The Boy with the Thorn in his Side

by MediocreSalesman

Growing up in a sleepy, English village, Duncan finds very little time for much else save causing trouble and playing football. But when one of his friends gets a shot at the big leagues, he and the rest of the team deal with celebrating his opportunity and wondering where they'll be left without him. Title taken from the Smiths song of the same name. (Bad Language and drinking)

3. The Party

TheParty

"What's up guys!" Duncan yelled, bursting open the doors to the old house. Everyone else was sitting in a circle, cross-legged, and slowly turned to see him, non-reactionary.

"Oh… Hi Duncan…" Heather waved his entrance away.

I get it, he thought. Act like they don't care. Hilarious. Probably Geoff's idea. He sighed, "And I brought Lindsay…" he weakly stepped back to allow her to enter. Suddenly the room burst into life, as Heather and Gwen leapt up to greet and hug Lindsay, and everyone else waved from the circle. Duncan scanned the faces present. Everyone he'd invited. He caught Geoff's eye, who was grinning ear to ear. Geoff doubled over laughing, and elbowed DJ, who rolled his eyes. Yep. Ignoring him was certainly Geoff's idea. He turned to Lindsay, where Gwen and Heather were still greeting her, cooing over her outfit and hugging her over and over. Gwen subtly flicked Duncan the finger. Duncan rolled his eyes and turned back to circle.

There, he noticed someone who certainly hadn't been invited. He grabbed Gwen's arm and pulled her off of Lindsay, "And what the fuck is Cody doing here?" He whispered, accusingly

"What?" She hissed back, "You said I could bring a friend."
"I was thinking a girl, you know? Or someone we can all tolerate. Not fucking Cody."

"Okay, fine," Gwen snapped, "I didn't want to take him but the little shit just followed me, you know how he is."

Duncan considered this, "Has he told anyone else?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm fucking sure Duncan. And he's not gonna."

"You know he will at some poi-"

"Ahem!" DJ cleared his throat loudly from across the room. Duncan and Gwen jerked their heads round, where everyone was staring. Trent was standing next to DJ, his hand on his shoulder, his face white as a sheet. Duncan rolled his eyes and sighed passive aggressively. That was one time, Trent. He then turned suddenly to stare down Cody, who jumped and shrank into himself. Duncan scowled and let go of Gwen's arm.

"So now we know everyone here…"

"Is that my cue to enter?" Zoey asked from behind Duncan, nervously shuffling in.

"Well I wasn't gonna-" Duncan began.

"And who's this?" Heather asked loudly.

"You give me shit for bringing Cody, and you bring… I don't even know her name!" Gwen crossed her arms.

"H-he did?" Cody squeaked, somewhat hurt.

Duncan whipped his head back round to him, and Cody flinched again, and scrambled to the bathroom. Grinning, he looked back to the girls, who stood around, waiting for an explanation, "This," he gestured to Zoey, who had shrunk back behind Duncan, holding onto the ends of her sleeves as if they'd fall off if she let go, "is Zoey."

"Hi…" she whispered, waving slightly. Gwen and Heather brushed her off with a flick of the wrist, Lindsay waved enthusiastically, and DJ and Geoff smiled sheepishly at her from the back of the room.

"And what is she doing here?" Heather asked.

"I invited her." Duncan stated, trying to end the conversation without going into any kind of detail, "Come on Zoey, let's join the others."

Almost clinging to Duncan's back, Zoey shuffled, eyes down, into the circle of people, and as Duncan sat down and crossed his legs, she sat between him and Bridgette, who tried to catch her attention. When Zoey finally looked up, Bridgette smiled warmly, eliciting a small curl at the corners of Zoey's lips, and she sat back, more comfortable.

Duncan looked at Heather expectantly, who was still stood in the doorway with Gwen and Lindsay. DJ and Geoff, along with Trent quietly sat back down into the circle. Cody poked his head out of the bathroom, before slowly creeping back into the room and sitting the other side of Bridgette. "Ugh, whatever." Heather threw her hands in the air, and sat down, with Gwen and Lindsay following her, sitting either side.

Duncan smiled and looked around one more time. He'd missed someone. "Wait," he said, "where's Courtney?"

"Took you long enough to notice," came the recognisably smug voice from the doorway. Everyone turned, and sure enough, there stood Courtney. She had ditched her typical, bookish, conservative clothes, and had adopted a much fancier style. She wore a flowing light pink halter top and denim short shorts, showing off her tan legs. On her feet were black, strapped stilettos, and no socks. Her makeup emphasised her large eyes, with coral blue eyeshadow and thick black eyeliner, and also incredibly light, yet certainly noticeable, orange lipstick. Her hair had been transformed into a tight bun, except for two small sections that were allowed to hang down over her ears, framing her face.

"I assume your excuse for being late is you spent too long on your makeup?" Duncan said, half-joking, pretending to be unbothered, but ultimately slightly angry, and very impressed with how she looked.

Courtney pouted, but ignored him, "So," she shut the door and placed one hand on the doorframe, "what's going on?" She bit her lip slightly, and when Duncan didn't look up from trying to open the vodka bottle on the floor, she surveyed the rest of the room. The girl from the game was right next to Duncan, also fascinated with his attempts to accomplish the terribly hard task of turning the bottle lid, but at least Bridgette sat smiling at her. Cody was gazing across the room at Gwen and Trent having their own conversation, and DJ got up to help Duncan. Geoff's mouth hung open, and Courtney swore she began to see him drool. At least someone appreciated the effort she had put in, even if it was the wrong guy, the resident pervert at that. Her eye twitched slightly. The first party she'd been invited to in a long while, and no one noticed her, well aside from Geoff. And she was sure to make a grand entrance too. Truthfully, she'd tried exceptionally hard on her look that night, and had arrived a full half hour before everyone else. When she heard Geoff arrive with DJ and Bridgette, she'd quickly left the house and hid. She didn't need to be known as the girl who arrived to parties half an hour early, when not even the hosts were there. That wasn't cool. She hid round the back of the house until she heard Duncan pull up. She heard him joking with Lindsay, and a voice she just barely recognised. And while she was trying to place the voice, he'd already entered. She cursed herself, and stormed round to the front entrance, desperately trying to place the voice. Was it from training? An interview? The game? Yes! She fist pumped having figured it out, and from inside, caught a snippet of conversation: "Where's Courtney." And she opened the door. Perfect.

