Authors note: Hello, thank you so much for choosing this story to read, it means a lot! I broke this chapter into 2 parts because it was getting fairly lengthy while writing it. I enjoyed writing this chapter so I hope you enjoy reading it I would also love to know your thoughts on it so feel free to review or message me if you have anything to say! I am doing my best to try edit this story as much as I can so apologies if there is any spelling/grammer mistakes that I don't pick up on the first few times. Thanks again, enjoy!

…..

"…Let it be a joke

Let it be a smile

Let it be a farce if it makes me laugh for a little while

Let it be a tear, let it be a sigh, coming from the heart, speaking to the heart, let it be a cry…"

"You know where we're going right? Because I sure don't, all these streets look the same." Jackie asked, competing with the abba cassette that she refused to turn down.

Max was looking intently at the map of the small town in front of her, "um, I think we're going the right way, just keep going straight. No! left, take this left!"

"Here?!"

"Yes! Here!" The car swerved sharply, sending Max's body into the door, hard. "Ow."

"It's not my fault you're shit with directions." Jackie defensively said, shifting slightly in her seat so that she was now sat right on the edge, eyes trying to focus a bit harder on the road. Max couldn't hold in the giggle at the concentrated look on her stepsister's face. Jackie tried hard to keep her eyes locked on the road as per her brother's previous driving lessons, but she couldn't help admiring the decorations that lined the street; her excitement for the night ahead shifting her mood in an instant as a large smile fell upon her face. It was this exact lack of attention that had her failing not 2 but 3 driving tests.

Max pulled Jackie back, "that's them, just up there." As she pulled the car to a slow stop, Jackie searched for the group Max was pointing to.

"The ghostbusters?" She asked, her eyebrows raising slightly at the 4 small boys all gushing over their collection of candy they'd earned so far. Jackie hadn't given much thought to who had asked her stepsister to hang out, but she wasn't expecting them. Max nodded softly; nerves had her frozen in her seat. The older girl's eyes shifted towards her for a second, seeing the tightening grip she held on the plastic knife and Michael Myers mask in her hand, "Alright, go on! get out of here. Go!" She said suddenly, clicking her fingers before reaching across Max to open the passenger door, "C'mon Get out, I don't have all night".

It was the push the younger girl needed as she huffed out a rushed "ok", and swiftly put on her mask then jumped out of the car. Before she changed her mind Jackie started the car, U-turning rather dangerously considering the number of young children around. "Oi! Have fun. Don't do anything stupid." She yelled out the window, before the car took off, swerving slightly as it went.

.

When Jackie eventually wandered back into the house, Billy was waiting eagerly on the couch, springing up and following her as she rushed back to her room.

"Jackie I swear to God if you ever take my car again without saying anything I will-"

"You'll do what Billy? Tell me, what'll actually happen if I so dare take your car without asking?" She teasingly interrupted him, going to shut the bedroom door as she went in.

He stopped it sharply, throwing it open and standing in the door frame with his hands on his hips.

She laughed at his serious look and tightened jaw, "You're such a brat", he said pointedly.

"What's the big deal? Nothing happened to your precious car" She shrugged as she sat back in front of her mirror to finish off her makeup with what little time she had.

"Yeah well it could've, I've already told don't ever drive it if not I'm with you. In case you haven't noticed, you can't drive for shit."

"Ugh just shh I need to focus", she raised her hand to shoo him, the other delicately placing a thick layer of eyeliner on.

"You can do that in the car. We're gonna be late c'mon" Billy wasted no time in placing his arms under hers from behind, hoisting Jackie up and ushering her towards the door.

"Hey-what the hell. Get off!" She pushed him away and gave him a hard punch to the arm once she regained her footing.

Billy smirked, leaving the room with a heavy step "2 minutes Jack. Or I'm going without you"

"I need to get dressed!" She yelled after him, quickly rushing around the room to find her costume, "fucking asshole." The last words uttered under her breath.

