Friday rolled around and I was doing my after school ritual which consisted of me sitting on the sofa splitting my attention between TV and social media. As I scrolled through my feed reading all of the hype surrounding tonight's party I started to think of the pros and cons of going. The pros included not feeling like a social outcast, even if it was only for one night. The cons consisted of just one thing: It's Derek Conway's party. That meant the girls would be there.

There were two scenarios that could take place. Either they ignore my presence or they make a big show about kicking me out. The ladder made me think of what happened in the cafeteria one first day of school. I don't think I could go through another round of humiliation like that.

My internal debate was cut short by the ringing of the doorbell. Pushing myself up from the couch I went to opened it.

"Hi Calvin." I greeted with a smile, stepping aside to let him in.

Ever since that night at Sweetie Pies I've been seeing a lot more of him outside of school. He'd come over before work, sometimes after, and we would do our homework together or talk some more about movies and random things that popped into our heads.

His personality has changed a bit since we first met. It used to be difficult to hold a conversation with him. Now, depending on the subject, he would talk and talk. Not that I minded. I was always interested in what he had to say. Even if I didn't agree with some of the things he said. It was still nice to just talk to someone.

"Is that what you're wearing to party?" He motioned to my mixed matched pajamas that I slipped into the moment I got home from school. An Eeyore shirt and Grumpy the Care Bear shorts. Two of my favorite cartoon characters despite my cheery personality.

"This is what I'm wearing to bed." I corrected him, plopping back onto the couch and picking up my phone. "If you're here to talk me into going then you're wasting your time."

I could feel him hovering over my shoulder as I scrolled through my feed on Instagram. Everyone was posting pictures of their party outfits and I was feeling a small sliver of jealous as I looked at group pictures of girls and remembered how it felt to get ready with Faye, Ellen and Jasmine.

"Is this what you're going to do all night?" He quipped. "I thought I was supposed to be the antisocial loner in this relationship."

His words shook my whole world. He was right. Somehow we switched roles and that scared me. I wasn't the type of girl who stayed at home on Friday nights. I went out and socialized, something I haven't done in a long time.

"I have to get ready!" I announced, hopping up from the sofa.

"Vincent will be here in about two hours." He informed me before leaving out the front door.

After a quick shower I put on black, sleeveless blouse and a pair of dark red skinny jeans. It was simple and not too flashy. I could easily hide in a dark corner if I needed to. Satisfied with my hair and make-up, I grab my phone and my purse and head over to Calvin's.

When he opened up the door I felt my face scrunch up at the sight of what he was munching on. "Who eats string cheese?"

"Lots of people," He replied as he let me in and closed the door. Then he added, "it's always sold out at the grocery store."

"Well, it's disgusting." I grimaced, turning to face him. That when I noticed he looked a little more put together than usual. His black jeans and shoes looked new. Of course he just had to wear his tired, old hoodie. There was one problem with his outfit though.

"You have to change your shirt." I stated.

His eyebrow raised in question. "Why?"

Stepping over to him I stuck my finger through the hole in his shirt. "It looks like Swiss cheese."

He mumbled an "oh" as he made his way up to his room. I followed, curious to see where he spent his nights. His bedroom light would spill out into his backyard well into the middle of the night and I always wondered what he was doing up so late. When I entered his room I figured out why. Pages of random, yet very well done, drawings of people, animals and scenery were scattered across his desk.

"Is this your project for Mr. Webb?" I asked, picking up what looked like a car molded out of a fast food drink cup.

"Yeah, it's supposed to represent our move to Berwick." He replied, dropping down into his mattress that was on the floor.

"I haven't even started mines yet." I admitted, placing his project back down on his desk. "Mr. Webb says I'm creatively constipated."

Looking around I noticed that, like the rest if the house, his room wasn't decorated. No pictures of family or posters or anything really except his mattress and desk. It looked like they didn't live here, like they were squatters ready to take off at moment's notice.

Looking back to Calvin I watched as he opened up a suitcase full of clothes and dug through it. Walking over to the closest I motioned to it like one of those girls on The Price Is Right.