But there are no perfect plans, apparently. Maybe she was doomed to this. She sat down next to Lindsay, as Duncan waved DJ off, saying he didn't need help with the bottle. She felt cold inside, but maybe standing outside for half an hour didn't help her staying warm on the outside either. She stared blankly across the room until: "OMG Courtney?"

"Huh? Oh, Lindsay?"

"That is such a cute outfit," Lindsay gushed.

"Oh, yeah, thanks." Courtney said, bitchily. She didn't mean it to come out bitchy, but it did. As it tended to with her, and especially her when she felt ignored, unwanted, useless…

"Got it!" Duncan shouted, breaking Courtney out of her funk. And, sure enough, the bottle had been opened.

"Finally!" Heather exclaimed, "Pass it around."

"Hold on," Duncan smirked in the way he was wont to do, "everyone got a cup?" Everyone that wanted a drink, waved a cup in the air. Courtney perked up and reached into the centre, where the disposable cups lay. She grabbed one and hauled it over her head too. In total, Geoff, Trent, Gwen, Heather, Lindsay, and Courtney held cups in the air, and, obviously, Duncan had his too. He turned to Zoey and Bridgette, offering them some. They looked at each other and shrugged, both picking a cup up from the centre.

Slowly, Duncan made the rounds, pouring some of the drink into everyone's cup, leaving DJ and Cody as the only two attendees without any alcohol.

"Bottoms up!" he said, raising his cup as he got back into his spot in the circle. They all tossed it back. All but Duncan and Heather gagged. "Wusses." Duncan grinned. Heather smiled back devilishly.

One hour and one and half bottles of vodka, the party was in full swing. Duncan and Geoff sat beside each other, one arm around the other's shoulder, while Zoey swayed woozily on Duncan's other side. Heather and Gwen sat opposite, giggling and laughing with each other, occasionally shouting curses and abuse at the boys. Lindsay was dancing around in the centre, as Trent drunkenly strummed on his guitar, occasionally hitting what sounded like an actual note. DJ stood by the wall, watching, while Cody, who had sneaked himself a beer or two, sat at his feet. Courtney and Bridgette filled out the rest of the circle, clapping along to the 'music'. It had begun innocently enough, with Duncan breaking out a pack of cards, and they all began to play poker. The winner of each hand was allowed to have another shot. And when Duncan and Courtney won almost every game, it was switched to blackjack. Soon, Duncan was too drunk to win, and the drink began to be passed around more. Soon, to make sure Geoff actually had something to drink, it was switched to go fish, and finally to snap, so Lindsay could have some. Soon, many were too wasted to even hold their cards, and DJ took them away, as well as managing who had any more to drink. Then, Trent had somehow managed to pick up his guitar without breaking it, and began to play it. Then, in a drunken mistake DJ would have a lot of fun reminding them of the next day, many of them had gotten up and made requests, singing their favourite songs, dancing around, and, his favourite, Geoff actually trying to play the guitar. DJ smiled. This was nice. He didn't need to have alcohol, and he didn't want to drink anyway, but if they did, hey, no skin off his nose. He looked down at Cody at his feet, sitting with his knees up to his chest, and holding a half-drunk beer, gazing longingly at the group. In the end, DJ did feel sorry for him. Sure, maybe he was a bit too forward with Gwen, a little stalker-ish, with a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and being exactly where no one wanted him… Okay, maybe he was a bit of a creep towards her, but he had good intentions, right?

"Why didn't you have any vodka?" he asked.

Cody shrugged, "Why didn't you?"

"I don't drink."

"Oh… Yeah…"

It was quiet between them for a second, despite the noise emanating from the group in the middle of the room, who had now moved on to playing Duck, Duck, Goose. Or at least it seemed Lindsay had.

"So?"

"Oh, yeah…" Cody blinked, "I didn't want to… Duncan wouldn't have let me."

"Probably not. He didn't know you were coming."

"Gwen invited me."

"You tagged along," DJ said, his voice firm but warm.

"Yeah… I did, but… He said guests were allowed…"

"Yes…" DJ pondered for a minute, "He definitely wouldn't have let you have any."

"Heh… Anyway, I get wasted after, like, three beers," Cody said, waving his second one in the air.

"I can see…" DJ chuckled. "Do you want some?"

"Huh?"

"Vodka. Want a shot?"

"P-please."

"Give me a minute." DJ picked up the bottle he was hiding behind him, and stepped over into the circle to grab a cup.

"Ayyy…" Duncan slurred, his body flopping around unintentionally, "Big Deej's getting a DRINK!"

"Wahey!" Geoff echoed, Lindsay now sitting on his lap after he caught her during her short-lived game of Duck, Duck, Goose.

DJ casually waved them off, "Sure, guys. What are you doing now?"

"Ooh, ooh, ooh…" Zoey started, reaching forward and almost tipping herself over, "Heh… We… We should play Spin the Bottle!"

"Oooh, yeah!" Courtney agreed, nodding so violently it looked to DJ as if her head were about to fall off, "We should…" she echoed, batting her eyelids at Duncan.

Duncan shrugged, "Yeah… Imma just…" he paused, "Get the bottle…" he swung up, almost falling, and stumbled into the kitchen to fetch it.

DJ smiled slightly. They were about to make some big mistakes. He strode back to Cody and poured him a shot. Cody's eyes widened, and he downed what was left of his beer, before attempting to down the vodka, but choking up and coughing into the cup.

"Hey, dude," DJ said, laying a big hand on Cody's shoulder. Cody looked up into his eyes, spluttering slightly, "First, drink that, as slowly as you need to. Then, go join the circle. Play along. Have fun. Don't make too many mistakes."

