A girl nearby squealed; the soda from Ravi's can had splattered onto her expensive-looking, crisp white capri pants. It left brown splotches that were probably going to be difficult to get removed. She hurled something scornful at him, thoroughly thrown into a tizzy, but he didn't hear her. Nor did he notice her storm off in a huff, where she most likely went to find someone she knew to lament over her ruined clothes.

What is he doing here?

Was he even invited?

He's probably crashing

As if something as trivial as not having an invite would stop him

Mitch hadn't detected his presence as of yet. He was still in the doorway of the entrance, amongst those that went to greet him. Ravi couldn't understand how he was so well liked. The ultra popular crowd accepted him, who were known to be rather picky and subjected their potential members-a far more accurate term than friend-to intense scrutiny. Although Mitch's substantial size must have contributed. Some of those jocks were similarly built, but the others weren't and they must have recognized who had the advantage and who didn't. Still, those people had to have overlooked his overall less than pleasant demeanor and mannerisms for them to flock to Mitch like sheep to their shepherd. One person fist bumped him and another clapped him on the back, telling Mitch how they were glad he made it. It was repulsive to watch as some girls batted their eyelashes and gave their most seductive smiles.

I could vomit just watching this

Perhaps you should be more concerned with getting away.

Or have you forgotten about that?

Before he notices you

And makes a scene

Is that what you want?

"You dropped this!" Shelby's voice broke through him. She held his only-half-full-at-this-point can of cola and when he didn't take it from her extended hand, she pushed it into his. It almost fell again, luckily he'd caught it with a firmer grip. A bubble of frustration came to the surface. He was concentrated on one thing and it was not his beverage.

"Yes," he muttered, distractedly. The aluminum screeched as the hold he had on it tightened, crushing it closer together. "I know. Erm, thank you."

"You're welcome!" Shelby's head bobbed back and forth as she began to hum, but she quickly abandoned that when her attention went elsewhere-namely, on him. Per usual. "Oooh, what are you looking at?" She invaded his personal space, her head was so close to his that they could have been cheek-to-cheek, so she could try to see what he was seeing. For once, he didn't mind as much. He didn't try to pull away or remind her the same thing he'd repeated over and over. Right now, this hardly mattered in the grand scheme of things. A mere annoyance compared to the situation that was about to erupt very soon.

"Nothing!" He shot out the words in a panicked state. His eyes darted back over to Mitch and where he stood, who was still blissfully unaware. Oh, if they managed to attract his attention by being too loud... "It's...it's nothing!"

She tilted her head to the side and there was that x-ray look again. His insides shivered. He did not like it when she did that. And as luck would have it, she did that often. It was like the universe was out to get specifically him. Naturally. "It doesn't sound nothing," she disagreed. "You look nervous. And pale. Are you okay? Are you hungry? Should I get you some food? Emily gets pale if she hasn't eaten a whole lot. I'll get you some chips or something, if you want."

She turned around, eyes scanning for the portion of the table that was covered in the chips, only half-way so at this point. . Which was amazing, considering that it was just full. These people are like Luke when he insists he's starving after not eating for a couple hours. But Ravi grabbed her by the forearm. "No," he breathed out. "No, no. I...I'm fine. I'm not hungry."

Why must Mitch be everywhere he went? Could he not have some normalcy without all of this? What was he even doing at this party? It was certainly possible that Marcy knew him, but Ravi found it more plausible to be that he and his friends had decided to crash. And with all of the other people around, he doubted Marcy was going to object to it.

"Who's that?" Shelby asked. "You keep looking at him? Do you know him? He looks familiar. What's his name, do you know? I can't remember. I've seen him around, though. Oh, I wish I remembered his name. That's gonna bug me. I'll probably remember it at like three in the morning."

"He's no one," Ravi said, hastily.

"Silly," she grinned, punching him with her knuckles on his shoulder like they were good pals, "how can he be no one?"

I wish he was no one

I wish he didn't exist

Now is that very nice?

Him terrorizing me is not very nice

You know what they say-two wrongs don't make a right

"I must get out of here," he muttered. If he stayed, Mitch was going to spot it and it would go downhill from there on out. "Come along," he hissed out of the corner of his mouth to Shelby and silently pleaded with the universe that she wasn't going to make unnecessary noise.

