Chapter 36: Doing It Well

Nikki

Jimmy's party was pretty chill. I haven't been to too many parties here. I guess I've never been that kind of person who needs to drink every weekend to have a good time. Even now, I was just sipping on a beer, not really enjoying the taste too much. Jay and Alex were getting it down in front of me- dancing to some rap or hip hop song. Obviously, music that is not my taste. I'm more into bluegrass or Janis Joplin or the Beatles. Craig and Ashley are making out in a corner, Paige and Spinner are laughing with Hazel and Jimmy, and Ellie and Ryan are... wait, nevermind... Ryan isn't with Ellie. I squinted my eyes to look for him.

"Hey, Ellie. Where's Ryan?" I looked over to my side where Ellie and Ryan had been just two seconds ago. She didn't hear me. She was too busy gulping down her beer and dancing with Sean. Since when does Sean dance?

I raised my eyebrows as Ellie wrapped one arm around Sean and he wrapped one of his around her waist, pulling her against him. Why doesn't he ask me to dance? I'm his girlfriend! I slammed my cup down on the counter behind me. I hate beer. Suddenly, I'm feeling very out of place in my long skirt and short cardigan. I thought I looked cute before- Sean told me I did. But now, looking at all these slutty girls in slutty dresses and skirts, maybe Sean was just trying to make me feel good. I'm usually not this self conscious, but I've never really had a boyfriend before. Not one like Sean who's tough and has all these cool friends and has a gorgeous ex-girlfriend, who just so happens to be one of my friends.

I glared at Ellie's outfit. Why does she look so goddamn devastatingly beautiful? All of a sudden, my outfit looked dowdy against her leather miniskirt (neon purple!), ripped up black off the shoulder top, and skin-tight black capris. Those stupid lycra capris would look stupid on anybody else, but on her? My nails dug into my palms. Not to be a bitch or anything, but I hope she breaks one of those stupid stiletto heels she's wearing.

Yeah, not to be a bitch or anything...

"Are you okay?" Sean murmured, nuzzling his nose my hair. He placed his hand on my bare stomach and rubbed it back and forth.

"I'm fine," I snapped. I took a quick drink of my water.

Sean held me away at arm's length. "No, you're not. What's wrong?"

"You've been ignoring me all night. You're too busy with your ex-girlfriend to even notice I'm here."

God, I hate sounding like the jealous new girlfriend. But can I help if I am? I'd really like to keep a hold of my boyfriend, if that's okay with the universe.

Sean started laughing, "Sorry. Seriously, I am. I didn't realize I was spending so much time with El. But, uh, she's busy with Ryan now, so if you want to go somewhere..." his voice trailed off. Ah, so he wanted to go make out now.

I gave him a look. "Are you going to pay attention to me now?"

"Of course. You look so beautiful tonight."

"I look dumb compared to everybody else."

"Why's that?"

"I'm not showing off my legs, my cleavage, or my ass. I'm totally safe. I'm the most modest girl here!"

Sean smiled and tugged at the hem of my skirt, pulling me closer to him. "I kind of like it. You know, leave more to the imagination."

I looked away, a little embarrassed. Should I tell him I'm a virgin now? I'm sure that he and Ellie used to... The thought of it makes me sick. If I tell him I'm a virgin, then there is no way he'll stay with me. He'll go back to her, she'll break up with Ryan, and they'll be together forever.

I really need to stop thinking about Ellie.

She's my friend.

She's the one who pushed me to be with Sean.

She's not trying to steal him from me.

Is she?

Jimmy

I bobbed my head to the music and dipped another chip in the salsa and cheese dip. My party has turned out to be a major success- everyone's here, the music is good, the bar is full, and everyone's having a good time, from the looks of it. I caught sight of Marco and his new boyfriend- Darren? Devon? Devon. Yeah, that's right. Marco lifted his head at me and made his way over towards the snack table where Hazel and I were talking with Paige and Spinner.

"What are you doing?" I asked Marco as he grabbed a chip.

"Coke and rum!" he called back over the loud music.

