hardships | 13 REASONS WHY

five

By 11 0'clock, Bryce and Tatum's house was packed with partiers. Bryce decided to throw a last minute party since their parents will be out of town for another week or so. Montgomery was with Tatum, per usual. Everyone knew that they were inseparable. Not because they liked each other and wanted to be all lovey dovery, touchy feely with each other but because they would always have a great time when they were together.

"Tatum do you want another drink?" Pratters asked. He's in her communications class along with Zach and Justin.

"Sure. thanks," He walked away from the rest of the group to get himself and Tatum a refill.

"Since when did you two become friends?" Monty asked, a hint of jealousy coming off.

"Aw. is someone jealous," she turned her head and squeezed his cheeks. They were standing by the pool, his arm around her, with Pratters, Zach, Justin, Bryce, and some other guys from the basketball and football team.

"oooo, Monty has a crush?" Zach said as everyone else laughed.

"fuck off Dempsey," Tatum shook her head. Monty looked back down at her, "I'm not jealous, I was just curious." He said defending himself. It was true. I mean he was sort of jealous because he didn't want her to stop being best friends with him and go be better friends with someone else because of all the shit he has done.

"I know Mont. It's ok," Pratters walked back over and handed Tatum a cup filled with beer.

"For you,"

"Thank you very much," she smiled at him.

"Hey, I'm going to use the bathroom. I'll be right back, okay?" Monty said removing his arm from around Tatum's shoulders.

"okay. I'll be right here." the rest of the boys turned there attention away from Montgomery, Pratters and Tatum and went back to talking about who Bryce was going to bang next.

"so now that your overprotective best friend is gone, do you want to go sit somewhere and talk?" Pratters asked her pointing to chairs in the corner by the pool where no one was.

"He's not overprotective," she said, trying to defend Monty as they walked to the chairs. "He just doesn't want anything to happen to me at a party, that's all," she finished, taking a seat next to Pratters.

"You're beautiful," he said moving a piece of stray hair, tucking it behind her ear. He leaned in and kissed her. It has been awhile since anyone has kissed her. Probably not since freshman year when Chase Parker and her were together. They pulled away, he took her head and led her into the house upstairs.

"Hey, where's Tatum?" Montgomery asked looking around for his best friend.

"I think her and Pratters went inside, I don't know really." football player, Scott Reid said shrugging his shoulders. Montgomery turned around and walked quickly into the house looking for Tatum. On his journey to find her, he bumped into Jessica Davis.

"Jessica, have you seen Tatum," he asked frantically looking around.

"Yeah, she was headed upstairs with some guy. I wouldn't go up there if I were you," she shook her head, only imagining what was happening up there.

"she's drunk Jessica," she shook her head.

"She seemed fine. just let her live a little," Jessica said taking another sip of her drink. Monty ignored what she said her ran up the stairs looking for her.

Tatum and Pratters entered her bedroom and closed the door, both too drunk to even realize they forgot to lock it. He pushed her up against they wall, his mouth leaving kisses all over her neck. He quickly and excitedly took her shirt off and pushed her over to the bed. Before they could get any further, the door swung open to reveal Montgomery de la Cruz, looking very angry.

"yo man, what the hell?" Pratters said turning around to look at Monty.

"Monty? wh-what are you doing?" she asked sitting up.

"Pratters, get out of here." He motioned for him to leave but he didn't.

"why do you always need to be with her and tell her what to do? She's her own person, the fuck," Monty's jaw clenched and his fists tightened looking like he was about to throw a punch.

"you should probably just go. I'll see you later?" she said looking over at Pratters, nodding her head. He picked up his shirt and walked out the door. "What the hell Monty?"

"You're drunk," he said picking up her shirt and handing it to her. He walked over to the door and closed it just incase anyone walked passed.

"I had only had two drinks," she said putting her shirt on. She was mad. Pratters was right, why did he always need to be with her or constantly make decisions for her? Maybe it was the beer talking but it made her mad.

"and you're a lightweight," he shook his head laughing. She stood up and hit his shoulder with her fist and walked out of the room. "Tate, wait up," he called after her. He caught back up to her as she was walking down the stairs. "You know I love you," he leaned over and kissed the top of her head.

"mhm," she mumbled and continued walking with her at his side back out to the backyard.

"where were you two?" Bryce questioned looking at Tatum's wrinkled shirt.

"I was just about to get dicked down but nooo Monty doesn't think it's a good idea since I'm 'drunk'," she rolled her eyes. Pratters was standing near looking like he was going to say something but decided against it. Probably best for him to keep his mouth shut when it comes to Monty.

"Monty what the hell? let the girl live a little," Zach said pushing his shoulder slightly.

"You notice how she said dicked down?" the boys all nodded their heads in realization as what his point was. "I rest my case,"