Chapter Four, Party Part Two: The Celebration

Jimmy checked his watch nervously. The guests had arrived, mostly townies looking for a free drink and Bullworth kids looking to piss off their parents during the summer. All in all, it proved to be a successful party so far, the only question being when the guest of honor would arrive.

Pete walked in from the kitchen to the living room, "It's so hard keeping them away from the cake," then he saw the look on Jimmy's face, "What's up?"

"I haven't heard from Beatrice in two hours, where could they be?"

"You said they were going to that sci-fi double feature right? Beatrice probably made them dress up for it or something nerdy like that. Don't sweat it. The surprise is ruined anyway, all else fails she'll have to come home to kick everyone out."

"Wow Pete, you sure know how to make a guy feel better," Jimmy deadpanned. Pete clapped a hand on Jimmy's shoulder awkwardly.

"It's what I'm here for."

Suddenly, Edgar came rushing downstairs and started hushing the crowd, "Beatrice just called me, they'll be here in two minutes, everyone get in your hiding places!"

"Are we still doing the surprise party thing since the surprise in question has already been ruined?" Pete asked.

"Are you kidding? Zoe'll love this shit. Now get behind the couch," Edgar guided Pete and another guest behind the couch. Pete crouched down and peered over the top of the couch while Edgar tried to get comfortable.

"They're coming up now, everyone get down," Jimmy said, flicking off the lights and plopping down on the couch. The party waited with bated breath as the lock clicked on the door and the door opened.

A collective yell of "Surprise!" emanated through the house and the lights flicked back on to show Zoe's shy smile, and a noticeably shorter haircut. Jimmy stood in front of her, staring into her eyes, and smiling.

"You're an idiot Jimmy," Zoe said laughing, and jumped in his arms, kissing him passionately. The party erupted in cheers and Pete abruptly left the living room for the kitchen with a sad expression on his face. Beatrice went to follow him, but when the happy couple untangled themselves Jimmy grabbed her by the shoulders playfully and turned her around.

"You must have a different definition of a surprise party than everyone else does, eh Bea?"

"Hey, she got here in one piece didn't she?"

"My hair didn't," Zoe grumbled.

"Hey, you rock the pixie cut look," Jimmy said, slinging an arm around his girlfriend's shoulders and kissing her on the top of the head.

"You actually noticed?" Zoe asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I need to make sure our haircuts won't match in a couple of months,"

"He's a charmer isn't he?" Zoe asked Edgar as he appeared with a party hat.

"The charming-est. And yes, you have to wear this,"

Zoe studied the party hat. Garish, lime green and hot pink designs emblazoned with the words "Rogue Scholar" bedazzled in the middle. Edgar pointed to a similar hat on his head.

"They match," He said.

Zoe smirked and pulled the hat on, "Alright everyone, let's get drunk in this bitch!"

Beatrice made her way into the kitchen as Pete swatted people's hands away from the cake. She was nervous, which was a feeling she didn't normally get when she had a crush. Mostly because I know I usually don't stand a chance, she thought. It's easier to make a fool out of yourself when you don't care as much.

"Johnny Vincent if you touch that cake again I will find that crane and string you up again," Pete warned the greaser clique leader. Johnny threw his hands up in mock defeat.

"Whatever dude, I'm not even on a bike this time. Where's the keg?"

"Living room. Zoe just got here so you should probably go say hi,"

"Cool".


Beatrice caught a look at herself in the kitchen window. Frowning, she pulled her top down a bit lower to expose more cleavage. I had more tits in the store, her brain complained.

"Beatrice, could you help me move this?" Pete asked, motioning to a rolling tray he was going to use to bring the cake into the living room.

"Hmm? Oh, yeah, sure Petey," Beatrice replied. The two got on opposite sides of the two-tiered cake and lifted it up to the tray. Pete, tripping over the side of the kitchen island, stumbled into Beatrice and the two nearly dropped it, but Pete quickly regained his grip and they set it down on the tray. Pete bent over to take one last look at the cake and Beatrice stuck her chest subtly forward.

