Chase is wearing black cargo pants, a tight navy-blue T-shirt, and a black hat with the word SWAT on it in white block letters.
“Very creative, Chase.” I roll my eyes as we all get into the car.
“Yeah, never seen that one before,” Charlotte adds sarcastically.
“What? Like a Pink Lady and a flapper are any more creative,” he replies as he pulls out of my driveway. “Besides, I figured almost every other girl is going to be dressed as an army/SWAT team girl, a nerd, some superhero, Thing One and Thing Two, or a Minion. So I figured if I dressed to match one of them it’d be easier to get laid. I took my chances with the SWAT team.”
Charlotte looks back at me from the front seat and we share an eye roll.
“Very strategic, Chase.”
Missing Charlotte’s sarcasm, he smiles and continues driving.
“Are you drinking tonight, Chase?” I ask. “If you’re drinking, I do not want you to drive us home.”
“Duh, it’s no fun being the only sober person at a party.”
“But alcohol makes you do stupid things, Chase. Remember last Christmas when you tried to do a backflip from the roof into Mason’s pool?” Charlotte points out.
“Hey, in alcohol’s defense, I’ve done some pretty stupid shit sober as well.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Charlotte mumbles.
I feel anxiety bubble up in my chest. “Come on, guys. If Chase is drinking, how are we getting home?”
Charlotte looks back at me. “Chase is crashing at Noah’s with the other guys. My brother is going to pick us up when I call him.”
I breathe out a sigh of relief, and Charlotte and I go back to talking about our costumes.
About ten minutes later, we pull onto Noah’s street. His house is easily identifiable from the teenagers loitering around the front, and the loud music pouring out of the open door. There are a lot of people here already. It’s almost ten—clearly this is the time when most people show up.
Chase parks the car a couple of houses away on the street, and for late October, it’s not that cold out. Walking up the driveway and saying a quick hello to the few people outside, we head up to the open front door and walk into the awaiting Halloweenthemed pit of drunken, hormonal teenagers and the imminent promise of making bad decisions.
The music is a lot louder inside, and I start moving my hips a little in automatic response. As we follow Chase through the house, we see that he was right about what girls would be wearing. The crowded house is full of Thing Ones and Thing Twos, army and SWAT team girls, devils, angels, and lots and lots of cats.
Many of the guys aren’t dressed up, and those who are, are wearing creepy masks, or are dressed in last-minute costumes like doctors, and there are lots of Federal Boobie Inspectors. Ew.
“Booze!” Chase exclaims when we enter the crowded kitchen, and makes his way over to the counter stocked with different types of alcohol.
“Don’t overdo it this time!” Charlotte chases after him, leaving me standing awkwardly in the doorway.
I’m not quite ready to drink just yet; maybe I’ll have a shot after I check out Noah’s house, looking for exits and familiar faces. The house is big, but not so huge you’d get lost in it. For my own sanity, knowing the fastest way to get out of here in case something happens or someone shows up is a good thing.
With all the teenagers packed into the dimly lit house, it makes it hard to really appreciate the beauty of Noah’s home. It’s modern, and each room is painted white.
There are fewer kids downstairs in the basement, and the music isn’t so loud that you have to yell. A lot of rooms are closed off, but the large open area includes a bar filled with more alcohol, couches, and a pool table, which is what Mason is leaning against, holding a pool stick in his hand.
I take a second to check him out, and all I can think is damn. He’s wearing an olive-green tank top, silver dog tags around his neck, combat jeans in army print, and black combat boots. He’s finished the look with a strip of black cloth tied around his forehead and two black lines drawn under his eyes, across his cheeks. Overall, he looks hot.
Mason says something to the guys he’s playing pool with, gives his stick to another guy, and walks over to me with a smile.
“Hey, k-bear! You look good.” He leans in and gives me a tight hug, causing me to blush.
“Thanks, you too,” I say as we pull away. “I really like your jeans.”
“Yes, my chromosomes have combined nicely.” He runs a hand through his hair seductively, striking a model pose.
I laugh. “I meant your pants, not your DNA. But sure, that too.”
“Amelia!” I turn just in time for Noah to run up and pull me into his arms.
I pull back a little “Ow, Noah. Watch the ribs—they’re still sensitive.”
“Oh man, I’m sorry. It seems like forever ago that you hurt them again, but it’s only been a few weeks. Still, that costume suits you. You look great!”
“It’s okay, and I know.” I flirt with a wink, causing both boys to chuckle.
Noah’s wearing jeans and a white T-shirt, and has a black envelope attached to his shirt.
“What are you supposed to be?”
Noah looks down at his shirt and smiles at me. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m blackmail. Get it? Blackmail?”
“That’s extremely fitting,” I tease. “Seeing how you blackmailed me into coming to this party.”
“Hey! Maybe blackmail can be our thing!” He smiles triumphantly.
“Maybe we should keep looking for a thing.”
Annalisa waves from across the room, and we all walk toward her. She’s with Julian at the bar. I give them both hugs and we all start talking.
Annalisa and Julian are adorable in their Barbie and Ken costumes. Annalisa looks extremely different, having swapped out her normal black, slightly goth clothes and heavy dark makeup for a bright-pink dress, light makeup, and even a blond wig—I almost didn’t recognize her.
Noah pours ten shots and we take two each, downing them quickly. I slam my second shot glass down and scrunch up my face—the first ones always taste the worst. As Noah starts pouring us another round, a boy with dark hair I vaguely recognize comes up to him and says something. It must be important because Noah’s normally carefree expression turns deadly serious. He gives Mason and Julian a stern look with knowing eyes, and they both seem to tense up slightly.
Mason sighs and downs his shot, then turns to face me. “Sorry k-bear, gotta handle something.”
He turns and follows Noah and the other guy up the stairs. Julian gives Annalisa a quick kiss on the temple, then follows Mason, leaving the two of us alone at the bar.
“What’s going on?” I ask Annalisa.
“It’s either something with Aiden, party crashers, a fight, or maybe all three.” She sighs.
“Will they be okay?” I suddenly realize I’m a bit nervous for the Boys; well, the ones I like, anyway.
“Yeah, they’ll be fine. Shit like this always happens when one of them throws a party.” Annalisa and I down our third shot, and some other girls come up to the bar and start talking to her.
“Anna, I’m going to see if I can find Char; I’ll see you later.” I turn and head back up to the main floor where the music is much louder. The house has grown even more packed with people I don’t recognize, presumably from school.