When the crowd began to grow close again, I felt the need to go back to the kitchen again. The problem was that I genuinely enjoying talking with Josh, and didn't want my anxiety to ruin it. "I, uh, I think I'm going to go into the kitchen where it's quieter, do you want to join me?"

"That sounds good," Josh agreed, and I didn't have to be told twice. I grabbed Josh's hand so we wouldn't get separated, and I waded into the crowd towards the kitchen.

I felt my anxiety quickly start to melt away as I entered the quieter kitchen. I noted that Brendon still hadn't returned, but Hayley, Patrick, and Pete were still there, as well as two new people.

Realizing I was still holding Josh's hand, I let go and hopped up on the counter again, next to Hayley. Without hesitation, Josh hopped up next to me. Normally, I would feel awkward or uncomfortable sitting so close to someone I didn't know, but with Josh, I felt as comfortable sitting next to him as I did with Hayley.

"Who's this, Tyler?" Hayley asked, raising an eyebrow. I wasn't one to have a friend tag along with them, besides Hayley. Actually, I was usually the one to tag along.

"I'm Josh Dun," Josh said, introducing himself. "I think we've probably met before. I go to Ohio State. Frankie invited me to come."

"That's true, I did," one of the strangers chimed in. I wasn't entirely sure what he and the other stranger were dressed as. Frank wore a yellow and black longed sleeved shirt under a vest, black pants, and boots. He had a blue bandanna with white stars over the lower half of his face, like a mask. He also had tattoos all over his arms and hands. The other stranger was wearing a blue and white jacket with a high collar, white pants, and boots. He had bright red hair, and a yellow, black, and blue mask pulled up onto the top of his head, out of his face.

"It's like a madhouse out there," Josh continued, gesturing with a hand to the crowded living room. Sitting on the edge of the counter, his feet hovered a foot away from the floor, like mine. I swung my feet as he went on. "I was trying to get some more chips, tripped over somebody's foot, and accidentally fell on Tyler."

"Sure, 'accidentally'," Frank said, using air quotes, and Pete laughed. Josh blushed and took a drink from his Sprite before talking again. "So, what were you guys talking about before we showed up?"

"Frankie and Gee's wedding," Hayley chimed in.

"You guys are getting married?" I asked, feeling comfortable enough to join the conversation.

The guy with the red hair nodded, and took Frank's hand. "Yeah, Frankie and I are getting hitched once we're done with college. Only a couple more months now."

"What kind of wedding are you thinking about?" Patrick questioned.

"Probably something cheap and informal, since we're both broke."

"Well, best wishes to both of you," Patrick said kindly.

"How about a toast?" Hayley held out her drink. The rest of us held out our drinks as well, a collection of sodas and beers. "Cheers, to Frankie and Gee's wedding!"

Everyone clinked their drinks together. "Cheers!" Maybe this party wasn't so bad after all.

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A/N: In case you were wondering about the ages of the characters, Tyler, Josh, and Hayley are all 20

Brendon and Ryan are 21

Patrick and Pete are 19

and Gee and Frankie are 23

Artist unknown, credit to artist