5 minutes later she came running out of her bedroom, clumsily zipping up her knee-high white boots, tripping into the kitchen counter while doing so. Billy was by the front door, leaning on the arm of the couch his father and stepmother were sitting on. The dulcet tones of whatever movie Neil and Susan were watching was only making Billy more irritated with every second he was waiting for his sister. His unimpressed features didn't change as Jackie finally made her way into the room "You got everything? We're not coming back if you haven't"

She was stumbling into the lounge with hands full, make up bag and pink jacket balancing in one, the other busy zipping up the second boot. "Yea yea, let's just go. You don't wanna be late do you?" She huffed out, smirk on her lips.

"Wise ass", Billy shook his head, his own smirk hidden as he finally allowed himself to feel excited now that they were leaving the house.

"Hey not so fast." Neil's voice had the twins freeze in their spots by the door. Their father whistled and nodded his head for the pair to move in front of him, he stood slowly, placing his beer can on the coffee table. "Before you leave, we're going through a few ground rules for the night." He took a step towards the twins, now standing side by side, both uncharacteristically quiet and still. "Despite what you may think, your old man isn't stupid alright, I know what happens at parties but that doesn't mean I don't expect you two to behave. Do you understand?"

They both nodded slowly, Billy barely moving his head at all. Jackie hadn't realised but her gaze fell to the spot by her father's feet on the carpeted floor, fixated on an unknown stain. Billy kept his eyes up, moving them to meet his fathers as Neil focused on him. "You make sure she gets home at a reasonable time, and that nothing happens. Do you think you can handle that?", Jackie could feel her brother tensing beside her at their father's stern tone. "I asked you a question Billy." His voice elevated slightly, sending an all too familiar chill down Jackie's spine.

"Yes" Was all Billy said. All he could get out as he felt the blood start to boil in his veins.

Neil nodded sharply "Good. And you," he moved in front of Jackie. "No funny business, don't get drunk and don't be stupid, alright?" His tone was undeniably softer with his daughter, but a hidden edge still had Jackie unwilling to meet his eye.

"Yes sir." She whispered. There was a pause across the room, a strange and uncomfortable stillness that Neil seemed to be revealing in.

"See, nothing too hard to remember." He picked up his beer, moving back to the couch and the twins both let out silent sighs. "Go on, you don't want to be late. Have fun."

Billy bit his tongue, trying to hold in anything that could delay them leaving any longer as he stormed towards the door. Jackie was right on his heels, now equally as eager to leave the house.

"Oh Jackie?" Susan's soft voice spoke from the couch, the young girl didn't even know she was there. She looked with annoyance on her face towards her stepmother, "you look great sweetheart! I just love the Sandy costume."

Jackie let out an annoyed sigh, "I'm not-" Jackie stopped herself, pulling in the growl in her voice. "Thanks Susan", she muttered, rushing out the front towards her brother who was slamming shut the driver's door. Once inside the car Jackie slammed the passenger side much the same. In a few movements, Billy had changed the music in the stereo and pulled out a box of beers from below the back seat, shoving both the beers and cassette on his sister's lap, hurriedly pulling one out before she threw the box to her feet. He'd drunk more than half the can before starting up the car and speeding off down the road.

The twins sat in silence. Billy clearly still tense, gripping the steering wheel tight with one hand, the other holding his second beer can. Jackie was trying to complete her look in the small mirror of the visor. Frustrated groans coming from her every minute or so. Her brothers driving wasn't helping as he went faster with every song that played from his Iron Maiden cassette. During 'The Trooper' he took a corner at speed enough to send the makeup bag flying off Jackie's lap.

"Billy. Slow down" She exclaimed. "We wanna make it there alive, don't we?"

"We're already late because you had to drop off Annie to her little playdate, so I'd appreciate if you just shut the hell up." He snapped back, causing Jackie to halter her movements taking a second before rolling her eyes, leaving him in frustrated silence again.

She let out a string of annoyed sighs, ones perfected for when she wanted someone to ask her what was wrong. By the 5th one Billy turned to her, "What?" he finally said.

"Sandy. Susan thought I was God damn Sandy." Jackie said disappointedly, slumping her shoulders and her hands laying limp on her lap.

Billy looked at her with eyebrows raised, "and?"

