Chapter 7

A Sleepover Vol. I

Rae had been lying on the floor of Endy's basement for about a half an hour. Being in the room for that long had allowed her to get a better look at it than her first visit had. It seemed to have been set up for tonight. The desks were pushed to the walls, the podium was moved aside, and a DVD player had been hooked up to the projector. Blanket, pillows, sleeping bags, and couch cushions littered the floor. Greenday was playing on the DVD player, but most people were talking too much to hear it.

Racetrack was playing a game of cards with Milkshake, while both of them talked to the group of people sitting next to them. The group consisted of Spot who was sitting next to Sparrow, and Peter who had Buttons in his lap. On the other side of Rae was most of the rest of the club. Irish and Emotions sat next to each other telling a story to the group who were laughing appreciatively. This group was made up of Wolf who had his arm around Emotions waist, Alaska, Endy, Soaker, and Miracle. Not far from Rae's feet were Zodiac and Quills. Quills had his hand out, palm up, and Zodiac practically had her nose in it, totally consumed.

Suddenly, Racetrack stood up, "Ok, people, I just have a couple of announcements to give before we start this party."

"Woo Hoo!"

"Thank you, Endy," Racetrack laughed as did several other people. "Anywho, down to business. I just have a couple of general things and some assignments. First, seeing as this is our senior (a/n I'm making it senior for this purpose) year we have a senior prom. And I think since it is our last year this should be the best, biggest prom ever, if you all get what I mean," he smirked evilly. "I'm not sure what we are going to do yet, but all I know so far is I want it big," he punctuated those last words.

"In other news, Mush Meyers has recently been told he will be starting quarterback on the "fighting stallions" football team of NHRS," he mocked quotes with his fingers. "Thank you, Zodiac, for that little tid-bit."

"Sure thing, Race."

"And I don't think I am the only one who doesn't like this," Race finished.

"Especially, since I'm next in line for his spot, " Spot added.

"Exactly," went on Race, "So, onto the assignments. Peter, Zodiac, Quills, and Soaker, by Monday I want a full list of all of Mr. Meyer's classes and what members are in those classes. Irish, Emotions, Wolf, and Sparrow, you guys should start thinking about the prom. I know it is far away, but I want to be prepared. And if you could figure out a couple of different ways to switch some tests and homework assignments by Monday that would rock.

"That is basically it, except for Rae and Miracle. I've been thinking a lot about what section of our club to put you in, but I just can't seem to make up my mind. So, this was very hard for me, but I decided that I want you two to become friendly with the popular group. I know, I know. I'm going against everything, and we already have the middlemen for that. But this isn't permanent. And even though the middlemen are very good at what they do, they don't think like c clubbers and don't know what to look for as well as you do. Plus, I want you to get even closer. Get invited to their parties, get into their houses, and just learn every little thing you can about them. But this is only till I find somewhere else to post you, and until then remember the rules and stick to them as best you can. Most importantly, don't get too attached. Don't think just because I am letting you go into their world that we won't still be watching."

Rae hopes had risen, and were now clattering down around her.

Racetrack clapped his hands together, "On a lighter note, I wouldn't mind some popcorn."

The popcorn had just come out of the microwave when there was a soft tapping at the small window in the basement at ground level. Alaska walked over to it and opened it. Comedy tumbled in knocking her down. He laughed, his brown eyes glinting, and kissed her on the forehead.

"It's nice to see you too, Comedy, but I'm kind of being smushed," she mumbled from under him.

"Oh, sorry," he got up to see a basement full of people staring at him, "Well, we heard there was a party going on, and we thought we might drop in."

"We?" Endy questioned, but just as she did a sleeping bag came flying threw the window hitting Spot on the head.

He marched over to see who had thrown it just as Mama stuck her red head in the window.

"Oh, Spot, did that hit you. I'm sorry. Are you ok?" she said while hanging upside down from the window.

"Yes, mother," he said sarcastically but smiled, "Here, let me help you down." Rae was surprised at how sweet he sounded. Spot helped Mama onto the floor with a little difficulty. She ended up with her neck bent, and Spot holding her feet in the air. But, hey, she got in.

Everyone had almost turned around when one more person jump through the window. She didn't need much help and landing almost silently on the floor.

"Hey guys," Mouse said quietly.

"Oh hey, Mouse, come on over and sit with us," Racetrack invited leading everyone back over to the middle of the room.

The next few minutes seemed to last hours. Rae was chewing on her hair and pretending to squish people's heads with her fingers with one eye shut. Soon she couldn't take it anymore.

"Okay, guys, not to be rude or anything, but I am SO bored."

"I concur!" said Racetrack.

"Thank you"

"Anytime, I thought this might get a little dull, so I brought something to lighten the mood," he said with a mischievous smile. He pulled out of the backpack he had brought a big bottle filled with some red colored liquid and no label.

"What is that, Racetrack?" Milkshake asked pulling the bottle out of his hand and examining it from different angles.

"Heck, if I know. But it's guaranteed to get us drunk." And just to prove this Spot ripped it out of Milkshakes hands and chugged.

Everyone was staring at him like he was a crazy person, "Just making sure it, you know, wasn't like cranberry juice or something."

"Sure you were, Spot," Sparrow mocked. He threw her a death glare, but she only laughed.

"Well, Spot, pass it around," Race ordered as he motioned for the rest of the group to form a kind of circle. Spot passed it to Mama who sat next to him. She passed it to Alaska, and it went so on. Finally it got to Miracle who passed it to Rae. Rae took a swig and the liquid filled her mouth. As it went down it was warm and pleasant. Then Rae passed it to Race, then Milkshake, and back to Spot. It wasn't till the fourth or fifth time around that Rae relaxed a little, but, by then, it was gone.

"Well that did nothing, Race," Rae punched his arm. But, even though she wasn't drunk, she did feel a lot more comfortable. I mean, she never thought in a thousand years she would have ever punched Racetrack. And, by the smart-ass smile on his face, he knew this just as well as she did.

……