His plea was answered; she followed him out of the lobby where they entered one of the multiple rooms that were being used that night. It was a large ballroom that must have previously entertained guests for a fancy dance or it was a wasted opportunity. I have officially seen too many movies. Unlike the lobby and the rooftop, however, the number of people was downsized and the music was cut to a tolerable level. But most importantly, Mitch was not there and he was too busy socializing that he did not see either of them sneaking away either.

Now he might be able to breathe again.

"Were you avoiding him?" Shelby was most irritatingly observant for the wrong times. When he needed her to be, she wasn't. "I think you were. Do you not like him? How come? You looked really nervous. Does he scare you? It's okay if you were scared. Everyone feels that way sometimes. You don't have to be brave all the time."

It was the truth, technically. But he wasn't wanting to hear the truth right now. Who would, in this situation? He was in no mood to be reassured or told his feelings were normal and valid. He...he wished he never came. He just had to let her convince him and this was the result. Nice. He should've stood his ground, not let her talk him into going like she did. Now look at him.

He should be at the penthouse, in his bedroom, curled up in his bed.

Not here. Not in a former hotel at some wild party that was thrown by someone he didn't really know. What had he been thinking? He didn't belong here. These people were happy. They knowhow to act around people. They didn't feel what he felt. Not to mention-

His phone buzzed.

Oh, what now?

She should throw u out

No 1 wants u here

Ur weird

No wonder luke hates you

Ur a mistake

Dunno why you weren't taken back to that ratty orphanage

U dont deserve to be here

Ravi inhaled sharply. That got Shelby's attention. "What?" she said. "Are you okay? You look upset. Is it your phone? Oh, did you ever figure out why your time was off? That was weird. Did someone mess with it or something? That's mean if they did. I hope you didn't get in trouble for being late that one time. Did you? You shouldn't have. It was only an accident. You didn't mean to. I hope your parents or Jessie understood. Did they? You look nauseous. Are you gonna throw up? Should I find a bucket? I think there's one around here somewhere..."

"No," he said, snippily. He couldn't do this. It was becoming too much. The stress, the worry, the frustration was building up and he felt like he was going to burst at any moment. He just wanted to leave. To be anywhere but here.

He just felt so defeated.

'You should smile," she chided. The song that had been playing changed, apparently to one that she knew. "Oooh! I love this song! Come on, you should dance with me. It'll be fun. Can you dance? No one's watching, so if you suck, they won't notice."

"No," he would not. He also ignored that last sentence. "I do not want to."

"Oh, come on!" Shelby tried to coax him. "I know you want to."

"No, I don't! And I would appreciate it if you stopped bothering me," Ravi hissed.

Couldn't she take a hint? Evidently not. "You're so stressed," she noted. "Do you want a hug? I think you need one. It might make you feel better. I know I feel better when I get a hug."

His eye twitched.

"Do not touch me!"

"Okay," she smiled.

I could just throw myself out a window right now

Go on, do it

You won't, though

You're a coward

You'd be too scared to do anything

Isn't that right?

"Watcha wanna do?" Shelby said, swinging her arms back and forth idly. "We can do whatever you want. I don't mind. We can even count ceiling tiles. I did that once. I was in the hospital because my appendix ruptured and I was bored so I counted the ceiling tiles. They were so pretty, someone painted them blue. It looked like the ocean! Do you like blue? I don't remember if I've ever asked you your favorite color. What is it? I like lots of colors! They're all so pretty, I just can't choose one."

Fascinating

"What's your favorite color?" Shelby wasn't going to let up without getting an answer.

"I don't know," he muttered.

"Why don't you know? You gotta know."

"Green," he ended up saying, with his patience literally hanging by a thread. A very thin thread. So thin that it could've snapped with a sharp tug. It was said to placate her, mostly. But it wasn't a bad color either.

"What kind of green? There's difference shades, you know," she said and much to his dismay, she began to list off all the ones she knew. "There's green, there's emerald, there's lime, there's olive; there's forest green, there's moss, there's neon-"

"Neon is nice," he picked one just so she would shut up.