Cody nodded vigorously, "Th-thanks DJ." He sipped it slightly, making his way through it, and becoming visibly worse off with every drop that hit his lips. Duncan then staggered back into the room, brandishing the bottle.

"I have retrieved it!" he announced. Geoff whooped, and many of the others cheered. Heather clapped along, laughing. Cody downed the little remaining alcohol, and stood up, too quickly. He tripped, just catching himself, and stumbled into the circle, almost bumping into Duncan. Duncan looked at him, and blinked. Once. Twice. "Hey Cody…" he eventually managed, "Fuck you!" he cackled, before returning to ignoring him, and taking back his seat. Cody breathed out, relieved. Maybe he was becoming cool? At least tolerable? This was certainly a win for Cody.

"So, ladies, and Trent," Duncan began, before turning to Geoff, who took a few seconds, before eventually realising, and muttering an indignant, "Hey…"

Duncan smiled, "This… Is spin the bottle." Zoey clapped. "The game is, you spin the bottle, and whoever the bottleneck is pointing at," he haphazardly pointed out the neck, "the spinner has to kiss."

"Oooh," Bridgette cooed. Gwen nudged Heather and they both fell into a fit of giggles.

Undeterred, Duncan continued, "I shall go first!" Dramatically, he placed the bottle in the centre of the circle, and span it. Round, and round it went before finally landing on… Lindsay.

"Pucker up, Dunky." Lindsay said, flirtatiously crawling her way into the centre of the circle. Duncan grinned, and crawled forward to meet her in the middle. Their lips met, and the circle made a collective "Oooh." Duncan flipped his middle finger to no one in particular. They broke the kiss, but for a second, they lingered with their faces barely an inch apart. Lindsay smirked and raised an eyebrow, and Duncan did the same. It seemed they were about to go in for another, before Geoff cleared his throat, and they both blinked back into reality, smiling sheepishly at each other, and crawling back.

"I think… I think I'll go next…" Geoff started, reaching to grab the bottle.

"Nuh-uh!" Heather screeched, beating Geoff to the bottle, "My turn."

Geoff shrank back into himself, even if he was enjoying this more than a little, "Go ahead."
"Ugh," said Heather, spinning the bottle, which landed on… Cody. "What? No. Redo!" Heather said, frantic.

"Me?" Cody said, ecstatic.

"No do-overs Heather!" Duncan mocked, "Kiss the nerd! Kiss the nerd!

Heather glared back at him, but, determined not to crack under the pressure, she got up, and walked up to Cody, lifting him off the floor, "Prepare for the greatest moment of your life." she said, icily, before kissing him. Cody's eyes went wide for a split-second before he quickly relaxed into it. But it was over just as quickly as it began, and Heather dropped him, limp, onto the floor, "Done. Happy Duncan?" As she turned she noticed the phone he was holding, and Geoff leaning over his shoulder, giggling like a maniac. "Oh, no! Delete the picture! Now!"

Duncan shook his head, smiling, "No chance. Now sit down Heather, let everyone else have a turn."

She dived at him, "Delete it!"

"Okay, okay… Fine" He deleted the picture while attempting to fight her off, and showed her, "Touchy."

"I-" she hiccuped, "have a reputation to uphold."

"Not anymore," Geoff laughed. She glared at him, and he stopped. Huffing, she sat back down.

"Ooh, me next!" Gwen offered, leaning over the bottle, daring anyone to challenge her. No one did. She span it, and this time, it landed on Duncan. She squinted, "Oh, no."

"Oh, yes, Krusty," Duncan joked, "time to shine."

"Stop calling me clown names," she laughed, leaning over to him. Duncan, this time, let her come to him, watching her awkwardly stumble towards him on all-fours, smiling and laughing. She eventually came to him, meeting his lips with hers. Everyone watched on, enjoying the spirit of the moment. Save Trent. Trent sat, vacant. He always thought he could see something between Duncan and Gwen. There always seemed to be a spark between them, although no one else could see it. Everyone else could see that Duncan acted the same towards Gwen as with other girls. But Trent… Maybe it was just paranoia. That the girl he'd liked for years of course fell for the punk, just her type, despite the fact she showed very little interest when he wasn't around. They did have a thing. Once. And that raced through Trent's head every time they hung out. Every. Single. Time. He didn't mean to. It just always slipped back in, and suddenly he can't think of anything else, and he starts to panic, and… It's not that he didn't trust Gwen. He did. And anyway, they weren't dating. She could make her own decisions, and didn't have to think of him. And, for the most part, she didn't. Nevertheless, he couldn't help but think of her when he made decisions. And her and Duncan. Now, with those two kissing each other, right in front of him, there was only one thought in his mind. He couldn't handle it. Couldn't look away, but couldn't bare to look at it. His heart sank, and for one moment, he was sober enough to have a cohesive thought. And that thought was 'Fuck Duncan'. But then, after what seemed like an eternity for him, and no time at all for anyone else, they pulled away, and Trent was thrown back into his drunken revelry, though slightly more wary than before.

Duncan and Gwen stared directly into each other's eyes as they backed away from each other. "Just like I remember it." Duncan said.

"Oh?" Gwen smiled.

"Tastes like the grave."

"Just how you like it," she teased.

"Okay, my turn!" Trent blurted, rushing into the centre. Everyone else jumped slightly, and Bridgette fell back onto her back. "I-I'll go." Trent whispered, spinning the bottle. As it span, he looked around the circle. "I hope I get Bridgette. No… The… New girl? No! I better get Courtney!" he thought, watching the faces as the bottle began to slow. "Courtney! Courtney! Courtney!" came the cacophony from his mind. The bottle… slowly… passed Courtney… and… eventually… stopped… on… Geoff.

"Wo-hoah." Geoff laughed, "Bring those lips on over here Trenty!" he said, puckering and blowing an air kiss at him. Geoff placed a hand in the centre, leaning in hungrily towards him.

"Uh…" Trent said, desperately, his voice barely more than a whisper, as Geoff stalked onwards. "I don't have to kiss a guy do I?" his eyes frantically searched the faces of the attendees. They were all grinning, ear to ear. Even Gwen.

