Life of the Party

"Happy Birthday Kelly!"

Everyone gathered around to wish Kelly a Happy Birthday, and she was once again the queen of West Beverly.

Brandon watched the crowd swallow her up, as he tried to make his way over to wish her a happy birthday. She looked sensational in a sexy red curve hugging dress, with her blonde hair shimmering like a sun.

He immediately remembered them in the back room a few weeks ago at the Pit. He pictured them back there again with her wearing that dress, but he tried to stuff the thought away. After his chat with Brenda back in her room he knew that she wasn't going to react well to him admitting he was falling for Kelly, besides Kelly had just walked in with Dylan who looked like he just smelled something bad in the air. Dylan sure knew how to put on his party face.

Brandon finally reached her as she was hugging Donna.

"Happy Birthday Kel," he sort of whispered, as she and Donna pulled away.

"Brandon," Kelly said softly.

Before he could think of something clever to say she threw her arms around him, and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back just as fast. They clung to each other in the middle of the room, as the Peach Pit came alive with the sounds of music, from Nat's juke box, and the sizzling of the grill. The place was packed. Despite all the drama Kelly had gotten herself into lately, she was still the most popular girl in school, and from the turnout at the Pit for her birthday, it showed.

Brandon held her close, as it seemed like she didn't want to let go. She clung to him, but finally they pulled apart.

"I'm so glad you're here," she told him.

"There's no place I'd rather be right now Kel," he said honestly.

"You know I'm not really too big on surprises, but with you here there definitely feels like something to celebrate."

"Just don't expect me to dance, though kay."

"Ahh, that means you're definitely going to dance," Kelly teased.

"No I'm not Kel,"

"Oh yes you are," Kelly said in her sexy baby voice.

"Well maybe I'll save my one and only for you. After all, I can do a mean Lambada," Brandon cracked as Kelly beamed at his joke.

"Ahem..." someone cleared their throat loudly to the side interrupting their flirty banter. It was Dylan.

Brandon hadn't spoken to him since the fight at his locker. He figured though maybe Dylan had accepted the punch in defense of Brenda, after all if Dylan was really all that mad about it, he could have also took a shot at him, like he'd told him would happen if Brandon ever dared punch him again.

"Hey..." Brandon replied stiffly to Dylan. Now wasn't the time for their bro handshake with Kelly standing in the middle of them.

"Brandon do you think I could talk to you for a minute?" Dylan asked him seemingly ignoring the flirting with Kelly he had just heard.

Brandon thought about it a moment. He didn't want to get into a big talk with Dylan right now about their fight. He just wanted to enjoy the party, and try not to remember the way Kelly's hair had smelled as he hugged her. Things were hard enough.

Kelly eyed them both, as they looked to her questioningly. "I'm gonna go say hi to Andrea," she said excusing herself, as she gave Dylan a salty glare.

"So what can I do for you Dylan?" Brandon asked. There was no trace of the friendliness in his voice that they used to share.

"Brandon look it's about your sister-" Dylan started.

Brandon shook his head rolling his eyes. "You know you're too much McKay. You're here with Kelly, yet you're still talking about Brenda."

"Look Brandon if you would just shut up, and let me finish."

"No I'm not going to shut up. I've heard enough already." Brandon started trying to walk away.

"Your sister is on drugs man," Dylan called out to him.

That made Brandon turn around, as his back stiffened.

"Yeah, that's right your sister is on drugs. Speed, and god knows what else. She's been hanging with that clown Jefferson Stanley right? He's the one giving it to her."

Brandon felt stunned. "What the hell are you talking about?" he said back to Dylan

"Haven't you seen the way she's been acting man? The outfits, and the strange behavior. I saw them, the pills."

"What do you mean you saw them?"

"Look I saw her with them, trust me."

Brandon let out a sort of disbelieving chuckle. "Right I should trust you, the guy who cheated on my sister with her best friend. You know the guy I used to think of as my best friend before he thought it was perfectly fine to destroy my sister's life, and forget everything she and my family has done for him."

"Brandon would you just stop it. If you would take the time to stop daydreaming about Kelly for a minute, maybe you could see what's wrong with your sister, who's on speed in the room right next to you man."

