*Please note that Leith is being misgendered because the others don't know. All the other reasons aren't valid to misgender someone.*

7-Misleading party

Leith's pov

Why did I agree to this? Is it because it's Kenton that asked me and I can't say no? Well yeah. Even if we were slowly starting to feel comfortable around each other after the whole non-binary thing he had to ask this. I love Kenton it's no wonder I have a crush on him but it doesn't mean I like everything about him.

Now I feel uneasy right now. Who's that Bianca girl? I have a feeling she has a thing for Kenton. I probably saw her before but I didn't know her name until now.

But who I am kidding, of course, Kenton doesn't like me like that. Why'd I think I'd stand a chance? Kenton is the popular guy, he has options everywhere he goes and I'm not one of those.

Ugh, why did I have to confess to him last week? I didn't have to deal with all this...

Yeah, last week I went to one of my first parties and I didn't intend to come to another one so soon. Not after what happened last week.

Parties really aren't my thing and I'd rather stay home quietly but I know it's not the case with Kenton. He's the party type, he has a social life unlike me. Gosh, we are so opposites. How do I expect us to get along?

Sure, it's fun to have a crush on Kenton since he's super hot but the downside to that it's everyone likes him too. I'm not jealous per se because he's not mine and he'll never be. I think he made it clear just by not being understanding of me. I have to keep telling myself that because it seems like I keep getting hopes up for no reason.

Nonetheless, I still can't help but not like it when girls are talking to him or even guys too. I always dreamt that it would be me talking to him instead but now that it has come true, I don't know if I like it as much as I first thought. Yeah, I almost regret getting into this for the drama.

The good thing is that I get to be close to Kenton but he's too popular, I don't really like it. I like having a low profile but ever since I started hanging out with it seems like everyone is looking carefully at my every move. Is this what it feels like to hang out with someone popular?

Regardless, I don't know what I'm expecting out of this. Kenton invited me to the party and I said yes like a fool.

Now I have to socialize and I don't like that. Last time, it was fine, no one knew me but since I started hanging out with Kenton, of course, everyone has noticed.

What's worse is that Sarah and Mattie aren't there. They are my support. How will I survive tonight? I really don't know.

I'd be a fool to think Kenton would be by my side all party long, it's hard to believe that.

Everyone always tries to talk to him and he's surrounded by his friends all the time. Yeah, I've noticed that last week.

Kenton is intimidating whenever he's with others but when it's just us alone he's so chill...It's odd.

Yeah, I should stop thinking about that.

Kenton really surprised me earlier by asking me to go to the party. Mostly because I had no time to prepare myself, yeah no time.

I'm used to planning everything to perfection not just randomly showing up at a party.

For a second, I thought Kenton and I would arrive together at the party but I must have lost my mind to think so.

He's going with his friends. So yeah, I had to leave his house.

It kinda hurts that I'm arriving there with him but at the same time it's a good thing, I get to have proper party attire, I guess? I can't show up with a plain jumper and plain pants. I'm going to a huge party! A party Kenton is attending to!

I can't make a fool of myself.

In the end, I settled for something simple but still not my jumper. At least I have a better shirt and I don't look dead.

I managed to make sure my parents didn't notice where I was going.

Yeah, they don't know about the fact I go to parties. They surely would not approve of this. It's trouble in their minds, even more with alcohol involved. I do agree with them on that but it's not that bad. I survived last week.

Earlier Kenton gave me the address of that Bianca girl. Ugh, her name sounds like such a gossip girl. It's sickening. Doesn't matter now.

I leave the house in the chilly late November wind. It's been dark outside for quite a while despite it being only 7:30 p.m.

Unfortunately, I have to take the bus. I have my driver's license but I don't have a car because why would my parents buy that for me? They don't see the point and it's not like I need it anyways.

Last time I went with Sarah and Mattie. I wasn't alone but now I am, I don't mind being alone but I won't lie and say I wish I had at least someone with me.

Now, I wait for the bus at the bus stop all alone.

As I do, I think about why I even went to last week's party. Yeah, now that I think about it it was odd. I agreed to easily.

It was Mattie, for once Mattie begged us to go to that party for fun. I didn't get it but as Sarah really wanted to go too, I couldn't say no. So yeah and then my confession happened.

Ugh, I hope tonight's party will be worth it.

———————

I'm at that girl's Bianca's party and so far, it hasn't been fun at all.

