Senior Slump Or Comeback Of The Year

Surprise Party

"Is it always so loud? Patrick asked.

There'd been music blaring from downstairs for about fifteen minutes now. Andy told him to just ignore it. That it was like that almost every Friday. So Patrick ignored it and continued kicking his ass at his own game.

But now there were loud voices and feet stomping along with the music. It was like someone was having a party. Which wouldn't make sense because of course Andy would go to a party at his own house. But still, the noise was distracting.

"Sometimes it's louder." Andy shrugged. "Game nights are the worst."

"Oh." Patrick nodded in understanding then. "Does your father have guys over to watch games and stuff on the big screen?"

"No." Andy laughed. Pressing the buttons on his controller harder than necessary. It didn't help. Patrick beat him for the sixth time in a row. "Damn how do you keep doing that?"

"I may be a loser at life but I'm a winner on any video game."

"I think that may be my senior quote."

"You're welcome." Patrick laughed. "It's getting pretty late." He stood up. "I should probably get going."

"It's only ten." Andy pouted.

"I have to get up early and help my mom with a few errands."

"Wait for me downstairs. I'm going to grab my shoes and take a leak."

"I'll wait by the car." Patrick said before slipping out the door.

If he thought the noise was loud from the room, it was ear splitting now. Horror struck him as he walked down the winding staircase. The downstairs area was full of people. People from their school!

He wanted to turn around and run back up the stairs, but he also knew he needed to get home. Why wouldn't Andy warn him about what was going on down here? Why would he send him to into the lion's den blind and confused? Some friend he was turning out to be.

Patrick kept his head lowered and rushed down the remaining stairs. There was almost a clear path to the front door. He only had to brush past a few people, none of them paying any attention to him. Everyone was too busy dancing or drinking. It felt like he's won another level of a video game when he made it to the door. He grabbed the knob and it twisted by itself under his fingers. The door swung open and none other than Meagan Jane stood in his way.

"Get out of my face, fat Pat." She pushed past him and into the house.

"Meagan!" Pete was a few seconds behind her. "Patrick?" He paused in the doorway.

It was the first time Pete had said a word to him since the first day of school.

"H-Hey."

"What are you doing here?" He walked fully into the house. Closing the door as he did. Trapping Patrick in the toxic space with him. "I didn't think you'd be invited. I didn't even know you'd go to the game."

"I didn't. I-I Was here with Andy and-"

"Oh right. The coach's son." He suddenly looked uncomfortable. "I'd been meaning to talk to you about that."

"You've been meaning to talk to me? You never talk to me. Why start now?"

The spice behind his words shocked even him. Pete could beat him to a pulp and get all the others to join. Patrick needed to thread a little more carefully.

"I deserve that." He admitted. "I shouldn't have left you hanging. It's just that the guys would lose it if they saw me talking to you."

"Then why are you doing it now?"

"Because after what happened tonight, I don't think I'll be welcome in their group anymore."

"What happened?" Patrick found himself asking.

Pete glanced over to where Meagan was standing. She seemed to be ranting to Ray about something. A red cup was being held tightly in her hand. He glanced back at Patrick.

"I'd rather not say."

"Okay. Well I still don't want to talk to you." The biggest lie he'd ever told. " I guess I'll see you around school."

"You're not staying?" Pete stepped in front of him.

"No. I have to get go-"

"Just have one drink with me. It'll be my fucked up way of apologizing for watching the guys torment you everyday."

The sincerity in his dark eyes made Patrick's heart stop beating. At least that's what it felt like. He couldn't look away. Didn't want to look away.

"I don't drink." He nearly whispered.

"Me either." Pete grabbed his hand in his. "We can start together."