"I was going for Marty" Her voice almost as sad as the look in her eyes, and if not for the tone in her voice Billy would've thought she was joking. It looked all the same to him. Her attempt was plain white t-shirt tucked into a knee length pencil skirt that was the same bright blue as the small scarf tied around her neck. While the white boots weren't part of the original, she couldn't help but use tonight as an opportunity to wear them. She even ran out of time to perm her hair the way she wanted, now having to leave out in its natural curls, having 2 large pink clips that pushed it from her face. The only thing that really brought the outfit together was her poorly made 'pink ladies' jacket, that despite her difficulties, she was quite proud of.

The sadness in her voice had Billy feel a small pang of pity for her, but not enough to keep the edge from his words "it doesn't matter Jack. No one cares what you're actually dressed as, it's just an excuse for a party."

She scoffed, lifting her mascara to her eyes ready to concentrate once more. "Like you would know. That isn't even a costume", she couldn't deny her disappointment at his attempt of the Terminator. "Showing your abs and throwing on a leather jacket doesn't exactly count as effort."

Billy's eyes rolled, then fixated on the large pothole ahead. He made no effort to slow down, and Jackie's steady hand went flying up as they hit it, leaving a line of mascara across her eyelid.

"BILLY!" She screamed, frantically looking in her bag for a quick fix.

He just laughed, discarding his now empty can behind him and reaching in front of her for another.

.

Magnolia place, Loch Nora

"You're disgusting" Jackie exclaimed, her brother just looked at her while sculling his fourth drink in record time, "Classy." she reached to open the door, stopped by Billy grabbing her arm, harsher than he intended.

"Wait. Just before we go, I never thought I'd say this but… I agree with dad – don't be stupid tonight alright…"

"Ugh Bill shut up-"

"I'm serious Jackie." His tone was sharp, the grip on her arm more so. "The boys in this town are dogs ok? If they catch a scent, they'll come running. And I'm not babysitting you tonight so if anything happens, you're gonna have to deal with it yourself."

"I don't need a freaking babysitter. I'm not twelve."

"Then don't act like it."

She glared at him, a certain type of anger starting to bubble in her belly.

"I'm just saying, if you upset yourself tonight then that's on you. Don't come crying to me because I plan on having a good time got that?" He saw the flicker of panic cross her eyes and his gripped softened to a touch, "and this goes without saying but don't run off with the new love of your life. I might not stop you this time"

Jackie was ready to snap but seeing the teasing smirk come across his features pulled her back.

"You're a jerk", she whispered, pulling her arm away from his and attempting to take a step out of the car.

Billy sighed, "Jack." She stopped again, waiting for whatever it was he had to say next while thinking carefully about what to retort with already. "How about this, you and me catch that new movie tomorrow night? You know that one that one we saw the poster for, that looks like a chainsaw massacre knock off."

Her hardened features immediately softened, quick to forget the anger her brother had ignited moments earlier. She didn't say anything for a moment, trying to desperately to keep her glare strong but failing quickly. He shouldn't be able to get away with talking to her like that, but he always found a way out of it, especially now. She hadn't even admitted it to herself, but she was lonely. Something that was even more so apparent in her brothers distance the past week. Even she knew, he was too busy making a name for himself to give her the attention he used to, the attention that she needed. So, she just nodded, her glare slipping away with her anger.

He nodded back, and Jackie slowly moved out of the car. Billy following close after.

"Hey Jack?" she turned to him again, "you might want this, can't be Marty without it" he threw her pink jacket towards her. A smile beamed on her face as she put the iconic jacket over her shoulders and started making her way towards the vibrant tones of Donna Summer's Hot Stuff that were echoing from a house down the street. Billy cracked his neck from side to side, a cool façade already painting his face as his steps purposely fell in time to the beat of the music, Jackie was half a step behind; desperately trying to mimic his persona. She was determined to prove her brother wrong. She was going to have a good night and he'll be eating his words by morning.

….

The pair barely made it through the door before a swam of desperate teens greeted Billy, only half acknowledging Jackie at his side. The talk that spread like wildfire on their first days at school had already told people what they needed to know about her. It said she was conceited, snobby and rude while her brother was cool, confident and exciting. The hoard had already decided, Billy was one of them; Jackie was not. If she only knew what had already been said about her, how a couple students had twisted her intentions and already created a reputation for her that she would despise.

