New fic? Again? I don't know.

Anyway… yeah, this is pretty much what it looks like, unless you're thinking about something else.

I got inspired for this some time ago, yet at the first instance I was going to do completely different people. But once RR came to a close, I had other ideas… and now this popped up.

I don't own anything from Total Drama, counting Ridonculous Race, as well.

xx

Chapter 1 – Good decision, bad decision?

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SLAM!

"EMMAAAAAAA!"

Flinching in fright, I looked up from my law textbook, placing my finger on where I had left off. Really? Now?

"Okay, what is it?" I asked, turning round as my kid sister Kitty bounded in, looking typically excited with her pink satchel loosely hanging off her arm.

"Oh my gosh, so much happened today!" She replied, leaping up and down on the spot. "First, Clara Porter got asked to the dance by-"

"Yeah, can you save it for later? I'm busy right now."

"But you're always busy! Can't you take a break? Like just one?"

"Kit, I have a big assignment due in a month's time, and I'd really like it if you'd go do your own thing."

"Okay, sorry…" Kitty slumped over with a sigh, slowly walking back out. I turned back to my textbook, only for Kitty to speak up again. "Just saying, but Mom's getting worried about you being busy all the time. Ever since you broke up with Jake… which was three years ago. Three years ago, Emma."

I could only roll my eyes at that. "Well I want to succeed in life, okay? And do not mention that little weasel's name again, please."

"Alright, I'll be quiet now!"

Groaning, I thumped my head on the textbook, clenching both my fists. Why was it so hard to at least find some peace and quiet? If only I had taken up a room at the hostel. But then I'd have to cope with noisy, smelly dorms that are cleaned only once every fortnight. That's just disgusting, and definitely not a good study environment.

Footsteps reached my ears, and I looked over my shoulder, ready for whatever else Kitty had to say. But instead of poking her head in, she just slowly walked past, busy on her phone with something under her arm.

"Okay, back to studying…" I muttered, turning back to face the textbook.

"Emma, phone!" Another voice called, this time my mother.

Huh, funny. I didn't even hear the telephone ring. I got up and went downstairs, grabbing the phone from the hallway table and pressing 'talk'.

"Hey Em, there's a party at Rhys and Jamie's flat tonight!" My friend and fellow law student Maria babbled, sounding rather excited. "Please say you can come this time! Everyone's expecting you to show up! It's at half past seven in case you were wondering."

"Maria, I've already told you before, I'm too busy with college work." I replied as I slowly walked into the living room, where Kitty was just about to lie down across the three-seater sofa, an open graphic novel of some sort in her hand.

"Oh come on, you always say that. You just gotta take a break at some point. If you don't stop then you'll overwork yourself and possibly even get sick!"

"I'm perfectly fine, though. I'm not that interested in parties anyway. Wait, did you say that I'm expected to be there?"

"You have to be! Seriously Emma, it's like you don't know how to have fun anymore. Ever since that breakup with what's-his-name, you've just been so focussed on studying and achieving. Where's the girl I knew all those years ago?"

I sighed and looked around the room, not too sure what to say next. My gaze stopped on Kitty, who was looking at me with pleading eyes.

"Not gonna work, Kit." I told her, shaking my head.

"See? See? Even Kitty agrees. Just… please, Emma. Please take this chance."

Please take this chance. Those four words stuck in my head as I stared out the window opposite me. Before I could say anything, Maria hung up. Walking out and putting the phone back on the table, I started up the stairs, but stopped when Kitty called out to me.

"When did you get that… big assignment?" She asked.

"Today? Why?" It wasn't that bad, really. I'd have it done in two weeks' time if I kept up that pace.

"Oh my gosh, seriously? Just because you got it today doesn't mean you get started on it as soon as you get home. Like, I got a project for world history today, and I've got over a month to finish it!"

"Aren't you going to get some of it done today?"

"Well… I'll make a start, but not stay cooped up in my room and do two pages of research in four hours. That's totally nuts. Plus, I do want to finish around the same time as everyone else in my class. Which is normally like two to three days before the due date."

"Okay, fine." I continued going up the stairs, sighing. Kitty just had to try and talk me out of studying for the day. Like it was gonna happen.

"Emma, honey, you should take advantage of this party." My mother called from the kitchen.

