Level Playing Field

-seven-

~Alex~

I glanced at the clock for what seemed like the thousandth time since I got home.

7:47

I was supposed to pick up Eric on my way to the party so I decided that I should start getting ready now.

I practically dragged myself off the couch and made my way to my room.

I have no idea why I agreed to go to this party, I have zero interest in attending. Maybe that's why I asked David to go.

I swear, whenever I'm around him, something comes over me and I say the stupidest shit. Of course he doesn't want to go to some party where he doesn't know anybody.

Now he probably dislikes me more than he previously did and definitely will not show up, leaving me alone to converse with imbeciles.

I need to stop thinking about him so much, it really is just pathetic.

I decided to wear black jeans and a grey football sweatshirt I got from a summer clinic.

I put a little gel in my hair and stared in the mirror for at least five minutes before finally going downstairs.

My sister had some friends over and I could hear them talking about me in the foyer.

"Oh my god, he's so hot."

"The age difference is only like five years. That's not bad, right?"

"I heard he's with Juliana Meyers, she's so lucky."

I can't help but roll my eyes at the trivial gossip that consumes the life of 13 year olds.

As I grab my keys and head toward the door, I see my sister walk out of the bathroom.

"Where are you going?" she asks.

"Out," I reply quickly.

"No shit," she says, giving me a look of suspicion.

"I said watch your language. And tell your friends to stop talking about me." I say the last part loud enough for the girls sitting on the couch to hear.

I hurried out the door because I'm already late to pick up Eric and I really don't feel like hearing his mouth right now.

I hopped in the car and drove to Eric's house around the corner, convenient enough for me.

I parked in front of his place and texted him that I'm outside.

He appeared at the door and waved to his mom before making his way to the car.

He opened the door and had an unamused look in his face.

"You're late," he said in an expressionless tone.

"Yeah sorry, do you know the address?"

"Yeah I'll put it in," he said, taking out his phone.

"Are you excited your girl's going to be there?" he asked with a smirk, wiggling his eyebrows.

"She's not 'my girl'," I retorted as I pulled away from the curb, hands tightly gripping the steering wheel.

He sighed. "Oh come on, what's your deal? She's hot and she's into you. It's not that complicated."

It is when you're physically incapable of being attracted to her. But of course I couldn't tell him that.

That's why I hate when people hound me on Juliana. Especially Eric. I feel like I'm obligated to come out to him.

We pulled up to Jack's house and I could see, and hear, that the party was already in full force.

Drunk teens were on the front lawn engaging in activities beyond comprehension, and music could be heard from across the street.

I got out of the car and braced myself. There was a reason why I don't go to parties.

Sophomore, I went to one of Jack's infamous ragers and drank for the first time.

Of course, I was 15 years old and didn't know how to pace myself, so I got wasted and threw up all over his kitchen. Good thing everyone there was too drunk to remember.

Eric and and I walked up to the porch, him following behind me as a force of habit.

"Hey Alex," a group of people on the lawn chorused.

I gave them a curt nod because I honesty didn't know who they were.

We entered the house and the smell of cheap liquor and body odor was overpowering.

Eric, probably seeing the look of disgust on my face, scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Ok Alex, why don't you get off your high horse and have some fun."

"Fun is one of the last words I'd use to describe this," I motioned to the living room, "atmosphere. That, along with hygienic."

"Well, you're here so you might as well indulge," he said, trailing off at the end and looking towards the kitchen.

"I'm going to get myself a drink, you should to." And with that, he walked away. Leaving me stranded in this hellhole.

I weighed my options and decided to make my way to kitchen. If I'm going to suffer I might as well suffer with some alcohol in my bloodstream.

I could see Eric had already found himself a girl to flirt which meant I was really on my own. So, I got a beer out of the cooler and walked to the back door.

I did a double take and then spotted my Bio partner at the end of the hall. So he did show up after all.

He was talking with a girl I had seen him hang around with at school. Angela? Angelica? I can't remember and honestly don't care.

A waited before going outside to see if he would notice me but he seemed to be focused on his conversation.

I was starting to think this party would be completely uneventful until I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I turned around and was met with an instant slap in the face.

This night just couldn't get any better.
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Hey! Sorry this update took so long I'm trying lol. I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for reading and stay safe!