BEASTLY

iv. help

Scott Hoying

"Are you seeing this?" I tapped on Tori's locker, pulling her out of her silent reverie. I handed her my iPhone, letting her glance at the Facebook invitation on my small screen. I watched as her eyes skimmed back and forth, giving it a good once over. She scrunched up her nose and then she looked at it again, seeming quite amused. Once I was sure she was finished, I asked, "So, we're totally not going, right?"

"Of course we're going, dumb ass. Sure, Mitch is the worlds most gorgeous asshole, but we know that he's made of money and will throw a good party. Might as well embrace what we have." She shrugged and closed her locker. "What's the harm in going?"

I mean... there wasn't any real harm. I just wasn't sure about Mitch. I'd grown up learning to be very cautious about who I spent time with. Sometimes I was a bit too cautious (according to Tori. Never according to me,) but I found the friends who would accept who I was. So, I started weighing my options. Before I could even consider anything, her beautiful voice broke through.

"You're thinking. Don't think, just go." Tori smirked and pat me on the back. "You've got to grow out of this little phase, Scotty. How are you going to be in the real world whenever auditions come around? Sometimes you have to just take the plunge."

"Oh, like how you're going to take the plunge with Josh?" I grinned whilst spinning her around, her legs getting tangled with each other as the lower half of her body caught up with me spinning her. "Go talk to him, babe. Let Johanna have a little Judge Turpin action." She scoffed and shook her head, saying something to me while she faced in the direction that Josh was coming from. By the time she'd turned around I made sure I was already gone. I gathered my books and began my walk home, giving myself a chance to weigh the odds in peace.

For starters, I enjoyed parties as long as no one pressured me into anything. I will drink a few beers and what not, but past that I get kind of weary. I'm not a fan of completely losing my inhibitions. I guess that comes with the package of my past and, well, present. I don't want it to become my future. So, a part of me considered to not even go. It wouldn't be fun being verbally slaughtered by a kid who was self conscious to the point that he had to tear everyone else down. Or, who knows. Maybe he's not self conscious at all. If I were Mitch Grassi and took a look in the mirror I'd be delightfully pleased.

I wished I could've had another opinion from Tori besides don't think, just go. I couldn't ask dad. He'd tell me to go just so I could get out of the house so he could have a night of... well, I don't want to think about his job. It sickens me, though I know it's what he believes to be his only source of extra money.

And then I remembered. I hadn't talked to him in quite a few days... so of course I should talk to him. The only bad part about having a best friend that lives far away is, well, not getting to see them. But Kevin was a hard working man in California, pursuing the dreams I wish I could pursue now. I pulled out my iPhone and quickly opened an iMessage and started a conversation with the guy who was guaranteed to have answers.

K.O.!!!???!!! SOS HELP also hi it's been awhile
I know... did you fall off the face of the Earth, man?
Haha no. School has been hectic. I got Sweeney
No doubt about that! Proud of you. How's the fam?
Dad is typical dad #SWOLECHECK update
Hitting the gym every day. Gotta look good and feel good.
Speaking of feel good... i need some advice...

I realized that I had turned down the wrong road. I should be more careful down these roads, especially with my phone out in the open. I've heard not so great things about the streets around my apartment. I feel that no one has bothered breaking into our place because they know two guys live in it as opposed to a female, and one of us is always home. That's a true relief. I got back on the right road and took in my surroundings. I tended to locate specific things while I walked to make sure everything was the same. It was a weird habit. I spotted the old street light that always had a Missing Dog sign on it, and from the same lady. She kept leaving her gate open and, well, when freedom exists. I feel like the dog wanted an escape route.

Uh oh. What's going on? Did you meet someone?
Haha... no. Sorta. I got invited 2 go 2 this party and the guy throwing it is a total arrogant prick
So what's the problem? Did he invite you exclusively?
No. Its a cast party but I just have a weird feeling about it but lioness says i don't get out enough
Lioness is right. You're always at home. Go out and have fun. You've got to cut loose a little. No sense living life in fear, you know?
Why do i believe u when you say things even if Tori says them literally minutes before and i don't believe her
Because I'm a philosophical guru and everything that comes out of my mouth tastes like gold.
Or maybe it's because you ask her first, then ask me, and we both want the best for you. And we have typically agreed, though I've never even met her.
You'd like her. Her lioness and ur swolecheck you could run the world
By queen B
That's the truth. :) I've gotta go. Meeting in ten.
Live my dreams, pls. <3 love u Swolusola
Love you too, bro!

The last message from Kevin coincided with me reaching the apartment. I guess it's settled then. I'd be going to the party. Why not? What could I lose from it?