I don’t want to sound mean, but Jude’s almost a caricature of the phrase “principal’s son”. His school uniform is always neat and ironed, and he walks around with his nose in the air. I haven’t spoken to him a lot, but every time I have, I get the impression that he thinks we’re country hicks.
I bet he’s never broken a rule in his life.
This is the first time I’ve seen him at a party. In fact, this is the first time I’ve seen him out of his school uniform. He’s wearing black jeans and a forest green jumper. His brown hair looks the same as it does at school, though. Styled with a middle part, carefully combed waves framing his face.
Now, he gestures at the fridge impatiently.
Right. Lily and I are in the way. We shuffle and watch in silence as he opens it, looks inside, and then closes it. I’d say he looks annoyed, but that’s how he always looks.
“Are you looking for something?” Lily asks.
Jude glances at her. “I’m looking for water.”
“You can use the tap,” I say.
Jude’s eyes flick to me. He doesn’t speak, but I can read what he’s communicating with his eyes.I know that, you dumb oaf.
“I like cold water,” he announces imperiously.
Okay. Fussy much?
“There’s ice here,” Lily says, leaning down to open the freezer under the fridge.
Jude hesitates, then picks out a glass from the kitchen shelf and fills it up with ice. He adds some tap water, and then he walks off in the direction of the rumpus room, where the music is coming from, and people are dancing drunkenly.
“He doesn’t have to be so rude,” I mutter.
“Come on,” Lily says, nudging me. “He’s not that bad.”
Maybe not, but people like that really bother me. The world would be a far pleasanter place if people could put in a tiny bit more effort to be nicer to each other.
I wonder why Ethan invited him, but knowing Ethan, he probably invited everyone in our year.
“Come on,” Lily says. “You want to sit down somewhere?”
She gently and totally appropriately touches my arm, but that directs all of my attention to The Lily Problem. I can’t sit down with her. In fact, I can’t be alone with her at all.
I first noticed The Lily Problem (I’m aware it’s rude to call it that, but it’s the only name I can think of) at the start of this year, although it’s probably been going on for much longer since Ethan and Mimi started dating. That’s when we all started to hang out more often, and everything was fine until I realized Lily was giving me more and more attention.
At first, I tried to solve it the same way I solved all of my problems: by ignoring it. But then Ethan started to ask mewhether I had the hots for anyone and whether I thought I could juggle a relo with Year 12.
The answer is no. I don’t want a relationship. All I want is for this year to go as smoothly as possible, to graduate high school, and then move away from this rural town.
Thankfully, I’m saved from answering Lily's question when Ricky, another mate, yells my name. “Oi, Aaron, get over here! We’re playing the Switch, and I’ve saved a controller just for you, so ya better be grateful.”
I give Lily an apologetic wince-smile, then head over to Ricky, trying not to feel too guilty. However, as soon as I’m seated on the couch in front of the TV, playing Smash, all my discomfort washes away. Parties? Not my favourite. Video games are pretty fun, though.
Of course, I’m only granted a temporary reprieve until it ticks past midnight and Ricky decides it’s time for somerealpartying. He’s not the only one. Everyone looks drunker and happier, and the music has grown impossibly louder. I’m dragged into the rumpus room, which is crammed like a mosh pit, and am shoulder to shoulder with Ricky and Ethan as they dance, banging their head aggressively to the bass-filled music.
When Ricky and Ethan insist on shots, I follow them obediently, but only take one, whereas they take three. It doesn’t really affect me since I’m a heavyweight. My great-aunt calls me “robust”, and I’m not sure whether she’s being passive-aggressive, but my friends call me “beefy” in a complimentary way.
Soon, I’m dragged back to the squishy throng of people.
Alright, Aaron. You can pretend to enjoy this, just for fifteen minutes. Come on, paste on a smile. You can do it.
Mimi and Lily join us, and when Lily waves at me, I give her a closed-mouth smile.
She leans over and says something, but with the music and everyone singing at the top of their voices, I can’t hear.