"Um," Pete stammered while looking up, "Beatrice, would you mind pointing those things in another direction? You might take an eye out,"

"But eyes are what I'm trying to catch," Beatrice said, winking. Her hopes were quickly dashed when Pete stiffened, visibly uncomfortable.

"Yeah...well...I didn't see Lola here so maybe you could catch Johnny's," Pete said, recovering quickly. Beatrice looked down, embarrassed by her behavior.

"Yeah, maybe."

The awkward moment was interrupted by Edgar barging into the kitchen.

"When's the cake coming? Some of these kids are drinking on an empty stomach and Zoe's getting impatient,"

"It's right here, hold your horses," Pete replied, exasperated. He motioned for Edgar to move out-of-the-way of the doorway and he wheeled the cake into the living room.

"Alright! Guest of Honor Zoe Taylor, come get the first piece!" Pete said. Beatrice followed him with some paper plates and started cutting the cake, handing the first slice to Zoe. After a few slices it became clear she was just in the way of the hungry group of young adults and got out-of-the-way to let everyone get their own pieces.

"Mmm, Pete, this is delicious, what's in this?" Zoe asked, covering her mouthful of cake.

"Yeah, delicious," Jimmy agreed.

"Uh-uh, a magician never reveals his secrets," Pete smirked. A knock sounded at the door and the four turned around.

"Ugh, hold on Amy, if the lock is still sticking I'll call the locksmith tomorrow-" Zoe called,

"Who's Amy?" Beatrice asked, the first time she had heard this name.

"My landlord, she works at Happy Volts," Zoe said, pulling open the door. Mandy Wiles and Kirby Olsen stood on the porch, glaring inside.

"I heard there was a party," Mandy said, sneering.

"Yeah, for Zoe. One you weren't invited to," Beatrice said, walking up behind Zoe and bawling up her fists.

"Slow your roll, Punky Brewster. I'm not here to fight. I brought a peace-offering, two actually,"

Mandy handed a bottle of scotch to Zoe and tossed a tattered book to Beatrice.

"My copy of Watership Down, where did you find this? I've looked everywhere for it!"

"I found it when I was packing up in our dorm room. I was gonna throw it out after our fight but, Jimmy wanted to promote togetherness and shit right? So what happened doesn't happen again? So I figured screw fighting, let's party!" Mandy pumped her fist into the air awkwardly. Kirby hung his head, embarrassed for his companion.

"Alright, come in. Help yourself to some cake, glasses and ice are in the kitchen. Let's crack this open," Zoe said, putting her arm around Mandy and leading her into the kitchen. Kirby followed inside, high-fiving Jimmy and heading towards the keg.

"You and Mandy huh?" Jimmy asked Kirby.

"Yeah, she's pretty hot," Kirby replied, taking a big gulp of beer.

"Yeah she is, but what about-"

"What about what Jimmy?" Kirby asked, annoyed. Kirby followed Jimmy's gaze to Trent Northwick who was standing behind Pete, conspicuously whispering something in his ear while Pete's face held and unreadable expression. Jimmy saw Trent's hand reach up to grab his beer off the cart and less than conspicuously brush Pete's butt as he reached. Jimmy frowned and was about to say something when Kirby cut him off by grabbing him by the collar and pulling him into a dark hallway.

"Look, I'm not ready for anyone to know yet. Trent was way too conspicuous and I just couldn't handle that. Just keep your mouth shut, okay? I could lose my spot on the team."

Jimmy backed off.

"Alright, I won't say anything. I get it."

"Do you? I went to that Romeo and Juliet production they did last year and ended up having to replace my football jersey because someone spray painted the word fag on it. Those guys would kill me if they found out, and I'm not even sure what I am."

"I mean, I get it a little bit. I like...both too but you're right. I don't play sports so I don't have that target on my back. You know what I think you need, Kirby?" Jimmy asked, his face suddenly serious.

"What?"

"Another drink," Jimmy smiled.

Meanwhile Trent realized the eyes on him and decided to stop harassing Pete, sauntering over to Kirby and Jimmy.