"Rules dude." Duncan stated, as if Trent should've known already. "Have to kiss who it lands on. No exceptions."

"Now bring that sexy ass here boy!" Geoff yelled, leaping forward.

Trent scampered backwards, just as Geoff's face landed where his crotch once was. It wasn't that he was aiming for there, just he was drunk, and his aim was more than a little off.

"Spin the bottle kisses don't count!" Gwen shouted, as Trent began to stumble away as Geoff chased him.

"No they don't!" Heather seconded, looking pointedly at Cody, who was still thinking about the kiss, paying no attention to the current goings-on.

"And…" Zoey slurred, falling over forwards, "We're all wasted! No one cares!"

"Yeah!" Duncan echoed, helping her up, and placing one arm over her shoulder. She giggled, burying her head into his shoulder. "Plus Geoff's not gay either!"

"Huh?" Trent stopped. Geoff proceeded to tackle him to the floor.

"Hey Trent," he smiled. Trent closed his eyes and braced for impact. Their lips collided, and Trent's eyes shot open again. To his surprise, Geoff's were open to. For too long they kept at it, before Geoff pulled away and got off of his friend. "And that," he pointed at nothing in particular, "is how you play!"

Trent stayed lying down as Geoff walked back into the circle, high fiving Duncan, trying to figure out what just happened, and exactly how he felt. He shook his head. Still he didn't get up.

"Who's next?" Geoff asked, after going round the circle, giving each person a high five, even reaching out to DJ, who grinned widely at him, returning the notion, but keeping one eye on Trent. Poor guy.

"Me! Clearly!" Courtney demanded, snatching the bottle. Zoey muttered something into Duncan's ear.

"Hey" he interrupted, as Courtney placed the bottle into position, "maybe our esteemed guest should have a go?"

"What?" Courtney shouted, enraged.

"I said, Zoey here wants a go, and she's new here. Let her go." he explained. Zoey nodded in agreement.

"... Fine!" she agreed reluctantly, "But I get to go next."

"Wow, you're a pushover when you're drunk," Heather commented.

Turning with fury in her eyes, Courtney stared at her, before composing herself, "No… I'm just being fair. And a good friend. And a good-"

"We know how good you are Courtney!" Gwen interrupted, "Let's just let her have a go."

Courtney sat back and huffed, "Of course."

Zoey grabbed the bottle, and haphazardly spun it around, before it stopped, again, on Duncan.

"Whoa! Getting lucky tonight, dude!" Geoff laughed.

But Duncan took it a bit more seriously. Looking into Zoey's eyes as she prepared to lean in, he grabbed her shoulders, and said quietly, "You… You don't have to do it if you don't want to?"

"And why wouldn't eye?" she whispered, trying to sound sexy, but ending up sounding unconfident, and, of course, very tipsy.

"You've got a boyfriend… And you don't like me much… And you're drunk… And-"

Zoey put a finger on his lips, "Who said I didn't like you?"

"But what about Mike?"

"It's like Gwen said," she purred, pulling closer, feeling sexier as he got more worried, "spin the bottle kisses don't count." And with that their lips met, and Duncan sank into it despite his protests.

After three seconds, Courtney had had enough, "Alright! My turn." She had seen Duncan kiss three different girls, and now, it was getting to her. Why should Lindsay, Gwen, and the new girl get a go? She was the one Duncan liked. She was sure of that. She deserved this. New girl had a boyfriend too! Ugh, this was so frustrating. She glared daggers into the back of Zoey's head, and they pulled apart. She scowled at them both, as they smiled at each other. This could go one of two ways. Courtney lands on Duncan, and she shows him a whole world of kissing no one else has, or could. Or, she lands on someone else, and makes a massive show of what he's missing out on, and he gets jealous. Either way, she gets what she wants, and Duncan wants her. She span.

"Oh, Bridgette!" she called, "I've got some lips with your name on them!" Bridgette looked up at Courtney striking her sexiest pose, and gulped. Courtney stalked across the circle to her, clearly making sure Duncan was noticing. Bridgette shuddered, as Courtney brought her face within inches of hers, "Get ready for the time of your life." And, as Courtney placed her hands on her face, her stomach churned.

"Nngh…" Bridgette moaned. Courtney smiled wider, and puckered. "I've gotta go!" Bridgette yelled, shoving Courtney away from her and hurrying to the bathroom.

"Wait!" Courtney screeched, "My kiss!"

"Tough luck sunshine!" Duncan laughed.

"Aaargh!" Courtney screamed.

In the bathroom, Bridgette was busy throwing up. Her head in the toilet, her blonde hair falling all over the place, strands sticking to her face and straight up all over her head. She groaned into the bowl, spitting small chunks in, cursing herself. Why'd she have to do that? Admittedly, she didn't want Courtney to kiss her. She didn't swing that way. She was sure of it. Mostly sure. After she was done, and seemed to have sobered up - well, at least, she didn't have double vision, and was able to regret most of her actions - she hit the toilet bowl, and stayed, despite her better judgement, and the smell. She sat there, thinking. Had she ruined anything with anyone? Probably not past obviously being worse than everyone else at holding her liquor. Was she having a good time? She didn't know. Maybe? The throwing up part wasn't fun. Some of the rest of it was. The bit of dancing, the card games… Up until the spin the bottle game started. It's not like she had a problem with it… Or was it? Maybe she was just uncomfortable with the meaningless kisses. She had always felt that something like that should have meaning behind it, even if she was in a minority there. Just kissing everyone and anyone seemed… Wrong. Like you didn't hold love in a high enough regard. And she loved love. The amount of nights she'd spent awake, just thinking of her future life, how she'd find the one, get married, have beautiful kids… Always married. Never throwing it all away. But why should what others do get in the way of her feelings? She'd tried so hard to keep those sort of ideas out of her life. Letting others live their lives the way they wanted, at least when it came to their feelings, and their bodies. So why did it bother her? She hit the toilet bowl, then herself. It was nothing to do with Duncan. He was a friend. A close friend, yes, but not someone she had, or could have, romantic feelings to. No way. It wasn't happening. Besides, there was no way he felt that way, seeing how he was with Lindsay. And Gwen. And Zoey. She hit the bowl again, and stood up, composing herself, "Grow up Bridge…" she muttered, "Stop it."

