The first thing that I noticed upon entering the house was that mostly everyone had red solo cups in their hands, the second thing was the way everyone quieted down a little when I entered.

Whispers started, and then everyone went back to the things they were doing but this time, they were having more fun and were laughing more than usual.

Maybe, it was because of the way that I had come to a party wearing a paper bag over my head, or maybe because Tim was beside me, and was holding my arm.

My eyes were searching for only one person as I moved, dragging Tim with me. He was complaining about how I wouldn’t just stick to one place. But, I didn’t mind his complaining as I searched around the house that was filled with sweaty hormonal teenagers.

It was only when Tim and I had found our way into the kitchen that I noticed locks of blonde and beautiful hair, and the person that could only have them.

Paige looked cute with her blue flowery dress that reached mid-thigh. I would’ve drooled right then and there if it wasn’t for Tim, who screamed Paige’s name at the top of his lungs, making the girl turn to look at us.

She was talking to her friends, Bridget and Zoe, who also turned to look in our direction.

But, I didn’t mind their staring, what I did mind was the frown that replaced Paige’s smile upon seeing me.

Her eyes moved around my face (paper bag) and she sighed before her eyes went to Tim’s.

I would’ve laughed if out of nowhere someone hadn’t spilled their drink on my pants. I heard laughter as I cursed silently before looking at the person who had done it.

“Sorry, Piss Pants. Guess, you had another accident.” It was the same boy that had invited Paige to this party.

My hands clenched into fists and I was just seconds away from punching him hard in the nose and then running away while crying, but I managed to control my urges.

“That wasn’t cool, Darren.” Tim gritted out as he turned me towards him, and I was grateful to have my best friend beside me at a time like this. The boy, Darren, smirked before he went away with his smug face.

Oh, how I wanted to kill that boy.

“Are you okay?” Turning away from Tim, I nodded at Paige, who had her two friends behind her as well, that were busy glancing at each other and at me with looks that were way too familiar.

“I should go clean this off.” I mumbled before I grabbed Tim’s arm and dragged him towards the bathroom that we had found when I was looking for Paige.

When we had entered the bathroom, which had no long line – which I was thankful for – I looked at the sticky liquid that wasn’t too much visible on my black jeans.

“That Darren has some issues.” Tim grumbled as he got some tissue paper before dabbing it on the front of my jeans. I blushed, while giving him a look that practically spoke more volumes than my words could.

In turn, he blushed and backed away from me and coughed awkwardly.

Giving me the tissue papers, he just stood there while I dabbed them on my jeans. That piece of shit had ruined my jeans forever. I don’t even know what he just spilled all over my jeans.

“Everyone in school has issues now, Tim.” I sighed out at him, while still trying to get the stickiness to dry. “And I brought it upon myself.”

I heard Tim sigh, which meant that he was not agreeing with me. He did that whenever I was wrong, but this time, I wasn’t. “No, you didn’t.”

“Yeah, I did, Tim. I humiliated myself in front of immature teenagers that just need a reason to make fun of you for your entire life.” I wasn’t wrong at all. No matter what people said or not, teenagers are cruel. Children are cruel. People are cruel. At least, the people that don’t understand other people.

“Well, that part was your own fault.” I gave Tim a look of disbelief and he just gave me a wide smile before bursting into laughs. I knew he would make fun of me as well. “I mean, man, I probably slept all the while when this happened but just hearing from Paige made me want to pee myself as well.”

My eyebrows furrowed and I tried to look for a way out of this bathroom without making him see that his words were affecting me. “Honestly, if I was in my senses at that time, I would’ve walked up to the front of the class and peed myself too.”

Wait – What?

I looked at him oddly as he laughed.

“What are you even saying?” He stopped laughing, just to look at me, with his eyes showing no sign of the one thing I hated the most: pity.

“I’m saying that I’m your best friend and if you make a fool of yourself, I want to make a fool of myself too, just so you don’t feel lonely.” The smile that came onto my face would’ve made me look like a fool if I wasn’t wearing this paper bag over my head. But, I wanted Tim to see my smile because it was for him.

He smiled at me, and threw an arm around me before engulfing me in a hug.

“Real friends don’t let you go through something embarrassing all alone.” I laughed before I wrapped an arm around his shoulder as well.

I don’t know why but Tim had made me feel so happy about everything that happened. And for once, I didn’t feel so disgusted with myself.

We had come back to the party after getting my jeans to look like they hadn’t been wetted, and after seeing what was happening inside of the living room, I wanted to go back.

Paige was dancing on top of the coffee table with her hair now flowing down her shoulders, that were in a ponytail before. All the drunk and sweaty teenagers stood watching her and cheering her on so that she would show some more skin than she was in the first place.

I got a nudge from Tim, before he leaned close to my ear or head and whispered, “Is she drunk?”

Well, judging from her dopey smile, she did look quite drunk. But the real question here should’ve been: who had gotten her drunk? Paige didn’t like alcohol or any other beverages that could make you lose your control over your senses.

My eyes drifted to a smirking Darren, who had managed to pull himself behind a dancing Paige. “Go, get her off of that table.” I whispered back to Tim, and he sprang into action without saying anything.

He made his way through the crowd before getting to the table.

Darren caught sight of him, and only smirked before he grabbed Paige’s sides and began to dance with her. And honestly, that made my blood boil.

I hope Paige throws up on him.

Tim got up on the table as well, and without any sort of warning, pulled Paige towards himself, which caused her to vomit all over Tim’s t-shirt.

Seriously, I ask for one thing, and you do that wrong! I face-palmed myself internally and externally as I talked to God.

Tim’s face contorted into one of disgust while Paige’s face held amusement and she even giggled more than she should have. Even though, her giggles were quite cute, I didn’t like the way Darren frowned when Tim got off the table with Paige.

“Boo!” The crowd of teenagers were not in the least pleased with their entertainment gone. Some even threw Tim hate-filled glances as he walked over to me with a giggling and pretty much stumbling Paige.

The moment, her eyes saw me, she smiled so wide, I thought I was gonna go blind by the brightness of her smile.

“Jade!” She exclaimed before falling into me, making me stumble a bit. The stares that I was receiving after her little action was making me feel self-conscious about myself more than I usually did.

I mean, I practically had the most beautiful and wonderful girl in school, in my arms, clinging to me like I was her lifeline; and I was wearing a fucking paper bag over my head.

“Where were you? I was looking for you!” Paige spoke as she snuggled into my covered neck. The paper bag becoming creased because of her head movements as she snuggled into my neck.

Tim shrugged from behind her as I gave him a look, and sighed.

“Uh – let’s take you home.” Paige didn’t protest which I was grateful for. Signaling Tim, we made our way out of Todd’s house while people glared at Tim and also at me.

All the way to the car, Paige kept herself latched onto me as if I would disappear off into thin air. After a while, I heard light snores coming from her and how her body became heavier.

We reached Tim’s car, and I carefully placed a now sleeping Paige inside of it.

“Let’s see how much she remembers when she wakes up.” Tim grumbled as he tried to do anything in his power to not let his eyes wander to the vomit that was covering his t-shirt. “I’d like to make her pay for this t-shirt.”

I laughed a little before getting inside of the car as well. He was going to stay sour for a while over this now.

***