"A drink? I could get you a beer, if you wanted," Trent said awkwardly.

Kirby looked over at the kitchen door which opened slightly. Mandy was inside, completely unaware of what was going on.

"Leave me alone, okay," Kirby practically shouted and promptly turned around, bolting up the stairs.

"Damn it, Kirby wait!" Trent followed. A couple of party-goers watched with confused looks on their faces but soon went back to drinking.

Pete was nursing on his beer while locking the wheels on the cart when Jimmy strode over to him. Pete looked frazzled, his hair was a little mussed and his cheeks were tinged pink.

"So what was that about? What did Trent say?" Jimmy was uncomfortable with Trent's behavior. Practically groping Pete like that went way too far.

"He, uh...just wanted to tell me the cake was good," Pete replied, in a hushed voice, looking nervous and more than a little distressed.

"You look...do you wanna go somewhere else and talk?" Jimmy asked. The music was still quite loud but Pete looked uncomfortable around all the party guests. He nodded. Jimmy put his arm around Pete and guided him back to the hallway where he had been talking to Kirby.

"So...Zoe really liked this, but she hasn't talked to me all night," Jimmy whispered. The hallway was dark, quiet, and had a little alcove for the clothes washer and dryer that wasn't visible from the living room. Pete leaned against the wall of the alcove with Jimmy squeezing in front of him to fit where he wouldn't be seen by the guests. He could barely make out Pete's facial features but he could hear Pete's erratic breathing slowly return to normal.

"S-she's still embarrassed I think. Trust me, if I know her as well as I think I do, you'll be in for a good night," Pete said, chuckling. Jimmy's face contorted and Pete realized what he said sounded like.

"No, not like that, I mean...she's grateful. She'll be really nice to you, I mean. And she'll probably do something like this for you. Not that I know she's planning anything."

"Alright, cool. What about Beatrice? I know she likes you," Jimmy prodded. He could barely make out Pete rolling his eyes and shifting his body to leave the alcove but Jimmy stuck his arm out, blocking his exit. Pete huffed, annoyed.

"She's cool but, I dunno. I just don't feel it. We were friends when we were kids until she started acting like this and it just kinda fell apart. We tried to become friends again this year but she started again and I just don't wanna hurt her," Pete explained, and Jimmy nodded.

"Yeah, I get it. That girl has a problem taking no for an answer. Seems to be a lot of that going around."

Pete shifted uncomfortably and his hip brushed against Jimmy's arm, still pressed against the wall. Neither spoke for a second, suddenly aware of the uncomfortable lack of space between them. Jimmy's arm dropped back to his side.

"If Trent's been harassing you, you should tell me. I can take care of it. You said something the other day that you caught him in your room and-" Jimmy was cut off by Pete.

"Just stop, Jimmy," Pete said, indignantly and a little too loudly, but Jimmy wasn't buying it. He shook his head.

"That didn't look innocent Pete," Jimmy said and Pete started to leave again. Jimmy grabbed him by the shoulders to keep him in place.

"Hey, it's okay. You can talk to me about this, I'm your friend, right?" Jimmy asked, searching Pete's face for an answer. Pete nodded but didn't say anything. He couldn't look Jimmy in the eyes, Jimmy observed.

"I saw what happened Pete, I saw him touch you," Jimmy said. Pete sighed, hanging his head.

"It's fine, Jimmy," Pete said quietly, shrugging Jimmy's hand's off his shoulders.

"What? No it's not, that's what I'm trying to," Jimmy was cut off by Pete's hand covering his mouth.

"Listen to what I'm saying. It's. Fine." Pete searched Jimmy's eyes to see if he understood what the smaller boy was saying but he still didn't. Jimmy pushed Pete's hand away.

"No, it isn't! You shouldn't touch someone if you don't have permission-"

"He does," Pete said. He couldn't believe he had the confidence to say it out loud. He looked up at Jimmy sheepishly.

"Oh," Jimmy said. He couldn't really form a complete thought for a full second before he realized an important part of what Pete said.

"So...this has happened before?" Jimmy asked. The weirdness between them had dissipated and Pete was grateful.