Brandon couldn't believe his ears. He got up super close in Dylan's face, resisting every urge inside him to punch him again. "You ever talk about my sister like that again, and I'll-"

Just then, Brenda entered the party with Jefferson Stanley on her arm. It almost felt like the music in the room stopped for a moment, as they entered. They were laughing, and smiling together.

"Wooohooo, partay time!" Jefferson yelled out to the room throwing up the rock n roll symbol with his hands.

"Wooo!" Brenda yelled with him.

Dylan couldn't believe Brenda had actually showed up for Kelly's birthday. Seeing her there with Jefferson was like watching a car wreck in slow motion. It was disturbing, and painful, but you couldn't turn away.

Brandon stared at his sister. He should have guessed Jefferson would be her date. He had heard them talking on the phone quite a bit lately. He remembered Brenda's room smelling like weed, but pot wasn't speed.

"I'll go over there with you right now, and we can show him the exit," Dylan said to Brandon.

Brandon watched his sister for a moment. She and Jefferson were already dancing. Brenda was having a good time, and deserved a night out.

Instead of answering Dylan all he said was, "Stay away from my sister, and get out of my face McKay." With that Brandon walked away to go talk to Steve.

Dylan stood there, feeling like he was in the twilight zone. Running his hands threw his hair, he headed outside to the back of the Pit. Once he got outside, he found his car, and pulled out a flask he had hidden inside his glove compartment. He started to down it with a ferocity, like a thirsty failure.

Fighting his own demons was getting harder and harder. His sobriety had been off and on lately. With everything inside him, he wanted to be sober to help Brenda, but losing her, and now losing Brandon's trust was like a shot to his soul. The Walsh twins were finished with him.

He wondered if he should just hit the gas and never look back.

#

Brenda and Jefferson walked through the party, and could feel the eyes of their classmates staring at them, and backing out of their way like they were repulsed. They were probably wondering why Brenda was here, since it was no secret that she and Kelly had had the falling out of the century. Brenda didn't give a shit what any of them thought of her or Jefferson. It was a free country, and it wasn't her fault that they all had a bunch of sticks up their asses. She couldn't believe she used to associate with any of these people.

Brenda looked around for her brother, and spotted him across the room talking to Steve. Then she saw Donna and David dancing, and Steve and Andrea in a booth. No sign of Dylan though. She had wanted him to see her with Jefferson, but now she felt a sense of disappointment that he might not even be here at all. Even though it was Kelly's party catching a glimpse of him every now and then still did something to her, and she hated the heat that would betray her body every time she saw his face. No matter how much she hated him, the need for him wouldn't go away. Her body reminded her every time he was nearby.

"I'm going to go get us something to drink," Jefferson shouted over the roar of the party.

Brenda had never seen the Peach Pit so packed. It was wall to wall bodies, all here for Kelly. She felt queasy with jealousy. Why was Kelly Taylor always so damn celebrated?

She turned back to Jefferson a bit distracted. "Sure, sure..." she told him still scanning the room for Dylan. What was the point of even being here, if she didn't get to show him she was here with her own date?

"Kay be right back," Jefferson assured her.

Brenda nodded, and folded her arms walking through the party a bit more. It felt so strange to be back at a big event like this. She had been spending all her time ditching class, or hanging behind the gym with Jefferson. She forgot how many students actually went to West Beverly. She started taking deep nervous breaths, and her heart felt like it was beating extra fast. Being around so many people, was causing her to sweat hard.

"Brenda..."

Brenda turned to the left, and standing beside her was Kelly. I guess she was the guest of honor after all.

Brenda didn't know what to say. She decided to try the basics. "Hi Kelly..." she said rigidly.

"I'm glad you're here," Kelly said actually smiling.

Brenda looked at her, and all she felt was more anger and pain in her heart. She hated that it had to be like this between them. If the summer had never happened she would have wrapped Kelly in a hug, and wished her the happiest birthday ever. She would have helped plan the party with Steve, and Donna and gotten a kick out of surprising her best friend. Right now they would be discussing what colleges they were going to go to, and what they wanted to wear to prom, but they couldn't do that now. It was all over. Losing a best friend, was like losing yourself. The biggest pain of all she realized, was she and Kelly had never been as close as she thought they were. Had Kelly really loved her like a sister, she would have never did what she did with Dylan this summer.

