PRETENDING. [petermj]

heartbreak hotel.

Music pulsated throughout the loud and noisy frat house as he and Ned stood outside. Right now, Peter was supposed to be in his dorm studying but somehow his best friend, Ned, had coaxed him into coming to this stupid party. He wasn't even sure why the campus officers hadn't shut this thing down already.

--

"Bro you're always stuck in our dorm, you really need to get out and join the fun, I mean Liz will be there.." Ned had said earlier, bookmarking his page, then closing the textbook and tossing it on the ground. Peter groaned of slight frustration and looked at Ned, who was now standing in his doorway.

At the mention of Liz, Peter was booked to go especially since he hadn't seen her in weeks and when he did, it wasn't for long. "I guess you're right-" He sighed, running a hand through his hair, and made a mental note to quit doing that since his hair always looks like he's stressed out, also Liz had told him that it greases it up.

Peter wasn't even sure what he was going to wear to a college frat party, were they formal? were they casual? He shook the thoughts away and decided on what he had seen a few guys around campus in, khaki shorts and their school sweatshirt. Ned peeked out from the hallway "come on man, we're gonna miss all the action!" He rolls his eyes and stands up, making sure that their dorm was locked before heading out.

--

Peter looked at Ned who rested his hand on his shoulder before speaking "ready for this party to change your life?" He shot him a look and nervously wiped his clammy hands on the hem of his sweatshirt. "Ready as I'll ever be I guess?" He said as they walked up to the door. Peter already started to notice some college students passed out in the lawn and the party had barely started.

Ned grabbed his arm pulling him to his side "you can go find Liz later, we're gonna party first!" He chewed on the inside of his cheek, as they pushed past the overflowing room full of sweaty people grinding on each other. "Excuse me.." he mumbled as he continued to make his way towards Ned, but Peter realized this was not the type of party where his mannerisms would come in handy.

Once Peter had reached his destination, Ned offered him a red plastic cup. "Lighten up a little, Pete." Ned said and nodded towards the cup, Peter took it and thought to himself, the hell with it, but only one. As the alcohol ran down the back of his throat, Peter shuddered a bit at the burning sensation that was soon replaced by warmth in his chest. He wasn't one to regularly drink like most of his classmates, but Peter believed that one or two drinks wouldn't hurt.

After about an hour, Peter started to feel the buzz of the alcohol in his system, and to his advantage made him no longer nervous. He danced alongside Ned, his curly brown hair now slightly soaked in sweat because of all the body heat radiating throughout the fraternity house. "I'm going to use the bathroom, I'll text you!" Peter yelled to Ned over the music, to which he received a nod in response. He turned then started to push past drunk partygoers in search of the bathroom.

"God my feet hurt.." He grumbled to himself as he made his way to the staircase, his eyes flickering towards a couple near the stairs, making out so much it looked like they weren't breathing. Peter moved up the stairs and away from the couple on his right, starting to climb the stairs. He slowly made his way upstairs to a long and narrow hallway, before looking at the multiple doors, "eenie.. meenie..miney..mo.." Peter said softly and then chose a random door, but he wasn't prepared for what he was about to find.

Peter walked into the room, and a girl was in the process of taking off her shirt and laughing as she was straddling a guy's waist. "Oh s-sorry.-" He said gently at his rude intrusion, until the girl turned and made direct eye contact with him. Peter blinked slowly as he stared at the pair in pure shock.

He felt as if the room was spinning, this couldn't be true. Peter could feel his heart shatter on the room floor and he swallowed hard "L-liz.." he said, his voice cracking. Her name was all he could choke out as he stumbled backwards toward the door, breathing in sharply as Liz pulled on her shirt and rushed over to him. "Peter.. I-it's not what-" He cut her off feeling tears welling up in his eyes. "Save it Liz. we're over." Peter said as he closed the door behind him, pulling his hands angrily to his face to stop the tears.

*AUTHORS NOTE*
this is the first thing i have wrote in such a long time since my writers block has gotten the best of me & it'd be lovely for some feedback!