HARMONY

Part 24 "Drew's nightmare party scene"

So, Drew goes to Bruce's party.  Bruce's little sister, Rachel, is the girl with special needs who had invited Drew to her birthday party.  

Drew pulled up in front of Bruce Truman's raging party. "I don't know how you talked me into this."

"Come 'on dude," Chewy said. "Chill out and have some fun."

"One hour," Drew said. "That's it."

"Like you have anywhere to go."

The boys walked through the back gate into the yard littered with cans and teenagers. Chewy spied a beer pong game and grabbed a red plastic cup. Drew followed. He leaned against a patio post and tried to blend in.

"You wanna party?" slurred a girl who flopped herself against Drew.

"I'm good," he said. "Thanks."

Chewy looked over his shoulder and made a face. Drew just shrugged.

"Let's paaarrrtttyyy," she repeated and puked on his shoe.

"Oh, God!" Drew said. "You bitch!"

"Hey, hey, hey," said her friend as she lifted the girl off the ground. "Be cool. Go wipe it off."

Drew gave his shoe a shake and made his way through the bodies into the house. On a mission to find the nearest bathroom, he opened various paneled doors in the long hallway lined with professional family photos. Rachel's picture stung Drew. He took a step back and then peered into the frame. Rachel, with her signature smile, stood in-between her mother and Bruce.

"I'm soooo wasted," said a voice stumbling out of the bathroom. Before Drew could grab the door, a making-out couple shut and locked it.

"Great," said Drew. He headed up the stairs. Looking for the bathroom, he opened doors into Bruce's bedroom and then a master bedroom. He heard groaning, muffled laughter and some thumping coming from behind another door. This must be the bathroom. He stood outside for a minute, listening for a flush or the twisting of the doorknob.

Her squeal paralyzed him. It couldn't be. She can't be here. He pressed his ear against the door.

"Dude," said a deep voice. "She's waking up."

"Nooooo," came the high-pitched voice Drew heard every Saturday.

His hand squeezed the knob and opened the door into the dark room. The crack of light from the hallway exposed figures squirming on the bed.

"Get the fuck off her!" Drew yanked the shaggy hair of a drunk kid he didn't recognize. "You fuckin' sick?"

"Hey, dude. Chill." He zipped. "She's a retard. She don't know."

"We're cool, we're cool," said the second kid as he pulled his shaggy friend by the arm quickly out the door.

Drew leaned over Rachel. "Are you okay?" Trying not to touch her, he tugged up her little princess pajama bottoms. "Rachel, it's me. It's Drew. Are you okay?"

She wiggled and struggled and he took a step back. "I'm not going to hurt you." He moved back toward her. "I'm just going to put on your pajamas for you."

Dazed and bright red, her face showed no sign of recognition.

"What the fuck you doing to my sister?"

Before Drew could answer, Bruce locked his hands around Drew's throat. A pounding sensation roared through Drew's head releasing one thought—I can't breathe. I can't breathe...