Suddenly the door burst open, "Uh… Sorry… Can I?" Cody asked, swaying, holding on to his stomach.

"Sure, sure!" she said, getting out of the way, her eyes wide.

"Tha-" Cody murmured, pushing past her, and vomiting into the toilet before he could even finish the word. She grimaced, and shuffled out of the room. Fair enough. Cody shouldn't have had the vodka after the beer. Just a bad idea in general. Never liquor after beer. Even she knew that.

As she stood back into the room, a little groggy, but standing, and mostly sober, she caught sight of the group again. Trent was back in the circle again, and the game of spin the bottle seemed to have ended. The group seemed to just be lying around, talking and joking. DJ still stood in the corner. She edged to go outside, wishing for some fresh air. DJ turned at that moment, and waved warmly. She waved back, sheepishly, and glanced outside. DJ nodded, and moved to join her on the porch.

She walked up to the wooden railing, and leant on it. It creaked in distress, but held. She stared up at the stars, mostly visible. It was a clear night too, without a cloud in sight. A chill breeze swept through, and she pulled her jacket closer around her. She had been wearing this thick brown leather jacket all night, though no one noticed. It was totally not her style, her dad's actually, and about two sizes too big, but she figured it looked stylish enough, and wore it, without her dad actually noticing, over a white, partly lacy crop top, and knee length jeans with flat black shoes and ankle length white, lace socks. She hadn't done anything with her hair, and had kept makeup to a minimum. A decision she was currently happy with, as it would've just gotten messed up anyway, and would've just been a pain to remove later. She looked back up at the pitch black night sky. It was a full moon. Beautifully offset with the night sky. A beautiful night in itself. She sighed.

"Beautiful." DJ said behind her. She turned, and he, too, was gazing up into the sky.

"You like the sky at night too?" she said, gesturing that he should stand beside her.

"Yeah…" he almost whispered, not taking his eyes off of the moon, "It's peaceful. Natural. Pure… Quiet." His voice lowered on the word quiet.

Bridgette's face fell for a split-second, and her eyes searched him, "Yeah… Quiet's good."

"That why you're not in there?" he asked, tearing himself away from the sky.

Now it was her turn to look away, "Yeah… I guess."

"Are you sure?"

"... No…" she murmured.

"It's not because of… Someone is it?" DJ asked, concerned, placing one hand on her shoulder.

"What?" she said, startled, "No… No it isn't." DJ raised an eyebrow. "Maybe…" she conceded.

He looked back at the sky, leaving the two of them in silence for a few seconds. "It's not Duncan is it?"

A shout came from inside and Bridgette shivered slightly, almost imperceptibly, "I… I just…"

"I understand." he said softly, "It's alright."

"Is it?" she turned and looked him dead in the eye, "I don't know how I feel. I can't stand to be around him… But I really want to be around him, you know? And everyone else seems to feel the same way, and I can't escape it, and I…"

"Bridge…" DJ placed his hand underneath her chin, "For one, no one else thinks of Duncan that way."

Her heart fluttered, "But… They…"

"That's just Duncan. They're playing along. Heather, Gwen… Lindsay I'm not sure, but then again she probably isn't either."

She cracked a smile, "Yeah… I guess… I just don't know why I feel this way."

DJ cocked an eyebrow, "Um, because you… Like him?"

"Do I?"

"I don't really think I can answer that question."

"I mean, I'm not sure, you know? I don't think so. We've been friends forever, I've been the tomboy forever, and we're-"

"Maybe it's just hormones," he mused, "like, you're just confused? Because of your… Hormones."

"Yeah. Sure. That's it. Biology."

"Exactly!" he smiled, "Not everything has to be so serious. Everyone goes through this stage where you're unsure, you're confused, lonely, desperate…" He drifted off.

Bridgette eyed him for a second, as he returned his gaze to the stars, seemingly begging for an answer. His brown eyes glistened with the reflections of the universe. Bridgette looked him down again. She finally noticed he hadn't dressed up for the party. Just a t-shirt and cargo shorts. Like he didn't want to be noticed. Like he wanted to fade into the background. After a few moments of figuring him out, she spoke up, "Why aren't you in there?"

He didn't avert his eyes from the sky, "I don't want to be."

"Why?"

"It's loud. And it's peaceful out here."

"Nice to get away from the chaos?"

"You could say that."

"Why didn't you have anything to drink?"

"I don't drink?"

"Why?"

"I don't need to. I don't want all the regrets that come with alcohol. I don't believe in it. My mom would kill me if I did."

Bridgette studied him again. He was holding back. "Would you like to talk?"

"Aren't we doing that?" he finally looked back at her, and for a second, she was sure she could see a tear in his eye.

"You don't seem alright."

"I'm fine."

"Are you?"

He sighed, "Maybe. There's just a lot of pressure, you know? The boys are always going on about the scouts that are showing up. And with just my mama, she's been on my back to be getting a job…" he fell silent, and Bridgette waited, patiently, "So, I did. It's not been easy juggling that, school, and football, but I figure, if I keep us afloat now, when… If I get signed, I get free reign. I can buy mama all she's ever wanted, and everything will fall into place. But… If it doesn't… I… I don't know."
After waiting to see if he was done, Bridgette reached out and squeezed his arm, "Hey… That's alright. It's okay to be worried. We all are, I promise. What you're doing is amazing. You're amazing."

"Thanks Bridge…" he sniffed, "But, y'know…"

"I know it's hard to talk about." she began to stroke his arm, "Have you told Duncan and Geoff?"

He shook his head, "No. I love those guys, but come on. They won't be as accepting as you. Or most."

"I think you're underestimating them."

"Did you see Geoff tonight?"

She shuddered, "Yes, but Geoff loves you too. He'd accept what's going on. I'm sure he feels similar. And as much as he'd hate to admit it, I bet Duncan does too."

