Page 16 of This is Me

“Oh, I forgot to ask,” Leroy suddenly said, just as I saw my other two friends push their way out of the school.

“Hmm?” I hummed, indicating that I was listening.

“Do you know how you’re having your eighteenth birthday party tomorrow night?”

I nodded slowly. I had completely forgotten about my birthday. I had been so wrapped up in everything that was going on in my mind, the fact I was aging tomorrow had slipped my mind. Much to my own dismay, my parents had said a big party was a-okay. Which wasn’t my ideal way of celebrating something.

However, Bradly had taken it into his own hands, and knowing him, the whole thing had grown legs of its own, and it was going to be hell. All I really know about the party is that Brad had managed to convince my parents to go away for the whole weekend—leaving before the party on Friday night. It was safe to say, I wasn’t looking forward to it.

“Well, do we need to bring alcohol?” Leroy asked, pulling me out of my thoughts, and I watched him get out of the car.

“You’d have to ask Brad.” I sighed. “Knowing him, he’s going to want to get me very drunk, so there’s probably going to be alcohol there.”

“Hell yeah! Drunk Pete is the best Pete. Although, this time, you’ll be doing it legally.”

“That was one time.”

“I can’t believe you’re finally eight—uh, turning eighteen,” Leroy stated, seemingly ignoring my disinterest in the conversation, and continuing to bubble excitedly. “You’re the last person in our year to become… an adult!”

There was something about Leroy that made me want to smile. It was something he’d always been able to do, but ever since the game on Monday, I’d been finding it harder to fight the urge. Even now, when all I felt was dread thinking of this party and having all those people in my house, Leroy was still able to make a smile tug at my lips.

“Do you feel old?” Leroy asked, giving me a small nudge.

“Well, he won’t feel old until tomorrow.” Andy’s oddly stern voice came from across the carpark as he and Blaire quickly walked toward us.

“Tremendously.” I smiled at Leroy, though giving both of them a confused look.

I did my best to pull my mind away from the party. Pull it away from all of those people that will probably go into my room.

Fuck. The video.

“Now, Pete, don’t get angry!” Andy said, coming to a stop beside Leroy, Blaire right next to him.

“You are such an idiot!” Blaire sneered, punching him in the arm.

Blaire was shaking her head, and Andy was looking sheepish next to her, rubbing his arm where she had punched him.

“What did you do?” I asked, raising my eyebrows at the both of them

“This dick-tit just told Donny you didn’t want him at your party,” Blaire explained, and I felt my stomach drop.

Donny was not a terrible person. To everyone else. To me, however, he was the worst. He despised me. For one very straightforward and stupid reason. I dumped his sister. For obvious reasons.

A rumour had been going around that she liked me, and after a build-up, she’d asked me out. I had, stupidly, said yes. We’d dated for a little over a day before I grew a conscience and decided leading her on was horrible, so I broke up with her.

She may have cried. Donny may have threatened me. Donny still threatens me. Andy may have just made it worse.

“Dude, this was meant to help mend that bridge,” I moaned and felt Leroy’s hand rest on my back, which made my heart drop even more, though for a completely different reason.

“I’m sorry! He was talking about the party and being a dick, and it just slipped.”

“You’re lucky my fist doesn’t slip again,” Blaire warned, and Andy flinched.

“Please, don’t hit me again.”

“Look.” I sighed. “It’s fine. Just… try to fix it tomorrow.”

“Of course,” Andy said with a small smile before yelling, “shotgun!”