"Oh, I love neon, too! It's so pretty!" Her face lit up. "Oh my gosh! I have an idea! You're gonna love it, I love it already. We should totally get matching bestie shirts! We'd look so cool! Have you ever seen shirts like that? Like, one'll say he's my best friend and the other'll say she's my best friend. Something like that. Whaddya think? I love it! We should do that, right? I think we should. If we both save up, we might be able to them by Christmas!" She did a little jump.

"Sure," he said, flatly. He didn't mean it. He wasn't going to get caught dead in one of those things.

Oh, but you will

She'll persuade you

Like she persuaded you to come to this party

Isn't that right?

Besides, what's wrong with a shirt like that?

She just wants everyone to know how close you both are

Except we are not close like she believes

She has fooled herself into thinking otherwise

And I cannot convince her that it is not the truth

You keep saying that

Because it is the truth!

So you say

Now

You might not be saying that later

You're insane

Technically, I'm you. So you're calling yourself insane

Which isn't far from the truth, really

"Oh, goodie!" Shelby said, happily. A moment later, she said, "how long do we have to be here?"

Until the next ice age comes and everyone that I know is wiped out

"I don't know," he said.

"Okay!"

Without physically going out of the room to check, he had no way of knowing where Mitch had wandered off to. If he wandered away from the lobby to someplace else. Ravi needed to know. If he was, indeed, gone, then they could make a quick escape. But there was no way he was slipping out to check. And he surely wasn't going to send Shelby out there. He could just imagine her walking up to Mitch, striking up a conversation and inviting him to join Ravi and her back in the room.

He'd rather die.

At least it would be less painful.

A thought occurred to him and his stomach filled with utmost dread. What if Luke was here at the party as well and he just hadn't seen him? He and Mitch were practically glued at the hip sometimes. They were both in the same popular social group and had a percent for rough sports-and in Mitch's case, inflicting pain on those smaller than he was.

Luke didn't mention that there was a party going on that he was going to be at. Usually, he boasted about it loud enough for Ravi to hear with the intent of bragging about how he was invited to places and Ravi was not. Unless this was a spontaneous trip. Perhaps instead of coming inside with the other guys, he lingered behind to chat up with some girl he found attractive.

What was he going to do now?

He couldn't be here. He just couldn't. He and Mitch both couldn't be here. This...it was a nightmare. Oh, why couldn't it be? Perhaps if he pinched himself, he would wake up in the comfort of his bedroom. Nope. He tested it and was still there. Burying his face in his hands, Ravi let out a muffled groan. This was just great. Really great.

You don't know if he's here or not

Yet, you're freaking out anyway

Typical

Always overreacting to everything

Real mature of you, really

"He couldn't be here," came out from past his lips.

"Who?"

Ravi flinched, having forgotten she was there. Just how did he do that? She rarely stopped talking long enough for that to happen. Well, you're not the brightest so I'm not surprised. "Nothing. No one. It's nothing. Forget it."

"Are we doing that again?" She wasn't annoyed. Actually, there was a fond smile on her lips. Why couldn't she express emotions like a normal person did? No normal person was always so happy.

You keep thinking that

Because it is the truth!

You say that, too

She's too happy. It isn't right

No one is that happy all the time

Maybe she is

She can't be

She just...can't

Just because you're a debbie downer, doesn't mean everyone has to be

Just let her be happy

It isn't hurting you, is it?

Ravi scowled. A couple of the people that were on the other side of the room gave him a strange look. Probably because, as far as they were concerned, he was making a face at nothing. You probably look constipated. "No, we are not."

"Okay!"

This is punishment, Ravi thought in despair. He'd obviously upset the universe somehow and this was his comeuppance. Lucky him. "Okay,' he turned back to her, "I need you to listen to me closely." He should have known how literal she could be; he cringed when they became face-to-face. "Not like that." A sigh. A face rub. "Just listen. Please. Don't talk. Just listen."

"I'm listening," she reassured him, bobbing her head back and forth. "I'm all ears. Go on."

Thank you for your permission. "We need to leave," he said after taking a deep breath.

"But why?"

"Because," he didn't feel like explaining.

