Here's chapter 2! Sorry it took me so long to update, I've been super busy.

Chapter two: sweet oblivion

Dear Friend,

I've never been to a party before, unless you count the ones I celebrate with my family once a year. Which in this case, you definitely wouldn't…

As soon as Kim opened the door to Eddie's house, Jack could feel the base thumping through his body. Clouds of smoke filled the air along with a strong smell that Charlie couldn't quite name. He had smelled smoke from cigarettes and fires before, but this was different.

When Jerry closed the front door behind him, the only source of clean air was gone. Jack knew the best thing to do is hold his breath, but that would only last about a minute. So he let the smoke fill his lungs and felt his throat open up.

Kim took off her jacket and threw it on the nearest couch. She stretched her bare arms and slowly inhaled her surroundings and the smoke.

"Now this is what I'm talking about!" Jerry said.

There were people everywhere; some making out on the chairs, others taking shots on the couch, and people smoking through weird devices and room was dim, Jack noticed there were barely any lights on, making it look like the Devil's lair.

"Come on let's go find Eddie!" Kim said excitedly.

"Your search is over!"

A tall, large dark skinned guy, who looked around Jack's age walked up with a red plastic cup in hand. His eyes were almost as red as his cup and he had a goofy grin on his face, like he didn't have a care in the world.

"Who's this?" Eddie asked, pointing his empty hand towards Jack.

"Oh this is our new friend Jack!" Kim said.

It was the first time I had heard someone call me their friend since Michael. I didn't know how much longer I could have kept going without a friend, I used to be able to do it very easily, but that was before I knew what having a friend was like.

"Jack this is Eddie, he takes karate with us at the dojo." Jerry said, though his eyes were on a couple of girls in tight skirts walking down into the basement.

"So Jack let me give you the tour!" Eddie said as he put his free arm around Jack's shoulder.

All of a sudden Kim looked distant. Jack followed her eyes and saw that she was staring at a guy on the balcony of the stairs.

"You guys go ahead." Kim said. "I'll catch up with you later."

Jack felt his heart drop when he saw who she was looking at. It was Ricky Weaver.

It didn't take an expert to see that Kim had some kind of history with Ricky. I haven't seen him since 8th grade but it was clear that he hadn't changed much. In 6th grade he would beat me up with a smirk on his face. The same look he had when Kim walked up to him.

"I wouldn't go there if I were you man." Eddie said, with his arm still around Jack's shoulder. "Their Kim and Ricky. Ricky and Kim. Some people believe their untouchable."

"She hates him though." Jerry said, with concern written all over his face. "She stays with him, God knows why. I know her better than anyone and she's still the biggest mystery I have yet to solve. I think he's got something on her."

Jack continued to watch the couple. Ricky lifted his hand to touch her face but she turned away from his touch with a sour look spread all over her features. She looked as if she were trying to have a serious conversation with him but he was intent on doing other things.

"Why is she with him?" Jack asked. She didn't look happy at all, she looked tired.

"The thing is Jack, some girls think they can actually change guys. And what's funny is that if they actually did change them, they'd get bored. They'd have no challenge left. You just have to give girls some time to think of a new way of doing things, that's all. Some of them will figure it out here. Some later. Some never. I wouldn't worry about it too much."

"Yeah sure, Jerry. Whatever Kim's got going on with Ricky I'm sure she can handle it." Eddie said. Obviously wanting to focus on happier things.

"I'll catch you later guys. I've got some people to see, weed to smoke."

And with that Jerry was gone, blending in like another body in the crowds of people.

I didn't know Eddie very long, but since he's friends with Jerry and Kim I knew that he would be a great person to talk to, possibly another friend! Maybe three is too much for one night, I'm not sure.

Eddie led Jack down a flight of stairs and into his basement. The scene was pretty much the same as upstairs, only darker. Like they had descended closer to hell.

They stood close by the stairs as Eddie scanned the room, arm stilled around Jack's shoulder.

They stood like that for 30 seconds. Jack counted. Once Eddie found his destination, he told Jack to follow him and headed for the middle of the room.

"Ladies, this is Jack." Eddie said while pushing Jack down on a couch beside two girls. "Jack, this is Grace and Donna."

One had brown hair and one had blonde. They were both holding some type of cigarette between their thumb and pointer finger. I'd remember Kim mentioning both of them at the game. Grace was the one who messed up her Mom's brownie recipe, and Donna was the one Eddie couldn't salad toss or something.

"Hi." Jack said, feeling uncomfortable.

"Ladies," Eddie began, "This is Jack's first party! So I'm expecting nice, meaningful, heartfelt, blowjobs from the both of you!"

"Shutup Eddie you're so gross!" Donna said, pushing him away from her.

"How is it possible that you got meaner ever since you became a budhist." He asked Donna with a sly smile. "I think you're doing something wrong."

"I think I'm doing everything right." She argued.

"Hi, I'm Grace." The girl said extending her hand to Jack.

Her eyes were blue. And she had one of those smiles that force you to feel calm.

"Do you go to Seaford?" Donna asked, finally ending her argument with Eddie.

"Yeah."

"How come I haven't seen you around?"

"This is my first year."

"No way!" Eddie cut in. "First year as a senior? Man that means you have 4 years of partying to make up for!"

I didn't want them to know that I would much rather be at falafel Phil's talking to Kim and Jerry. They were the only people I actually knew, and I felt so much more comfortable around them.

"Hey Jack, you want a brownie?" Grace asked, with a large plate of brownies in hand.

Relief washed over Jack. He had been starving and the smell in the air made him feel woozy, but he didn't know how to ask for food.

"Sure I'll take one!" He replied enthusiastically.

"Grace, I don't think that's such a good idea." Eddie said.

"lighten up, twit." She bit back. "They're just brownies right Jack?"

"Right!" Jack replied, taking another one off the plate.

He heard the two girls snicker and a look of concern flash over Eddie's face. But it disappeared quickly as he shrugged his shoulders and took a brownie for himself.

So there's chapter 2! I know it was kind of short compared to the last chapter but I've been really busy with school and stuff. Btw did you guys see Wasabi Forever? I'm really really scared to watch it because I'm in denial and I don't want to see Kim leave because my two favorite characters will have left like ughhhhhhh! Let me know what you thought of it and convince me to watch it because I'm too scared too.

I don't know if I'm going to continue this story because I'm really busy and am running out of inspiration. I am currently re-reading the book to get more ideas, but I don't know if I have the time or If you all care that much. If I get enough reviews convincing me to continue the story I will, but I'm not sure yet. So if you want this story to stay then review, review, review! Okay well that's all for now!

Xoxo.

c.d.