Paige daintily sipped her wine cooler and slipped her arm through Spinner's. "So, the new beau is a total hottie. I hear he's on the wrestling team. Good muscles. I'm sure he'll show you a few pins..." she wiggled her eyebrows and Hazel doubled over in laughter.

Marco blushed and turned his head from us. "He's great. You guys are really going to like him."

"How'd you meet him?"

"Ellie and Sean, if you can believe that."

"The Ellie part, sure. Sean? No way, man!" Spinner chuckled and crushed his empty beer can against his head. "Take that! Yeah! There! Who's the man!"

"I don't know about man," Paige rolled her eyes. "But I know who's the neanderthal around here."

Spinner gave her a confused look and let it go. Those two are too right for each other. "Where is Ellie anyway? I wanted to meet her new boyfriend?" I grabbed another beer out of the cooler for me.

"I hear he's super cute!" Hazel piped up. "But of course, you're cuter!"

I smiled with approval and wrapped an arm around her smooth shoulders.

Marco looked around the apartment. "Well, last time I saw her she was talking with Sean. But Sean's over there with his new girlfriend. Nikki."

"She's cute. In a natural sort of way," Paige observed. "First time I've ever seen anyone wear an outfit like that to a party."

I shrugged, "I think it's cool. You know, not everyone has to show off their body."

"I don't think she should be showing off too much of her stomach. It's not exactly the most toned stomach I've seen."

"Then why do you show off yours?" I shot back. Seriously, what is it with girls and constantly putting each other down because of body size or shape? I think that Nikki girl looks hot. Maybe it's just me, but it's always nice to see a little meat on a girl's bones. Paige has no room to talk anyway. It was just the other week she was complaining about extra pudge on her stomach.

"There's Ellie!" Marco pointed across the room to where Devon was.

Ellie was leaning against the wall, drink in hand, talking to Devon, their hands and mouths going a mile a minute. Whatever it is they were talking about, they were having fun. Ellie threw her head back in laughter and Devon wiped away a few tears. Either someone had just said something funny, or they were both drunk and finding just about anything humorous. I'm leaning towards the latter.

"Ellie's doing well," I nodded.

Marco didn't say anything. I looked over at him out of the corner of my eye and saw the worried look on his face. "She's not hitting on Devon, if that's what you're afraid of."

"I don't think she's hitting on him. It's just- Never mind."

I didn't push him. I'm not that kind of friend. I know Marco will tell me whatever it is when he's ready. Marco and I are buddies, we don't keep secrets from each other. We tell each other everything. I think our friendship has really deepened since he came out to me. I still can't believe a bunch of idiots would hurt a person like Marco. He doesn't deserve anything bad.

Marco sighed and ran a hand through his thick dark hair. "I'm going to go talk to Devon. Will you watch out for Ellie tonight? For me?"

"Um, sure. Is something going on?" Why does he need me to watch out for her? She looks fine.

"You know me. I always worry about her. I don't want her drinking too much."

"Yeah, I'll watch out for her. You go have fun with Devon."

"See you later."

"Yeah."

I lifted my cup for another drink, this time making sure to eye the room over the brim. There's Ellie. She's talking with Ashley and Craig now. She'll be fine with them.

"Jimmy? Want to get in the hot tub?"

I smiled at Hazel and grabbed her hands. "Hell yeah!"

Ryan

"Another beer?" I licked the side of Ellie's face playfully.

"Ew!" she giggled. "Yes!" she pushed me away flirtatiously.

I licked her hand and ran away, stumbling against the wall in the process. I reached out to steady myself and caught someone's shoulder. "Oops!" I slurred.

"Watch it, octopus!" A blonde girl whipped her hair behind her shoulder and put her nose in the air.

"Sorry, darling," I sneered. This girl had too much attitude for her own good.

"The name isn't darling, it's Paige!"

"Whatever. Darling." I decided she wasted enough of my time and headed, once again, towards the bar. I grabbed two more beers and concentrated on making my way back to Ellie. She was practically falling over in the chair I had left her sitting in. I watched as she swayed back and forth before falling face first into the floor.