Not that she was helping her case now, clinging to the off cuts of attention being given to her brother, she interrupted conversations she was not invited to and eagerly tried to promote herself as if competing in a beauty pageant. Somehow, she missed the very obvious side-eyes from the group of girls all dressed in their mother's jazzercise gear with various colored wigs to match. Her brother didn't, trying to step in where he could save Jackie from embarrassment she was creating without meaning to. It wasn't long before Amy Marsden, the cheer captain and self-appointed queen of Hawkins high had her arm linked with his, as if he was a shiny new possession, distracting him from his sister's willful attempts to be liked by the others.

"Oh, you know, we won the championship 3 maybe 4 years ago-"

"Well back in Santa Cruz, our school won 5 years in a row. A little bit more impressive if you ask me." Her voice held no malice, but rather a trace of pride that did not land well with the 2 guys in front of her, one dressed as a doctor, the other a knock off Indiana Jones.

"Cool… Uh Mikey, 'nother beer?" Indiana asked the other, both walking away without another word or look towards Jackie.

Billy caught sight of the 2 figures leaving her standing alone, letting out a sigh before removing his arm from Amy's waist to grab Jackie by hers and pulling her to his side once more.

"Amy, this is my darling sister Jackie. Jackie, this is Amy.", the tall blonde was more than displeased to have her conversation interrupted, she turned to the brunette with a half smirk – not even bothering to look her in the eye but rather down at her costume with an unimpressed gaze.

"It's so nice to finally meet you," her sickly-sweet tone had been practiced to perfection, with a blindingly white smile to match before she turned back to Billy without another breath "what was I talking about? Oh yeah, so our last year's uniform was a couple inches longer but-"

"Well Jackie was actually planning on trying out for the cheer team back home next year, weren't you?" He interrupted,

"Billy how many times do I have to tell you, I would've this year, but Tracy said the squad was full. She promised me a spot though once all the seniors left but now… we're here."

"Oh, wow how interesting…" Amy said, trying hard to keep the sarcasm out. "Um, so Billy how about we-"

"You know what would be cool, if Jackie tries out here? Yeah, weren't you saying you were finding it hard covering 3 positions in trainings? Sounds like you guys may need some more girls."

Jackie gasped, "Billy! Who'd a thought you had a brain in that head!" Jackie squealed slightly, leaning slightly towards Amy, "that is such a good idea, the team here would be small enough and you guys would be lucky to have me. Honestly, Tracy said I had the best kick she'd seen in years. No joke." She crossed her arms and raised her head pridefully, completely oblivious to her own arrogance.

Amy bit her tongue before feeling Billy's hand tighten slightly on her hip, "I'm sure you do." She let her tone drop momentarily, "how about you come find us at lunch tomorrow, the girls would love to meet you and then we can maybe talk about try outs?", all Jackie heard was the sweet tone back in Amy's voice as she beamed a genuine smile, nodding enthusiastically.

"That is a great idea, Amy." Billy pulled her in closer to him,

"I am full of them." She replied with a flirtatious giggle, turning her body fully towards him. Jackie was left awkwardly at their side for another moment before Billy stepped in again,

"Who wants to do some shots?" He yelled suddenly, earning a loud holler of cheers from the surrounding teens.

At the kitchen bench, now being used as a makeshift bar top lay 5 shots each lined up in front of Billy, Amy (who still hadn't let go of his arm), the host of the party Tina, and Tommy H. who'd weaselled his way to the bench leaving Jackie on the very edge of the counter – standing more so with the crowd of surrounding people than the 4 at center stage. She didn't notice, only felt excitement at the chorus of voices counting them down and the heat of straight vodka sliding down her throat.

"Fuck yeah!" Tommy yelled, only slightly louder than the starting beats of 'Highway to Hell'. The freckly brown-haired boy, currently dressed in karate gear, roughly grabbed the bottle of alcohol,

"Billy! Billy! Billy!" Tommy started as he filled another shot glass in front of himself and the other boy. The crowd picked up on the chant, only saying his name another 3 times before he downed the second spirit in no time. "Look at that, just like drinking water!"