Kenton hasn't even noticed I was there, didn't even text me and hasn't talked to me once.

Was he lying earlier? No, I know why, he's been so busy socializing with others that he can't bother to come and see me in my little corner in the living room.

"Hey, what's on your mind? Cheer up this party. You're supposed  to have some fun not give me this look, I don't like it, it doesn't suit you."

Finally, he dared to come talk to me, I was starting to think I had to leave with how boring it was up to this point.

"What look?"

"Well, you look kinda sad. No, are you regretting saying yes? You didn't have to say yes if you didn't want to come."

"No, it's fine. I want to be here." I give him a small smile despite lying.

"If you say so."

And there he goes again.

I really don't get it. Why did he invite me if he won't even talk to me? Now he's telling me to have fun, how can I when he's leaving me all alone?

Ok, I'm kinda at fault here, I've been sitting in the corner of the living room and it's not surprising to say that others aren't even talking to me. It's like I'm invisible. Kenton was the first to talk to me even if it lasted less than 2 minutes.

I don't actually care about the fact I'm all alone, I like being alone. I don't genuinely want to socialize but I thought they would question me on why I'm here or ask me questions about Kenton and I's link between one another.

But now I find it odd that Kenton just straight up left. Is it because he's too busy socializing or is he actually doing it on purpose?

He doesn't want to be seen with me anymore? What's wrong with me?

I know I'm not the perfect person, definitely not what everybody idealizes but come on is he ashamed to be hanging out with me in public? I mean people have seen us together before but he never wants to be with me when his friends are there which is the case right now.

I don't understand, wasn't he the one who said he doesn't care what people think of who he hangs out with? Hmm, maybe he's lying, what a dick move of him.

"Hey, what'd you doing staying there? Didn't I tell you to have some fun?" Oh? He decided to come talk to me again. But is he being serious right now?

"Did it ever occur to you that I'm not having fun because of you?"

Well, that was harsh coming from me. It's obvious that it affects him.

"Oh, I didn't realize. I thought you didn't want to be with me. I see how people look at you and..."

"I don't care about that."

"Oh? Really I was sure you did..."

"Who's that you were talking to?"

"Oh, just some girls but I was getting kind of bored so I came here."

"Where are your friends?"

"Oh, they're more in the kitchen. Do you mean Sam, Jack and Oliver?"

"Well yes,"

"What you want to go talk to them?"

Before I even have the chance to answer him, this Bianca girl grabs him by the waist.

"Hey there. I hope I'm not bothering you guys. Let me borrow this guy for a second OK?"

"Sure"

Who is she to do that? Yeah, I definitely saw her before but I know for a fact that she's mean. She only cares about having what she wants which is clear as day now that it is Kenton.

Why does that hurt? Tons of girls and guys like him but I think what bothers me is that he might like her and I can't know for sure. What if he ditches me for her? Then what? Luckily, by no time, he's already back.

"What was that there?"

"It's nothing she's still bothering me as usual. You know how girls get."

"What? She wants to get in your pants?"

"What? Why are you asking me that?" He says offended.

"It's the truth right?"

"I don't want her to get into my pants if that's what you want to know."

"Oh"

"Now you said you wanted to go meet up with my friends in the kitchen, let's go." Wait, what?

"Wait, you don't mind?"

"No, why would I? They've been bugging me about you."

"Oh, what kind of questions are they asking about me?"

It seems like we walked as we are already in the kitchen, wow.

"Look that's where they are. I think some of them already drank a little so don't mind them and their questions."

"Oh ok then."

We get closer to them and Kenton touches Sam by the back. Indeed, Sam turns around.

"Hey, Kenton my boy! Are you done with Bianca?!"

He says loudly because the music is louder in the kitchen.

"Yeah"

"Wait, you brought Liam with you?!"

"That's me."

"Sorry, I can't hear you Liam speak louder!"

"That's me!"

"Ah ok. What brings you here Liam?"

"He wanted to meet you guys!"

"Oh, is that so? Well, I think you already know who we are but I'm Sam! That guy with the beer in his hand is Oliver!"

"Hey, I can introduce myself!!" Sam laughs.

"I know, I know I'm just teasing ya!"

"Sense Sam won't introduce me, I'm Jack!"

"You're right I already knew who you guys were from afar but it's not the same up close!"

