Maybe I Wouldn't Have

1-Maybe I Wouldn't have met her

Jake

Believe me when I say that I knew what I was walking into, or at least I thought I did.

The chaos raged all around me as I trudged carefully through the lawn of the large, three-story ranch house attempting to avoid the scattered outcroppings of red solo cups, some trampled pancake flat while other, more intact, ones still dripped with alcohol. I took the time to scan the scenery laid out before me. Several pairs of teenagers made out on the porch and against trees in the yard while one guy was running around screaming in his tidy whities. A few kids were sitting by the huge inflatable pool passing around what looked like a blunt. Sure enough, as I watched they began to blow up smoke in slow streams while laughing hysterically.

This place was my towns very own sin city.

Widely known amongst teens for its crazy stunts, unlimited drug supply, hidden location, and some of the best drinks kids had ever tasted, this place could supposedly make or break someone's reputation. The infamous Ranch House party. I know what you're thinking, what a clever name that is, gee, someone deserves a good ole pat on the back for that one. But high schoolers aren't clever, that much was clear given I'd just watched tidy whities guy scream like a banshee as he took a running dive into the inflatable pool. I shook my head, continuing forward even as I heard the resounding smack of his belly flop on the water followed by the annoyed groans of the kids who's joint had been thouroughly doused by the splash.

Entertaining as they were, none of them mattered to me right now, I was only there to surprise my girlfriend, Nikki Bohann, president of the student council, enrolled in all AP classes, part of the top five percent in our school, aspiring model, and captain of the volleyball team. She had thought I was going to be out of town with my family but the plans got cancelled and I was told she liked to hang out here almost every Saturday, so there I was, exploring uncharted territories in an attempt to find her.

As I maneuvered my way through the crowded rooms a few people pointed over at me, some snickered while others simply wore a devious smile. One drunk person even came up to me and patted me on the back with a sad smile before whispering, "it's OK buddy," in my ear. I briefly wondered what that could mean but shrugged it off as not important. I just wanted to find Nikki.

The party goers surrounded me blocking my view along with all of the weed and cigarette smoke mingling in the air around the house. I vaguely wondered to myself if the owners of the ranch house ever smelled any of it or if they simply didn't care. Through the smoke and crowds I searched for Nikki until I caught a glimpse of her blonde hair glinting in the low light, shining brilliantly in the midst of the dark room. My heart sped up in my chest and I couldn't help but smile at the sight of her.

But then the world turned to molasses as my eyes registered the rough hands of my best friend, Caden, tugging through her hair. Both of their eyes were screwed shut in pleasure, their tongues sliding against each other's as they made out on a red couch. My smile immediately fell into a scowl and my vision turned blood red.

I couldn't have said how it happened, but in the next moment I found myself across the room ripping Caden off of the couch and away from Nikki. I heard her startled yelp echo in my ears and this intense pounding in my head, above it all I could hear the string of vulgarities my supposed best friend was aiming at me, which abruptly stopped the minute he saw who he was cursing at.

"Jake! I thought you were going to be out of town for a few days!" Caden says, guilt and bewilderment plainly spread across his face. Nikki quickly rises from her seat, apologies spilling from her lips, apologies that don't stop my blood from boiling, apologies that don't stop my fists from flying into Caden's pathetic face. I feel several parts of his jaw crack under my fists, then his nose, I can see his blood spatter across the hard wood floor. I hear Nikki's cries in the background, the resounding shouts of encouragement from the party goers, and the pained groans of a traitorous weasel. Then suddenly, I feel two pairs of hands lifting me up before I am able to inflict anymore damage to the little asshole.