"Livin' easy, lovin' free, season ticket on a one way ride

Askin' nothin', leave me be, taking everyhin; in my stride"

The large group started peeling off, most dancing their way to the lounge floor, some disappearing into various corners of the house or outside. Jackie remained at the counter top, reaching for the now half full vodka bottle to pour another shot. If her brother had a second, why couldn't she.

"Uh ah, what the hell you doing midge", speak of the devil. Billy grabbed the glass out of her hand as she raised it to her mouth. "You can't handle it."

She smirked, "thought you weren't babysitting tonight?", she knew him too well.

He paused, clicking his tongue before replying "You're right. I'm not." He said, shoving the glass back in her hand – half the content spilling out the side as he did so. Without another glance at his sister he grabbed Amy's hand, pulling her into the middle of the sea of dancing teens with her leaving no space between them.

"…highway to hell, I'm on the highway to hell,

No stop signs, speed limit, nobody's gonna slow me down…"

Jackie kept her glare following her brother and Amy as she threw back the half shot. It was only as she put the glass back down that she realised she was standing alone at the counter. Her small trace of a smile fell into a full face of confusion as she searched around for someone to talk to. The only eyes she found looking back at her was those of Dean Stryver, who stood alone at the base of the stairs, his own group of friends abandoning him for the shiny new thing in the middle of the dance floor. He smirked towards Jackie, the simple gesture leaving an uneasy feeling to her stomach. If that wasn't enough to have her turning away from him, she thought he looked rather pathetic standing alone with a glaze of desperation in his eyes. The irony of course, lost on her.

She slinked out of view, darting into the furthest corner of the kitchen before slowly looking around to find her brother on the dance floor, she was quick to see the arrogant smile planted on his face and his arms around Amy's waist pulling her in (not that she could get any closer). Tommy, almost as close to Billy as Amy was grabbed his shoulder yelling something that Jackie couldn't hear before they all made their way for the back door. Jackie tried to ignore the pang of hurt that pulsed through her body as Billy made no effort to look back or get her as he disappeared outside.

She huffed, grabbing a discarded red plastic cup and filling it with the unknown contents of the bowl in front of her. The cup was empty again in only a few seconds. She ignored the few people that joined in the kitchen as she stayed by the punch bowl, filling up a second time as the beats of 'Thriller' filled the room. She sipped slowly, eyes falling to the various huddles of people. She stood for another 2 cups of punch silently judging almost everyone in the room as her gaze struggled to land still. She was extremely disappointed in the costumes. Only some people really tried, most the girls were just dressed in short skirts and brightly coloured tops, a handful with face paint or discarded masks as their definition of effort. Her judging gaze was only broken to look at the pair stumbling into the kitchen hand in hand, who wasted no time in sucking face only a meter away from her. She scoffed, shaking her head and returning focus to the crowd ahead.

It hit her rather suddenly. Almost everyone in the room had other people with them. She did not. Jackie tried quick to go back to her judging, but it was too late, and the realisation of loneliness seeped into her veins almost as fast as the alcohol was; her self-fooling façade was cracked. She dropped her gaze to the tightening grip on her cup, trying to muffle out the sounds of laughter and conversation that surrounded her as her vision decided now was the best time to start blurring.

Her brother, the only logical thing she could think of now was finding her brother, to prove to herself that she wasn't in fact alone. The alcohol however had already done its part, making it hard for her body to follow her minds instructions so she just stood, finishing the contents of her cup and filling it once again before retreating to the comfort of the kitchen corner.

.

"Alright. Now for the fun part" Steve said, trying to assure Nancy as they made their way up to the steps to Tina's house. They slid in, quietly without anyone seeing but before went any further Nancy stopped. "What's up?" he asked concerned, reaching for her hand that was pulled away softly.

"I don't know, I think I should leave…" She felt overwhelmed. She knew what they were walking into, it was a party, but the music ripped into her ears the minute they walked through the door and the already messy crowd had her wanting to walk straight out.

