Judd Birch

The Party - Take a Hit

You've spent the whole day at Lea's house setting up and pregaming while getting yourselves ready as well. You never put in much effort for your classmates, so extracurricular activities have your full and undivided attention when it comes to appearance.

You finish the last few touches to your makeup and check yourself in the large bathroom mirror before finally turning to Lea who's doing the same exact thing.

"How do I look?" You ask as you glance between your friend and your own body. You're dressed in a low cut, fitted crop top, ripped jeans, and your dirty old combat boots. It's casual, but you look good.

Lea gives you her full attention and allows her eyes to climb up and down your figure a few times before she replies. "Honestly.. fuck me." She shrugs lightly and gives you one last glance over.

You place your hand over your heart and smile playfully.

Lea parts her lips to speak once again, but she pauses at the sound of the front door opening.

"That must be Judd with the alcohol." Lea concludes in a voice that's much more excited than before. She hurries down the staircase and you follow close behind, all the way to the kitchen.

The both of you pause and stare for a moment. Your confusion fades into indifference once you notice that it was only Lea's brother, but Lea, however, looks agitated at the very least.

"Nick, what are you doing here? Weren't you sleeping over at Andrew's?" She questions as her arms sink into a folded position.

"He's with Missy." Nick spits out the words which seem to leave a sour taste in his mouth.

"Well can't you just go? I'm having a party."

Nick pauses at this newfound information, taking a slow breath and letting it out in an almost dignified fashion before continuing.

"If you don't let me stay, I'm telling mom and dad."

"Ugh, fine!" Lea exclaims in aggravated fit. As she spits out a harsh warning, the door to the kitchen swings open again.

"Nice, third person threat." Speaks a low voice which sends an oddly familiar chill down your spine.

Heavy, but grounded footsteps carry the tall man into the room. He's quite built- and just enough to where the muscles of his arms and thighs press softly against his clothing. His style is dark and dirty, but that only seems to make you even more curious.

"Alright," Judd says as he drops a box filled with bottles an inch above the counter. "I got your gay-ass wine for your gay-ass theater friends." His eyes flash towards you just before he speaks his next line. "The Jack's mine." His strong fingers wrap around the bottle as he disappears from the room. "I hope your party sucks."

You stand in silent, confused awe. That's the boy from before, that's Lea's brother, that's-

"Thank you, Judd, you're America's sweetheart!" Lea exclaims as she waves her brother off.

You were only contemplating the situation last night, but now it feels real. For the first time, you feel those butterflies people have been talking about. And while the feeling is faint, it's there.

You can't let this distract you.

Judd becomes just an itch at the back of your mind while you work on hiding valuable items and locking one or two doors that are off limits. In no time, people begin to arrive.

45 minutes past 8 is when everyone finally seems to have arrived, so you and Lea drop the act of greeting people and go ahead and mingle yourselves instead. Parties have never really been your thing, but that's sober you talking. You disappear into the backyard and stand at the side of the house which seems to be the only place that's free of loud, horny teens.