-Welcome to Reality-

Chapter 4

Chpter 4:  Reckless

Niki's house is only a couple of blocks away, so I was able to get here within five minutes.  I have to park about ten houses down because cars have lined the entire block.  I manage to run late and park a mile away for the second time today.  Deja vu?  I think not.  As I walk towards the house I find myself actually glad I didn't find a space so close.  With the way that most of these cars are parked (which are merely inches apart from each other) one thing is for sure, it's going to be hell trying to get out of here.  And I will not have to be apart of it. Nah nah nah nah nahh.  Since when do I find pleasure in other's misfortune?  I guess the correct answer would be now.  But before I am in sight, I get my game face on (which in this case is a smile) and some how rummage up the old Pierce.  The loud, funny, and crazy Pierce that everyone knows and likes.  Where has he been these last couple of days?  I wish he would come back.  Lately my real self has become a character that I become when I am in public.  A mask, so to speak, that I put on to cover my bitterness....to cover my weakness.  No time to for this now, musn't break character.  

As I walk up the driveway, the first thing I realize is the mass of people in the front yard.  I didn't know this was going to be such a big party.  I elbow my way through the crowd until I reach the front door.    Inside is just as packed as outside, maybe worse.  Before I even step in, I can smell it.  The smell when too many people crowd into a room--breath, sweat, and a hint of beer.  I hate that smell.  First off why cant people brush their teeth before they leave the house?  Is it really too much to ask to set aside two minutes for fresh breath?  No.  And second, has anyone heard of deodorant?  It's this stick that you rub against you under arm pits to prevent that horrid stink that I smell now.  Call me old fashioned, but it is just the considerate thing to do.  As for the beer, why can't someone spend a little extra cash and get some of the good stuff instead of this cheap crap sold by the barrel?  In the meantime, I decide to breath out of my mouth until I get used to the stench.  Epic fail.  People often say,  "It tastes like how it smells."  That is so true.  To keep myself from gagging, I quickly take my mind off of it and try to think of something else.  Sadie.  Where is she?  I look around and I see people everywhere--they are up the stairs and extend all the way into the backyard.  Being the "people person" that I am, I normally know almost everyone at a party.  But tonight, almost half of these faces I have never seen before in my life.  There is really only one person I am looking for right now.  Sadie.  And she is no where is sight.  

Suddenly, I feel load of weight pounce onto my back.  I turn to face Jerry who's all red, sweaty and clearly had too much to drink.  Idiots.  We haven't even graduated yet.

'HEY PIERCE"  He yells over the music that's already giving me a headache.  "Did you just get here?"  

"Hey man.  Yeah I uh...was delayed for a bit." 

"Is this a zoo in here or what?!"  He says half laughing.  I can tell he is enjoying it.  

"Tell me about it."  

He leans in closely to me.  God you smell.  I do my best not to push him away, so I take a casual step back.  He leans in again.  Dude get away from me.  

"I got my hands full tonight."  He says pervertedly while raising his eyebrows.  You dog.  

"Oh?"  I try to act interested while I take out my phone to text Sadie.  I write: Where are you?

"Check em' out- nine O'clock."

There are a whole bunch of people to my left.  How am I supposed to know who to look at?  So I just shift my eyes over to that direction pretending to actually see who he is referring to.