I hate parties.
How I forgot it is beyond me, but the moment the party actually starts, I suddenly regret every agreeing to come. It just feels like something straight out of a movie. The people chattering with drinks in hand with couples splitting off to make out despite the party having just started, Flash's terrible music taste pouring through the speakers, the flashing lights, and my classic headache from it all. Except somehow, this is worse than the ones back home were.
I search the crowd for familiar faces and try to convince myself I'm not waiting for one in particular, but it doesn't work very well. Every time I see someone of similar build wearing a sweatshirt or a flannel, my hopes immediately rise until I realize it's not actually Peter.
"You came." Liz cheers as she suddenly appears by my side, "I wasn't sure if you were actually going to show up or not."
"My dad took some convincing, but he ended up being cool with it." I tell her and pick at the flannel wrapped around my waist. "It's different than I expected American parties to be." I tease, "I always thought they were all drinking and silly party games. It makes me glad I was wrong."
"Well, I'm just glad you could come." She grins, and I mentally prepare myself for whatever she's about to say next. "Maybe it will give you the chance to make a move on your mystery crush? And if you tell me who, maybe I can help you out."
"Nice try, Liz, but it's not happening. I'm still not going to admit whether or not I even fancy someone."
"You keep saying that, but I don't believe you. Especially since you keep looking around for someone."
"I was just looking for someone to talk to or a place to sit." I lie because if Liz knew the truth—actually, I don't even want to think about what kind of teasing or scheming would happen.
Luckily, before she gets to say anything else, the doorbell rings almost inaudibly under Flash's dreadful remix. Liz gives me a look a she drags me along behind her with the excuse that I 'need to socialize more.'
I grumble at the statements which makes her pause. "I'm not asking you to be someone else. Just—relax and let go for a bit. Okay?" She asks in that soft tones she reserves for when she's really serious.
"Okay," I mumble feeling guilty and ashamed that even a makeshift friend seems to notice my issues. "You should probably get the door now."
"Right," She laughs and opens the door with a smile, "Oh, hey, Peter, Ned."
I swear my head whips up so quickly my glasses nearly fly off my face, and I have to fight back a smile. Peter's eyes widen when he sees Liz, which I try to ignore. "Hey, Liz, L-Lia."
"You made it." I whisper happily and immediately regret it when Liz's lips quirk into a knowing smirk. My mind scrambles for anything to change the topic before it's any more obvious. "Nice hat, Ned."
His posture straightens and face beams at the compliment. "Thanks, it's one of my—" the words are cut off by a crash, which causes Liz to excuse herself and leave me behind.
"So, it's a—um—cool party." Peter stutters and struggles to meet my eye.
"It's okay, I suppose. Personally, Flash's music taste is severely lacking. Kind of makes me wish I was studying chemistry with you guys instead."
"What do you mean?" Ned questions.
"Well, at least then, it would be moderately less painful and still in good company." I tell them and become eternally grateful for the colored lights as my cheeks flush.
"Yeah, studying without you isn't the same. Right, Peter?" Ned interjects with the classic Leeds grin and anything-but-subtle trademark nudge. "He's really missed you—"
YOU ARE READING
The REM Trials
Fanfiction"They've been there for me. My shadows have been my best friends for as long as I can remember. They were there when no one else was." Amelia Bright is--remarkable. In more ways than most people know. Because, while most people see a bright, young s...
