Just Try It

Chapter 33- Party Time

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012, 9:30pm

Malcolm's house

The loud music and drunk laughter filled the room.  Flashes of multicolored lights illuminated the room sporadically.  While not well lit, it was enough for most of the avid party goers to navigate the room without falling into too many people.  Malcolm had learned that most appreciated the dimmer lights.  It helped some feel anonymous as they paired up, not always with those they came with.  That was one thing he didn't have to worry about, Malcolm thought dryly.  After all, his girl wasn't even at the party.  She was still upset about her suspension.  With a shrug, Malcolm reminded himself to snap out of it.  Susie would come around.  If not, Nancy would have an idea.  Besides, this party wasn't just for fun.  Nancy would kill him if he didn't do his part to raise enough money to meet the bail for his dad and uncle.  Thinking of Nancy had Malcolm scanning the room.  With a wince, Malcolm saw she was staring at him pointedly from the door she was casually blocking the amorous couples from entering. 

As he watched, one of Nancy's regular customers lurched across the room, and Nancy gave a quick glance around before slipping inside.  Malcolm rose with a sigh and carefully picked his way across the room to take over blocking the door.  It wouldn't do to have guests mistakenly use the drug storage room to just make out in.  Not that they would find the secret compartment, but it would drastically cut down on sales for the night.  It would have been easier if the police hadn't frozen ALL the accounts.  Sure there were some oversea money, but he hadn't been given access to those accounts yet, and EVERYONE that did have access was still in jail. 

With the crush of people, Malcolm was stopped half way across the room.  Unable to move, he watched helplessly as the drunk fell into the door that Nancy usually locked behind her.  It swung open with a crash as the guy crumpled to the floor laughing.  When a growl of annoyance slipped out, people suddenly made an opening.  With a few more strides, Malcolm impatiently grabbed the guy from the floor.  Even with him dangling off the floor, he smiled at Malcolm in unconcern. 

Even as Malcolm felt himself smiling back, Nancy opened the door and snapped, "Never come in until invited." 

The guy nodded happily and said, "No problem," with a gust of toxic fumes in Malcolm's face.

With a sigh of disgust, Nancy nodded and motioned that he could enter.  Still stunned by the guy's breath, it took Malcolm a moment to realize that the guy couldn't follow until he was put down.  Not that it stopped the guy from trying to walk forward anyway.  As Malcolm set him back down, he couldn't stop himself from smiling at how the guy literally was walking on air.  Higher than a kite for sure.  The smile turned to a frown as Malcolm wondered briefly if Nancy knew what she was doing.  Usually, they were careful how much they would sell to one person.  Having your clients OD could seriously hurt future sales after all, and it could even draw more unwanted attention from the cops. 

Never mind, Malcolm reassured himself.  Nancy knew the score.  She had been selling since coming to live with her father, a distant cousin of his, at age eleven.  At first, he hadn't known if she would fit in.  After all, she had her mom's looks and her last name.  It hadn't taken long for her to somehow become his best friend and wing-man though.   She had lied for him in the past and was even the reason he had landed Susie as his girlfriend.  Of course he could trust her.

Remembering how Nancy had become friends with Susie and fed her drink after drink at the summer party made him smile.   Making out with his dream girl had been wonderful.  Nancy had even suggested he take her back to his room, but just then Susie had started to violently throw up.  He had felt awful for Susie being so sick until Nancy pointed out that with Susie being too affected by the alcohol, throwing up was a better option than taking her to the hospital.