A few people laughed and pointed as a few others gasped in shock. I started to bend down to help her, but some blonde kid got to her first.

"Drunk, El?"

I rolled my eyes as Sean lifted her up under the arms and steadied her back into the chair. Her head rolled around a bit and she grinned stupidly.

"Yesh," she yelled.

Yeah, she was drunk. I looked at the large pyramid of beers we had been collecting around us. We hadn't really moved too much during the party. That chair had kind of become "our spot". The last three hours of the party had been spent switching from drinking to making out.

"I can handle it, Sean," I pushed his hands away from her knees. I sat down on her knees, straddling her. "Okay, babe?"

"You're probably crushing her, man."

"Lay off!" I whined. I placed a wet kiss on Ellie's chin, missing her mouth completely. "She's my girlfriend."

"Whatever, man. Take care of her."

And he was gone.

Ellie groaned and placed a hand to her cheek. "Take me somewhere."

I concentrated on finding her mouth this time. I saw three of her set of lips in front of me. Which one? Which one is the real set? I went for the middle one. And was welcomed by two soft lips. She moaned against my mouth and I leaned her back in the chair, adjusting myself so I was kneeling over her. She slipped underneath me in what looked like a completely uncomfortable position, hands reaching my belt buckle.

I slipped my hands up underneath her shirt and ran them over her bra. It was lacy. A corset. And very sexy. Even if I prefer more than just a small handful. She threw my belt across the room.

"Ow!" I heard someone screech. Hopefully it was that annoying blonde.

I lifted her off of the chair a little so I could get her shirt completely off. I tossed it behind my shoulder. "Mmm," I ran my hands down her neck, over her bra, her bare strip of stomach, and down to the hem of her skirt. "I want this off so bad."

She shook her head side to side, drunk and confused. "What's going on? Take it off. I want it off, too."

"Um, do you guys need a room?"

I looked up over my shoulder and saw the guy who owned the place. His girlfriend was attached to his side, giving me a scathing look. "Yeah, if you don't mind, man."

He gave me a threatening look. "I'm not sure if Ellie knows what she's doing. So if you'll just leave..."

"I'm Ellie's boyfriend," I shot back. My words echoed in my ear. God, how many beers did I drink tonight?

"You are?" the girl gave Ellie a worried look. She was pretty out of it. And topless. One foot was bent up onto the couch and the other was wrapped around my waist.

"Yeah," I retorted. I tried to stand up so I could face these two idiots better, but Ellie was keeping me bent over.

The guy pulled me by my arm and pushed me away from Ellie. I can't believe he's protecting her. As if I'd ever hurt her.

"Maybe you should just leave her alone," he recommended softly. He lifted her up to a sitting position and the girl handed him Ellie's shirt. I watched through slits as he put it back on her. What is his deal?

"Whatever, man! Tell her I'll call her tomorrow."

I thought Ellie said her friends were cool. From what I've seen, they're nothing but a bunch of fags and bastards.

Hazel

"Here you go, sweetie."

She opened my eyes slightly and looked into my worried eyes. "Where am I?" she asked groggily.

"You're in Jimmy's bedroom. You're going to stay here tonight."

"I want to party."

"Everyone's going home now. Honestly." It was the truth. It was already going on 3:30 in the morning and everyone was either passed out on the floor or on their way home. Ashley and Craig had both stayed sober in case anyone needed a ride home.

"Ryan?"

"Ryan went home, sweetie."

That jerk. I didn't like the looks of him. The way he was undressing Ellie and getting on her in front of everyone was enough to make me sick. I don't know, maybe it was because he was drunk, but something about him made me squirm.

"I want my clothes off," Ellie whispered. She started tugging at her top.

I grabbed her hands. "Okay, relax. I'll do it."

I lifted her top and helped pull it over her head. Next I reached behind her and unsnapped her corset, letting it fall next to her in the bed. Her skirt slipped off next and then her capris. Her shoes had already been discarded on the floor.

