Lizzie

"Hey girls," Tammy shouts out despite the fact that we're standing right in front of her. She's swaying; the beer bottle is in her left hand, and she takes a hefty swig. I want to remove it from her and throw it in a bin. "You've taken your time. Let's get you both a drink."

To my surprise, Lilly steps in. "I'm driving, Tammy. No drinking for me. Besides, it's a school night. I cannot be doing with feeling shit in class tomorrow. I'm driving Lizzie home later." I smile, so grateful that at least two of us aren't going to be getting wasted.

"You two are such spoil sports. You need to have some fun. C'mon, just one little drink." Lilly is firm and shakes her head.

"We've just gone there, and you're already drunk, Tammy. Can't you slow down a bit?"

"Don't want to." She takes another swig from the bottle of beer. "You wanna take one of these." And from inside the cup of her bra she pulls out a small clear plastic bag with some white pills inside.

"Jesus. Tammy." Lilly grabs the bag. "What is going on with you? You can't take these. What if you die?"

Tammy laughs uncontrollably. It's safe to say our girl has had way too much to drink and probably started before she even arrived at the party. "Hey doll, can I have one of those babies." Some fella has arrived from nowhere to our close circle. His eyes are deep brown and his hair is dark and to his shoulders. I'd die for hair that thick and lustrous. He's got tattoos up and down his arms which are displayed rather well since he's only wearing a vest top. His hips are narrow and his legs very lean. Tammy is instantly drawn to this sex-on-legs guys. Sure I think he's cute and pretty hot, but he's about to take drugs with one of my best girlfriends. That I definitely do not like.

"Absolutely you can. Ladies, excuse me." Tammy snatches the tiny plastic bag back from Lilly. Links her arm in the fella's and starts to walk away, sashaying her hips. He's now got his hand cupped on her right buttock. We hear Tammy giggle, then watch as he dips his head to her neck and kisses her. Tammy's hips push forward slightly. I hope to God that girl has protection on her somewhere.

"So sad," Lilly mutters. I nod in agreement.

"I'm hating this party already," I tell her and look down at the ground. I knew I should just have stayed home. Girls like me shouldn't entertain the idea of coming to things like this. I'm not a drinker. I don't do drugs. I don't do sex because I'm not that casual. When I do have sex with someone, I want it to be making love with that person. Preferably with my best friend, Brandon.

"It'll get better. Trust me, honey. Don't let Tammy worry you. She needs to get herself sorted out. I can't wait for Denver to arrive. It'll be better then. I wish Brandon could have been here for you."

"Me too. He's with Jennie." I see Lilly raise her perfect eyebrows. "Yeah, I know. It's their second date." I try to hide the hurt from my voice.

"Do you love him, Lizzie?" She asks, her eyes now wide open like little saucers.

"Behave, Lilly. Don't be so dumb. We're just best friends. I'm only pissed because we do everything together. All our firsts have been with each other. Well, except him having sex and now this dumb party."

"Let's go get some non-alcoholic drinks and wait for Denver. He'll only be about another thirty minutes." I follow her back inside to the lounge area. We meander around throngs of kids. The sofas now have couples lounging all over each other with their tongues rammed down each other's throats. I try to avert my eyes, it proves useless since they're everywhere.

Lilly laughs. "Don't be such a prude." I already know that when Denver does arrive, I'm going to be the third wheel. Perhaps I'll ask my dad to come and get me early. I feel like crying and sobbing my little heart out. I don't even care whether I bump into Dexter or not. I'd rather go to the prom on my own, or perhaps Tobias will go with me. I mull that one over. I know for a fact he doesn't have a prom partner. He's agreeable. Okay, so he isn't a looker as such, but he has a great personality. He's a bit geeky like me, and we get on very well. Oh, and he doesn't drink or take drugs.

Even the kitchen is crammed with teenagers. There are drinks on the countertops. There is an ice sculpture on the center of the marble island. It's a swan. In my opinion, it's a bit over-the-top for a kids' party, but you know, each to their own.

As I walk behind Lilly, I feel a hand groping my butt. I turn and see a tall, dark-haired boy with ice-blue eyes looking at me. "Take your hand off me," I tell him as I glare into his eyes.

"Chill out. I'm Dean." Like I care. I still stare daggers at him and refrain from slapping his face. I shrug him off and take Lilly's hand as we reach the counter with the lemonades and other alcohol-free drinks. Needless to say, hardly any kids are hanging around on this side of the kitchen. Finally, I feel like I can breathe.

"I hate it when guys think that you're a piece of meat and just grope you," I say as she pours us both a glass of lemonade. She giggles.

"At least you're fancied, honey."

"Not the point, Lilly. I hate it. Do you have any idea where Dexter is? Only I'm beginning to think this was one huge mistake."

"Don't be like that, sweetie. He's finishing up practice with Brandon and Denver. They'll be here soon. Let's go and chill in another room."

We make our way back through the kitchen into the entrance area and across another set of double doors. This leads us into a library. It's stacked with shelves upon shelves of books; there are two red sofas in the room forming an L-shape. Tall vases stand in two corners filled with beautiful flowers. I bet my mother would know what they are; I haven't got a clue unless it's roses, carnations or tulips. Which are my favorite.

Lilly pats the seat next to her on the sofa. I sit down. Now I'm filled with nerves. I feel like an idiot and so out of place. A bit like a fish must feel out of water. We chat about our history assignment, and she tells me how excited she is for prom. We both think Tammy will be crowned prom Queen, but nobody has a clue who she is taking. It seems to be some mysterious secret.

Lilly's phone rings. "Hey babe, where are you?" I am guessing it is Denver, as she is twirling her hair with her left hand. It's a bit of a giveaway, really. "Fantastic. Come through the entrance and take a left through the double doors into the library. It's a bit quieter in here. See you soon." She blows kisses down the phone; that makes me roll my eyes. It's sooo corny.

"They've just parked. Dexter has hitched a ride with them so he can have a drink." She tells me. Great. So now Dexter is going to get pissed too. Brilliant. Fantastic. Not.

Before I've got time to think about doing a runner and calling my dad to come and get me, I hear Denver's voice. "How's my favorite girl?" His arms are around Lilly as he pulls her into him and kisses the top of her head. She has placed her drink on the wooden table and wraps her arms around his waist.

Then I spot him, and he's not alone. Instantly I feel sick. I want to get out of here. I need to get out of here. I can't breathe.