It's Jo.

The Panic Attack

I hate that this is one of the best nights I've had in a really long time. The nerds are annoyingly enjoyable to be around, with the exception of the tall dark-haired kid, who's name I've learned is Mike Wheeler.

Mike seems to despise me. I have no idea how, considering I've talked to this particular group 1 time in my life before this, and I wasn't even talking to him directly. And yet, this kid has been staring at me since I met up with them.

Was he really that upset about the scare I pulled? Jesus Christ man, grow a spine and deal with it.

With the exception of douchebag Mike, the others are really cool. The short scared kid, who introduced himself as Will Beyers, is funny and smiley when he isn't looking pale and terrified. Lucas is a huge wimp, and jumps at most every noise. I've taken full advantage of that trait tonight, sneaking up behind him at random moments and taking him by surprise. The best part about it is his girly scream.

And Dustin... Dustin is something else altogether. He is also a huge wimp, but holds himself together better than Lucas does. He's hilarious, cracking jokes and using sarcasm abs wit as his weapons of choice. But the best part about him in my opinion is his laugh. It's an infectious wheeze that you can't help at smile and laugh along with.

It's freaky how I'm noticing all these things about Dustin Henderson. I'm normally not that observant.

But like I said, he's something else.

Our little group has been trodding along for a little over an hour, and we are almost done with Loch Nora. I look down at my pillowcase, which is over half full.

Fuck yeah, this should get me through Christmas.

Lucas and Dustin are beside me, laughing and talking animatedly about a video game, Dragon Slayer. Mike and Will are behind us, Mike talking to Will with an angry expression on his face.

I'm willing to bet money he's yelling to poor Will about me.

Scared Will is back, the pale, sickly looking kid that suddenly looks even smaller than he already is. I'm gripped with an overwhelming urge to go wrap my arm around his shoulders to try and make him feel safe.

I am also very tempted to sock Mike in the face for yelling at Will when he didn't do anything wrong.

I despise people who make others feel small and insignificant. Especially if it's a friend. As a friend, it should be your job to lift your friend up and make them feel confident enough to take on the world. Belittling them or making them feel guilty for no reason other than your bad mood isn't a sign of a good best friend.

While I'm engaged in a internal battle deciding whether I'm punching or comforting, Mike makes eye contact with those broody dark eyes of his. His scowl deepens. Abandoning Will and pushing past me, he grabs the arms of Dustin and Lucas and tries to pull them away from us.

"What the hell man, what're you doing?" Dustin protests while trying to pry his arm out of Mike's death grip. Lucas looks at him with concern.

"You ok man?" He asks, throwing his pillowcase over his shoulder, looking like Santa Clause in a jumpsuit.

"No, I'm not ok. Why did you guys invite her? We never agreed to invite someone else into the party."

This mother fucker. I take my mask off and drop it at my feet.

"What the hell is your problem?"

"My problem is you! Why are you here?" He yells.

"I'm here because your friends over there invited me!" I screech back.