"Yeah, I'm here." Brenda replied not able to look her in the eye.

"Back with the drinks my little Brendina," Jefferson called now holding their punch above his head, as he bobbed and weaved through the crowd.

"Great, see ya Kelly," Brenda said greeting Jefferson.

Jefferson gave Kelly a look. "Well hello there, happy birthday to you," he said snidely.

Brenda knew Kelly couldn't be too happy at having Jefferson "leprosy" Stanley here at her big party, but instead of showing she minded she just walked away.

Brenda and Jefferson looked at each other and burst out laughing as she walked off.

"Who put sand in her toilet paper?" Jefferson asked

"Who cares, let's just go dance." Brenda pulled Jefferson towards her, gripping his hands. When she pulled her hands away, he had dropped two little white pills in her palm discreetly.

Looking down at them, then back up at him, she smiled and took a big gulp of punch as she washed them down.

#

Kelly walked away from Brenda. She couldn't believe she was here with Jefferson Stanley of all people. She wanted to go back there, and tell Jefferson to get the hell out of her party but at least Brenda had shown up. It was a start she supposed despite the icy reception Brenda had given her.

Kelly took a seat in her booth wondering where the hell Dylan was. She was the birthday girl, and was sitting all by herself. To her delight Brandon wedged into the seat next to her.

"So what's Kelly Taylor doing sitting alone, at her own birthday?" he asked her.

"I was just asking myself that same thing." Kelly said smoothing out her dress. She could feel Brandon's leg resting against her own and she had to resist the urge to put her hand on his leg, and start kissing him madly. Instead she tried to just keep making conversation. "So what was all that between you and Dylan before?"

"You saw that huh?"

"Yeah is he mad at you or something? I mean he always seems to be mad at me."

"Something like that. It's not even worth figuring out anymore. Who's mad at who and all that. I mean it's our senior year, we should be having the time of our lives shouldn't we?"

"I think I am having the time of my life," Kelly said softly, smiling at him sexily. She moved her hand on the table to touch his.

Brandon looked down at their hands together, and then into her eyes. "You know I'm probably going to regret this, but do you want to dance Kel?"

"I told you, I'd get you to." She stood up now pulling Brandon toward the dance floor.

"I don't know what it is about Kelly Taylor, but she gets these feet moving," Brandon said as a fast song started to bang around them. Kelly started swaying around, and dropped her body lower down his body, as she made her way back up to look him in the eye. It was obvious to anyone watching that this was more than just a dance.

#

Steve and Andrea sat next to each other in a booth, with their mouths hanging open, watching Brandon dance with Kelly.

"I don't get it Andrea. Are we being played for fools here?" Steve asked dumbfounded.

They watched as Kelly and Brandon pulled their bodies close to each other and swayed around in a sort of trance.

"It looks that way Steve," Andrea said matter of factly. She felt the same disappointment Steve did watching them. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that Brandon and Kelly had the hots for each other. She felt like a fool. As usual, she was far from Brandon Walsh's mind.

"I don't get it, I throw Kelly this party, and she's still out there dancing with someone else...Things never go my way." Steve wined

"Me neither." Andrea sighed and took another sip of her coke trying to peel her eyes away.

Steve looked at Andrea sitting next to him. He didn't want to be alone at this party anymore than she did. They both sort of understood each other in a way. He remembered that time years ago where they had been studying for the SAT'S together. Andrea had taken her glasses off, and looked pretty sexy lying on his bed, all nerdy, and smart like. Before he could think it over, he had started kissing her, and she had kissed him back. It had been a good kiss. A great one actually, and he wouldn't have stopped it had Andrea not freaked out, and ran out of his room, only to go pine for Brandon for the next few years.

"You know Andrea, it's getting kind of stuffy in here. Maybe we could go get some fresh air." Steve asked, with urgency filling his voice.

Andrea looked up at him reading his mind. "I think I'd like that," she said fast.

They stared at each other, then quickly hurried out of their booth together.

#

Brenda watched as Jefferson sprayed a can of whip cream down his throat messily, as they sat at the Peach Pit counter. People were eyeing them and scooting away, making faces. Brenda found it all hysterical though.