The door flew open and Paige stumbled in. She was a little tipsy, but in the right state of mind enough to know what was going on.

"Woah, Haze. I didn't realize you were batting for the other team these days."

"Oh, shut up. She wanted her clothes off. I really don't feel like arguing with her."

"I figured you'd go for someone with a little more of, uh, the girls." Paige giggled and sat on the bed next to Ellie.

I laughed, too. "You're going to wake her up. You know she'd go crazy if she saw you first thing."

"Well, I am just so tired, I might just pass out right here."

"Go ahead. Jimmy and I are going to be too busy cleaning up to sleep tonight."

Paige used her toes to slip her shoes off and collapsed onto the bed next to Ellie. "Yeah, well, I'd help you, but if I don't sleep right now, I think I'll get sick."

"By all means, go to sleep now. I'd rather not clean up your puke."

"Gee, thanks, Aden. Love you."

"Love you, too."

Paige snuggled underneath the covers, and I helped a passed-out Ellie get settled into the bed, herself. She rolled over with a slight moan and opened her eyes. "Paige?" she whispered.

Paige's eyes flew open and she rolled them at me. "Yes, Eleanor?"

"It's Ellie, you bitch."

Ah, drunk and out-cold and still has an acid tongue. You gotta love her.

"Well, I'd love to stay and bond with you, too, but duty calls."

I blew a kiss at Paige and left the room. I hope both Ellie and Paige pass out real soon, or I think blood will be shed. That is one mess I don't want to clean up.

Paige

"What happened tonight?"

I groaned and turned to face Ellie in the dark. "There was a party. Jimmy's party."

"Oh." She was silent for a moment. "Okay. I remember."

"Good, so if you don't mind, I'm going to sleep now." I closed my eyes again and sighed happily. Now, if she'd just shut up, I could be asleep in like- five, four, three, two,-

"Where's Ryan?"

"Who the hell is Ryan?"

"My boyfriend."

"I have no clue. Go to sleep."

"Okay."

Ha! Ellie Nash taking orders from me. Sweet!

"Paige?"

Dammit! "Yes?"

I was starting to get a little testy. Never argue with a tipsy Michaelchuck. Not to mention, a tired one.

"Is Sean here?"

"Sean? I have no clue."

"Will you find out?"

"Honey, Sean has a girlfriend now. If I recall, you set them up. So stop trying to get him into your pants."

Silence. Ah, silence is golden. That's a saying, right? I think so. I'm sure I shut her up with my last comment. It's so true, though. I've never seen a relationship as tortured as theirs.

All of a sudden I heard a sniffle.

Oh my God. Don't even tell me she is crying.

Sniffle. Sniffle.

"Ellie? Are you crying?"

"Noo!"

She is. She is so crying. How embarrassing. I heard that some people get overly emotional when they're drunk, but I didn't actually believe it. Until now.

"I don't like him anymore."

"Who?"

"Sean!"

"Yeah. Sure."

"I don't. He belongs with Nikki. And I have Ryan. I wish people would just let us be friends and be happy with it."

I buried my head deeper into the pillow. "Fine, you're friends. That's it. I'm okay with it."

Anything to shut her up.

"Thanks."

Thanks? "Thanks for what?"

Ellie looked at me with sleepy golden eyes. "You know. For... helping me."

My eyes widened, and I looked back at her in surprise. Did she actually just thank me for turning her in to Ms. Sauve? I never thought I'd see the day...

"Well, you're welcome."

"Really. You really helped me. And I was just a bitch to you."

Is she serious? I stared at her a little longer as her eyes fluttered and she fell asleep. She'll forget all about this in the morning. She won't remember thanking me. And I probably won't remind her. But for about one minute, Ellie Nash and I, we were on the same wavelength. It didn't feel too bad.