"This is a closet. People put their clothes in it when they don't plan on fleeing the country."

He ignored me and continued to rummage through his clothes for a decent shirt. I turned my attention to the sketch book that laid on his dresser. Flipping through it I find drawings of people. Women and males of all ages. Who knew he was such a talented artist. Every day I was discovering something new about this boy.

"Can I have some privacy, please?"

I laughed at his request, still looking through the book. "I won't look, I promise."

One of his muscled arms snaked around my waist, lifting me up. He carried me out into the hallway and I glared at him as he shut his bedroom door. My eyes roll at the sound of the door locking.

A few moments later he emerges from his room wearing a hole-free black button up underneath his infamous red hoodie.

"Is there a reason you always wear that thing?" I questioned as we walked down the stairs.

He exhaled as he thought about his what he was going to say. "I like it?" He shrugged.

I opened my mouth to say something else, but was cut off by the blaring of a car horn. The obnoxious action accompanied by the loud dance club music could be none other than Vincent Munro.

"Is it too late to back out?" I asked as Calvin and I walked out of his house and made our way over to Vincent's car.

"Yes, it is." He replied as he opened the passenger side door for me, closing it after I got in.

+++

Once Vincent set up his music equipment and the party officially started Derek's mansion like house was flooded with people. Everyone was dancing or drinking or in a corner making out. It felt different than other parties I've attended. Like, I was on the outside looking in and not actually experiencing it for myself.

Raising the plastic, red cup up to my lips I took another sip of my beer. I winced at the taste I wasn't quite used to, earning a chuckle from Calvin who stood next to me. The two of us have been hanging out near a potted plant like total creepers and discussing or favorite party scenes from horror flicks. We both agreed that Scream had one of the best.

"Why are you drinking it if you don't like it?"

"Because it's what people do at parties." Also, I've been holding up the wall night and over thinking everything. I needed something to loosen me up just a little and quite frankly, so did he. "Here." I held out my drink to him. "Have some."

"No, thanks." He answered firmly.

Letting out a sigh I grabbed his hand, forcing him to take the cup. "Drink!" I ordered.

"So, this is peer pressure." He joked before taking a swig of the beer. He frowned at the taste and I laughed, rolling my eyes.

My phone vibrated against my thigh and my mood instantly changed. I already knew who it was and he was getting on my nerves. I didn't even bother to read the text. Instead I scanned the crowded area, spotting him across the room. He cocked his head to the side, towards the hallway and then disappeared down in.

"I'll be right back." I told Calvin before pushing through the sea of people.

Following him was risky, but he wasn't taking the hint. Talking to him face to face might be the only way to put an end to this. The dimly lit hallway was empty aside from the boy at the end of. As I got closer to him I noticed how tense he looked. His blond hair was disheveled and not in a cute way. Definitely not the way I expected him to look and on his birthday of all days.

"What do you want, Derek?" I hissed, moving further down the hall so we wouldn't be visible.

Derek became a huge thorn in my side over the summer which made my efforts to get back in with my friends that much harder. He backed off a bit since school started, but tonight he was relentless.

"I'm breaking up with Faye."

My heart dropped several stories. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"I mean, I'm thinking about it." He continued. "I don't know. What do you think?"

My eyes squeezed shut and hoped that when I opened them I'd wake up from this nightmare I was currently in. Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

"Why?" I groaned, resting the palm of my hand on my forehead. "Why are you talking to me about this?"

Even though we weren't talking at the moment it hurt me to hear this. Faye loved Derek more than anything and Derek loved her. They were perfect for each other and the possibility of them breaking up broke my heart.

"I love her, I really do, but she's different." He ran his hands through his hair. His features twisted into a look of utter confusion. "I mean, she's nothing like when we first met. You know what I mean right? I don't want to break up with her, but she keeps accusing me of sleeping around with any girl I talk to. Even teachers!" He lets out a wry laugh as he leans on the wall across from me, softly banging his head against it multiple times.

I felt bad for him. Faye has become a crazy, jealous girlfriend recently and it was clear that she smothering him. Still, I was pissed that he came to me about this.

