Second Chance

Remind me not to pick a fight with you

The ground shook violently beneath my feet as I quickly opened the passenger door of Blake's tiny sedan. I had been to my fair share of parties in my lifetime, but even this party was enough to shock me.

The four-story mansion was ablaze with light and color, every window lit against the dark evening air. Drunken teenagers overflowed onto the perfectly manicured lawn, and cars were parked, bumper-to-bumper half a mile down the street.

"Whoa." Elizabeth mutters next to me, her eyes wide as she stares at the mass of graduated students. "When they said this party would be crazy, I didn't think they meant this."

"How are the cops not all over this?" Blake gasps, her jaw dropping in awe and slight mortification. This was bigger than any of us could have imagined. The three of us had dressed to impress: each sporting tight skimpy dresses and heels- much to my distaste. At this rate, I wouldn't make it another hour in these God-forsaken shoes, much less three months.

"I heard the guy's dad is like the police chief or something." Elizabeth shrugs, and together, we make our way slowly inside. Pounding music vibrated my bones, and the stench of stale beer and marijuana soaked the humid air.

I'm pretty sure you could get high just walking through this place.

Students, many of them graduates like us, crowded every available inch of the massive home clutching shot glasses or various alcoholic drinks. A DJ was set up on the far side of the room, and students grinded on the makeshift dance floor in the middle of the living room.

"Let's get a drink!" Elizabeth yells in my ear, and I nod, allowing her to pull me further into the crowd.

Motioning to the bartender, she grabs three shots and hands one to each of us with a mischievous grin. "Cheers. To our last summer together and getting wasted!"

No more worrying about my dad, or my sister, or the last summer I will ever have. No more school, or drama.

I could just finally be the teen that was stolen from me years ago.

Refilling my glass, I quickly downed two more, feeling the slow burn spread through my entire body as a state of euphoria set in. Throwing my hands in the air, I let out a animalistic cheer, finally letting free all the stress built up in my life.

Blake and Elizabeth were both staring at me in shock as I quickly glanced at them and grinned. "You guys okay?" I ask curiously, raising my eyebrow in question. After several seconds of silence, I grab each of their hands and drag them onto the crowded dance floor. A long grinding chain was winding its way through the room, guys pushed up against girls as they swayed to the pounding music.

"Damn girl," Elizabeth yells in my ear, grabbing onto my hips as we wind our way through the crowded room with the rest of the line. "Party much?"

"It's been a while," I laugh, winking at her over my shoulder.

"I can't say I'm complaining," Blake smirks. "I forgot how much fun you are when your drunk."

"I forgot what it was like to be drunk!" I shrug, throwing my hands above my head as the music continued around me. The three of us were catching the attention of those around us, much to the disapproval of their scowling girlfriends, and drawing a crowd of excited dancers.

"Is Chase here?" Blake nudges me lightly as we each break apart from our temporary dancing partners. The guy were getting a just a little too touchy for my taste, and I couldn't say I was sorry to see him go.

"I don't even know. I haven't seen him yet but I'm sure he is around somewhere."

"You need to talk to him," she glares pointedly at me, narrowing her eyes in what was supposed to be a menacing glare, but the alcohol in her system lessened the effect.