I turned around and jogged back down, stopping in front of the kitchen entrance. A strong smell of rice noodles floated around, and went straight up my nose. I loved rice noodles.

"I know, but I want to get this assignment done as soon as possible." I said, walking into the kitchen where my mom was busy stirring a large pot.

"It's an amazing opportunity to enjoy yourself and be around all your college friends. I'm sure they'll be overjoyed to see you there."

"Yeah, and-" I paused when I heard slight movement in the hallway. "Uh, excuse me." I slowly backed out and turned to face Kitty kneeling on the floor, pulling the soppiest puppy dog eyes I had ever seen.

"Emma, pleeeeaaase…" She said quietly. "Go to the paaartyyy…" It sounded so weird and hilarious that I couldn't help but laugh, falling onto my own knees at the same time.

"Okay, you can stop now." I managed to say, rolling my eyes. "But if you're trying to convince me to go to this party, then it isn't going to work."

Of course, Kitty wasn't finished yet. "But Emma! It's... possibly your only chance to have a night off!" She whined.

"Emma, I know that you've been influenced to get as higher grades as possible," my mother continued, walking out of the kitchen, "but taking a break is probably going to be one of the best things that happened to you."

"And I don't wanna see my big sis all sick and stressed!" Kitty put in. "Or you'll... uh, I won't say that, actually."

I was outnumbered and out of words. I knew what Kitty meant. And she'd really hammered it in.

My dad... a very successful businessman. He took his own life barely days after I started at high school – he was unable to cope with the stress. Just like me, he was an extremely hard worker, but always took on too much work at once.

I glanced between my mom and Kitty, both looking at me with pleading eyes. Damn it, they were good at persuasion.

"Alright, you've got me." I eventually said with a sigh. "I'll... go to this party..."

Right at that second, Kitty literally leapt onto me, wrapping her arms around my neck in a massive hug.

"OH MY GOSH, EMMA!" She squealed. "Yes! Yes! YES!"

"Okay, okay, you can let go of me now." I laughed, trying to push her off.

Kitty climbed off, allowing me to get up, only to be pulled into another hug, this time with my mom.

"I'm so happy for you, darling!" She said. "A party to go to is exactly what you need right now."

"You... think so?" I exclaimed as I pulled away. Did I need one of those that bad or something?

"Of course! Well, anything from a party to just a day out with friends – they'd all start thinking that you don't want to hang out with them anymore."

"Mom, don't say that! If anything, they're the ones always trying to get me out of the house."

"Oh, of course. Anyway, I should carry on with making dinner – Kitty's got a couple of friends coming over for a movie night, and they're both due in about three quarters of an hour."

Wow. Perfect timing. Thanks, Kit.

I ran upstairs and straight into my room, my eyes momentarily stopping on my textbook, still open and lying on my desk.

"No, you're going to a party." I told myself, walking over and closing it. "You've already agreed to it, so there's no going back now."

I'm going to a party. Seemed surreal.

Instead of my normal to-do list for college and household chores, I decided to do a new one for the party. Well, more of a mental copy, but it's still a list. At the top of that list though, is to call Maria. Or should I wait? I knew she'd probably show up outside the house anyway to try and talk me into going again. So another option would be to surprise her.

Deciding to go with the second choice, I went over to my drawers and pulled the first of the three larger ones open.

"Okay, what's useful in here…" I muttered, rifling through the various tops, t-shirts and sweaters that were in there.

Something then suddenly caught my eye, and I pulled out a sequinned purple tube top. I guessed that it would be party-worthy. It wasn't like I was planning to really dress up for the party. If it's going to be at a flat then not that many people should be showing up anyway.

Now what else?

I admit it, I'm no expert when it comes to fashion. Never was, and probably never will be. Kitty, however... yeah.

"Kitty, can you help me?" I called.

A few seconds later, Kitty ran in, still in the middle of getting changed out of her uniform – she had on a pink Hello Kitty top (I know, crazy, right?) but was still wearing her grey pleated skirt and white socks.

"Oh, you don't know what to wear?" She questioned.

"Well... I've got this top," I held up the purple top, "but that's all so far. I just don't have anything,"

"Emma, that could go really well with your dark blue jeans! Ooh, and those sparkly sandals you bought last week totally work with it!"

"Okay..." I pulled out the draw below and grabbed my jeans, which were at the very top. "And my new sandals?"

