S.L.T./Anthony "Ant" Vaughn

thirteen

I head to Amerie's early so we can get ready together. She's dancing around her kitchen as she makes us smoothies.

"Amerie. Whoa. That's enough fiber for two colonoscopies," her mum says.

"If a colonoscopy means having a totally positive outlook while looking cute as shit, then count me in, Mrs Wadia," I tell her.

"And thanks for letting me have friends over," Amerie tells her.

"No, that's not..." Mrs Wadia starts. Amerie kisses her mum on the cheek. "That is not what a colonoscopy is."

Amerie grabs my hand and drags me back to her room.

Amerie's party is in full swing. Darren, Amerie, and I are sitting on the couch drinking.

"Feliz navidad!" Amerie says.

"Feliz navidad!" I shout.

"Yes, feliz navidad," Darren says. "I am completely, utterly, spiritually, and hormonally done with Ca$h. He's an asshоlе."

"Shush now. No more drama," I tell them as I hand them a shot. "Drink up."

"Welcome back, bitch," Amerie says.

"Hey. I didn't realize this was gonna go off," Malakai says as he walks into the room.

"Oh, yeah. All these people just kind of started showing up," Amerie tells him. "You didn't bring any..."

"No. Not drinking tonight," Malakai tells her.

"Oh, okay. Um, make yourself at home or whatever," Amerie tells him.

Malakai nods before walking off.

"Okay, the whole reason for this is so we can rid your mind of Malakai," Darren reminds Amerie. "Not so you can pine after him at your own party."

"No. Maybe it'll be fine. We can all be friends and nothing will hurt anymore," Amerie offers.

"Okay, look at me." Darren holds up their pinky. "Promise that you will not engage, you will not flirt, you will not look in his direction for longer than two seconds."

"What?" Amerie asks. "Why not?"

"Otherwise, you will never get over him, Amerie," Darren explains.

Just then Dusty, Law, Spider, and Ant arrive.

"Well, well, well. Didn't take you for the house-trashing type, Ms. Wadia," Dusty says.

"I am now," Amerie tells him. She turns to Darren. "Oh, my God."

"Oh, my God," Darren says before grabbing the handle of vodka and walking off.

"Hey! What..." Amerie says before following after them.

I smile as I wrap my arms around Ant. "You do look sick as a grim reaper."

Ant laughs. "You look beautiful."

"I'm not supposed to be beautiful," I tell him. "I'm Pennywise. I'm supposed to be scary."

Ant laughs. "Sorry, babe. You're a really scary Pennywise."

I grab Ant's hand. "Let's dance."

Ant, Spider, and Law are debating whether Law can fit more than ten marshmallows in his mouth.

"Oh shit," I say.

Harper walks into the yard.

"Hey, do you know where Amerie is?" she asks Malakai.

"Uh, probably swapping spit with her new boyfriend," Malakai tells her.

"We need to talk later," Harper says.