"But why do we have to leave?" Shelby said. "I thought we were having fun? I'm having fun. Aren't you? We haven't been here that long. Did Jessie call you and now you have to go home? Is everything okay? My parents haven't called me. They're probably watching a movie together. They don't have babysitter for Elliot, so they're probably at home. Usually I babysit, but I can't now. Do you babysit for your siblings? Isabella does for her brothers. Emily doesn't; her parents won't let her anymore because the one time she did the kitchen caught fire. But don't worry, no one was hurt. Emily was watching TV and dinner just caught fire. Crazy, right?"

Crazy is what my life has become

"Just listen," he did not whine. He didn't. "Just please."

Why should she?

She invited you to the party, not the other way around

Why should she have to give up tonight just because you're a coward who can't face people?

It isn't fair to her to have to miss out

Is it?

Well... no.

It wasn't.

Ravi hung his head. He didn't want to be there. But, it was true that Shelby had invited him. It wasn't fair to ask of her to miss out when she'd been so excited for it. You're just being selfish. "I suppose I am," he murmured. Louder, he said, "Er, never mind. We don't have to leave."

"Okay!" Shelby accepted his response. "Why'd you change your mind? Did Jessie not call you? Wasn't that why you wanted to leave?"

Either she was trying to pull the truth out from him and make him confess, or she genuinely believed he had a good reason and not a purely selfish one. Because she's a good person. She isn't you. She thinks better of people.

"No," he shifted. "No, she didn't call. Everything is fine at home."

"Are you hot?" Shelby said and started to feel his cheek and forehead with the back of her hand. Oddly enough, his nose detected some coconut soap. Or hand lotion. Something that was of coconut scent. It was faint, but there. "Do you want some air? We can go outside for a bit, if you want."

This can be your quick escape

You can see if he's there

And still be at the party

Everybody wins

"Yes," he blurted out. "Let's do that!"

"Okay!" Shelby agreed. Was she going to say anything else? He was sure he'd heard enough okay's for a lifetime. At least, a life where she was around.

That's harsh

"Just be quiet," he advised her, his hand curled around the brass doorknob. "You mustn't make a lot of noise."

"Why?" She said and he shushed her. So she toned her volumn down at a whisper level and asked again, "Why?"

"Because I don't want anyone to hear."

"Why?"

Weren't toddlers the ones who were supposed to ask all of the why questions? "Because I just don't," he said, tiredly. Tisk. Tisk. You're so cranky. "Please just be quiet."

"Okay," Shelby said for the umpteenth time. "Are you going first?"

"Fine," Ravi opened the door, motioning with his hand for her to follow him. You're ridiculous. Do you even see yourself right now? You're acting like you're in some kind of danger right now. You're so dramatic. The hallway was thought to be clear; he might have gone up to the rooftop where most of the other people seemed to be. Still, he wasn't going to be taking any chances, that's for sure. His head was swiveling back and forth, from each end of the hallway. He was going to have an ache in his neck later. He was sure of that.

The anxiety slowly fell away. Mitch and his friends-and possibly Luke-were gone. He and Shelby wouldn't have to worry-well, more so he wouldn't have to worry-about running into them. Maybe he had overreacted a tad. Maybe things would be alright. Somehow, they might be able to avoid Mitch and his crew and also allow for Shelby to enjoy the party. He just needed to-

"Well, well, well."

It was like Ravi had been doused with icy water. He stopped dead in his tracks, causing Shelby to bump into him with a little uttered oof. He squeezed his eyes shut, wishing that this was not happening. "Oh, no," he said, helplessly.

"Look at that, boys," Mitch came around, circling him just like a predator. "It's little Robby."

"Oh, his name's Ravi," Shelby corrected.

Mitch's gaze stayed on Shelby for quite some time. "Still hangin' with the weirdo of the school, aren't ya?"

He didn't know who that was directed that.

"What do you want?" Ravi said, quietly.

"What do I want?" Mitch echoed, rubbing his chin, feigning thoughtfulness. "I'm hurt, little Robby. It isn't nice to assume. Who says I want anything? Maybe I just wanted to have a little chat. Can't I have a little chat with my friend?"

"You're not my friend," Ravi kept his eyes on the floor.

Mitch's crew oooed like the unintelligent apes they were. Shelby wondered out loud, "What are we oooing at?"

