richpez for mae

7

Joey met Brian and AJ at 8:45 pm outside their college dorm building. Joey had arrived first, anxiously pacing back and forth about the party that they were about to head into. It was his first college party, and pretty much all the people who were going to be at the party were seniors who were really close friends. He wanted to go but didn't want to feel like an outsider. But he had Brian and AJ, and would hopefully make some friends while he was tipsy.

AJ had arrived shortly after, followed by Brian, as they all greeted each other and started the walk towards the Fredrickson Building.

"You guys excited?" Brian asked, his eyes already quite wide and Joey could tell that he had already started drinking.

"100%. Can't wait to get drunk and party." AJ hummed happily.

Joey didn't answer. He was too busy overthinking all the bad things that could happen at the party. Joey was usually a social butterfly, but this situation made him feel slightly uncomfortable as the only other person he'd know at the party apart from the other two boys was Darren. He was so deep in thought that he didn't realise that they'd already arrived, the walk shorter than he thought as they headed through the front doors and up the stairs to the second floor. The three boys stood at the door awkwardly, unsure of what to do from here.

"You guys nervous?" Joey asked quietly.

"Kinda, yeah," Brian replied in the same tone.

"It's just gonna be a lot of seniors that's all." AJ tried to exude confidence, but the nerves made his voice crack slightly.

After what felt like a lifetime stood still, Joey reached his hand out and knocked at the door. He looked at the other boys and smiled faintly before the door swung over and a drunk Darren stumbled forwards through the door frame.

"Boys!" He shouted excitedly, bringing them in for a brief hug. They could smell the alcohol from his body, the smell lingering as he pulled away. "Come on in! Welcome to the party!"

Darren hurried inside and the boys followed, shutting the front door and making their way through the sea of people to the kitchen. Joey looked around to see a huge mix of people in the apartment, but his eyes drifted back to the selection of booze sitting on the counter.

"Make yourself a drink and mingle, I'll introduce you to people." He slurred, the boys grabbing a quick beer and following Darren to the lounge. "Everybody!" Darren shouted as some people around them quietened down. "These are my new friends, Brian, AJ and Joey. Please make them feel welcome and drown them in booze." He laughed, sauntering off into the crowd and disappearing out of sight.

People around them made their way over to introduce themselves to the boys, and they began to relax, drinking alcohol and mixing with some of the other people at the party. The boys stayed close, not wanting to lose each other in the crowd of people, but they felt more comfortable now that they were starting to get tipsy and branch out to other people.

-

The party was in full swing. Joey had no idea what time it was and where his friends were, but he knew that he was quite tipsy and very happy. He chatted away to some of the other guys on his swim team who also made it to the party, talking about training the next day and the season the come. But suddenly, he heard a voice that he instantly recognised behind him and his heart nearly burst out of his chest.

"Joey!" Lauren shouted from down the corridor. He spun around to see none other than Lauren Lopez walking towards him, a smile on her face and a drink in her hand.

Joeys eyes widened as he admired her look. She was wearing a black skintight dress that hugged every curve on her body, her cleavage showing at the top of her dress slightly. She wore black heels to match the dress, still not being anywhere close to the height of Joey, and her long, dark hair flowing over her shoulders. Her smile automatically lit up his room, and he subconsciously smiled back at her.