"Wild nights! Wild nights! Were I with thee, Wild nights should be Our luxury! Futile the winds To a heart in port, Done with the compass, Done with the chart. Rowing in Eden! Ah! the sea! Might I but moor To-night in thee! Oh Sir Alexander Keith! I love thee!" Mikey raised his beer to his lips and kissed the side of the can. A number of party goers that had accumulated in the kitchen clapped.
"That was so beautiful." One sobbed as he patted Mikey on the back.
Gretchen sighed. Even Mikey fit in at these parties more than she did. Gus had been willing to stick to her side like glue but unfortunately even an army kid's bladder couldn't hold more than four beers, which was why she was standing alone on the wall. A loud cheer came from the living room, drawing her attention.
She could see Vince and TJ high-fiving threw the door opening. Being two of the schools MVPs and best friends since childhood, the two boys always won at beer-pong. Gretchen and Gus had come to the conclusion many parties prior that the only reason the two even bothered showing up at these things was to have another sport that they kicked butt at.
"Oh my god. That was like, totally awesome TJ." Ashley A said as she clung to TJ's arm. She battered her eyelashes seductively. "But that's expected from someone with your talents."
"They so won because of Vince's awesome dunking skills." Ashley Q stated to her fellow cheerleader.
"You know Gretchen, it's rude to eavesdrop." Gretchen jumped at the sudden comment. She expected to find that Gus had returned but when she turned around she was met with the unexpected sight of a very drunk Menlo with his loose tie hanging from his neck and his usually neat shirt half unbuttoned. The funny thing was that the party had only begun an hour ago.
"I know how it feels to look at the one you love in the arms of another." He looked longingly at Ashley A before looking sharply back to Gretchen. "Maybe we could fill each other's loneliness." He gently stroked a hand against Gretchen's braid. "You look beautiful tonight." He said before drawing his face closer to hers.
"Ack" Was the only sound Gretchen could make before using all of her might to tare herself away from Menlo. Not looking back she ran into the hall and straight into a hard chest.
"Gretchen? Are you alright? Sorry I took so long. The lineup for the washroom is a mile long." Gus said, looking down worriedly at his friend.
"Yeah, I'm fine Gus." She drew a few steps back. "I'm just going to get some fresh air. It's getting to crammed in her. I'll be back in a minute."
"Okay. I'm going to find Mikey. I'll meet back up with you in a bit." Gretchen congratulated herself on another brilliant excuse. That was two in one day.
The nerdy girl opened the sliding glass door to the back porch and stepped out. The fall air was crisp although it was still early October. Thankfully she had worn a knitted sweater for just this reason. She wrapped her arms around her slender frame and glanced to the side before jumping. She hadn't noticed the couple with their tongues a foot deep down each other's throats. Embarrassed, she was just about to leave to give the couple privacy when she noticed an unmistakably familiar studded leather jacket.
At that moment the girl, whose back was against the brick wall of the house, discovered Gretchen's presence and roughly pushed the boy away. "Gretchen?" Spinelli looked shocked and slightly embarrassed. Gretchen stood shocked in her place.
"What a mood killer." The boy, now seen to be Lawson of all people, said looking angry at Gretchen. "Maybe we should find a room so we can get more privacy." He put a hand on Spinelli's shoulder and attempted to guide her inside.
Spinelli roughly shrugged him off. "Piss off Lawson." Her voice had a slightly drunken slur. "I just wanted to see if what Ashley A said about you being a horrible kisser was true." She said with a sneer. "It was." She grabbed Gretchen's hand and dragged the girl inside before Lawson could get a word in edge wise.
The two girls practically ran through the hall, Spinelli found a deserted room, pulled her friend in and slammed the door. Gretchen dropped onto the bed, still feeling a little shocked at what she had just witnessed. " Y- you…and…and Lawson?" She gasped in disbelief.
"Gretchen." Spinelli sat beside her friend and touched her hand. "It wasn't anything serious. You can't tell anyone about what you just saw. You have to take this to your grave."
"Spinelli." Gretchen looked into her friends eyes, seemingly recovered now. "If Lawson's who you like then you shouldn't let anyone come between that, no matter how much TJ doesn't like him."
"Expecially TJ!" Spinelli let a large breath go in frustration and got up from her spot and began to pace threw the room. "I Don't like Lawson. Actually, I hate him. I just did it because," She trailed off.
"Because?" She pushed.
"Did you see the way Ashley A was rubbing up on him? I was right there and he didn't even bother to push her away!" Spinelli ran a hand threw her hair in frustration.
"Wait. You like TJ?" Gretchen was on her feet now too. She didn't know what to say. What could she say?
Spinelli let out a dark chuckle. "Don't pretend you haven't caught on yet. Everyone has."
Gretchen looked down at her feet. It seemed her stomach had dropped in that direction as well. "Perhaps he doesn't know. TJ wouldn't do anything to hurt any of us."
Spinelli sighed and dropped back onto the bed. "Oh, he knows." Gretchen came to stand in front of the smaller girl. "TJ and I have been this thing, I don't know what it is. We aren't couple but we do have this sort of…. relationship. If you can call it that. That's why I had to get back at him." She looked up at her friend and for the first time in six years, Gretchen saw tears in the strong girls eyes. "Gretchen." She said holding back a sob. "I think I'm pregnant with TJ's baby."
Gretchen took the opportunity to vomit.
Outside the door Erwin Lawson had a triumphant gin on his face. After so many years of trying to put TJ Detweiler in his place he finally had a winning card, and he was going to play it mercilessly. He snickered and walked back down the hall towards the party.