"I'm not the person you should be talking to about this."

He stopped banging his head against the wall to look down me, his green eyes looked sad and tired.

"You're the one that set us up." He reminded me of freshmen year when he was an awkward boy in braces and too nervous to approach Faye. That felt like forever ago. "You helped me get her and now I really need your help with this, Mia. I don't know what to do."

Letting out a heavy sigh, I stepped towards to saddened boy. "I can't -"

"Derek?"

I looked up to find Faye. Her eyes darted between Derek and I like she was trying to figure out what was going on. I wanted to explain, but I froze up. Unable to speak or move.

"Faye, we were just talking." Derek spoke up, stepping towards her.

She took a step back, her piercing blue eyes glued to me. "Right." She scoffed. "I know how you two like to talk."

My gaze shot down to the wooden floor, her glare too intense for me. I couldn't help but feel guilty for what I put her through. I felt like it was partially my fault that her trust in Derek was broken.

"We weren't doing anything, alright?"

Derek tried to defend us, but it was obvious that Faye wasn't in the mood to hear anything he had to say.

"You need to leave." Her words dripped with venom.

She was right, I did need to leave. I never should have come. I was perfectly happy on my couch with Netflix and Instagram. All hope I had for rekindling things with Faye was lost and what Derek was planning to do only made me feel worse. So I left. I could feel her eyes burning holes into my back as I walked away.

The cold night breeze hit me as I stepped outside and I hugged myself for warmth. There were people scattered about outside Derek's house and I weaved my way through them. The walk home would be a long one, but I didn't care I needed to get out of here. All I could think about were Faye's eyes and how they looked more hurt than angry. She was my best friend for years and to see her like that killed me. Tears stung my eyes as they formed, my legs felt weak as I walked. I was so focused on not having a break down that I almost didn't hear Calvin calling out to me.

Fearing that my legs would no longer be able to support me I stopped and sat down on the curb. I buried my face in my knees as I started to cry. I felt as Calvin sat down beside me, but he didn't say anything. For a while the only sounds were the faint music and chatter from the party and the disgusting sounds of my sobs.

After I had finally calmed down I lifted my head up and wiped the tears from my face. I was grateful for the dark sky and the dim street lights because I was sure I looked horrible with tear stained cheeks and my ruined make up. It was weird, but I didn't want Calvin to see me like this. I was slightly embarrassed that he was a witness to my cry fest.

"Aren't you supposed to be helping Vincent?" I asked with a sniffle.

"What happened back there?" He countered, completely ignoring my question. "Was it your friends again?"

The judgmental tone of his voice was unmistakable.

"You don't know what I did."

"Then tell me." He suggested, turning his body towards me. "What did you do?"

"I made out with Faye's boyfriends, ok?" I confessed, looking down at my hands. "They have every right to be angry with me."

He chuckled at my confession and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"That's it? That's the reason they've been making your life hell?"

His amused reaction confused me. When the news started to spread around school I would get judgmental looks from some of the girls and a reputation as easy among the guys - mainly due to the fact that the kiss turned into a blow job which turned in to sex. Still, messing around with your best friends boyfriend was no laughing matter.

"What you did was messed up." He continued. "But that doesn't justify how they're treating you. It's obvious that you feel bad about it and that you're sorry it happened. If they were really ever your friends they would have forgiven you all ready or just moved on. They wouldn't be torturing you like this."

Of course he didn't understand. It was pointless talking to someone who knew nothing about me or my friends. Fed up, I got up from the curb and continued my walk.

"Where are you going?"

"Home."

I half expected him to follow me, but he didn't. There was a tinge of disappointment when I was met with silence instead of the soft thuds of his footsteps behind me. It was a weird feeling considering the fact that I hardly knew him, but I thought of him as a friend and like the emotional idiot I am I was ruining it. It scared me how good I was getting at pushing people out of my life.

+++

Hi, humans! I honestly never know what to say in author notes, but I feel like I should write them? I don't know lol.

Anyways, thanks for reading this chapter. I really hope you enjoyed it.

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