"C'mon, let's have a dance. Just dive straight into it, trust me it'll be fun."

She sighed, avoiding his eye but looking onward to the lounge "just give me a minute."

"Yeah of course," He slowly rubbed his hand down her arm, "How about a drink? Let's go grab a drink-"

"Steve. I said give me a minute." She really couldn't help the kick in her voice, nor the annoyance in her eyes which finally gave Steve a hint. He nodded, pulling his hand away from her and leaning against the door watching her.

"You look really pretty by the way. Not that y-you don't always, but, I just, thought you should know," He stumbled out, almost coming across shy when he was just worried how she might react. Her gaze softened, "If you want to go, we can…"

She interrupted him with a rushed kiss on the cheek, "I'll be fine, like I said just a moment."

He wanted to say more but he caught off guard by the approaching figure of Billy Hargrove, closely followed by Tommy and Roy, who Steve once considered close friends.

"Looks like we got ourselves a new keg king Harrington" Tommy said,

Followed by Roy's "Yeah, eat it Harrington."

Steve took off his glasses and locked eyes with Billy, who seemed to be trying his hardest to intimidate the former 'king Steve' with his almost animalistic stare. It took a mere second for Nancy to be over the attempted fight for dominance as she turned and made her way for the kitchen. Steve rolled his eyes, breaking the staring contest to make his way after his girlfriend.

He waltzed over to her as she was chugging down a red cup of unknown alcohol, "hey woah woah, hey woah take it easy, take it easy. Nance, Nance!"

She just looked at him unimpressed, "just being stupid teenagers for the night, wasn't that the deal?", she refilled her cup, finishing it again in a few gulps before pushing through to the middle of the dance floor.

He watched her go, placing both hands on the countertop and taking a breath in. He knew it was hard on her, the guilt and grief. It was hard on him too, but he'd thought about it now over countless sleepless nights and the best solution he could come up with: to leave it in the past so that they have a chance to be happy in the future.

He barely heard the soft sigh that came from behind him, but it was enough to turn his head to find a lone Jackie Hargrove, swaying slowly in her spot staring blankly outside the window.

"Hey, you aright?" he got no response, so he shifted slowly towards her, "hello? Jackie?" he waved in front of her eyes,

"Mm?" she finally looked at him, a clear drunk haze across her features.

"You good?" He asked with a huff of a laugh.

"Yes." She was straight on the defense, "why wouldn't I be?" folding her arms and looking at Steve expectantly.

He raised his hands in immediate surrender, "no reason, just asking."

She swayed, or more so stumbled around him making her way for the punch bowl again.

"That stuff can't be good, it smells like freakin gasoline." Steve commented, watching her down the drink in the same speed Nancy did.

"it's disgusting" Jackie replied, dipping her cup back in.

"And you're still drinking it because…"

"It's free." She said with a small smile, her eyes drifting elsewhere, seemingly searching for someone that she couldn't find. Steve followed her gaze, then his own fell upon Nancy dancing with some girls from her Science class.

"I'm gonna um, sorry excuse me… it was nice seeing you Jackie," he started to make his way to the crowd, "oh and, love the costume by the way. Marty's gotta be the best pink lady by far" he added with a kind smile, before coolly walking away from the kitchen.

His words were delayed in her brain but once she realised what he said her head snapped up. An extra beat felt in her chest as the excitement of someone recognising her costume had Jackie buzzing again. She desperately tried to follow Steve with her eyes, but he was already gone.

.

It wasn't until 1030 that Jonathan found himself walking through the front door of Tina's house. After driving around the block a couple times, he finally convinced himself to go inside. The house was full and he struggled to push himself through the groupings of people by the front door.

"Nice costume," he turned towards the voice not expecting anyone to be speaking to him.

"Huh?" he returned, he'd seen this girl once or twice around school but didn't know her name.

"Nice costume" she repeated,

"Oh ah yea, I'm going as the guy who hate's parties."

She giggled, "I'm Samantha",

"Jonathan" he shook her hand, before looking around the room.