"A few times. He doesn't...we don't...do it often, but one time, I guess a little after Christmas, we were both in the school after hours, I was finishing an art project but I don't know what he was doing. I guess it doesn't matter, anyway; we got caught in the hallways by a prefect who tried to chase us down. We ended up hiding out behind the Christmas decorations in the janitor's closet. It was a tight fit...kinda like," Pete gestured to their surroundings in the alcove and Jimmy took a step back, backing into the opposite wall, just in case someone came back and thought that's what they had been doing.

"Anyway, we were standing there and he was behind with his hand on my mouth because I had been bitching about probably getting a detention when the prefect came in. I was pressed against him and he, well, got hard," Pete said the last part quickly.

"I really shouldn't be listening to this," Jimmy said, but he had been drinking and this was a side of Petey he didn't know existed really, save that one awkward comment about him being a male stripper.

"Well, the prefect was still snooping around and I guess him being that way plus the thrill of getting caugh got me hard too. I started...rubbing back against him. We just kinda, what do you call it? Dry humped? Until the prefect left," Pete said. Jimmy nodded, tension creeping back into the air again, but for a different reason.

"Yeah?" Jimmy asked, but it wasn't a question.

"Yeah. He uh, he bent down to kiss me I guess but tripped over a box of ornaments. We both freaked out and bolted. Ever since then we just kinda...grab each other sometimes when we can get away with it. One time I left something in my gym locker..nevermind. That story is going to require a lot more alcohol and you look like you're about to pass out," Pete said, smiling.

Jimmy did feel a bit lightheaded, from the booze and the boy, but he knew this conversation needed to end right here. He had a girlfriend, and he did really love her.

"So, what are you?" Jimmy asked, "Gay, bi, whatever?"

"I could ask you the same thing, Jim," Pete responded, "I'm not ready to label myself. I like boys, a lot, but girls can be cool sometimes too. I dunno."

"I think I might be the opposite," Jimmy spoke up, feeling suddenly brave about his orientation. Pete had shared something with him, it was only fair he did too; "I like girls a lot, but boys can be uh...fun sometimes."

Pete swayed, his drink finally kicking in.

"I'm glad we had this conversation Jimmy. It feels good to be able to finally tell someone that won't judge me or laugh at me," Pete said.

"I am too Pete. I've never really told anyone this, and if you ever tell anyone-"

"I wouldn't, you know I wouldn't-"

"I have a girlfriend, Petey."

"I know that, Jimmy. I'm not Gary, I wouldn't do something like that," Pete said, then sighed, "Do you want to get back to the party?"

"Sure," Jimmy said, but Pete had already stomped off.


Mandy, Beatrice, and Zoe sat at the kitchen island, drinking scotch and laughing. Beatrice couldn't believe it was happening, Mandy was her mortal enemy since she started at Bullworth, and now they were practically drinking buddies.

"No, Mandy you're telling it wrong! Here's what happened: Lola Lombardi had Johnny Vincent in her dorm room and Gord tried to sneak in because she was seeing him too. He ended up climbing into Eunice's window by mistake and when he figured it out he screamed. All the girls ran out of their rooms, Melody Adams started crying about there being a guy in the girl's dorm. Mrs. Carvin sounded the alarm and both Johnny and Gord ran out of the dorm in their underwear. It was hilarious! Then Lola had the balls to come out of her room with her lipstick smeared and her shirt buttoned wrong and tell everyone she had a cold and to please shut up."

The trio burst out laughing and Mandy nearly fell off her bar stool, grabbing Zoe's arm to stay upright.

"Oh shit!" Mandy burst out, giggling again.

"Okay, I think I'm cutting you off," Zoe said, pulling the bottle away from the drunk cheerleader.

"Yeah, yeah, I've still gotta drive home...where's my purse?" Mandy said. She stood up to look for it and stumbled forward into the island, spilling the scotch on Beatrice's new shirt.

"Shit, you are so not driving home!" Beatrice said, walking over to the sink and grabbing a dish towel to clean herself up.

