The Player's Weakness | ongoing

TPW// chapter seven

SURPRISINGLY, THE FEELING OF dread and minor despair seemed to have dissipated after getting in the car. That wasn't to say, however, that it wouldn't resurface. Just give it a few minutes.

"Watch out for handsy people," despite me being already reluctant and an overall conservative person, Em was going into full mum mode and telling me of all the dangers involved in attending a high school party. We'd discussed: spiked drinks, people looking for fights etc.

"Don't worry, Em. I still remember those karate moves you taught me."

It's true, during one of Em's phases— she'd been obsessed with defensive techniques and had taught herself several moves— she'd pretty much forced me to also know a few for my safety. So, don't try me because I will hurt you... and probably myself.

"Last time some 'hard nuts' from Westside crashed the party but I've got to say, they weren't half bad," she turned to me and winked. Oh jheez, I thought.

"They'd have to be pretty unimaginative to do it again."

If I was a particularly enthusiastic rival school, I think I would be able to think of something a little more effective than crashing some guy's party. But my ideas come at a price (for future reference.)

Once we'd parked the car and walked at least a block to the actual party, I didn't not believe those rumours. I mean, this party was huge.

The music could be heard from where we'd parked the car. His poor neighbours.

Already, people stumbled around his front yard. As we passed, I even observed a girl vomiting her guts out into a plant pot. To put this in perspective, it was 9pm.

It was substantially darker inside and, if possible, louder. But time will go even slower if I don't at least try to enjoy myself. Em kept trying to put ideas into my head of getting off with someone, but let's be real. It's me.

With a final inhale of glorious fresh air, I followed Em into the house.

Several people floundered their way over to us, overcome with giggles. One wearing what appeared to be an excruciatingly tight baby pink dress. It was so tight, in fact, that I wondered if she could breathe like at all.

"Emily! Ashley!" The girl I assumed we knew greeted, faltering every few steps. Her blonde hair almost seemed purple under this strained lighting.

"It's Ashlyn," I corrected.

It's not that hard. Seriously, it's ash then lyn.

"Right right," she brushed me off. "You must want a drink," she barely waited for our response before she bellowed, "Hey Joe! Get Em and Ash a drink will ya!" I'm surprised he could hear her let alone actually understand what she was saying over the pounding music and other shouts from people around us.

Joe strolled over to us, a red cup in each hand.

"I'm okay; I'm driving," I told the girl who had now grabbed Emily to stop herself from falling.

Em accepted the drink, knocking it back in one.

I looked at her in shock, remembering her warnings from before, "Em! What did you warn me about?" Aka people adding a little something more than you think into your drink.

She waved her hand, dismissively.

Wow.

The blonde, who had only just balanced herself, toppled once again. This time, she fell into a guy who was dancing with some girl. The guy seemed unbothered, but the girl looked ready to scratch her eyeball out, that mist of alcohol prevalent over her face.