Party Boy

Several Surprises

The next weekend, I stood in front of Nico's house, hesitating before ringing the doorbell. Hopefully he didn't find it creepy that I had remembered his address from the party. I was trying to surprise him. The gift in my hands was something I knew he would love. While I was waiting for him to come to the door, I looked back on the night I met him. I wanted desperately to avoid that party, but if I hadn't gone, I never would have met Nico. I realized that in the short time I'd known him he had honestly changed my life. He was teaching me to stand up for myself, to relax, to let go. I was becoming a better person, thanks to him, and in a way it all comes back to that dreaded party. 

The door swung open just as I began to wonder why it was taking him so long to answer. Smiling, I looked up to greet him, but my smile dropped as soon as I met his face. It wasn't Nico. It was Anthony.

"Red! What a pleasant surprise. Finally decided to take my offer?" For a moment, I wondered what offer he was referring to, though I quickly understood he was talking about the only thing he wanted to give me, "a good time." I stood frozen in horror. Somehow, I had forgotten that Nico was not the only person living in this house. How ironic that along with my favorite person came my least favorite. Anthony.

I tried to hide the terrified look on my face. "No. I'm here for Nico."

Anthony shook his head. "I will never understand why you like that dork. He's not here though. Did he tell you to meet him here? I can't believe he would forget you were coming.. I could never forget about you."

"He didn't know I was coming. I was trying to surprise him. Where is he?"

Anthony shrugged. "I don't know. But you can come inside and wait for him if you want."

There was no way I wanted to be alone in the same house as Anthony for who knows how long. "No, thank you. I'll just come back another time."

"I'm sure he'll be home soon. Come in, I insist."

I eyed him warily. Being around him was never pleasant, and being alone around him could easily end very badly. But I also didn't want to wait to give this to Nico. I bit my lip while contemplating it. I took a deep breath, attempted to push my worried thoughts away, and said, "Okay." 

He grinned; I couldn't help but see mischief in it. He was planning something. I tried to convince myself I was only imagining it.

He stepped back to allow me room to get through. I tried my hardest to ignore the bad feeling welling up inside of me as I entered the house.

"Can I get you anything?" he asked.

"Um, no thanks," I replied. I took in my surroundings. The house looked much nicer when it wasn't dark, filled with horny teenagers, and littered with garbage. As beautiful as it was with the high-end technology, trendy furniture, and grandiose staircase, it felt cold; it seemed more like a museum than a home.

He gestured to the long, over-sized leather couch. "Feel free to sit down."

I cautiously walked over to the couch and sat down. I was skeptical of his kindness. I couldn't shake the feeling that he was up to something.

Anthony eased down next to me, a little too close for comfort. I scooted away. Surprisingly, he stayed where he was. 

"What's in the bag?"

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion until I remembered I was holding the little gift bag that held Nico's surprise. "Oh, nothing special," I said, knowing he wouldn't understand the sentiment.

"Why don't you want me to know?" 

"...It's a surprise."

"Not for me. I won't ruin it or anything, if that's what you're worried about."