"Yeah, I'm glad you wanted to talk to us! That boy over there doesn't want us to talk to you!"

"Oh, I didn't know that!" Kenton glares at Sam for a second but it disappears as quickly as it came.

"How about we go somewhere quieter, it's way too loud over here?!"

"Good idea Sam!"

So we end up moving places and we end up going to the living room where there are not as many people.

The girl Bianca didn't invite a whole lot of people which is reassuring, to say the least. I was sure there were going to be lots of people like the last party last week but turns out only the more privileged are there so that means I'm not supposed to be here. Now I understand why some are glaring at me right now.

"Don't mind those people glaring at you. They don't understand how important you are to Kenton." We both look at Oliver surprised but Kenton seems more mad about it.

I think they have a misunderstanding going on between them. I'm kinda surprised that it was Oliver that said that. From what I heard it's not like him to say such things.

"We have so many questions to ask you!" At first, I was a bit uneasy because I'm not used to being asked those kinds of questions.

"How come we never saw you before?"

"Huh? I like to keep a low profile that's all..."

"Oh sorry, does it bother you being seen with us?"

"No, not all. You guys are Kenton's friends. I have to get to know you guys."

"Why do you always put your hair in a braid or a ponytail?"

"Because I think it looks good on me." They look at my hair for a second.

"Oh yeah, you're right it does kind of look good on you. Stupid question."

"Sam, you're so stupid. Apparently drinking makes you worse."

"Hey!"

"What? It's true you dumbo."

"Take it back, Jack!"

"Nope, I'm just stating facts here."

"Aren't you supposed to lose your common sense when you drink?"

"Well, unlike you I have a good alcohol tolerance."

"You!!"

"Enough you guys. Liam's not here to see you guys acting like this."

"Sorry Kenton..."

"For once you're apologizing Sam. Maybe you aren't as dumb as Jack says you are."

"Kenton!!"

My goodness is that how they usually are between them? They are such a headache and I haven't even drunk yet. I wonder are they as much of a pain in the ass when they aren't drinking?

After a few other questions from his friends, I noticed that Kenton left. Damn, how can I not notice that he left?

"Wait, did you guys notice Kenton left?"

"Oh, that. He probably went to see some girl or something. They always want to talk to him. Besides it's been kind of a while since he last hooked up with someone."

It kinda hurts when Jack says that. I know Kenton is like that but still, I didn't want to be reminded of that. I just thought he was different whenever he was with me.

Not even a minute later, Kenton is back but with some drinks? Wait, why does he look a little bit more...drunk than earlier? He didn't really drink earlier. So, he didn't go see a girl but most likely he went to get some drinks. Well, that's not any better. That doesn't reassure me if any.

"Woah, where did you get all those drinks from?"

"Well, Bianca went to get some more in her garage and she gave me some sense I asked."

"Woah but what's the occasion? That's a lot of drinks? Wait, you really want to get fully drunk? How will you get back home?"

"Don't worry about that Oliver."

"If you say so."

He takes a few sips and fast at that. What's making him want to drink that much? Oh well, I better focus on what his friends are saying.

"Did you see Kenton's ex before? She's so hot! I can't believe that douchebag decided to break up with her."

"It's been 1 month already get over it, Sam."

"But what? I can't believe you broke up with such a pretty girl like her. You guys were perfect together." Now it seems like he angered Kenton for real.

"Stop talking about her." He said it word by word. I never saw Kenton this serious before. It's kinda scary.

"Ok, ok sorry mister party pooper." That only seems to make Kenton even more on edge. It seems like Jack and Oliver noticed.

"Dude, stop putting Kenton on edge. Liam is here with us and he clearly had too much to drink right now." That seems to silence Sam.

"So where were we now? Oh! I remember."

They continue talking and talking between one another except Kenton who seems to be completely quiet, it's kinda creepy.

They continue asking me questions here and there but they try to avoid asking me some because it seems like Kenton keeps giving them a look that scares them. Geez, drunk Kenton is definitely not a fun Kenton. Logically, I heard it's fun to be around him when he does but now he seems really grumpy.

Then suddenly he takes me by my hand and brings me somewhere else.

"Wait, where are we going?" He doesn't answer.

He brings me inside the bathroom. Um...is he gonna puke or? It doesn't explain why he brought me here.

He stops holding my hand. He pushes me on the bathroom wall and he pushes himself into me and puts his lips on mine.