“Okay, Romeo, enough. Save it for later.” I pat his hand, then go back to holding it. We pull up to Suzi’s house. She is waiting for us in the driveway, sitting on the trunk of her parents’ car. She gives PJ a hug and reluctantly gives me one as well before climbing in the back of the car. She is back to full goth attire and looks fierce. There’s lingering awkwardness between us, but I’m glad PJ’s BFF and I are getting along well enough to be civil to each other. We’re halfway to Paul’s house, who saved the day by letting us use his place for an unchaperoned party, when Suzi drops a bomb on us.
“So, don’t freak out…but I want to tell you both something before we get to the party. Just so there are no surprises…um…I don’t know how to put this, so I’ll just say it. Neel and I are dating.”
“Shit the bed!” I whip around to look into Suzi’s eyes. “No way! Neel hasn’t said a word to me about this. And there’s no way Mags could keep her mouth shut about something this juicy.”
“Well, that’s because Mags doesn’t know about it. Nobody knows. Well, not until now anyway.”
“Suz, why didn’t you tell me?” PJ asks, sounding disappointed.
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because I didn’t want you overreacting. It’s only been a few dates after all. He slipped into my DMs after meeting me during shiva at Simon’s apartment. He tracked me down on TikTok.”
“OMG. He used shiva to search for a love connection? Gross!” PJ exclaims.
“Yeah, I saw him staring at me the whole night. I’m not blind. Most people won’t even look at me unless it’s with disgust. It was nice to have someone look at me that way. Yeah, he’s awkward, but except for you, PJ, who in this little group of weirdos isn’t?”
“Truth,” I say. “And by the way, I think it’s totally awesome. Oh my God, wait until Mags finds out. She will freak the fuck out. Prepare yourself.”
“I dunno, I think your friend Mags will be more wrapped up in her own dating drama than worried about me and Neel. I’ve been talking with Latica, and she totally has a crush on Mags, but so does Toni. And from what I’ve pieced together, I think both of them are going to make a move tonight at the party.”
“Oh my!” says PJ in his best George Takei imitation. “This is going to be a New Year’s Eve to remember.”
“Yep, I think you’re right,” I say, while PJ slyly resumes rubbing my thigh.
We knock on Paul’s front door.
“Hold on. Just a minute,” says a muffled voice.
The door opens to reveal Paul’s mom, Janice, smoking a cigarette with one hand and putting on a high-heeled shoe with the other. “Come on in, everyone’s downstairs,” she trills.
“Oh, hi, Mrs.—Janice? I didn’t expect to see you.” My heart drops. Maybe this party will be chaperoned after all.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m getting out of your hair soon. I’m heading out with the girls from work tonight. I’m not a prudish helicopter parent. I even bought you all some beer and wine; just don’t get drunk now.”
“Oh, wow! That’s awesome. Thanks!” I squeeze PJ’s hand. Looks like there will be another first tonight.
“Now, I don’t want any phone calls from your parents tomorrow.” Janice laughs as she bends down to put on her other shoe. She stops and stares at Suzi. “Is this Halloween or New Year’s? Sweetheart, you’re dressed like a vampire.”
“Janice, what are you doing? Leave her alone.” Paul emerges from the basement stairs. “Yes! Suzi is a real-life vampire, and she drinks blood. Do you want her to drink your blood?”
“She drinks blood?” Janice pales.
“No, Janice, she doesn’t drink blood. I’m being sarcastic. Next time think before you open your mouth and be nice to my friends, please.”
“I’m sorry, dear. Don’t mind this old lady. I’m not hip with the current style of dress.”
Suzi half smiles and heads downstairs with PJ. I stay upstairs and thank Paul and his mom for letting me host my party here at their house at the last minute.
“Oh, no, sweetheart, I should be thanking you. I almost fell on the floor when Paulie said he had friends coming over for New Year’s Eve. I never thought this day would happen. I love my Paulie, but you know, he is not a normal teenager. I never imagined he would have a group of friends let alone a party, so thank you.”
I put my arm around Paul. “Paul is the best, and I’m happy he is my friend.”
I think Paul blushes, but it’s hard to tell as his face is already so red from the acne. Janice dabs at her eyes that are beginning to tear up.
“All right, enough of this bullshit.” Paul nudges me down the hall toward the stairs. “Goodbye, Janice,” he says.
Paul’s mom waves and heads out the front door just as Hector and Jamal arrive. Jamal is a lot taller in person than I imagined. Like Hector, he is all muscle, and the two of them make a striking pair. I rush to hug Hector. He gives me a warm embrace and gestures to Jamal.
“Simon, this is Jamal, my numero uno.”
