Painkiller [ON HOLD]

Six

5:00pm

"What are you gonna wear?" I asked her.

She shrugged. "I guess a long sleeved shirt and leggings. What about you?"

"The shirt I'm wearing and jeans." She went into the bathroom to go change and I did the same. I put on a pair of dark blue jeans. Sam came out wearing a white V-neck shirt that laced up and was long sleeved but the shoulders were cut off. She had on black leggings, which made her butt pop out more. She had cleavage, which I didn't feel comfortable with, mainly because I knew what would happen if guys saw her like that.

I texted Patrick to let him know that we were on our way.

We got into my Lexus and I drove to Matt's house, which was a few blocks over. Every light in the house was on. I offered my arm to Samantha and she happily locked hers with mine. Once entering, loud music with a heavy bass greeted our ears. Pizzas covered the kitchen counters, and bowls of chips with dip and large bottles of soda covered the dining room table. I saw people drinking beer, which I kind of expected. Most of the people in our grade were here. Girls were dressed in crop tops and booty shorts, and guys in typical casual clothes.

My closest friends Patrick, Matt, and Ethan greeted us. Ethan was clearly hammered. Matt had a red solo cup in his hand. "Hey, dude. Hey, Samantha. Glad you could make it." Matt patted me on the back and Samantha gave them a shy smile. All three of them pulled me aside. "Dude, Noah, Sam is looking hot tonight."

"Yea, you're one lucky guy," Patrick added.

I rolled my eyes. "Guys, she's not my girlfriend. We're just friends."

"Well, you should change that. You're the only guy she's comfortable talking to. Take advantage of it," said Matt. Ethan could barely stand on his feet. "Ethan, go sit down." Ethan fell onto the couch.

I rolled my eyes and went back to Sam. "Do you want anything to drink?"

"Did they spike it?" she asked.

I turned to Matt. "Are the sodas clean?"

"Yea, of course. People brought their own beer."

"Ok, then sure. Diet Coke please." Her and I walked into the kitchen and I poured her a cup. "Thank you."

A blonde girl approached us. She leaned her body over the table. "Hey, Noah," she said slowly and seductively while batting her eyelashes. I could see Sam tense at my side.

"Hey, Tina. What's up with you?" Tina had an obvious crush on me.

She traced her finger on my arm. "Oh, the usual. Why are you with... her?" she sounded disgusted, to say the least.

"Because she's my best friend."

"She's a loser. Just a quiet girl who sits in the back of the class. I'm popular, like you."

"Look, Tina. I don't appreciate you disrespecting Sam. She's my best friend. You're barely an acquaintance. I'm surprised you don't see the difference. You're a bitch and she's nice." She scoffed and walked away, turning her head to glare at Samantha. "Sorry. Tina's just a slut who wants to get with me. I wouldn't touch her with a nine foot pole. She's slept with so many guys it's gross."

"It's ok. Thanks for sticking up for me." It's the truth.

Sam didn't really socialize with anyone. She more so clung to my side as I talked with people I knew. I was talking to Matt when in the corner of my eye, I saw Thomas Sawyer approaching us. His chest was puffed out. He leaned his body against the wall by Samantha. "Hey, girl," he said with a smirk. "You're looking good tonight."

"Umm... thanks?" she said quietly. I could tell her anxiety was kicking in.

He leaned closer to her, "How 'bout you and I..."

"Thomas," I said firmly. He looked at me.

"Oh heeey, Noah. Sorry, didn't realize you two were dating."

"We're not."

He crossed his arms. "Then you shouldn't care about me talking to her."

"I do when you're cat calling her. Back the fuck off." I stood up straighter. Sure, he was a bit bigger than me, but I knew I could take him in a fight if it came to that.

He glared at me. "Look, you've had your chance for years to bed her, and you still haven't."

I got face to face with him. "Thomas, she's my best friend and that's not my interest. I'm not letting any fuck boy like you touch her. Back off or someone's going to get hurt."

"Fuck you!" he growled. I could smell the alcohol in his breath.

He pushed me and grabbed Sam by the waist. I pulled him away and punched him, knocking him onto the floor. "I said back off."

"Good arm for a football player. You're a bastard, Noah." He got up and spat blood. He was about to swing but Matt pushed him.

"Thomas! Get the fuck out," Matt said in a serious and almost threatening tone. Thomas' nose was bleeding. He stormed out. Thank God he's gone. "You two ok?"

I turned to Sam who stood still, almost in shock. She snapped out of whatever state she was in and nodded. "We're good. Thanks Matt." He patted me on the back.

"I'm... gonna head to the restroom. Where is-" Tina "bumped" into her, spilling soda all over Sam's shirt. Her shirt became see-through, and her lace bra became visible.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Skank," Tina scoffed.

"Fuck off, Tina," I snapped. I grabbed Sam, who started to cry. "We're leaving." We got into my car and I wiped her tears. "This party was a bad idea."

"Wh...why would she... d-do that...?"

I looked at Sam. Her lip was quivering and her tears seemed endless. I took a deep breath, "Like I said. She wants to get with me. She's just jealous that you're prettier than her. And... umm..."

"What?" she whimpered.

"Nothing, she's just jealous of you."