DJ smiled, "Thanks Bridge." He didn't continue.

"It's a little cold out here," she mused.

"Maybe we should go inside then."

"Oh. Yeah, let's go back in. I wonder if anyone's seen the ghost yet."

"Oh, man I almost forgot this place was…" he gulped, "H-haunted…"

"Oh…" she said, surprised someone actually believed that, "DJ, it's not haunted you know?"

"You don't know that," he squeaked, "there could be all sorts of ghosts in here."

"You really believe in ghosts?"

"You don't?"

She laughed, "I don't actually know. Maybe, who knows." She held his hand, "But if there are ghosts, I'll protect you, alright?" she smiled broadly.

"Yeah… Yeah… Of course, thanks Bridge."

"...And when she opened the door… There on the handle…" Duncan said, holding the torch beneath his face, illuminating himself in some sort of ghoulish light, his face part bright yellow, and part dark shadow.

"Oh, no not this story again," DJ mumbled. Bridgette looked at him, puzzled, then gazed back at Duncan, who was gleefully finishing his ghost story.

"Was…" he whispered. Everyone in the circle leaned in. "A… Bloody hook!" he shouted, brandishing a prop hook from behind his back. DJ jumped back into himself, as did the rest of the circle, Trent falling into Gwen's arms, who, after a second, recovered and began laughing.

"Nice one dude, where'd you get the hook?"

"What hook?" Duncan asked, looking confused.

Zoey fainted. Courtney's mouth was agape, "The… The one on your hand…"

Duncan slowly looked at his right hand, and yelled.

Now, everyone screamed. Then, as Cody scrambled into Heather's arms, Courtney crawled away, backwards, and Gwen squeezed Trent's head, Duncan chuckled. Everyone stopped. His laugh got louder. Courtney and Heather looked at each other, a moment of realisation flashed through their eyes. Duncan fell over in his laughter, and began to hit the floor with his free hand. Gwen's face turned from confusion, to anger, "Oh, you fuck!"

"You little shit!" Heather cried.

"Kill yourself, dick!" Courtney joined in. Geoff and Trent began to laugh a little. Gwen quickly let go of Trent and pushed him away, but he just kept laughing.

"You're all awful!" Heather shouted, before looking down at Cody, who had his arms wrapped around her waist, and was still trembling. "Let go of me you little brat!" she screeched, prying him off of her. Cody shuffled to the wall, putting himself in fetal position.

"I don't get it." Lindsay said.

"Basically," Heather scowled, "Duncan's an unfunny, not scary, annoying little shit."

"Hey you all seemed to be a little scared a few seconds ago," Duncan said in between laughs.

"I was so not. I was just humouring you, God." she rolled her eyes.

"Sure, sure." Duncan giggled, "And that's just water in Cody's trousers."

Cody blushed, and pulled himself into himself even more.

"Oh my God, ew," Heather said, scooting back across the floor as far away from Cody as possible.

"Gross, dude," Courtney cringed. Cody slowly got up, then raced to the bathroom, covering his crotch with his shirt.

"Ah, whatever." Duncan said, coming out of his laughing fit, "Whatever you guys say, I know how scared you were."

Heather huffed and folded her arms, "Well… That's enough scary stories for tonight."

"Hey that was only one!" Duncan protested.

"What about mine? And Cody's? And Courtney's?" she asked, smirking.

"You call those scary? No chance."

"Shut up, I'm done." she pouted.

"Yeah, might wake up the ghost." Geoff said, wiggling his fingers in her direction.

She flinched, "I do so not believe in ghosts."

"Ghosts, where?" DJ asked, shivering, as Bridgette finally led him out of the doorway into the group, after convincing him that going back inside was better than being outside.

"You don't seriously believe in that do you DJ? Courtney asked.

"Why is everyone so surprised?" DJ replied.

"I believe," Gwen backed DJ up, "I think there's something you know?"

"Yeah, we can tell Gothy." Heather snapped.

Gwen grumbled, but didn't reply. Duncan intervened, "Gotta say I kinda do too."

"You?" Bridgette said, incredulously.

"Big, tough, scary Duncan believes in spirits and spooks? How about leprechauns? The Loch Ness Monster?" Heather mocked him.

Duncan shrugged this all off, "I just think it's cool."

"Yeah," Gwen echoed, "and some things you can't explain." Duncan nodded.

"Ugh," Courtney said, exasperated, "I can't believe you're even entertaining the notion. Everything can be explained, it's not cool, it's stupid, and there's absolutely no evidence to back that sort of thing up!"

"There's no evidence against it!" Geoff offered.

"That's not an argument," Courtney argued.

"Ooh, I believe!" Lindsay interrupted, finally catching up with the conversation.

"Really Lindsay?" Heather said, almost sadly.

"Yeah, this one time, me and my sister were in the attic, and then we heard this noise, and she totally freaked out! I didn't though, and I stayed up, and I looked around, and there was nothing there. It was so freaky!"

"That…" Courtney began.

"Cool story Linds," Duncan interrupted, before Courtney could tell her otherwise. Lindsay smiled, blushing slightly.

"So what about everyone else?" Geoff asked, "Is that five believers, two non-believers? Bridgette?"

"I'm…" she thought, "On the fence. I believe in the soul, and spirits but-"

"Spirits, that counts!" Duncan said. Bridgette looked at him and pouted. He shrugged, "Hey, not having you copping out of this, ghost girl." She rolled her eyes, smiling despite herself.

"Six believers…" Geoff mused, "Trent?"

Trent glanced at Gwen, "Y-yeah I believe. Like, some things can't be explained. Some creepy things." He shuddered.

"You think so?" Gwen asked.

"Yeah, of course. I've heard some real creepy stories."

Duncan made the noise of a whip cracking. Trent whipped round and glared at him. "So that's seven… And we all know how Cody feels." Geoff grinned, "So, eight. Who's left?"

Duncan glanced down at Zoey, passed out on the floor, "Just Zo."

"Excuse me, you have a pet name for her?" Heather raised her eyebrows.

