By
about 8 o'clock, about forty people had showed up. Liberty and JT
were sitting on the couch, having an intimate conversation. Darcy and
Chante were in the kitchen, chatting. A few people, including Craig
and Marco, were downstairs in the basement. Jimmy was by the stereo
in his chair, Hazel sitting on his lap, talking to other partygoers.
Ashley brought Terri, who seemed very excited to be with her old
classmates. Even Paige had shown up, with her brother and Mr.
Oleander, who looked like he felt out of place. It was a good turnout
for a Thursday night, Emma thought. Where was Chester, though?
Nine
came around and the doorbell rang. Emma rushed to the front door,
quickly tousled her hair, and answered.
Chad
and Chuck immediately barreled in, with two cases of Smirnoff Ice and
a bottle of Absolut Vodka each. Chester emerged behind them, holding
one bottle of Malibu Rum and another bottle of Jack Daniels. Emma was
quite speechless; how did they get all of this alcohol?
"Chester!
Where does she want all of this?" Chad's voice rang from the
kitchen. "The fridge is pretty full!"
Emma
walked over, still in kind of a daze, and took some cans of Sprite
and Coke out, making room for the alcohol. Just then Manny rushed in,
seeing the drinks.
"Well,
it's officially a party. Where did you guys get all of this?"
Chuck
grinned at her. "Block party. Wouldn't believe what the adults
left when they went home."
Manny
grabbed a Sprite and motioned to Chester, who handed her the Malibu.
She poured half of the Sprite into the sink, filling it with the rum.
She gave Emma a Look. Emma hesitantly grabbed a Smirnoff and took a
sip. She had to admit it tasted pretty good.
Just
then Darcy and Chante filed in, laughing.
"Hey
Chester! Pour me a drink? Just surprise me." Emma glared. Could
Darcy be a bigger whore?
"Can
I have a Jack Daniels mixed with Coke?" Chante asked.
Chester
mixed her drink, and poured some vodka into a Coke for Darcy. The
girls left, and more people came piling into the kitchen, shouting
drink requests.
"You
shouldn't have to play bartender all night," Emma said to
Chester. "They can get it themselves."
Chester
nodded. "Anything you want is in the fridge, people. Don't do
anything stupid." He smiled at Emma, snatched the Smirnoff from
her, and downed what was left of it.
"Weak
stuff, Nelson. That won't get you drunk." He made her a Sprite
mixed with vodka and rum, pouring it in a plastic cup. "Here,"
he said, handing it to her. "Drink this."
"Are
you trying to get me drunk?"
He
just laughed, and walked away. Emma could've sworn he'd winked at
her. She took a sip of her concoction. It was stronger than the
Smirnoff. She drank the rest of it, and made herself another.
By 11 o'clock, Emma was stumbling around, obviously drunk. She felt hot, so she went downstairs and changed into a pair of shorts. She walked upstairs and into the kitchen. She opened the cabinets looking for another plastic cup, found one, and began searching for the vodka and rum. There wasn't much left of the Malibu rum, and a whole bottle of Absolut vodka was gone. She decided to try a different drink. But what to try? This was her first drinking experience; she didn't know what to mix. She tried to think. What was that drink Chester had made for Chante? Coke and... Emma remembered now. She poured the Coke in the cup, and then some Jack Daniels. She found a spoon and stirred it. She put it up to her nose and smelled it, immediately recoiling. It smelled really, really strong. Could she handle it? Sure, why not? She took a huge sip quickly, shaking her head after. Where was Chester? She wanted Chester, really bad right now. She peered into the living room. No Chester. Instead, a crowd had formed around Darcy and Chante, who were dancing wildly. Not too wildly. The only drinks they'd had were the ones Chester made for them. Whatever. This was perfect. When Emma found Chester, no Darcy could interrupt them. She smiled and slinked through the living room.
After
twenty minutes of searching and another Jack and Coke, Emma needed to
go outside for some air. How did it get so hot inside? She stepped on
the porch. She started to feel better, but then caught sight of two
people messing around over by the side of the house. Emma squinted.
Who was that? She walked over there, downed the rest of her third
Jack and Coke, tossing the cup behind her. She was five feet away
from the people when she realized it was Darcy and Chester.
"What
the hell?" The words flew out of her mouth before she could stop
them.
They
immediately parted. Chester looked... guilty? Why? He was doing
nothing wrong, and deep down Emma knew it. But that didn't stop her
from yelling at them.
"I
can't believe this! How could you guys do this to me?"
Darcy
took a step toward her. "Em, what are you talking about? You
knew we liked each other!"
"Get
off me, you whore!" She swung her arm behind her and Darcy
withdrew.
She
had probably just ruined a friendship, but Emma didn't care. This was
all too much to take in right now. She reached the porch and Chester
grabbed her arm. She turned around. "Get off me!" She broke
loose and opened the door, Chester ran in and shut it behind him. She
was on the third stair going up when Chester dragged her down. He
forced her into the kitchen. "Sit down!" He made her sit
when she was in mid "No!"
"Emma
what is your problem? You're the one that set us up." He peered
at her, observing her eyes. "How much did you drink?"
Emma
stood up too fast, knocking the chair over. "None of your
business!" She screamed it so loudly, everyone in the house
heard it. Someone turned the music off, and Paige and Hazel stood in
the kitchen doorway hanging onto every word. Emma was surprised they
weren't taking notes. This was even better than the whole Jay
scandal. Emma gets drunk at her own party and acts like a bitch.
"It
is my business! You're drunk!"
"You're
the one that brought it all! I wouldn't be drunk if it weren't for
you! I hate you! And your little girlfriend!"
Emma
ran past the on-lookers, and downstairs. She flew onto her bed,
sobbing hysterically into her pillow.
