to question why anyone would ever enjoy this. She had opted to hide in the bathroom, texting Darren every five seconds to see when they'd show up.

She felt so stupid for dressing up, something her mum had helped her with, and showing up before Darren and Amerie. She felt stupid for not bringing drinks of her own or thinking of some conversation starters as she was too scared to approach the drinks table. She was stupid for showing up at all, but if she left now she would feel even more stupid.

There was a knock at the door.

"Theresa, I swear I don't care if you're on your period, go to the other bathroom" Tori yelled at the girl who had been knocking at the door every few minutes.

"Bitch it's me"

At the sound of Darren's voice, Tori rushed to the bathroom swinging the door open and wrapping her arms around Darren. "Never let me come to a party by myself again" Tori muttered. Darren rolled their eyes at how dramatic she was being but hugged her back anyway.

"Look who I found" Darren gestured to behind them, where a soaking Amerie stood, looking miserable. Tori frowned "You went swimming without me?"

It took a bit but they finally got Amerie at least somewhat dry. "Dusty's parents have cash flow. This stuff is so exxy." Darren smiled as they sprayed some of Dusty's mum's perfume. They held it out for Tori to see and she nodded, causing Darren to start spraying them as well.

"Think it'd be weird to make out with Dusty, smelling like his mum?" Amerie asked.

"Nah if Freud is right, he'll be into that" Tori smiled encouragingly.

"Tori!" The ginger girl turned to see Quinni running into the bathroom, breathing heavily. "Darren!" she panted.

"What's wrong?" Tori asked, instantly dropping what she was holding. "I was trying to listen. Like, at the date, I was trying so hard, but it was the lights, the people, the sound..." "It's okay. Deep breaths." Darren instructed, demonstrating with Tori. Quinni followed though she was still obviously panicking. "Every time I tried to talk or listen or focus, Sasha would look at me like I was weird. And I like her so much. I really wanted this to work. Like, so badly. And I... I just can't ever do any of this. I can't..."

Amerie moved forward to give Quinni a hug, but Tori quickly grabbed her and gently pulled her back. "Sorry love, no touching the Quinni," Tori informed and Amerie looked even more concerned.

"Um, you know what" Darren quickly spoke. "You look great. Why don't you go trap some dick. You know where to find us." Amerie nodded as she headed to the door. "Tori go with her to make sure she doesn't fuck up too bad"

Tori saluted, looking over to Quinni quickly. "I love you my jellyfish" All Quinni could do int that moment was give her a small nod of appreciation. As Tori joined Amerie in the hallway, the girl looked at her concerned. "Will she be alright?" Tori nodded confidently "Yeah, Darren is an expert with this kind of stuff"

The pair head through the hall and into the heart of the party. Tori was feeling a bit better now that she wasn't alone but still wasn't too fond of all the people there. "Can you see Dusty?" Amerie questioned and Tori shook her head no.

The pair turned a corner only for Amerie to suddenly freeze. "Shit, Ant, and Spider distract them" Tori was thrust forward as Amerie ducked into a bedroom. "You bitch" Tori was able to mutter before coming face to face with the two people she wanted to see the least.