oblivion | stenbrough

three

Stan felt parched as their small group approached the sorority, another castle-like house on the campus that was within walking distance of their building. The music raging inside the house was loud enough to feel the bass thumping through the concrete of the sidewalk. Eddie was conversing lightly with Ben and Mike who walked ahead of him, each of them wearing equally excited smiles. Stan could feel his heart beating faster, eyes darting around his surroundings as if searching for something or someone.

He knew it was ridiculous to be nervous. Bill had probably forgotten that he was coming anyway so what was there to be nervous about? He had Ben and Mike to talk to if Eddie disappeared with Richie to do God knows what, so it wouldn't be like the first party they went to two weeks earlier. They climbed the steps to the house and Stan stopped at the bottom step, looking up at the greek letters plastered above the porch. He didn't know why he let himself get dragged into these situations.

Sucking in a deep breath, he began to ascend the steps, meeting his group at the top. Eddie rested a hand on his forearm, turning to him, "You okay?" Stan nodded reluctantly, forcing himself to smile and step over the threshold and enter the house. Stan recognized the song playing over the speakers faintly, it was a song that he had heard Eddie play numerous times over the last few months. He believed it was called 'Out Of My League' but the singer's name was not one he knew.

They begin to maneuver through the crowds of people, Stan made sure the gaps were large enough that he didn't have to worry about accidentally bumping into somebody. He wasn't sure where they were trying to go but he followed nevertheless. They finally come to a stop at an empty space in a far corner of the backyard. Surprisingly, they hadn't lost Eddie along the way. After about twenty minutes of standing, talking, and watching others do stupid shit that would probably result in bodily harm, their conversation is interrupted by an obnoxious, lanky figure tripping his way over toward them.

"Eddie! It's about fuckin' time I found you!" Richie exclaimed, throwing both arms around the smaller teen and cradling his head against his shoulder in one of his oversized hands. Eddie's face scrunched up as he pushed the taller boys arms off of him. Stan couldn't tell if he was drunk or high or it was just Richie being Richie. He turned toward Stan and bowed, tipping an imaginary hat in his direction. "Staniel. Here all alone? Thought Billiam would've fucking sought you out by now. He has some sort of sixth sense when it comes to shit like that." Stan winced having forgotten almost completely about him. Although Bill had never said that they would be hanging out, a small part of him wished they would.

"Well, I guess his radar is a little off. I'm right here." Stan narrowed his eyes and smirked at Richie who returned it with the same amount of sharpness. Eddie rolled his eyes while Mike shifted uncomfortably and Ben pursed his lips and his gaze drifted to look anywhere else. "And I'm not alone." Richie looked over at Mike and Ben who still stood awkwardly.

"I don't believe we've met. Richie Tozier at your service." Richie introduced himself to Ben and Mike, sticking his hand in Ben's direction, then Mike's, satisfied when both shook his hand and introduced themselves as well. "What brings a couple of stand-up guys like yourselves to a party like this?"

"Stan and Eddie invited us," Ben replied, a small smile on his face. Stan clears his throat and side-steps away from the conversation. Their gazes shift over to him.

"I'm going to get a drink." He said before trying to find his back into the house. He pried the sliding glass door open, stepping through and sliding the door closed behind him, realizing that he was in the kitchen, exactly where he wanted to be.

He didn't bother paying attention to his surroundings the first time he passed through it, but he now noticed a large cooler sitting on the floor resting against the wall connect to one of the doorways. He waited for the guy who was standing in front of it to move out of the way before walking over to examine the contents. Inside we're different types of beers and wine coolers. He grabbed a beer, standing back up and twist the cap off, tilting it back against his lips. He had always hated the taste of beer but that was obviously the choice-drink or party goers.