Rich and George: The Power Couple

George's POV: Going To A Party With Sidney Alder

 (A/N) If you read Max, this'll give some more insight about some events and the formations of some characters. If you haven't, you'll be prepared when you do. Enjoy!

I'll never forget the day I heard about Maximillian and James's dad after the sophomore dance in September. They were out of school for a week, but when they came back, I noticed how uneasy Maximillian looked.

Sidney did the announcements as always, but he seemed a little off also. He waited until the Sekowskis got onto the lunch line before he spoke. "Hey, guys, I don't know if you already heard, but I have some bad news." He looked like he was going to cry, but surprisingly, held it in. "Max and Jamie's dad just died. Car accident after the dance."

"Oh my God," Bex whispered. The whole table was shocked. Their dad was so nice to all of us, and it was hard to believe.

"Max was in the car with him, so please try to be sensitive around him. James too, but..." his voice trailed off. "Just give them both love and support. They really need it."

They came back to the table, and I knew what Sidney was talking about. Maximillian looked like he was in a daze, staring off into space and his hands shaking. James was carrying both of their trays. He seemed more put together, but I knew he was falling apart on the inside.

"Max, James, I am so sorry," Jillian said in a quiet voice. Maximillian didn't listen, and I couldn't blame him.

"Thank you, Jillian," James replied sadly. "That means a lot."

I put my arm around Maximillian, since he was sitting right next to me. He flinched, still shaking. "I'm here for you, okay?"

"Uh." He was still staring off. I saw a small tear roll down his cheek.

That night, I was doing homework when I got a call on my house phone. I picked it up, and it was Sidney.

"I need to go out," he asserted. "There's a party tonight at Devon Keene's house, come with me?" That was a red flag for me. I never go to parties, I always get anxious.

"Why me?" I realized that sounded too mean. "Sorry, I'm just not the best at parties."

"Please."

"Did you ask Bex?"

"They're busy."

"Jillian?"

"Have you met her? That girl would never go to a party."

"The Sekowskis?"

"I can't take them out, they just lost their dad."

I was silent for a moment on the other line. I really did hate parties, and I dreaded the thought of going, especially on a Monday night. But, Sidney did really need to go out. He was almost as close to Mr. Sekowski as Maximillian and James. "Fine," I began. "I'll go. I'll get my parents to drive."

"Thanks, George. I'll see you soon." I hung up, then went downstairs to find my mom. She was always telling me to go out and have fun, so I knew she'd drive me.

"Hey, honey! What's up?"

"Can you drive me and Sidney to a party?" I blurted. She looked extremely surprised.

"Um... yes! Of course! I thought you'd never ask. Let me start the car!" She excitedly fumbled around her purse for her keys, and I got increasingly anxious.

"Call me if you need anything!" My mom drove away from the house, and I suddenly realized that there was no going back. I walked inside with Sidney, and was greeted by Devon, a junior at the time.

"Sidney! Thanks for coming, dude!" He saw me, and his expression changed. It was still welcoming, but it seemed more concerned. "Who's this?"

"This is George, he's my plus one." I gulped. "You think you could get him a drink?"

"Sure." He looked at me. "You like beer, dude?"

"Oh, God no. Water, please." Devon shrugged, but ushered me to follow him into the kitchen.

"You don't do this very often, do you?" he asked me. I shook my head. "Figures. You look like you're about to have a heart attack."

"Uh, thanks." I felt like an idiot. Devon laughed as he handed me the water.

"Sid's in the other room. Have fun, kid." I winced. I hated being called that. I walked into the other room to find Sidney playing beer pong.

"What the hell, Sid? You never drink!" I was mad, but mostly concerned.

"Relax, Mom. I'm fine." He chugged another cup. "Want some?"

"No," I asserted. I went to sit on the couch, but changed my mind when I saw a boy and a girl making out.

I just sat and watched Sidney for a while, making sure he didn't get too drunk. I was too scared to yell at him. I was mostly fine for a while until some girls came along and started kissing him, then I had to leave to get some air.

I knew Sidney was getting drunk and kissing girls so he could get his mind off of Mr. Sekowski, but it was still too much for me to take in. I stood in the front yard, the cool breeze blowing my curls around. I was almost content until Henry and Isabella walked up to me, followed by some of their friends.

"Ew, why are you even at this party?" Isabella sneered. I didn't answer. I still had the empty red solo cup in my hands.

"I didn't know you drank," Henry smirked. He was holding a solo cup also. I froze in fear. "I've gotta say, you seemed more like the kid who cries in the corner at parties."

"I should get back insi--"

"No, stay. We can be drinking buddies." Henry grabbed my shirt and poured what was in the cup onto my head. It burned my eyes and tasted bitter when it fell into my mouth.

"I have some vodka in here!" Isabella ran up to me with her cup and splashed it all over my shirt. It was cold, and I felt like crying as the rest of the group poured their drinks onto me. One kid poured his beer right into my mouth, and I choked as I tried to spit it out.

"Come inside, kid! Let's get some more drinks!" Henry bursted through the door, dragging me by the collar. I prayed that Sidney would see me. Instead, Devon did.

"Hey, Dunmoore!" He walked over to us angrily. "Are you pouring my booze onto him?"

"I mean, yeah. It's funny, isn't it?"

"Let him go," he ordered. Now I did start to cry. "I said, let him go."

"Fine. Wow, you're such a buzzkill." He shoved me to the ground and I started to run. I didn't know where I was going, but I wanted to get far away from them. Finally, I crashed into someone.

Shit.