"Yeah! You haven't lost them, right?"

"No, no, I just... I don't know." I shrugged before placing what I had gathered so far on my bed. "They're probably still in the shoebox at the very front of my closet."

"Still in the shoebox?" Kitty echoed. "How's that possible?"

"Well there's been no family events recently, and both our birthdays aren't for a long time yet, so that's how."

"Oh, okay!" Kitty smiled before ducking back out and down the hallway.

I stared blankly at my clothes for a few seconds before a thought suddenly struck me.

Spare outfit?

Yes, definitely. Especially if I ended up sleeping over. Although it was unlikely, anything could happen.

Pulling a pair of black track pants and a simple grey t-shirt from my drawers, I threw them onto my pillow and went over to my closet, quickly glancing at the clock on the wall.

Half past four. Still a few until the party started. For the first time in forever, I had a feeling that this was going to be a long time.

Exactly two hours and thirty minutes later, I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, wearing the very outfit I had (sort of) planned for the night, including a large bag with any necessities for the morning after. Having borrowed some of Kitty's make-up to at least make myself look like I made an effort in getting ready, and with a wide black headband holding back my hair, an almost unrecognisable person stared back at me.

"EMMA! PHONE!" Kitty suddenly yelled from downstairs.

This should be Maria, if anyone.

I ran out of the bathroom and down the stairs, spotting Kitty standing by the living room with the phone in her hand. She passed it to me and I hesitantly put it to my ear.

"Emma, you HAVE to come to this freaking party!" Maria said frantically. "I'm like five minutes away from your house!"

Quickly looking around, I winked at Kitty as she went back into the living room before replying, the all too familiar tune of the Universal Pictures opening playing. Most probably coming from the TV.

"Maria, I don't know how many times I have to tell you, I'm not going!"

"But… come on! I'm providing you with an amazing opportunity, and you're turning it down? You do know that I'll still come knocking on the door, right? And what's that sound?"

"Yes, I know that. And Kitty's got Layla and Candy over for a movie night. I don't know what they've just put on though."

"Pitch Perfect!" Kitty called from the living room.

"There we go, Pitch Perfect."

"Okay, that's cool, but I'm right outside your house now. Come out."

"Oh… fine. I'm coming out. But don't expect me to say yes to anything that relates to the party."

"Wait, what?"

I hung up, laughing and shaking my head as I put the phone back on its stand.

"Emma, did you just totally trick Maria into thinking you're still not going?" Kitty asked, sounding amused.

"You bet I did." I replied, walking into the living room.

"Oh my god, that's hilarious!" Layla giggled, her ginger curls bouncing as she rocked back and forth on the sofa.

"Anyway, she's apparently right outside, so I've got to go now."

"Bye!" All three girls called.

"Have fun, honey!" My mom called from the washhouse

Taking a deep breath, I walked around to the front door and opened it, and you-know-who was, of course, on the other side, looking quite nice with her long, dead straight blonde hair tied up into a high ponytail.

"Now Emma, before I-" Maria began, but stopped as she saw me, nearly dropping her phone in the process.

"Uh… surprise!" I said with an awkward laugh, splaying my arms out in front

"Emma… holy… crap! I can't believe it! Y-you're going to Rhys and Jamie's party?"

"Well you can thank my mom and Kitty for that, I guess. They both talked me into it. Anyway, shouldn't we be going there and not standing here and chatting?"

"Yeah, we should. But just… wow!"

It was only a twenty minute walk to Rhys and Jamie's flat. And for nearly the whole time, Maria was going on and on and on about me finally being at a party. After a while I threatened that I would just walk back home if she didn't stop. She said nothing at all for the rest of the way. That is, until we arrived.

There were already quite a few people gathered in various places around the flat, all conversing with each other and chugging down drinks.

"HEEEEY GUYS, EMMA'S HEREEEEE!" Maria suddenly hollered, scaring the life out of me.

The one moment that I was dreading – everyone else there knowing I was there.

Shane, Maria's boyfriend, ran over and lifted her off the ground in a massive bear hug, inadvertently taking me out… nearly.

"Hey babe!" He greeted, spinning her around.

"Hey!" She replied, giggling uncontrollably. "How was Milan?"

Before I got a chance to walk over to them, I was suddenly swarmed by people, all wanting to say hello and, most likely, ask me why I was here.

