California

Chapter Twelve

The Screecher had barely begun and already some kids were batshit drunk. I mean, really drunk. Some of them climbed up on the snack table and threw himself as rockstars do. Only there was no crowd to keep him from smashing straight into the ground. A few kids laughed at him, but soon enough he was over at the kegs pouring himself another cup. Those who weren't wasted were enjoying the music and talking in groups. Clareview's chaste system was even more apparent: the jocks had their own thing going on with the cheerleaders to commemorate the win while the other kids watched them. It was like a war cry or something, but the words got mixed with the music and I couldn't understand anything. It was like they were celebrities or something since the people around them were pointing their smartphones at them as if they were recording someone famous. That was weird, but I guessed it was just a school tradition.

I saw Clara, the brunette it girl, celebrating with the athletes. She was wearing the cheerleading uniform I had seen before - I supposed it was safe to say she was the captain. She had her arms swung over the broad shoulders of this jock who was chugging one cup after the other.

"Who's that?" I poked Amanda and discretely pointed at the jock.

"Oh, that's Brian. He's the running back who scored that last touchdown. He's supposed to be the best player on the squad."

"He seems... excited." I joked while we watched him gulp yet another can of beer.

"He's a notorious party guy, so to speak." Amanda had her own red cup at hand filled with cold beer. She didn't seem to like it that much. "He and Clara have been together for over a year now."

"Are they happy?" I asked, unaware of how awkward that sounded.

Clara had her arms wrapped around Brian but her face wasn't glowing like it's supposed to when we're with someone we truly like. I mean, I wouldn't know since I'd never dated anyone before, but I saw that on my parents' faces and it was all the proof I needed.

"Well, I have no idea." Amanda was clearly I lightweight. I could definitely relate to that. "They sure are pretty, though."

Amanda finished her cup and announced she was off to get some more booze. People kept arriving and soon the whole place would be packed. That was cool: I felt like it was one of those clubs in Seattle me and my friends used to go. We managed to get in with a friend of us who worked as a bouncer there. I loved those parties, but the Screecher was something else. I could add that to the list of thing that had surprised me in LA so far.

Suddenly Eric came up to me and we toasted.

"This is some good beer." He said.

"Truly special." I joked. He had a kind face that I couldn't help but like.

"So, what do you think of Clareview so far?" He was clearly getting somewhere.

"It's awesome, really. The campus feels like a beach club and everybody seems to have a tan 24/7. How's that even possible?"

"To be honest, we do have a lot of sun down here." We laughed. "And how about you and Amanda? You guys really hit it off, huh?"

"Oh yeah, she's just the sweetest." I noticed my own cup was nearly done. I had to pump the breaks otherwise soon I'd be the one crowd surfing. "She was nice to me from the start and I don't think I'll make a better friend around here."

"You're super right!" He seemed nervous. Did he have a crush on me? "She's really great. Actually, I-"

Amanda came rushing back spilling her brand new beer all over the place. Eric and I jumped but she grabbed us by the shoulders.