11
When Nathan texted me the address of the party, I wasn't surprised to find myself standing in front of a huge, multi-story mansion with beer cans tossed haphazardly on the immaculately landscaped front lawn. Loud music pumped from outdoor speakers and people spilled from every doorway, laughing and chatting with each other.
I wished now that I had agreed to let Nathan pick me up. I hadn't wanted to take another risk of my mom seeing his car, so I'd taken a taxi.
But now, faced with the daunting prospect of walking into this animal house by myself, I wished fervently for a friendly face. I'd wanted a house party, but this went beyond anything a teenager could dream up.
My phone buzzed and I pulled it out.
You here yet?Nathan messaged.
Standing outside, I wrote back.
Be right there.
Minutes later Nathan stuck his head out the front door, looking around for me. He had on a plain grey t-shirt, showing off his inked arms, and was wearing those painted-on jeans. His sandy hair fell into his eyes. As he brushed it back, his gaze fell on me. A pleased smile spread across his face. He gestured for me to come to him. I maneuvered my way around drunk party goers to make my way to the front steps.
Nathan put his arm around my shoulders and guided me inside.
"One raging party, delivered as promised," he said.
"This is awesome. Thank you. Now I get to live out all my teenaged dreams."
"Drinking games?" he guessed. "Skinny dipping? Spin the bottle? Making out in a dark corner?"
"I'm sure you'd be more than happy to help grant me any of those requests."
"I don't think anyone's claimed the chandelier yet, if you want to be the first to swing on it."
I looked up to where he pointed. There was, in fact, a chandelier hanging from the high ceiling, decorated with sparkling crystals.
"Even if I wanted to, how would I even get up there?" I asked.
"I'm sure we could find a ladder."
"But what if it breaks and crashes to the floor?"
"Even better."
"I don't want to be the one to break someone's property."
"So you just want to see someone else do it, hm?"
"That's not what I meant."
"Hey asshole!" Nathan called out behind his shoulder, ignoring my protests. "I've got a dare for you."
A tall man with bright blue eyes appeared suddenly, jumping onto Nathan's back and laughing.
"Is the dare something Jessie would hate?" the man asked.
It was Gael, the bassist and Nathan's best friend. There didn't seem to be any tension between them as they grinned and tossed off insults at each other.
"My friend Becca here wants to see someone swing off the chandelier," Nathan said.
Gael eyed me curiously. "Becca?" he asked. "You're the girl from backstage at the concert, right? How did you meet Nate?"
"We met at a pet shop," Nathan jumped in before I could answer.
