AN: Many parts of this story are based on first-hand experience... a couple words of advice to new party-goers: just be careful. Don't pull a Parker. :p They're sophomores in this. Ray can drive.

-YESTERDAY-
by Parker

We pulled up in Audrey's driveway, managing to park amongst the load of other random cars in the area.

I glanced outside the window, seeing small groups of people with cigarettes in one hand, some with cups of something, some with beer cans...

"You coming?" Ray asked me, pulling his keys out of the ignition.

I kept staring out the window, half-wanting to tell Ray to put the keys back in and just drive away... the other half was still somewhat curious.

"I don't know if we should, Ray."

He looked over at me, "Lily, I do recall you saying the other day that" -taking on his best Lily impression- "'we never do anything interesting!'"

I smirked. "Yeah, but I meant lets go on a road trip or something interesting... not go to a party."

"Do we have to follow every rule, Lil?" He shifted a little bit, getting ready to open his door. "Come on, let's go. You'll have fun, I promise."

I sighed, still glancing out the window. "But Travis and Robbie aren't here."

"That's because they don't do parties," he quickly replied.

"And neither do we-"

"Until now," he cut me off, and then opened his door. "I won't let anything bad happen, you don't even have to drink."

I nodded my head, realizing that he was right. We really do need to break some rules at some point...

I suddenly felt nervous as I opened the door, and stepped out. I looked over at Ray, and he gave me a small smile that I returned.

We made our way across the grass, getting some looks from a few of the people meandering outside.

We stepped inside, the loud music quickly coming into focus, and I glanced around.

I'd been to Audrey's so many times before, but it was just so different right now... it was almost dark except for the few red strands of Christmas lights and strobe lights that were scattered around the room.

Not to mention the almost herd-like group of people scattered throughout the room, even out of school it seemed like all sorts of cliques were formed... I didn't realize how many people Audrey was friends with.

Ray started leading me through the crowd, I wasn't quite sure where we were going... the stereo couldn't be any louder, and I was convinced whoever in charge of the music had a vendetta against me- I silently wished that they wouldn't be playing rap the entire night.

"You made it!" I heard an excited voice say, both Ray and me turned around to see Audrey standing there, a huge grin on her face. "Lily, I'm surprised you came!" She had to yell over the music.

"Me too!" I replied, still slightly regretting I was even here. "What's that!" I asked, pointing to her cup.

"Oh, try it!" She pushed it towards me.

I took the red plastic cup from her hand, and glanced at the contents inside. "What's in it?"

"Just orange juice and vodka!" She smiled, and upon seeing the worried look on my face, added "One small drink won't get you drunk, Lil... and there's not too much vodka in it anyway!"

I brought it to my mouth, taking a small sip, wincing slightly when the aftertaste of the alcohol hit me... but it wasn't bad...

"Keep it!" She replied. "Hey, Ray, are you gonna be drinking at all?"

"Perhaps!" He replied, glancing around the room.

"I need your keys!" He raised his eyebrows, and she continued, still having to yell over the music. "Just have to be safe... don't want any drunk driving to be blamed on me!"

He pulled his keys out of his pocket and handed them to her, she flashed a quick smile and walked off through the crowd.

I took another sip of the drink, and glanced back around the room.

"I don't know if we should be here!" I yelled, and Ray leaned in.

"What!"

"This just isn't our group of people!"

"What!" He asked again, leaning in even closer.

"Nevermind!"

He looked around again, and saw some people throwing back shots. He grabbed my hand, and led me through the crowd over to them.

"Come on," he said, grabbing a shot glass that was sitting on the counter.

One of the guys in the group saw at me and grinned. "Who are you and what are you drinking?" He asked, looking me up and down.

I suddenly felt uncomfortable, as Ray quickly went, "She's with me."

"Ah," the guy replied. "What can we do you for? Those guys are drinkin' Yaeger; I'd recommend it..."

"Yaeger?" I asked. I hated not knowing any of this lingo... I felt so unbelievably out of place.

"Never tried it?" He raised his eyebrows, glancing over at Ray for a second before he started staring at me again. "It'll knock you on your ass pretty quick, but it's worth a shot."

Ray nodded, as the guy took his shot glass and filled it up. I watched as Ray threw it back, and I let out a laugh as I saw him grimace. "Liquid black licorice," he said, right before he coughed.

The guy filled it up again, and handed it to me. "So, uh-"

"Lily."

"Lily, here you go."

I took the tiny glass from his hand, and looked at Ray, who nodded his head, trying to get me to take it. I don't know if it was peer pressure or just plain curiosity that made me throw it back, and that... god, it was a nasty taste... and I opened my eyes to see the guy grinning at me again.

He filled up the shot glass again for Ray, who took it much better this time, and then once more for me. I wish I knew what I was doing...

----

I finished Audrey's drink quicker than I'd thought, and sat down for a moment on her couch. Ray joined me; he'd had another shot or two so far- I didn't understand, though. I'd drank... maybe 3 or 4 shots altogether... and I wasn't feeling it. I wasn't feeling anything...

Ray, on the other hand, was grinning like an idiot and started asking me what I "truly" thought about Robbie and Travis... I wasn't sure if he had just talked himself into being drunk, or if he really was.

I felt my throat feel dry, and stood up so I could get something to drink.

And that's when I started feeling it... a little dizzy, not quite there... and tripped right back onto the couch again, laughing.

I do remember Ray's arm snaking around me, and I do remember... I remember the arm... I felt lips... did he just kiss me? No, no, I started laughing. Of course he didn't, this is Ray and me...

Another attempt to stand up.

Another drink handed to me... that partially spilled when I landed back down on the couch.

Slowly becoming fascinated with the lights, and realizing the shots had really hit me, I started laughing some more, taking a drink of whatever it was in my hand..

-----------------------

Ugh... don't... want... to move...

I opened my eyes slightly, and winced as soon as the light hit them. God, aren't there like... blinds that could be shut?

My head started throbbing and I buried my face back into the pillow.

Pillow?

My eyes opened once again, and my head was reaping all the pain. My eyes adjusted, and it took me a second to realize I was in Audrey's guest bedroom.

I closed my eyes again, trying to think of why I was there, when all of a sudden it clicked: the party.

I felt something warm touching my side, and I quickly turned - also quickly regretting the fast movement as well - as I jumped.

"Ray?"

My mind started freaking out...

I just woke up in a bed.

With a hangover.

With Ray.

And I don't remember what happened.

First multi-chaptered story, here I come!

Review; let me know what you think so far. :D