A couple steps away, dancing excitably to Duran Duran on a coffee table was the new girl he recognised from History. He couldn't help the amused look on his face at the pure joy that was etched on hers as she jumped around the small, elevated space she had. He shifted his gaze further across the room, his smile fading as it landed on Nancy and Steve, both happily swaying together that gave him a pang of jealously that he fought to push down, turning back to continuing speaking with Samantha.

Not long after, a loud thud at his side and a chorus of gasps from those around brought their attention to a now laying down Jackie, who seemed to be taking a minute to catch up that she was no longer standing on the coffee table she'd substituted for a dance floor. The space around them fell silent for a moment until she slowly sat up, too drunk to even realise she'd fallen.

"Wipe out!" One guy yelled, amid the sea of drunk teens, all then cheering, laughing and quickly returning to their own dancing. She winced, struggling to stand back up before feeling a soft hand help on her forearm helping her up the rest of the way.

"A-are you alright?" A timid voice asked, her blurry vision to a moment to focus on the wispy haired brunette in front of her. She recognised him but was too focused on not falling over again to place where from.

"Huh?" She asked, realising he was waiting for an answer to a question she had not heard.

"Are you alright?" Jonathan asked again, this time having to yell over the music. He saw confusion cross her face again.

"Am I alright? Are you?" She asked back, as if he'd asked her if the sky was blue.

"Um yeah…" He let out an awkward laugh sharing a look with Sam beside him.

"Maybe she's concussed?" she offered with shrugged shoulders.

Jackie just gasped, "I am not! Maybe you're confused, I mean you're maybe. That you're maybe concussed." She slurred, a drunken haze settling over her features. "Do I even know you?"

"Ah, yea we're in history together, but w-we haven't spoken. Not properly at least." Jonathan started,

"What does that even mean, not properly? I speak properly so if you don't then that's not my problem." She slurred, not even knowing the point she was making.

"I mean, sure" he chuckled, sharing a look with Samantha who wore the same confusion on her face.

"You're strange. I don't even know who you are-"

"There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you" Amy appeared out of nowhere, her sunshine tone now an annoyed one as she saw how drunk Jackie was. "Your brother wanted me to find you."

"Well, you can tell him to leave me alone. I'm having fun with my friends"

Amy looked towards Jonathan and Sam, doing absolutely nothing to hide the judgmental look upon her face. "um, ok you're funny but let's go, he's waiting to do another keg." Jackie's face suddenly shifted to discomfort, "What?"

Jackie took a moment, a quite whisper barely heard over the music, "I think I'm going to be sick..." she said, to no one in particular.

"Oh god. Out. Outside now." Amy clicked her fingers towards the back door as if ushering out a dog. "Outside quick."

Jackie looked back to the pair she'd just been speaking to, "Bye-bye new friends-" she was interrupted by the unmistakable queasiness that shot across her body as she was pulled away roughly by Amy. When they passed the kitchen a small figure blocked their path momentarily, quickly followed by another.

"Hey! I know that guy" Jackie slurred out, her discomfort paused when she set eyes upon Steve as he followed his already drunk girlfriend who was rushing for another drink. He paid no mind to almost crashing into the two girls, his full attention on trying to get Nance to slow down.

As the fresh air hit her face, Jackie tried to ground herself and her vision as she locked eyes on her brother's figure, now cheering on another boy – the one dressed as Indiana Jones – attempting his own keg. She pulled her arm sharply away from Amy and made a wobbly but determined walk for him.

"Bill. I don't feel too good." Her voice was shaky, as was her stance, grabbing onto his arm to stop herself from toppling over.

He didn't even look at her, lightly shoving her off his arm before drunkenly hollering that the boy in front would never beat his newly set record.

"Billy, I mean it. I want to go home."

"No fucking way Jackie, don't you ever listen?" He suddenly snapped towards her, his whispered tone causing her to jump slightly. "I'm not leaving anytime soon. I told you that you couldn't handle it. Go get some water, find somewhere to sit quietly and leave me the hell alone." With that he turned back to his new 'friends'.

Jackie, who hadn't noticed the tears prickling in her eyes, stumbled back, turning away from the group and walking in an unknown direction. Billy was too drunk to see the look in her eyes, she was too drunk to bother telling him what it meant.