Neighbors

T W E N T Y - T H R E E

PIPER

It had been two weeks since Paps passed and I was feeling much better than I was before. I still wasn't my usual self, but I was getting back to that, slowly but surely. That being said, I wasn't really up for socializing. My friends, however, had a different idea. Throughout the day, I had received text messages from several of my friends asking if I was going to Michael Thompson's party tonight. Michael was notorious for throwing some of the best parties since middle school. Most of the senior class was going to be in attendance but I just wasn't feeling up to it. I replied to each of my friends, letting them know that I wasn't sure if I would go but said that it was very unlikely that I would. Even Beckett asked. When he called to check up on me, he mentioned the party and wondered if I was going. I told him that if I decided to go, I would text him and let him know.

I wasn't planning on going but I didn't want to tell my friends that right now because I knew they would try and drag me out of my house. Instead of partying, I chose to have a lazy day to just pamper myself. I decided to take a relaxing bubble bath since Lynn was out and I didn't have to worry about her needing to go in the bathroom for any reason. After my bath, I changed into a pair of sweats and a t-shirt and climbed into my bed to watch movies.

While I was in the middle of The Avengers, my phone started ringing. Groaning, I paused the film and picked up the phone. After glancing at the caller id, I answered.

"What do you want, Bryce?" I huffed in annoyance.

"Jesus, what crawled up your ass?" he sassily remarked.

"Nothing, I'm just trying to watch a movie before I was rudely interrupted," I retorted.

He scoffed, "you know you didn't have to answer."

Now it was my turn to scoff. "You know as well as I do that you would have just kept calling until I did." He was silent for a minute because he knew I was right.

"Whatever. This wasn't the reason for my call."

"Then what was?" I asked agitatedly, wanting to resume my movie.

"Are you going to the party tonight?" he asked.

"Bryce, I already told you I'm just not feeling up to it," I responded.

He groaned, "Piper please! It won't be the same if you don't go. Plus, it might do you some good to get out of the house."

I hesitated to reply. "Bryce, I don't know if I should," I mumbled through the phone.

"What are you worried about? You always have such a great time at Michael's parties. And you never know, this could be the last one we ever go to."

He was right. There was no reason that I shouldn't go to the party tonight. It wouldn't hurt me if I did so might as well go and have fun. "Fine, I'll go," I finally gave in.

"Yes!" he cheered. "That party starts at 8 so you have a few hours to finish your movie and get ready before Garrett and I come to pick you up."

"Alright, see you then," I sighed.

"Later, lovebug!" he chirped. I smiled at his comment. He used to call me lovebug when we were in elementary school and it just sort of stuck throughout the years.

I looked over at the clock on my wall. 3:28. Since there was no point in getting ready now, I decided to take Bryce's advice and finish my movie. After snuggling back into the covers, I pressed play on my laptop.

***

I was dreading this party. I wasn't really in the mood to go in the first place but Bryce and Garrett insisted that it would be good for me to leave my house. Hesitantly, I got dressed and made myself a little more presentable than I have been this past week. I threw on a pair of black skinny jeans that were ripped at the knee and a blouse with some heeled, open-toed ankle boots. I put on makeup to disguise the huge bags that took refuge under my eyes. Just as I added the finishing touches, there were two knocks on my bedroom door before Bryce entered.