Chase & Adrienne

29

CHASE

SATURDAY NIGHT

I love my friends. I really do. 9 times out of 10, they have my best interest in mind, and they have my back. For an example, please see the night when Andre helped me with Luke after the North Stone game. Now, amidst these superhero friend moments, there is the single time out of ten metaphorical times where my friend's intentions fall a bit flat. Tonight is one of those times. 

I can't go to the dance tonight per Mr. Saiz's orders, so I was planning to sit at home, alone, with only my XBOX for company. My parents plan date night in accordance with my school activities, assuming I won't be missing them because I'll be out of the house myself. I don't mind though. My console's all set up, my sweatpants are on, and I'm ready to start my solitary night in. With an hour left until the dance starts, I hear a very enthusiastic knock on my front door. This confuses me. The median age of my neighbors is somewhere around 65, and 7:30 is about the time most of them start hitting the hay. I set my controller down on the couch carefully and go to the door. I straighten out my wrinkled T-shirt before I answer it. 

When I open the door, my porch is loaded up with 8 people. Danny, Andre, Renee, and Carmen, all coupled off with their respective dates, smile at me through my screen door. What are you guys doing here? I try to say with my eyes. They don't catch the hint. 

"Let us in!" Renee prods me through the screen, her voice just slightly muffled. I open the door hesitantly. They pour into my living room. 

All of the guys give me high-fives and fist bumps. Renee and Carmen hug me gleefully. The other two girls just give me shy smiles. 

I pull Danny aside. "What are you guys doing here, man?" He kind of shrugs, jabbing his thumb in Carmen's direction. 

"Her idea, not mine."

I mosey on over to Carmen, trying to keep my cool. Why couldn't they just let me sulk in peace? I'm still recovering from the trauma of walking in on Luke and Adrienne yesterday. Who knows if I'll ever truly get over it?

"Hey, Carmen." I touch her arm. She turns to me. "Whatcha guys doing here?"

"Oh," she blurts, as if she's nearly forgotten what she's doing in my house. "Well, I felt bad for you being here all by yourself on such a big night, so I suggested we take pictures over here. Your staircase is really nice, and I figured you'd wanna see us off!"

She couldn't be more wrong, but I don't have the heart to tell her this. Instead, I breathe in and out through my nose audibly and force a smile.

"Thanks for thinking of me," I utter. Carmen gives me a big smile. 

Everyone practically throws their phones at me during the staircase picture, one that showcases everyone. I get regular photos, Snapchat photos, vertical and landscape-oriented, and more on all 8 cell phones. The blurry ones are redone. It takes so freaking long. I decide then and there that I will never be a photographer. It's so frustrating. 

After that, I take couple photos. Andre actually got Samantha--yes, student body president Samantha--to come with him tonight. I guess he has cred because he's a starter for basketball. Samantha is primed and proper to the max, especially tonight. Imagine a girl who wears things like sweaters and scarves and cardigans daily. A girl who irons every single article of clothing she owns, even socks. A girl whose life is so impossibly put together, it puts you to shame every time you look at her. Andre's in for a long night. She's nice and all. Don't get me wrong. She's just...a lot to handle. Her dress is this creamy shade of pink, and everything matches perfectly, including Andre's tie, the corsage, and the ribbon on the boutonniere. I try not to snicker at Andre's pink tie. In all of their pictures, Samantha looks absolutely flawless, like her entire face is sparkling. In half of them, Andre's eyes are closed. I choose to break this news to both of them later. 

Renee ended up going with this guy named Josiah. He was really geeky in middle school, but he's really come into his own. He's really smart without being nerdy, a combination too many kids at our school have just failed at mastering. He's a cool dude. I was lab partners with him last year. I got an A. They look good together. Renee looks happy. From the joking and the respectfully distant photo posing, I assume they're just going as friends, but you never know. Who knows what "just friends" even means at this point.

Originally, Danny refused to go to the dance at all. Renee and Carmen, of course, suckered him into all of the hype. He finally asked this cute girl Desiree to go with him. They do mock trial together. She's incredibly outgoing, and their photos are a lot less serious than everyone else's. I relax a little bit with them. I'm grateful. 

Finally, I take Carmen's pictures with Stephen. I'm not gonna lie. Carmen looks beautiful. She's got on this long, black dress that's tight down to the knees and then fans out a little bit. It puffs out when she spins. It's sparkly, but only when the light hits it a certain way. As a guy, this completely baffles me. Still, I'm impressed. Stephen talks sports with me as I take their pictures. I don't mind having him over here. He's a nice guy, and he's someone who I can count on to take my side during arguments with Luke. Even though I'm unsure about my feelings for Carmen, if she has to go with someone, a part of me is grateful it's a good guy like Stephen. At least I don't have to worry the way I just can't stop worrying about Adrienne with Luke. 

After what feels like hours later, the pictures are finally done. Everyone thanks me profusely. I try to be accepting of it. I'm not gonna lie though. I'm relieved when everyone starts heading out. Carmen hugs me tight before she goes, whispering in my ear, "I'm gonna miss you tonight."

"Let yourself have fun," I respond. "Don't hold back for me."

Andre and Samantha are the last out the door. He tells her to wait in the car, handing her his keys. 

"So, you and Adrienne," he starts, dragging his words our carefully, "are you guys good? What happened?" He has his hands in his pockets, looking taller in his suit somehow.

I sigh. "I mean, I think so. I talked to her on Thursday, kind of apologized for the way I've been acting. I told her to call tonight if she needs me. I doubt she's gonna need any help, or if I'm even the person to call if she does, but it's something, right?"

"Don't worry, man," Andre assures me, patting me on the back. "Adrienne's a smart girl. She'll be okay. If Luke tries anything, she'll snap so fast."

"I hope so."

Andre keeps his hand on my shoulder, a brotherly gesture. "I'm proud of you, man. I know she is too."

I smile sadly.

"No pity party tonight!" Andre calls to me on his way out the door. I wave to him. I watch him drive away before closing the door.

And just like that, I'm alone again.