"Yeah, you're staying here tonight. Kirby made a beeline for the keg when he got in so as long as there's no funny business you two can take the guest room."

"Alright. Sorry Beatrice,"

"No worries," Beatrice said, soaking her shirt.

"Crap, this isn't coming off. Could I borrow a top Zoe? I'm not drunk enough to walk around in my underwear," Beatrice asked, pulling off her shirt.

"Yeah, sure, the back stairs are through that door, my room is the second door on the left," Zoe replied, pointing towards a small door next to a cupboard.

"Ugh...is there a bathroom up there? I knew I shouldn't have had that wine cooler before I came," Mandy groaned, holding her stomach.

"Yeah, next door to the bedroom. You better make it to the toilet or you're scrubbing that floor tomorrow!" Zoe threatened. Mandy raised her hand to her head in a mock solute but stumbled forward.

"Come on," Beatrice sighed, slinging Mandy's arm around her shoulder, "I'll hold your hair."

"Thanks Beatrice, you know you're okay for a nerd," Mandy whined drunkenly. Beatrice turned her head and rolled her eyes at Zoe dramatically, and Zoe gave her a knowing smile of someone that's had to take care of drunk peers before.

As Zoe began to wipe the spilled alcohol off the island, Edgar burst through the kitchen door.

"Zoe, you gotta hear the news, also your landlord is here."

"Shit, Amy is going to kill me if there's a mess, how bad is it?" Zoe grabbed a broom from the cupboard.

"Not quite a tornado, everyone's behaving themselves. But Amy wants to talk to you pronto. Put down the broom, she'll think you broke something."

"Right, right. I'm coming, I'm not getting evicted, I'm not having a panic attack, everything's good," Zoe was beginning to hyperventilate.

"Jeez Zoe, calm down! She didn't seem-"

"Is she in here? Zoe!" Nurse Amy Barkley's voice called into the kitchen. Zoe stood like a deer in the headlights. Amy swung the door open.

"There you are, what's taking you so long? You have to hear the news," Amy grabbed Zoe by the arm and gently pulled her into the living room.

"What's going on?" Zoe asked, furrowing her brows in confusion.

"Clint, turn that up," Amy commanded, taking her nurse's hat off and fixing her long brown curls. Clint obeyed and turned the radio up.

"For those of you just tuning in, we've been following the story of Bullworth Academy, the local boarding school where a riot broke out last week, causing injury and thousands of dollars worth in property damage,"

"Don't they have anything else to report on?" Edgar said, taking a swig of beer.

"It's either this or reruns of Chatterbox," Pete replied.

"We have received an exclusive that Bullworth Academy football coach and gym teach Lamar Burton has been arrested on charges of idecency with minors, possibly students at Bullworth. We have reached out to both the Bullworth Police Department and Bullworth School District but so far have not received any confirmation this is what happened due to the case involving minors. I am Lianne Forget, with LCN. Stay safe out there,"

"Oh my god," Zoe said, sinking to the floor. Jimmy rushed to her side.


"I swear, I'm never drinking again," Mandy wailed as she heaved. Beatrice held her hair back and tried not to get nauseous from the sight of the cheerleader vomiting in front of her.

"It'll be fine, just get it all out," Beatrice soothed. She reached across the tiny bathroom and turned the faucet on, then dumped Mandy's scotch out and rinsed the glass. Mandy finished expelling the contents of her stomach and flushed the toilet, then settled against the wall, groaning in pain.

"Here, drink this," Beatrice handed Mandy the glass of water. Mandy chugged it down.

"Thanks."

Mandy relaxed against the wall for a minute until she heard thumping against it. She stood up and looked at Beatrice, who looked just as confused as she did. It dawned on Beatrice what was going on in the next room and she grabbed Mandy by the hand, pulling her out of the bathroom.

"If Zoe catches whoever that is in there screwing she'll flip her shit," Beatrice burst into the room with Mandy following behind her stumbling. The pair on the bed quickly sat up. Beatrice bowed her head in embarrassment and when Mandy got a good look at who was in the bed she picked up a male pair of jeans on the floor and threw it at the bed.

