The fire pit was blazing for hours now as McKinley High seniors danced their intoxicated bodies along with the music. It was the last party of the summer which was billed as the party of the year. It was also the only party where everybody - jocks, cheerleaders, nerds, punks, boarders, and even the glee club - came together, but it didn't mean they mingled or mixed groups.
The punks huddled over by the field goal posts while the skateboarders traded tricks on the stair rails of the bleachers. The popular jocks and cheerleaders took the best spot around the bonfire at the center of the football field.
"So check this out: yesterday, I was down by the pier and I see this fine honey. And you know, I'm having a great hair day," he said, running his hand through his blonde hair, "so I go up to her, give her a little sexy smile. She smiles back..."
"And then she slapped him and pushed him to the side like yesterday's leftovers." interrupted a voice from behind.
Sam Evans turned around, "Hey, you..." He paused when he finally recognized his friend, "Well, well, well, if it isn't McKinley's own star quarterback." Sam coolly greeted his friend and teammate Jake Puckerman with their handshake, "Yo, man, bout time you got here."
"Yeah, I wasn't sure if I wanted to come." Jake said as he high-fived the rest of the football team.
"What? And miss the last party of the summer? You do realize that this will be the last time you get to see all these fine hunnies in their itsy bitsy miniskirts," Sam smiled as he watched a pair of girls walk by, "Mmm. Jake, man, I think your brain seriously got fried this summer - not sure if you wanted to come."
"Yeah, well, while you were staring at these girls in their skirts, I was staring at them without their skirts, if you know what I mean."
"You dog, you." Sam slapped his friend a high-five.
Jake Puckerman, football standout, wasn't just a player on the field - he was the ultimate player with the ladies.
"So what's wrong with you now? Why are you over here with me and not over there working that Puckerman charm of yours?"
A pair of blondes walked by, smiling. Jake returned the smile and gave them each a nod, causing the girls to giggle.
"See that?"
"Oh, I definitely see that," replied an ogling Sam.
"It's just too easy, you know. I smile, they giggle. I go over, whisper in their ear. A few seconds later, we're somewhere down the field, alone."
"Oh I see. What you're saying is that you want a challenge."
"I guess."
"Alright, well how about I pick out the girl for you? How's that? And to make it real interesting, we'll make a bet out of it."
"A bet? You're crazy man. This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard."
"Scared you can't do it?"
Jake started to scan the field and saw that there was no way he could lose. Most of the girls here were infatuated with him and he knew it. "Alright, anyone on this field."
Sam grinned, "How does five hundred sound?"
"Five hundred?" questioned Jake.
"Yup. My car needs a new stereo."
"Dude, you know you're gonna lose, right?"
Sam pointed across the fire pit at the tall and skinny brunette, "Not if it's going to be her."
Jake seemed intrigued, but wondered how he never noticed her before. "Who is she? She's kinda hot."
"Her name is Marley Rose. She's a friend of Brittany's. They're in glee together."
"No way. If she's in glee that means she's a good girl with morals. Not my type."
"Brittany's in glee." Sam smirked. Brittany was Sam's not so innocent girlfriend.
Marley stood a few feet away from the popular crowd. She was hanging out with her glee friends - the group that always seemed to be on the outside looking in.
"Dude, come on. Look at her. She's wearing a headband and a knee length skirt. She's…she's too innocent. There's no way. You set me up for this, didn't you?"
"Hey, you said you wanted a challenge. So there it is. Marley Rose. And since I'm feeling generous, I'll give you three months."
Jake thought for a moment as he watched a guy he didn't recognize wrap his arms around Marley and give her a quick kiss. Marley smiled at him before turning back to her friends. Her boyfriend snaked his arm around her shoulders. "Hey, isn't that..."
"Yup, Ryder Lynn. The guy that tried to take your spot last year but got cut. He ended up in glee...and with Marley."
It was going to be an impossible task for Jake, but he was up for the challenge. "Give me till Winter formal and it's a bet."
Jake held out his fist for Sam to tap and accepted the bet.
"Deal."