"It's not mine." Duncan rolled his eyes, defensive. He picked her up and laid her head on his lap, smacking her face lightly.

Soon her eyes fluttered open, and as she came to, staring up at Duncan's face, she smiled for a split-second, before remembering what had just happened, and jumped back, scrambling to get off of him, "You… You ass… Why? Did you think that was funny?" She tried to hit him, but was far too weak to actually hurt him.

"Hey, hey… One, yes it was funny, two, we have more important things to talk about." Duncan said, seriously, catching her flailing arm as she tried to hit him.

"Huh?" she said, calming down.

"Do you believe in ghosts?" he smiled.

"Why, is there one here?" she squeaked, falling over backwards, then looking around, as many of the others chuckled along.

"Hey, nine to two…" Geoff pondered, "You were saying Heather?"

Heather looked around, "You're all insane."

Courtney sighed, then immediately yawned, "Can… Can we sleep now?"

Duncan grinned, "Sure. I'll grab the sleeping bags."

Duncan raced out to his car, and the others were left in silence for a minute. "He'll probably need help." Geoff spoke up.

"Yeah, of course." DJ agreed, getting up. The two friends left to help.

"He better have enough." Heather said, "I am not sharing."

"Oh? You and Cody seemed to be really hitting it off," Gwen smirked.

"Leave it." she hissed back, "I'm sure you'd be more than happy to share."

"Oh?" Gwen raised on eyebrow.

"With Trent. Clearly."

"I guess." Gwen sighed, dreamily. Heather pretended to gag.

"I yeah, I'm not sharing either." Courtney said, and Lindsay and Bridgette nodded along.

"Sure." Heather rolled her eyes.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Courtney asked, becoming aggressive.

"You think I haven't seen the eyes you've all been shooting Duncan. One, gross. Have some standards."

"I was certainly not shooting eyes!" Courtney complained, "I am not interested. At all!"

"Of course." Heather said, apologetically, "That's why he's on the cover of the school paper every week."

"That's 'cause you're all boring. Duncan's the only person around here who actually does anything."

"Plus, whenever you interview the team, who do you go to?"

"The captain, duh!"

Lindsay giggled, "Nah, you're interested. We all know. We've all known for years, why try to hide it?"

"Oh, little miss observant here knows." Courtney rounded on Lindsay, "You're the one who arrived with him."

"Hey, don't be like that to her," Bridgette moved herself between them.

"... I don't even need to start on you."

"Excuse me?" Bridgette stood up to Courtney, until they were only a few inches from each other.

"Sleeping bags are here!" Duncan announced, carrying three bags through the door. The girls instantly fell away from each other. Heather rolled her eyes.

"Great! Now give me one." she ordered.

Duncan raised his eyebrows, and tossed her one, "We've got three more, and a couple of mats and blankets and such. Plus candles." The other two guys entered behind him, geoff carrying the rest of the sleeping bags, and DJ carrying blankets under his arms, and a bag full of candles.

"Why candles?" Courtney asked.

"See, dude," Geoff "I told you we didn't need 'em."

"Shut up," Duncan grumbled, "we can light 'em and just… Light the room."

"I guess Cody'll need a nightlight." Gwen said.

"Hey…" Cody said, coming out of the bathroom.

"Shut up, pisspants." Duncan called out. He looked down at himself in shame.

"Leave him be, Duncan." Bridgette sighed.

Duncan looked at her in surprise for a second, then shrugged, "Aight. Sorry, Cody. Here, take a sleeping bag." He tossed the second one over to him, as he came over. Heather stared at Duncan in confusion. Was he being nice? In all the long, long years she'd known him, he'd been nice to someone… Twice? When he was trying to get Gwen to notice him, and that one time he had to apologise to Harold. Granted, that second one definitely wasn't of his own volition, but the first time certainly was. And the only thing they had in common, was that there was a girl involved, Who was he trying to impress? The first assumption is clearly Bridgette, but they'd always been friends, and he'd always been himself, like she was one of the guys. The new factor was the new girl, Zoey was it? Maybe that was it. Trying to impress her. The question was why?

"And you too Zoey." Duncan tossed his final bag over to her, before taking the bag of candles from DJ and setting them up, lighting each with his little red lighter.

"Th-thanks." she said, unrolling it.

"Go on, grab a bag," he said, to no one in particular. Lindsay went up and took one from Geoff, as did Gwen.

"I'm having this one," Geoff said, "I'm not being selfish or anything, it's just expensive. And mine." he said, quickly defending himself.

"Whatever," Bridgette shrugged, "I think I'd prefer a mat." Trent nodded along with this.

"Fine," Duncan said, having lit the candles, "Trent, Bridge, DJ, Courtney and I will have the mats. Everyone… I dunno, sleep."

Sure enough, everyone lay down, Gwen, Heather and Lindsay cuddled up in their bags to one end of the room, Trent on his mat, gazing longingly at Gwen's bag. Courtney slept on her own, at the other end, and in between, Zoey, Geoff, Bridgette, DJ and Duncan slept in a general bundle, around the candles, and Cody lay, watching the stairs that no one had wanted to get near, between the two groups.

Bridge fidgeted, unable to get to sleep. Her mind kept racing. Heather couldn't be right, could she? It's not like Lindsay, Courtney and Zoey were all interested in Duncan… It can't be… Zoey has a boyfriend. But Lindsay and Courtney. No way. Why would she say that? Plus, she wasn't even interested. Hadn't she gone over this with DJ just now? God, why was she being such a little girl?

"Can't sleep huh?" Duncan asked, from his position, conveniently placed right next to her. She shifted herself around so they were facing each other.

"Guess not. Problem?"

"Yeah, your moving around is distracting. You want me to knock you out? Probably be easier."

She smiled, "You think so? C'mon then."

He was quiet for a minute, "Nah, too much effort."

"Aww, I was looking forward to that."

"I'm sure you were," he laughed, "most girls aren't so lucky."

"And neither am I."

"No. You're not." They both fell silent. "Good night, though."

"Huh?"

"Tonight. Fun, wasn't it."

"I guess."

