Republican Phenoms

Platoon Party

June

I don't know why I offered to host a "welcome back to Drake" party for all the sophomores in Platoon 4B tonight. I'm sure it was a stupid idea. I guess it was because I'm trying to build relationships with these people, and everybody else lives in the dorms, so they can't host a party. I just hope Metias doesn't come home early. He's supposed to be out on patrol all night, so as long as I can get this place cleaned up by the time he comes home, he'll never know any different.

I hope that Daniel doesn't come tonight. Since I'm inviting all of the sophomores in our platoon, I couldn't not invite him, but I still hope he doesn't come. He continues to grate on my nerves. Especially since he's willing to kiss just about any pretty girl that wants to. He's developed quite a reputation over the past year about being a little ladies' man.

No such luck. He happens to be the third person to arrive.

"I brought some drinks," he says, holding up a six pack of beer.

Why did I think that holding a party in my apartment was a good idea again? I don't think that Daniel goes to a lot of college parties, but I guess he got the memo that college parties require alcohol. Caitlyn and Lauren, who arrived earlier, also brought beer. I contributed some soda to the party, but at this point, I doubt that it's going to be the chief drink of the evening.

He looks at the other two girls and winks at them. "Good evening, ladies," he says to them, sitting down next to them on the couch. He pets my dog Ollie, who lies contentedly on the floor in front of them.

A minute later, another two guests arrive. Ed Payne and Matthew Lopez. I think that I'd prefer Daniel at this party than them. Daniel is merely irritating, while Ed and Matthew often mock me, in subtle ways, about my age. At least Daniel doesn't do that.

Nearly everybody from the sophomore class of our platoon attends, except for Karen and Josh. I guess they're studying. I see Daniel talking to Caitlyn, holding a beer in his hand. I'm drinking soda. Metias would kill me if I got drunk.

"Let's play a game," Ed suggests. "How about Never Have I Ever?"

I don't know that game. Ed must sense that, because he starts describing the game. "So, we go around the room and say something that we've never done. For example, I've never been to the moon, so I could say 'never have I ever been to the moon.' Anybody that has done what I have never done, takes a drink." He looks at me. "Sorry, June, you're going to need something alcoholic for this. It takes all the fun away if you're drinking soda."

My face starts to feel hot. I don't really want to do this, but I take the beer he hands me anyway.

"I'll start," Josh says. "Never have I ever gone to a party with someone that I secretly had a crush on."

Lauren and Derrick take a drink. Daniel sits quietly for a second, like he's thinking, and then takes a drink. A very large drink.

"Never have I ever lived in a gem sector!" Daniel says, grinning.

Everybody in the room except him takes a drink. As I take a drink, the beer feels warm and stings as it slides down my throat.

"Never have I ever... kissed a boy!" Matthew says, smirking.

All the girls in the room, except me, take a drink. Daniel shoots Matthew an angry glance. I'm not sure why.

"Never have I ever... slept with a girl!" Lauren says.

Ed, Matthew, and Derrick take a drink.

"Just to clarify, we're talking about sex here, not sleeping in the same bed with your mom because your family has one bed, yeah?" Daniel asks, looking around the room.