"Thanks Mandy," Trent muttered, pulling the jeans on.

"What the hell is going on here Kirby? Did you really think you could hide this from me?" Mandy fumed, staring at her boyfriend who was avoiding her eyes and only a few seconds ago was getting felt up by Trent Northwick.

"Well...it would be stupid to say yes now," Trent said and the feuding couple both shouted at him in unison to shut up. Trent got off the bed and quickly exited the room, pulling his shirt back on.

"How long has this been going on?" Mandy asked. Kirby's fingers shook as he buttoned his shirt back up, terrified of the scorned cheerleader.

"I dunno. A while. Please, Mandy-"

"What do you mean you don't know? This isn't Edna getting caught spitting in the food and lying about it, this is you sleeping with a guy!"

"Jesus, Mandy, keep your voice down!" Kirby whispered.

"Why should I? You know I should go downstairs now and tell everyone what you were doing. Would serve you right for what you've done to me!" Mandy turned to walk out of the room and Kirby vaulted towards her, seizing her by the shoulders roughly and turning her around.

"Don't. You. Dare." Kirby threatened, then he felt something press into his back. Beatrice spoke.

"That's a taser pressed into your back. Get your hands off of her or you drop to the floor and piss yourself while a few thousands volts of electricity course through your body. Now let her go and get the hell out of here."

Kirby hesitated for a moment then bolted out of the bedroom. Beatrice sighed and replaced the taser back into her bag.

"Had him fooled, this thing doesn't even work," Beatrice said, then looked at Mandy who was shaking with tears. She took a step towards Mandy but Mandy backed up.

"It's just one thing after another," Mandy muttered, wiping her nose as she cried.

"It'll be okay Mandy, that guy was a jerk-"

"God just get out of here Beatrice you freaking loser! Why are you even talking to me? Here," Mandy picked up a shirt off the floor and tossed it at Beatrice roughly. Beatrice stared at Mandy for a minute, hurt.

"Get out!" Mandy screamed, her tears of hurt quickly turning into those of anger. Beatrice hurried out of the room, shooting a dirty look at Kirby who was walking back in, pulling on his shoes.

"How am I going to get home?" Kirby asked dejectedly.

"Get Trent to drive you, you slut," Beatrice spat as she pulled off her shirt and replaced it with Zoe's and stalked back downstairs.

Kirby stood in the doorway of the bedroom where Mandy sat on the bed crying, and he felt like the worst person in the world. He turned to leave, but Mandy spoke up.

"Wait, we still need to talk. You said before we came. So let's talk," Mandy said, wiping her eyes. Kirby closed the door.


Pete was sitting on a lawn chair outside when Trent walked out. Trent's shirt was unbuttoned and Pete could see his chiseled chest, and suddenly Pete wished he had something to fan himself with. Trent walked by, presumably not seeing him in the chair. Not believing his own brazenness, he reached out and squeezed Trent's ass as he walked by. Trent yelped and turned around to punch whoever it was, but stopped when he realized it was Pete.

"Hey you," Trent said with a smile.

"Hey," Pete replied. Trent closed the distance between himself and the lawn chair, bending down and kissing Pete. He straddled the smaller boy and they began to make out, Trent grinding his already half-hard erection into Pete's groin.

All things considered, this was probably pretty stupid to do out in the open but they had both had a few drinks and didn't care who saw. And compared to all the people at the party that could have seen them, two of them that did see weren't that bad.

Kirby and Jimmy both watched out a window, albeit on different floors as the two boys rutted against each other, tongues dancing. Both were feeling pangs of lust and jealousy, and both soon crawled into bed with their girlfriends they were having problems with, and fell into a fitful sleep.

However, the third that did see it, felt completely crushed. Beatrice had been staring out the guest room window when she spotted them, and she watched them for probably longer than necessary. She couldn't believe it, how could Pete have not told her! She lay on the bed, angry and upset. She thought she had made a friend in Mandy, who turned out to be just as horrible as ever. Pete, the guy she liked, was probably gay. Beatrice fell asleep, wishing she had just stayed home that night.