Ellie

I groaned and turned over in my bed. Wait, I don't have flannel sheets. Am I at Ryan's? I know I'm not at Sean's. My eyes fluttered and I looked through my eyelashes at the room. The curtains were drawn, so I couldn't see too much. A few posters of rap artists, some baseball and basketball stuff in the corner, a bookshelf full of cds and books, a lap top computer... Ah, the incriminating evidence: a framed picture of Hazel and Jimmy, the owner of the room. I closed my eyes and snuggled deeper under the blankets. Okay, so I'm just in Jimmy's bed.

Wait. I'm in Jimmy's bed.

Did we? No way!

I sat up quickly. Oh. My. God. Why do I not have a top on? What's going on? Did Jimmy and I hook up? I would have never hooked up with Jimmy. I'm not some monster who destroys relationships. Please God, do not let me have hooked up with Jimmy. I'd never forgive myself.

I looked to my left and saw a form underneath a mound of blankets. I took my hand and lightly shook it. "Jimmy?" I whispered softly.

"Jimmy!" I echoed, louder this time.

"Mmmmm," a voice growled.

Was that Jimmy? It did sound manly... It just didn't really sound like Jimmy.

The form rolled over and blonde waves whipped across the pillows. "What Nash?" Paige snapped throatily.

"Ahhhh!" I screamed, jumping out of bed and covering my chest up. "What the hell are you doing in here?" I jumped from one foot to the other. Seriously, what is she doing in the same bed as me? The same bed where I am practically naked, save my underwear. And, hell, these panties are sexy enough.

Paige smiled crudely and raised herself up on one arm. "What's the matter? Lesbian action not good enough for you? I thought you had a good time last night, Ellie."

"Ew! Ew! Ew! I would never hook up with you, of all people! Where's Jimmy?"

"Sorry, hon, but you didn't hook up with Jimmy last night. He does have a girlfriend. You didn't even go for him- which surprises me, seeing as you were acting like a grade A slut at the party."

"Shut up! I was not!" Was I? I can't even remember anything. I put a hand to my throbbing head. I remember Ryan picking me up, hanging out and talking with Sean, Nikki, Marco, Devon, and Craig. Then I talked to Ashley. I saw Emma and Manny. I danced with Nate. And that's where it ends.

Paige got out of bed and took a look in the mirror. "Ugh. I look horrible after a night of drinking. At least I'm not as disheveled as someone, though. You might want to put a shirt on or something. The malnutritioned gamine look doesn't do it for me."

"What are you talking about?" I bent down and looked around for my clothes, covering my chest with one hand.

She just yawned and scratched her head. "Well, I'm going to go now. My mom's probably wondering where the hell I am. I'm sure Jimmy can give you a ride home or something."

I sat down on the bed and laced up my corset in the back. I hate not knowing what's just happened. Especially when I wake up naked in a strange bed. With another girl. A girl I loathe.

Paige started out of the room, but put a hand on the frame and stopped. "Hey, Ellie?"

"Yeah?" I muttered, concentrating on slipping my leather skirt up my legs.

She squinted at me. "You don't remember anything from last night?"

I scanned my memory for something I could give her. But nothing. Nothing at all. "No," I responded truthfully.

She sucked on the inside of her cheek for awhile. "Cool. Well, see you later Freakbag. Oh, and how about you go eat something? Just the sight of you makes me sick."

I gave her a bitchy look and slipped my heels back on. For a second there, I thought she was going to say something nice. Who the hell am I kidding? Paige Michaelchuck will never be nice to girls like me. We're just some game for her to play. She pretends as if she cares about us and then she spends the rest of her life making ours miserable. She can say as many nice words as she wants to me, she can tell Ms. Sauve whatever she wants, she can let me sit with her and "her" friends at lunch, but she doesn't really care. I'll always just be someone who's beneath her. Someone not worthy of her time.

Okay, I'm lost as to what I want to happen in the last chapter. I'm thinking of making it skip ahead about two weeks to the Christmas Concert. And then the kids will be on Christmas Break and there are going to be some great Sean/Ellie, Ryan/Ellie, blah blah blah scenes. What you think about that? Thanks for the reviews. Hope you guys liked having Jimmy/Hazel/Paige/and Nikki's POVS.