Someone Willing to Stay

Bottle of Root Beer

I can hear the music blaring from four blocks away, where we have to park because there are no longer any free spots lining the streets outside the Parker residence.

Logan Parker lives on the Yellow Brick Road, that's what we all call his neighborhood. It's a gated community, filled with rich people and mansions. Every house on Logan's street has an inground pool and four car garage.

I've known Logan for about three years, ever since Adam became friends with his older brother.
But I've never been to his house. And right now I'm not sure if I'll ever want to step foot in it again after this party.

It's eight thirty and the house is packed with people, as well as the yard and street surrounding it.

Even though I've never been to a party, I didn't expect it to be anything like this. The music is blaring and pulsing against my eardrums, strobe lights flickering across the yard, and there are bystanders throwing up in bushes. I can smell the sweat and alcohol blending together in a disgusting margarita and see the countless couples making out on the lawn.

"We haven't even gone inside and I still feel like I'm gonna be sick." I whisper to Riley who laughs.

"It's gonna be fine."

When we get inside the house, a wave of heat hits me and I take a step back.

Claire looks at me, "We don't have to do this," she yells over the music.

I take a breath, "No, I can do this."

There are bodies pushing against mine from all sides as the three of us push through the crowd. People are dancing and laughing, throwing cups filled with beer and some other foul smelling liquids around.

"Hey, you guys made it!" David comes up to us with a red solo cup in hand. He smiles at Riley and she grins back.

"And you look great." He says to her.

"You're not so bad yourself." She says back.

I look at Claire and she stifles a laugh, pretending to gag.

"A few of us are playing beer pong out back and I need a partner, mind if I steal Riley for a few minutes?" David grins at us.

Riley looks at us with a pleading stare.

"Just go." I laugh.

Claire grabs my hand, "Let's go see if they have any snacks."

     I can barely hear anything besides a jumble of voices and a thrumming base. 

     I'm clinging to Claire's hand as if my life depends on it. I can't be here. I don't know why I decided to come.

     I look down to make sure the dress is still covering everything. There are so many people here, so many bodies. I can't let one of them see what's hidden under this lacy facade.

     "Barbecue chips," Claire exclaims once we find the kitchen, which is extremely difficult in this large house.

     "Want some?" She asks, stuffing her mouth full.

     "I'm good."

Claire loves food almost as much as she loves her phone, which I find ridiculously unfair because she still remains at the steady weight of a twig no matter how much she eats.

"Oh hey, you guys came!" Robert walks into the kitchen with a girl on his arm. She resembles him with pale skin and dark black hair. She blushes shyly and gives a timid wave as they approach us.

"Hey, Claire, Melanie." Robert says, smiling.

Claire looks at him and smiles, "Hey, who's this?"

The girl looks at Claire, "Oh, I'm Danny, Robert's sister."