Author's note: There's a gradual tense switch about
halfway through. Hope it's not confusing- I had to write in past tense. And I
don't own Jimmy Eat World, nor S-Club. They're far cooler than I am, anyway.
Hey, don't write yourself off yet
It's only in your head you feel left out or
looked down on
Just try your best, try everything you can.
And don't you worry what they tell themselves when you're away.
-Jimmy Eat World – "The Middle"
Sydney winces as someone, 'probably Eric' turns up the stereo. It had been loud
already- now Jimmy Eat World's "The Middle" is blasting at epic levels.
Sydney and Michael had arrived at the 'get-together' twenty minutes ago, after
a brief and extremely awkward conversation in the car.
Everything had been okay at first. Sydney, stamping her feet in the cold night
air, had admired Michael's car for a few more moments before getting into the
passenger's side.
Michael, though seemingly appreciative of Sydney's admiring glances, had
refrained from talking about the car, and the twosome had lapsed into edgy
silence as they had driven away from Sydney's house.
Rooting for something to say, Sydney had finally asked Michael about the llama
story that she had heard him telling Marinna earlier. Michael, who grinned when
she asked, had launched into a long and detailed story about his "crazy" Aunt
Trish and her animal farm.
Sydney, laughing so hard that she was almost crying, had instantly silenced
when Michael asked her if she had relatives like that.
She had mumbled something to the negative, and something else about the vague
nature of her family.
She had felt bad about sounding so cross at his question, but the truth was,
she really hadn't wanted to talk about her family. She didn't want to talk
about her non-responsive father, someone who was rarely home. She didn't want
to talk about her mother, and the death that still bothered Sydney to this day.
Michael obviously came from a very loving environment- she from the exact
opposite.
Michael, obviously sensing he had touched a sour spot, had turned to smile at
her sympathetically, but had then fallen into an embarrassed silence.
They had continued like that until they had reached Eric's house, the silence
only broken abruptly with Sydney thanking Michael as he had gotten around to
open the door for her.
She had felt awkward about entering Eric's house at first- Eric had opened the
door with his arm around a blonde, and had slurred a hello to a startled
Michael and Sydney.
The party was obviously full of mostly seniors, and most had looked up
inquisitively, when Michael had obviously entered with someone who wasn't a
senior.
Although Michael had told her to ignore it, Sydney had felt a strong urge to
get up and walk back out. However, with Michael firmly guiding her by the
elbow, Sydney had been tugged and pulled to a corner where some of his friends'
had been waiting.
To Sydney's horror she had spotted Amy and her cheerleading cronies on the way,
but they luckily hadn't noticed her. 'Thank god,' she had thought.
Now, some time later, with a couple of sodas and some food tucked firmly away
in her system, Sydney feels much better about the situation.
None of the seniors seem to know who she is, and she's been introduced to a
great group of people so far.
Michael, along with Will and his girlfriend, (a pretty dark-haired sophomore
named Francie,) had introduced Sydney to other members of their "group".
Although most had seemed nice, offering her a cheerful "hi" or a perky "hello",
Sydney's favorite meeting had occurred with one of Will's friends, a
happy-go-lucky guy named Marshall, and his pretty dark-haired girlfriend,
Carrie.
Marshall, a dark haired guy with a broad forehead, had jumped to his feet as
Sydney was being introduced.
"Hey there! My name is Marshall, and this is my girlfriend Carrie. We're
friends with Will, Eric and Michael," Marshall had gestured frenetically, (to
the great amusement of his girlfriend-smiling at him fondly,) "but you'd know
that because you're friends with them too! I'm a senior, and I've been accepted
early decision to Dart-"
Although Sydney had been more than happy to let Marshall continue, (he seemed
like a sweet guy after all,) Will had gently cut Marshall off and had led
Francie, Michael and Sydney to the obscure corner sofas where they were now
sitting.
~*~
Although most of Eric's guests seem to be up and about, dancing, talking,
eating, playing videogames, (Eric's parents had a huge big screen TV- the
seeming pride and joy of Eric's life- he's announced it three times already,)
or playing pool, Sydney and the three other friends are too busy swapping
stories to care at the moment.
Michael and Will, both hockey fanatics, are currently trading stories about
hockey camps they've gone to, and the adventures they've had. Periodic
"Whoa's!" and deep "really?" constantly issue from their conversation.
Francie, after rolling her eyes at her boyfriend, (who grins and slips an arm
around her, pulling her in closer,) is currently in a deep analysis of the
opera houses she's been to in Europe. Sydney, who's always wanted to travel, is
on the verge of asking Francie some questions, when a voice sounds at the other
end of the house.
"Hello? Is this thing on?" tap-tap-tap. "Well, you guys! It's time for some
karaoke!" The voice, obviously Eric's, is met with enthusiastic cheers.
Michael, breaking off his conversation with Will, turns to Sydney and grins at
her. "You're going to love this."
"Are you sure?" Sydney's doubtful- she's never been a big fan of karaoke.
Something about singing along with an unforgiving TV screen has always unnerved
her.
Michael laughs, and gingerly puts an arm around her. Sydney stiffens for a
moment, but relaxes.
"Yeah, I promise you're going to love this. Eric has this *thing* for karaoke.
At every party he gives, he'll always end up completely wasted and getting up
on the table and performing really obscure songs. Most of the time, everyone
will join in." Michael's grin widens. "It's kind of dorky, but it *is* Eric. So
we still love him anyway. Last time, when Eric threw me a 'welcome' party, we
actually had a talent competition in the end."
"Alrrrrrrrright everyone? Here I go!" Eric's voice is louder now, and a thud
echoes loudly across the room as Eric crawls onto the table. "Someone turn up
the music!"
A pulsating thump begins echoing around the room, and Eric begins dancing
along.
"Yeah, one thing though- he really can't dance that well. We're trying to
figure out ways to tell him." Will, who seems to be experiencing separation
anxiety from Francie, has both arms around her now. Francie looks content
though- her eyes are closed and she's leaning against him.
I still remember it was day number one
We hit the ground and then we started to run
Now we're connected and I won't turn around
Cause you set me free, put my soul at ease
Eric begins singing along with the lead singer, and even though the song has a
slow beat, Eric begins imitating an air guitar riff.
Large period thumps begin bouncing across the room.
Michael, whose attention was focused on Sydney, looks up in alarm. "Um. Will? I
don't think he should be jumping on the table. Remember the bed incident?"
Will, looking up from Francie, (whose neck he was in the process of nuzzling,)
groans. "Oh god. Fine." Will turns to look into Francie's eyes. "Hold on, baby.
We'll be right back."
Michael, smiling apologetically at Sydney, gets up and heads towards the table
where Eric is now doing the Egyptian. Will, distangles his arms from Francie,
gets up and follows suit.
Sydney, too busy watching Michael and Will and their attempts to pull Eric off
the table, doesn't see the two people approaching her.
"Hello Snitch-ney."