"Well there was that point where you ran… And threw up."

"Thanks for reminding me."

"No worries." he grinned. However, she couldn't help but think about how he'd kissed Gwen, and Lindsay, and Zoey. Sure, it was just spin the bottle, and they were all drunk, but… She just didn't think it was right. She certainly didn't want to kiss Courtney, but at least it would've been just one person. Three? It just didn't sit right with her.

"Of course." she muttered, finally.

"Is this because I got kissed three times?"

She yelped, startled, "I…"

"Cause you didn't even get one."

"Yeah… That's it."

Duncan's face fell. It was clear he had figured it out. And, although he thought that everyone wanted him, he was fairly sure Bridgette had fallen. The way she acted around him, this whole fiasco. Honestly he felt bad. Sure he was drunk, and the kisses didn't count, but he could see it in her eyes. She hated watching it. "I'm sorry." he quickly said, before he had enough time to think about it, and consider how much of a stupid idea that was.

"Huh?" she looked up at him, but he was already pretending to be asleep. Did he… Just say that? She squinted, confused. And turned onto her back.

At the crack of dawn, Cody was already awake. "Guys! Wake up!" he screamed, running around the room.

"What the fuck is it Cody?" Heather shouted at him, rubbing her eyes.

"I saw it! I saw the ghost!"

DJ shot up, "Where? Ghost?" Lindsay screamed.

"Oh come on guys…" Courtney said, but she was completely drowned out by the hysteria whipped up, as Geoff got up, and started questioning Cody, and DJ began freaking out.

"... What?" Duncan yawned, sitting up.

"Huh?" Bridgette wheezed, removing her arm from around him, and rolling over. She blinked, and looked over at Duncan, who was equally surprised. "Um…"

"I won't say anything if you don't…" he whispered.

She smiled at him, "Sure."

Heather glanced over, disappointed at the hysteria, and caught them. She grinned evilly, sure she could use this somehow.

"I… I think we should leave…" Cody whined, holding onto Gwen's arm.

Gwen rolled her eyes, and plucked Cody off of her arm, "Whatever. I could go home."

"Sure," Trent agreed.

"Let's get out of here now!" DJ screamed, leading the charge out. Cody and Lindsay sprinted after him, and everyone else followed at their own pace.

Geoff hung back with Duncan, "Killer party, man." They fist bumped.

"You know it." he said, "You think you and Trent have a future together?"

"Nah, you know me, can't be tied down."

Duncan laughed, "Of course, dude."

Zoey shyly crept up to Duncan, "So...Duncan… Do you think you could give me a lift?"

Duncan and Geoff looked at each other, Geoff grinning from ear to ear. Duncan rolled his eyes. "Sure, Zo. No problem. Lindsay seems to be finding her own way."

"Yeah… About that… I'd be concerned."

"Don't be, she'll be fine."

"Oh… Okay."

"I'll leave you two to it," Geoff said, running off ahead to his car.

"C'mon then. Where are you?"

"At my aunt's house. 43 Railroad Avenue."

"I… Think I know it… Sure." Duncan stepped up to his car, and opened the passenger side door, "After you."

Zoey blushed, "Thank you."

They got in, and Duncan flipped the radio on. The sharp noise caused Zoey to grab her ears, and bend over. "Ooh, sorry," he turned it off, "first hangover?"

"I… I guess," she winced.

"You'll get used to it," he stated, matter-of-factly as they pulled away.

"I don't plan to." she moaned. He laughed.

For most of the time, they drove in silence, until about five minutes from their destination, when Duncan asked, "So, you have a good time last night?"

"I… I think?" she said, holding her forehead.

Oh, she doesn't remember, he thought. Doesn't remember the kiss. He wasn't gonna let her know, then. No way. "Ah, you know. That's how it is."

"Is it?"

"Alcohol. What happens." he shrugged, "Nothing really happened. Just played a few games. Told a few scary stories. Cody pissed himself."

"Oh my, is he okay?" Zoey said, sitting up.

"Uh… Yeah. He was just scared."

"Was I?"

"I couldn't tell," he said, and she relaxed slightly, "you were passed out."

"I was?" she asked, worried.

"Yeah," he chuckled, "you fainted. To be fair, my story was, of course, super scary."

"Of course." she turned to the window.

Duncan furrowed his brow. Of course, she was just as withdrawn as before. Even after all that. That kind of defeated the whole point of taking her. "Didn't you at least enjoy getting to know new people? Get out of your comfort zone? Be away from…"

"Mike…" she snapped, turning back. She immediately softened, however, "I guess. It was fun meeting your friends. Most of them were cool. I guess… And Mike was annoying me yesterday…

"Oh?"

Zoey rolled her eyes, almost not believing how she was about to inflate his ego, "Yeah… He wouldn't stop complaining about you."

"Oh." Duncan grinned, "Of course."

"And… Honestly, Duncan… Thank you, it was fun."

"You're welcome. It was fun having you."

They turned to each other, and smiled. "There it is." Zoey said, almost sadly.

"I know, I've been driving," he smirked. She sighed, but smiled despite herself.

He parked, and she got out, then walked around to the driver's side window. He rolled it down, "Miss me already?"

"Thank you, Duncan." she ignored him, "I had fun."

"Hey, you already said that, so I'm not gonna say you're welcome again."

"Whatever. See you around." she began to walk to the door

"Yeah… Sure. Call me."

"I might." she called back, turning to wave, before pushing the door open. Duncan sat alone in his car for a full thirty seconds. Then he grinned, and started the engine, and set upon driving home.

*Author's Note*

So, thanks for reading again, if indeed you still are. I tried something new here, and I intend to continue with these flips of points of view and characters' feelings. Again, review if you have any ideas, ((constructive)) criticism, feedback, you know. I'm having a lot of fun writing this, and I get that it's a little long, but I hope people actually take the time. Share it if you want. Recommend. So, that was it. Hope you enjoyed! Thank you. I love writing in general, but having an audience, and knowing I have an audience is fulfilling, and kinda helps. Okay, yeah, that's it. See you next time hopefully.