CHAPTER FIVE:
Get This Party Started!

"So what do you guys think of Cassandra?" Robbie asked Ray and Travis. The three guys were waiting at the station for Lily and Cassandra. It was 7:30pm, a half hour until 'go time', as Ray always said.

"Opinionated, confident," Travis replied, gearing up his mixing equipment and lining up the tracks RFR would be playing that night. "Definitely related to Lily."

"Yeah," Ray agreed, straightening his red button down shirt. "And totally hot!"

Robbie rolled his eyes. "Is that all you ever think about?"

Just then, Cassandra and Lily stepped into the warehouse. "What are you talking about, Robbie? We all know Ray doesn't think!"

"Ha, ha."

Giving Ray a quick hug, Lily grinned. "Don't worry Ray. You know I love you just the same."

The two continued to smile almost wistfully at each other, until Robbie cleared his throat.
"Uh, anyway. You two look great!"

Cassandra gave him a peck on the cheek. "Why, thank you. We do look good, don't we?" She gently gripped a piece of his curly brown hair. "And I love your hair, by the way. It's so — " she tugged it, then let it fall back into place. "— springy."

Robbie laughed, accepting the compliment.

"Alright everyone," Travis called from the booth, being careful not to mess up his immaculately spiked hair as he put on his headphones. "We're on in 2 minutes."

Feeling butterflies in the pit of her stomach, Cassandra took a seat beside Lily, across from Robbie and Ray. She followed suit as everyone put their headphones on, being careful not to disarrange her loose curls.

Travis flicked the on-air switch, and started. "You're listening to 88.1:"

"...Radio —" (Robbie)
"— Free —" (Lily)
"— Roscoe!" (Ray)

"This is Pronto, and on behalf of RFR I'd like to welcome everyone at Mickey's to this very special broadcast."

"That's right. Question Mark here, and I'm proud to introduce the newest member of Radio Free Roscoe... Chaos."

"Thanks QM, I'm glad to be here. But I think there's been too much talking, and not enough of what the listeners really want — so Smog, let's get this party started!"

With that, Travis started up the first mixed track.

Everyone smiled at Cassandra, and she felt her nerves be put to ease. Being a DJ was going to be great.

"Okay guys, this is how we'll work the party: everyone will go in shifts; so if we're all in agreement, Ray, you and Cassandra can start off," Robbie said, and they all nodded their assent. He looked up at the clock, mentally calculating how long songs would be, and how much time it took to get from the station to Mickey's. "It's 8:05, so you two get until 8:30, when Lily and Travis will switch, and I'll come soon after."

"Alright!" Ray exclaimed, holding his arm out to Cassandra. She latched onto him, smiling coyly. They left, but not before Ray gave them a wink over Cassandra's head.

Lily shook her own head. "Why do I get a bad feeling about this?"

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Mickey's Discs was completely packed, wall to wall, with teenagers. The lights were low, RFR's music blared through large speakers, and Mickey had set up colorful strobe lights as well, giving everyone a flashing rainbow effect. A banner saying RFR Welcomes CHAOS was even strung up across the far wall. Cassandra couldn't think of a better way to be welcomed into a new town.

Ray led her through the mass of gyrating bodies up to the counter. Mickey welcomed them, knowing full well that the new girl was obviously Chaos. Cassandra ordered a simple fruit punch, and Ray was kind enough to pay for it. Soon they were approached by two dorky looking guys dressed in full disco garb.

The one with short dark hair grabbed Cassandra, twirling her around, careful not to spill her drink. "And what would your name be, pretty lady?" Cassandra laughed, introducing herself. The one with longish, curly hair pulled a silver flask from his Prince-like, purple crushed-velvet suit. "Beautiful name. And I'm Ted, while he's Ed."

Ray nodded towards Ted. "What've you got there, Disco Stu?"

Lowering his voice to a conspiring tone, Ed replied, "Pure, liquid spirits it is —" at the confused look on Ray's face, he explained, "— vodka, my good man, vodka!"

Cassandra grinned. They may be odd, but obviously knew how to party. She held her juice out to Ted. He raised his eyebrows, and poured some of the clear liquid into her cup. She downed it quickly, relishing the warm sensation as it flowed down her throat.

Ed, Ted, and Cassandra looked at Ray expectantly. Nervousness making his voice waver, he muttered, "Gimme that!" and took a nice long swig of vodka.

Soon, he and Cassandra were grinding on the dance floor, quite noticeably drunk.

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Meanwhile, Lily and Travis were on their way to Mickey's to rotate shifts with Cassandra and Ray. It was almost quarter to nine, and Lily was becoming increasingly nervous. Cassandra had been a renowned party girl everywhere she went, and nothing good ever came of that.