"Emma, you're here!"

"What's up Emma?"

"Hey Emma! Why did you decide to show up?"

"GUYS, STOP!" Maria yelled, pushing through the crowd to get to me. "Don't be so overwhelming! She's only just got here, give her time to settle in!" She grabbed my wrist and just about dragged me out of the circle, stopping when we reached the flat's main entrance.

"Thank you so much." I said with a sigh as she let go of my arm. "So what are we doing, going inside or something?"

"Definitely. Mostly everyone's outside anyway." Maria replied. "Shane's gone back in – he was in the middle of a game of billiards with Sara and Jamie. Come on!"

"Wait, Sara plays billiards?" I exclaimed as I followed her in.

"Yeah, she's like one of the best players from college! She can even beat some of the guys!"

"Wow…"

"Ha, loser!" A voice shouted jokingly from a room nearby.

Maria took a sharp turn through a doorway, doing the same myself as a full-sized billiards table came into my view with several people crowded around it.

"Sara!" Maria called, waving.

Sara, who had short, shocking pink hair, turned around with a grin, walking over.

"Hey girl, what's up?" She said cheerfully, then stepping back slightly as she saw me. "Emma? What brings you here?"

"Well… first off, Maria told me the party was on, then my sister and my mom tried to convince me to go." I replied. "Once I was ready to go, Maria called again, and I tricked her into thinking I was staying at home!"

"Huh, not bad! And nice one!"

"I feel so ashamed." Maria whined, yet I could tell that she was just playing up due to the smile on her face.

"Maria, you don't have to fake it, you know." I told her as she burst into giggles.

"I know, I just did it because… well, I felt like it. Hey, let's take you round to see all the others!"

For the next hour or so, I was dragged around by Maria, saying hello to several friends and meeting a few new faces too. Part of the time I carried a half-glass of champagne with me – that was all I needed in terms of drinks. By then I had decided that the night wasn't going to be as bad as I thought. I even got a chance to talk about college work with a couple of people.

But once nine o'clock came, it all went downhill.

I was seated on a couch in the living room with Maria and Nadine – her cousin – whilst watching a few guys play a car racing game of some sort. Both girls were quite drunk, as well.

"Shaaaaaneeee, where are you?" Maria slurred, getting up and staggering around the couch.

Sitting up, I looked behind to see Shane leaning against the wall, also just as drunk.

"I'm here, baby." He called in a somewhat funny voice as he pulled her close. "Wanna get it on?"

"Ooh, baby, you know how to make a girl happy."

The two started sloppily making out, then slowly backing into the hallway.

Right. Leave them to their own business then.

"Hey guys, who's up for Never Have I Ever?" Sara called from the tiny kitchen, sounding rather sober. "I brought shots!"

A horde of guys charged in from the main entrance, a couple of girls also in the mix.

"Hey, can we do new people too?" One asked, her eyes firmly locked on me.

Uh-oh. Nope. No way.

"Yeah, let's do newbies!" One of the guys cheered. "Come on Brent, you said you'd do it, right?"

"Heck yeah!" Another replied. "Been waiting to do this ever since the massive twenty-first thrown for my big sis! Hey, where's Arlene? She's just as excited as I am to do it for the first time! Jenny, can you go find her?"

"Yeah, but I think Emma should give it a try too." The girl, Jenny, said.

No, no, no, no… not me, not me.

"Hey, Emma!" Sara shouted. "Get over here!

Damn it.

"Coming!" I called, getting up and walking over to the group, all the while knowing that this would be the stupidest thing I had ever done, even if I was reluctant to do it. Well, if I did end up doing it. "Do you seriously want me to do this? Because it's not really what I came here for."

"Nuh-uh, it's mandatory for first timers to the game!" Jenny replied, smirking.

"Are you kidding me? My mom is expecting me to be home safe and sober! She'd probably kill me the next morning!"

"Oh, come on, just live a little!"

Before I could reply, I was suddenly forced to the ground as Sara walked round from the kitchen, a large tray with shot glasses balanced carefully on both of her forearms.

"Okay, so we've got about… twenty to thirty shots on here." She said, carefully placing the tray merely a foot away from me. "Someone get Arlene! Oh yeah, and Thomas!"

"Got it!" Jenny ran out as Brent plummeted onto the floor, sitting cross-legged.