"I'm not?" Mitch mock pouted. "Now I'm really hurt, little Robby. What if I want to be your friend, huh?" He gave Ravi a thwack on his chest, causing him to grunt in pain. A smirk crossed Mitch's face. "And you know what friends do for each other? They help each other look their best."

Ravi backed up, squeaking in alarm when Mitch yanked him by his shirt. It gave him flashbacks from when they were both at the penthouse. When Luke called you a freak. Don't you remember? "Hey," Shelby spoke up, looking uncharacteristically concerned. "What are you doing? I don't think he wants to be touched like that. You should probably let him go."

"Shut up!" Mitch barked at her. Nodding at his friends that were behind her, he said, "keep her there."

'What does that mean-" Shelby was saying, "-Oh."

One of Mitch's lap dogs grabbed Shelby by her arms to keep her from ruining what was about to go down. She glanced up at him. "Oh, hi! What's your name? I'm Shelby. Do we have class together? I don't think I remember you. Can you loosen up your hand a bit, please? It kinda hurts and I don't wanna have a bruise later. Oh, you have really pretty eyes. Did you know that?"

"Don't let her get away," Mitch ordered. He looked down at Ravi with a devilish grin. "Little Robby and I have some unfinished business to attend to."

"Please," Ravi shot out, pleadingly, "just let us go. I won't tell anyone! I swear!"

"It isn't nice to swear," Mitch mocked him. "Didn't anybody ever teach you any manners? I think it's about time someone did. But, before we do that, I think you need help with your clothes."

"Why?" Shelby said. "I think he looks fine. Do you think he should-"
"Quiet! I think we should start with his hair, don't you think so, boys?"

"Yeah," they nodded dumbly. "Do his hair!"

"It's a little too neat," Mitch's free hand came down on his head and started to rub it aggressively. "Girls like it messy. They dig the whole bad boy persona." He tisk'd at Ravi's choice for his shirt. A plain olive green shirt that he'd worn at school earlier that day. "'Fraid the ladies don't like this either. You did dress yourself this morning, didn't you? Here, let me-" With a quick motion, he pulled Ravi's shirt up and over his face.

He spluttered. The sound was muffled and his arms immediately flailed around, trying to pull the shirt back down. But Mitch wasn't letting him do that; unbeknownst to him, he'd gestured for one of his friends to grab Ravi by the arms just like Shelby was grabbed. So now there he was, his shirt pulled up with no way to fix and on top of that, an audience was starting to gather around.

"You know, boys," Mitch drawled, "I think little Robby needs some help with his pants."

Oh, no

No, no, no

Let me GO!

Get off of me!

Ravi writhed uncontrollably, hoping Mitch would leave him alone if he just fought back and didn't take it. "No!" he wailed. "Stop! Please!" His heart dropped when Mitch effectively slid his jeans down his waist and legs in one slick motion, revealing the underwear he was wearing.

The vicinity erupted into cruel laughter that met his ears. Awful, terrible, horrifying laughter. Through the thin fabric of his shirt, he could see some people that had gathered were pointing at him. Some had taken out their cell phones and were taking pictures.

He could've thrown up.

This was his worst nightmare come a reality. He...panic was quickly building up inside of him, wrapping itself around his throat, constricting him. Worse, he couldn't put his arms down to cover himself. He threw his head around until the shirt came off his face, burning under the attention he was receiving. It was like the world was moving in slow motion. The noises and voices blurred together as one. He couldn't have sorted out who was saying what if he needed to.

"Say cheese," one of Mitch's friends sneered, holding up his phone.

"Send it to Luke," Mitch snickered. "He'll love it."

"That isn't very nice," Shelby told them. "You shouldn't do that. You're upsetting him."

"Awww," Mitch put a hand on his mouth. "Are we upsetting you, little Robby? Are you gonna cry?"

I hate you

I hate you so much

I hope you rot

He was abruptly dropped to the floor. Humiliated to the deepest sense, he yanked his pants back up and fled from the hotel in the pouring rain. Shelby was right behind him, calling out to him but he didn't stop.

Ravi was tired. Just so tired. He just...he needed a way out.

Perhaps there is one

If you're willing to go through with it