"Arhhh...this party sucks," Jefferson said through a mouth full of cool whip. He then took some of the cool whip and blotted it on Brenda's nose.

She wiped it off swatting at him. "Maybe you just need some more you know...happy pills." Brenda said secretly to him.

"Nope, nope I think I'm done. Let's just get out of here. I know some dudes down in the valley who can throw a rager much better than this. Let's jam."

Brenda wasn't ready to leave. She hadn't even spotted Dylan yet, so he hadn't gotten a chance to see them together. That was the point of this whole night.

"Can't we just hang a little more," Brenda pleaded.

"Ugh, why do you even want to be here? These people are like stuffed shirts." Jefferson made a face at a dude who was glaring at him, and scooting away from them.

"Come on don't leave me here." Brenda said louder. She could feel her heart pace quicken, and she was sweating profusely. Her skin felt itchy, like she wanted to claw at her own face, and Jeffersons. "Sorry Brendina, I'm done. Here you can have the rest." He dropped a few more pills in her hand. "Catch you at school." Jefferson hopped off the stool now.

"You can't just leave," Brenda called after him angry, but the little bell over the Peach Pit door jingled and then he was gone.

She looked around now. People were making faces at her, and moving away. She immediately felt like a total outcast. I guess being seen around school lately with Jefferson hadn't exactly increased her popularity, it had more like destroyed it. Donna and David had barely spoken to her the whole party, and everyone else seemed to be avoiding her. Feeling stressed, she threw the rest of the pills down her throat.

The room started to feel like it was made of mush. Her legs and arms felt like heavy limp appendages hanging off her body. She started scratching at her arms wildly. Then she saw them. It was Kelly and Brandon dancing closely together. Brenda knew that look on Kelly's face well. You don't hang out with Kelly Taylor for three years without picking up on the signs. The signs when she was making her moves. She was whispering something in Brandon's ear while she touched his chest. Brandon laughed at whatever she said throwing his head back. The noise around her started to sound as if someone was taking a record from the jute box and playing it in slow motion. She stood up from the counter stool wobbling a bit, and started walking towards them.

#

Dylan was downing his flask outside of the party against a brick wall next to the Peach Pit back entrance. He was deciding if he should even bother to go back inside when the back door opened suddenly, and out came Steve and Andrea locked in a passionate embrace. They were sucking face as if the world was ending, and moaning. They didn't even notice Dylan standing next to the door, they were so into it.

Dylan made a face at them, not that they noticed. "Well I think that's enough for me," he said out loud dumping the rest of the brown liquid out of the flask and stuffing it back into his pocket.

He opened the door up, and decided to go back to the party. He was doing everything in his power, to not go back in and murder Jefferson.

#

Brenda tried to walk faster, but it felt like she was dragging her limbs along. She knocked into some nasty girl named Marina Seltzer who was another Beverly Hills princess with a Beamer.

"Gross out of my way!" she yelled at Brenda pushing her back into the crowd.

Brenda steadied herself, and kept walking forward until she was close enough. The anger felt like it would crush her. She was seeing fire behind her eyes.

She reached them, and with all her might she shoved Kelly forward pushing her back into some tables.

"So it's onto my brother now!" she screamed at her.

"Brenda what the hell is wrong with you!" Brandon yelled out.

"What the hell?" Kelly cried. She had knocked into some guy with a drink as she fell, and it was splattered all over her dress now. She looked up at Brenda shocked, as she struggled to gather herself.

"Have you lost your mind!" Brandon yelled at her, as he tried to help Kelly up, but Brenda charged at her again.

#

Dylan walked into the party and realized the music had stopped and there was a huge commotion going on. He pushed through the crowd and saw Brenda acting like a maniac. She was reaching for Kelly as David tried to hold her back now.

"Brenda, oh my god!" Donna shouted out next to them.

Brandon was helping Kelly up.

"You bitch!" Brenda screamed as she tried to get around David to Kelly.

Dylan pushed David away and got in front of Brenda. "Bren, Bren..." he said her name.

Brenda could sort of make out Dylan's face now. She gripped at his arms as her breathing became slow and ragged. She couldn't catch her breath. The room felt like it was dropping out from under her. She tried, tried, to steady herself, but the world pushed her down, and to the ground she crumbled.