"Really?" I said to Robbie, with my eyes shining, "Why would you do that?". Robbie shrugged, "May as well. He'll be picking me up by 11:30, so stay nearby."

"Alright. T-thank you."

Robbie takes his bag of chips and leaves the kitchen. I stayed behind the counter and texted my Mother. "When did you want us home?" I texted again, but she still didn't reply. I didn't worry about it too much; she was probably still bickering with Florence.

"Whoa!!!" A sudden rupture of laughter caused me to spasm while also leaving me with a growing feeling of loneliness. It seemed really fun, if only I wasn't afraid of hanging out with everyone. I ignored them and played a game on my phone as a distraction. I did this for another hour; however this burning sensation began to form in my stomach, which was probably because I hadn't eaten lunch nor dinner.

Making up my mind, I entered the party with great caution, aiming to get a drink and a mini bag of cheese chips, without being noticed. I stood up, (which kind of hurt, since I'd been sitting there for three hours) and peeked out the kitchen door and immediately saw Chase. I needed to avoid him for two reasons; the first reason is that a million people were around him and I knew for a fact since he hadn't seen me all night he would yell, "Hey there, Bernadette!" Then I would be force to stay out there when I could have been alone in the quiet and empty, kitchen! I tip-toed out then ran straight to the snack table...

"That girl, isn't she weird?" Some girl who sounded like one of Bonnie's friends says. I went underneath the tables crawled closer to the girls talking.

"I mean, it isn't like we were ever mean to her." A girl said. "She's not really that ugly. I wonder what her problem is!" Another girl said. Though I could only hear their voices, I knew at least some of those girls were Bonnie and Amanda. As I realized this, Bonnie sneered,

"I have no idea. Isn't it weird how she does going to be in her senior year and she's only turning 16?"

"I know! It's so weird!" The other girl said.

"You know she was home-schooled since 2nd grade. She's probably one of those smart kids." Bonnie said.

"Whoa! Really? I didn't know that."

I gasped. She was telling all of my business to everyone! And she made me sound like a nerd or something. I listened to them longer, hoping that they could have possibly been talking about someone else.

"Who? Bernardette?" I heard a familiar male voice say. My head spun when I heard Chase join their conversation.

"Yeah. You know her?" A girl asked.

"Yeah. Sorta." Chase replied.

"She talks to you?" Bonnie asked sounding skeptical.

"Not much. It's strange to me, because I can usually make friends with anyone!" Chase sounded like his was pouting, but Bonnie and her friends just laughed. I had thought we were friends, but I guess I seem like I'm trying to avoid him. In a way, I kind of was avoiding him.

"Where is she, anyway?" Chase asked someone.

"Hiding in the kitchen!” Amanda said with a loud laugh.

My heart felt as if it was weighted down from embarrassment.

"I told you she was weird!" Bonnie laughed.

"I'll go and check on her." Chase replied in a whisper.

Without another thought, I ran back into the kitchen, thank God, I was back behind the counter before Chase came in. I bent down and pulled my legs toward my chest.

"You okay in here?" I heard Chase say. I looked to my left and right, but still couldn't see him.

"Up here."

I looked up, and he was looking over the counter at me.

"I hadn't seen you all night, but somehow you got a bag of chips! Why don't you come out?"

I pushed my face into knees. "I didn't want to come..." I whispered with a shaky voice, "I just want to give Melody her present and go home."

Chase was quiet, and then said after a quiet sigh, "You could go home if you want." He was starting to get a little irritated by me, which made me feel even worse.

"Omg! Chase, karaoke is starting!"

Amanda yelled.

"I'm coming!" He came around the counter and sat beside me. "I'm not leaving until you come out." He said to me seriously. I sighed heavily...

------------------------------------------------------

"That's my cousin, Risa. She's a pop-star in her country." Chase said to me. This girl was super pretty and had perfect hair, that could have been a wig, but who am I to judge? I was wearing a wig, too. Risa was dressed like a panda, it was so cute...I wish I had dressed as a bunny since my Snow white costume looked cheap. Rise was performing like a professorial performer and hyped everyone up with her contiguous enthusiasm. After she finished, everyone asked for an encore, of which Risa gladly gave another three. After the fourth encore, it was 12:30 and Robbie was still at the party.

"Maybe he got the time wrong?" I thought. I was standing beside Chase, so Risa came over and I panicked. I hate being around people that are way prettier than me, it's alright if their just a pretty normal girl, but this girl was a pop-star!

"Chase~ Long time no see!" Risa gushed. I felt nervous, because she was like, super up-beat and happy! "Who is she?" Risa looked wide-eyed as she questioned Chase. "Bernadette Royal. She’s a friend of mine."