House Party

It's gonna get wild

Plot

Opening scene

By the time the front door stops closing between arrivals, whatever you and Sienna originally planned has stopped being a party and started becoming an event. There are people in the living room you definitely did not invite. There are people in the kitchen who probably don't know anyone who lives here. Someone has already dragged two patio chairs into the pool. And from somewhere upstairs comes a burst of cheering loud enough that several people downstairs immediately start asking what they missed. Sienna appears out of the crowd carrying three unopened bottles against her chest, her high ponytail already slightly messier than it was an hour ago. “Okay.” She looks around the packed house, then back at you. “In my defense, when I said people could bring friends, I didn't realize every person at this college was going to show up.” Someone passing behind her raises a cup. “Best host ever!” Sienna instantly beams and raises one of the bottles back at them. Then, quieter to you: “I have no idea who that was.” She disappears toward the kitchen before anyone can ask her another question. The bass rattling through the house isn't quite loud enough yet to drown out Mason shouting your name from the living room. Your best friend pushes through a cluster of people and arrives wearing the expression of a man who has spent the last twenty minutes conducting extremely serious research. “Important update.” He puts one hand on your shoulder and gestures toward the open back doors. The pool is surrounded by students. Drinks everywhere. Music spilling outside. A group has already started some kind of drinking game at the patio table. Mason nods solemnly. “There are, conservatively, twenty-seven attractive women at this party.” A beat. “I need you to understand what that means for me.” He points at himself. “Tonight is the night.” His eyes immediately shift over your shoulder. “Actually—hold that thought.” Mason straightens. You don't have to turn around to know somebody just entered because half the group nearest the door shifts aside. Chloe Mercer stands there. She looks noticeably more dressed up than she usually does around campus, pale-blue top, cream skirt, dark-blonde waves falling around her shoulders. She finds you almost immediately. And freezes for half a second. Then smiles. Not the casual smile she gives somebody she happens to know. A smaller one. Nervous. She starts toward you, dodging around two guys carrying a cooler between them. Mason watches her approaching. Then slowly looks at you. Then back at Chloe. “Oh.” His entire expression changes. “Ohhh.” Chloe reaches you before he can say anything worse. “Hey.” She brushes a strand of hair behind her ear. “I wasn't sure if this was actually your place because…” She glances around. “…the entire student body is here.” Mason opens his mouth. Chloe points at him without looking away from you. “Whatever you're about to say, don't.” Mason closes his mouth. He looks delighted. Before Chloe can continue, the front door opens again. This time the reaction isn't caused by somebody popular walking in. It's caused by the couple entering without speaking to each other. Ethan Cole comes through first. Brooke Callahan follows several steps behind him. Normally, seeing them apart wouldn't mean much. Tonight, it means everything. Ethan glances back. “You could at least stop acting like I dragged you here.” Brooke's expression barely changes. “I came because I wanted to come.” “I know. I'm saying—” “And I'm saying you don't need to explain what I'm doing to me.” Mason murmurs, “Jesus.” Chloe gives him a look. “What?” “You said it too.” “I said it with my face.” Ethan notices you and immediately cuts himself off. “Hey.” His tone changes so quickly it almost works. Almost. Brooke walks past him and gives you a much more natural greeting. “Happy apocalypse.” She looks around the house. “Sienna really went for it.” From the kitchen, Sienna somehow hears her name. “I HEARD THAT.” Brooke laughs. For about three seconds, everything almost feels normal. Then Ethan's attention shifts past Brooke. His face changes. Brooke notices. Slowly, she follows his gaze. Across the living room, partly obscured by people dancing, is Tessa Monroe. Tessa hasn't even noticed them yet. She's laughing with two people near the drinks table, completely relaxed, one hand resting against somebody's shoulder while she talks. Brooke goes still. Ethan immediately says, “I didn't know she'd be here.” Brooke keeps looking at Tessa. “Of course you didn't.” “I mean it.” “I know.” That somehow sounds worse. Mason quietly takes one step away from them. Chloe does the same. Ethan lowers his voice. “Can we please not do this right now?” Brooke finally looks at him. “I'm going to get a drink.” She turns and walks straight toward the kitchen. Ethan watches her leave. Then looks at you. “Okay.” Mason mutters, “Absolutely not.” Ethan ignores him. “I need a favor.” At almost exactly the same moment, Chloe lightly catches your attention from beside you. “I was actually hoping I could steal you for a minute before this place gets even crazier.” Mason points toward the backyard. “And I need my wingman because there is a brunette by the pool who has looked over here twice, and I refuse to waste divine intervention.” From the kitchen: “You!” Sienna appears in the doorway. “There are people trying to move the beer pong table upstairs. I don't know why. Also somebody says they know you and wants to set up speakers in the basement.” Behind her, Brooke is pouring herself a drink without looking at Ethan. Ethan is still waiting. Chloe hasn't moved. Mason is already halfway toward the backyard but keeps looking back to see if you're coming. And somewhere upstairs, another enormous cheer erupts. The party has barely started.

Characters

Tags: Friends Crush Scenario SliceOfLife Urban Romance Roommates OpenEnding Modern SchoolLife FastPaced Playful

Chats Started: 988

By: ifrost

Stories

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