the purge - matthew espinosa [a / u]

chapter two.

chapter two.

"snacks anyone?" matthew called out from the kitchen. i raised a brow at sammy and he nodded. we walked into the kitchen, music blaring from the living room, mostly to cover up what was happening outside, but we'd just pretended it was to help the party vibe.

i leaned against the counter as matt set out bowls of chips, candy, and fruit punch. "and don't worry, it's not spiked. i figure it's too early to start that." we all chuckled as he placed a stack of red cups on the counter alongside the punch.

after playing party-host, he came over and stood next to me, his arm slung around my shoulder. "thank you for all this," i said, and i really meant it, not just in a girlfriend way or even a friend way, given that i'd known him my whole life, but in the real way.

he shrugged and stood in front of me, pressing his forehead to mine. "anything for you," he whispered softly. i smiled wide.

"i mean it though. if it weren't for this party or get together, i would be at home worrying. a lot more than i am now. this helps keep it off my mind," i pecked his nose, "and i get to spend time with you," i grinned.

he smiled wide and chuckled. "i love you orion, you cute little booger," he said and poked my side. i giggled and stepped away.

"alright, alright, break up the love fest, you guys are disgusting." my brother said, pushing me out of his way to get to the food. of course.

"hey, i think they're cute!" jacey smiled sweetly, and jack just scoffed.

"in no way is orion cute, nor her pda with her little boyfriend either," he teased, munching on cheetos.

i laughed, shaking my head. matthew just smirked and pressed his lips to mine to mock jack. i saw him give a glance at my brother who pretended to gag. matt laughed and pulled away. jacey grinned.

"jack's just being a stink, don't listen to him," she said, squeezing my hand. then there was gunshots.

"shit!" johnson exclaimed. we hurried to the main room, where he peered through the peep hole, kassidy gripping his hand as if the two were inseparable.

"what was it?" shawn asked. violet opened the curtains, only to realize that was no use. i giggled to myself, looking down at johnson's raised heels.

he stepped away, eyes wide. "these guys, a group in this van, were chasing after this guy, and the repercussions weren't great." brielle rushed over, looking through and eventually we all took our turns. jack looked before me, his reaction different than the rest, filled with fright rather than the shock in the rest of our friends' eyes.

"jack, what is it?" i asked suddenly worried. i let go of matt's hand and walked over, but jack blocked the door. our friends looked at us, confused. "jack, let me see, now."

he shook his head at me, trying to push me away. "it's nothing, rion, don't worry," he said, but i could tell he was lying. i pushed him out of the way, standing on my tippy-toes, peering out the small hole. i quickly backed away from the door as if it had suddenly been on fire.

"j-jack, it's him, it's the guy," i stuttered, backing up. his eyebrows were knit together, and he held out his hands, motioning to calm down. "jack, what if he followed us here, why is he here?" i asked in a frenzy of panic.

"what is it?" shawn asked, and matthew nodded with shawn, a look of concern in his expression.

"it's nothing guys, stop worrying, she's over reacting," my brother said, raising his voice slightly. i shook my head, turning away from him to face our friends.