I looked around frantically, hoping that there was an escape out of this… mess. Why didn't I leave earlier? In fact, why did I even decide to go to this party?

"IS IT TIME FOR NEVER HAVE I EVER?" A voice suddenly yelled from some distance away, sounding very excited.

"Come on Arl, you're gonna miss out!" Sara called. "Is Thomas with you?"

"Nah, he went home early. Had a doctor's appointment at like eight thirty in the morning tomorrow or something."

Hearing footsteps coming closer, I looked up just as Arlene, a tall, stick-thin girl, burst through the small crowd and plopped on the ground next to Brent.

"So who's doing questions?" Brent asked. "And shouldn't there be another person on? Don't wanna get super drunk after all this."

Everyone looked around, daring each other to fill in. I just sat there, thinking of all the reasons why I shouldn't be taking part. But it seemed that no matter how hard I'd try to work my way out of it, there was most probably going to be someone to push me back in.

I was completely and utterly screwed.

Then a thought struck me.

"How about we just take like five away and give them to other people?" I blurted out, gasping slightly afterwards. Should I have said that or not?

"Whoa, Emma's on a roll already!" Sara remarked with a laugh. "But yeah, we should." She bent over and picked up a couple of shot glasses, handing one to someone at the back and downing the other herself. "Three more! Whoever wants one, only take one! Especially if you're planning to drink more than a weeny shot glass."

Three guys stepped forward, each of them bending down and taking a shot glass from the tray.

"Alright, let's get on with this! And before anyone asks, I'm a designated driver, which is why I'm still sober, and will be that way for the whole night."

I stared at the shot glasses, their contents glinting in the moonlight coming from the kitchen window. I couldn't opt out, no chance. Or was there still a way out?

No, too late.

"Okay… never have I ever…" Sara began, pausing to think. "Pulled an all-nighter on an assignment."

"Whoa, you've never pulled an all-nighter?" Brent exclaimed, reaching for a shot glass.

"Nope, I've been pretty fine with that stuff. What about you guys?"

All eyes were on me and Arlene, but she gave in and grabbed a glass from the tray, downing it in seconds.

"Just you two?" Jenny asked, sounding surprised.

"I do value my sleep, if you really want to know." I said with a shrug.

Phew. First one and I didn't even have to take a shot.

"I'll do one!" A thin, wiry guy called. "Never have I ever… arrived really early to a class."

"Damn it." Arlene groaned as she grabbed another. "Me again."

"Come on Emma, don't pretend you haven't!" Brent teased.

I gulped loudly. I'm in trouble.

Tentatively reaching over for a glass, I held it up to my face as everyone started chanting for me to drink it.

"You gotta drink it, Emma!" Someone yelled over the noise.

I looked up to the roof, regretting everything about tonight right at that minute, and I tipped the contents of the glass into my mouth.

Ugh, it tasted disgusting.

Chanting then changed to cheering as half of the people gathered around bombarded me with pats on the back and short hugs. And to be honest, I hated every second of it.

"Okay guys, lets' not get too wound up about it!" Sara shouted, noticing my pained expression. "Pia here has one!"

Just as everyone slowly moved away, a tiny girl with jet black hair styled in a pixie cut stepped forward, looking pretty smug.

"Never have I ever… handed an assignment in at the very last minute. Right on the due date and time." She said.

"Aw man, that's all three of us!" Brent complained. "Oh well…"

All of us simultaneously reached for a glass and downed them, however I was more hesitant.

The next lot of questions were mostly non-college related, though I found myself succumbing to one of them. By then, I was starting to feel funny in the head, and at the same time, didn't want to stop what I was doing for some weird reason.

Brent, who turned out to be a lightweight (as most of the others called it), was out of it right on his fifth shot. After me missing a few and him taking two of them, he passed out completely, and was dragged over to an empty couch.

Everyone was watching me, and Arlene of course, who was already giggling away. Question after question. Shot after occasional shot. I just wanted it to be all over, to wake up here or at home with most likely a hangover, and get on with life and college.

Shot number six for me came round, and that was when my memory all went to custard. The last thing I remembered was Arlene moving all her shot glasses around to make some sort of design.

xx

And there you have it! Well, for now anyway. There's still more to come, and the next chapter's already halfway done, so expect it in about… two weeks?

Until next time!