Chapter 8

Will's POV

"And she fell face first right into the mud!" Grace cried out attempting the millionth joke to get me to laugh since we left the library. I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction.

Earlier today, right before we got into the library, she spilled my chocolate syrup. Not just any chocolate syrup, but the chocolate syrup which I successfully managed to steal from my mom after concocting plans upon plans Albert Einstein himself wouldn't fathom, and find difficult to comprehend.

"Since you're not going to do so much as chuckle at my brilliant jokes, I'm gonna do this instead." She said, making me stop rummaging though my locker- ignoring her- to look at her. She made this face which looked utterly horrendous but funny nonetheless.

"You're really making it difficult to stay mad at you." I said, trying to gain my composure after laughing like a maniac.

"That's the idea." She said flashing me a sweet smile and flipping her hair. "And it definitely wor-"

"Hey." Grace was suddenly cut off, making us turn to look at the person.

Brandon.

Brandon?! What was he doing here?! I was still trying to get my head around what transpired the other day.

I suddenly tensed up at the memory.

"Hi!" Grace practically squealed out at a frequency yet to be discovered, making me go deaf in my right ear.

I just gave a slight nod and stared at the ground as though it was the most fascinating thing in the world.

"Uh can I speak with Will alone for a moment?" Brandon's voice suddenly jolted me, making me snake my hand around Grace's instantly.

Speak with me? Alone? Why? What was there to speak about?

Before I knew what was happening, Grace was suddenly out of my grasp and by my side.

"Yeah sure I- I have to books my take anyway." She blabbered. I'd be laughing by now if was in a totally different situation. "See you later, Will!" She waved at me before leaving.

I just gave her a heated glowl (A/N: Glare/Scowl) in return.

The fuck?! She just ditched me!

"Uh... are you guys together or something?" Brandon asked, making me lock eyes with him.

"Why do you care?" I asked him, hoping his curiosity was out of something along the lines of jealousy. Who was I kidding?

"I don't. It's just- I don't think you should be hanging out with Grace. She's isn't what you think-"

"No!" I blurted out, rage now sipping in. "She's exactly what I think she is! She's the only one who actually approached me and befriended me since I moved here. She accepted-" I held back my words. Shit, I was about to spill my secret. I quickly recovered and spoke up. "She's been nice to me, and you want me to drop her just because you think so?!"

Did he really think I was going to listen to him? Heck no.

"Well, I'm not going to do that. Ever!" I turned back and stormed off.

Grace was the only one who knew and understood me. I couldn't just drop the only genuine friend I had.

I left the hallway in search of Grace. I needed her stupid jokes to rid me of my foul mood. I spotted her at her locker and walked up to her.

"Hey." I said, leaning against the locker beside hers.

"So..." She drawled out, shutting her locker and facing me "what'd you guys talk about?"

"Nothing." I shrugged.

"So you guys were talking about 'nothing' for the past fifteen minutes?" She asked, raising a brow.

"Fine." I sighed "He just asked me if I liked it here and stuff like that." I lied.

"Oh..."

"Yep." I said, popping the 'p'.

"Did he-" Grace was suddenly cut-off by a voice emanating from the hallway speakers.

"All students should be settled in in the auditorium in the next five minutes." The speakers rain out.

"For what?" I asked Grace.

"Guess we'll have to find out." She said pointing at the speakers and walking away. I followed suit.

We got to the auditorium a few minutes later. The school's auditorium was quite big, bigger than the one back at my former school- well, that was mostly just because it wasn't actually an auditorium but conjoined classrooms. It almost looked like a tad smaller version of a standard football stadium. There were speakers at every corner of the large room, which definitely would make the faintest whisper echo through the room like a raging thunder in a stormy night.

A few minutes after everyone had come in, the principal walked up on stage and took the microphone.

"First off, I'd like to use this opportunity to welcome all our new intakes. I hope you'll love it here at Jensendon High!" Mrs Ellen said cheerily while everyone snickered at the mention of the school's name.

Seriously, that's the stupidest name to give a school.

"Now, you're all probably wondering why you're gathered here." Mrs Ellen said.

"Yeah! You're cancelling mid-term exams!" One of the populars whom I think was named Daniel cried out.

"Mid-term exams are still very much on, mister." Mrs Ellen said smugly.

"Well...you're considering it then?" Daniel called out, making everyone snicker. Mrs Ellen just ignored him and continued.

"I called you all here to tell you that we will be going on a field trip to explore mother nature next week!" Mrs Ellen cried out in enthusiasm, earning a loud groan from the school.

I, on the other hand thought it was cool. Then again, any outdoor activity would be cool to me. I wasn't much of an outdoor person. Blame my dad for it.

"Now that I've got your positive reactions, you may now leave. And remember, the field trip's on Monday. Make sure you wake up early and be here early too!" She With that, everyone exited the auditorium.

"I was thinking..." Grace said as we exited the school "What if i threw a party at my place, y'know, to let our hair down a little before we embark on the death trip."

"Oh come on, it won't be that bad."

"Yeah yeah. Are you coming? You have to come, Will!"

"Uh...I don't know...my dad-"

"Dad schmack! Come on Will, you're friggin' seventeen! Come up with a lie or something! Do you wanna be known as the lame pathetic guy who didn't attend a single party in high school?"

I guess Grace was right. I wasn't getting any younger. A party wouldn't hurt right?

"What time is it?" I asked her.

"Now you're talking! It's by 5. I'll text you my address later. Bye!" She hurried of into her black Mercedes.

Now, to convince my parents- especially my dad- into letting me leave the house. Sigh.

This was going to be hard.

*********

"5:30." I muttered to myself as I arrived at Grace's house. Luckily, when I got home, dad wasn't home yet. He was working late. So, I only had to lie to my mom about going over to a friend's place to go over our project. It really wasn't much of a deal.

Grace's house was magnificent. Calling it a mansion would be an understatement. It was a gigantic silver-white building that somehow illuminated in the evening sun. There were geniously sculpted water fountains and posh cars which probably cost more than my family's assets.

I walked all the way down the front lawn and into the castle. I was immediately greeted by extremely loud music and heavy smell of alcohol. I shut the door and entered into what I presumed to be the living room. The inside looked even better than the outside! A wide portion of the living room was made into a makeshift dance floor. The building was filled to the brim with people either consuming alcohol or dancing like maniacs.

"Hey!" I turned around and saw Grace coming over to me.

"I thought you wouldn't make it!" She said screaming over the music.

"Your house is amazing!" I said, raising my voice a few octaves. Grace just laughed and ushered me over to the mini bar.

"I've got different kinds and brands of drinks, feel free to get wasted!" She screamed as we sat, flailing her hands in the air.

"Uh I don't really drink." I said scanning the bitter liquids with disgust.

"Oh come on Will! Just one drink. One. If you have just one, I'll leave you alone." She said, placing her hand on her chest.

I was probably going to regret this later.

"Okay fine. Just one." I said.

"Yes! Okay. So, which one's it gonna be? Brandy? Whiskey? Root beer? Hei-"

"Just give me any!"

"Brandy it is then!" She said taking out a bottle. She opened it and poured some into a glass, then held it out for me.

I took the glass from her hand and stared at the liquid before taking it all in one gulp.

Ugh! It tasted much worse than I had imagined.

"That wasn't bad now, was it?” She patted my head smiling.

“Do you want the truth?”

“Nope!” She grinned. “Shit. I think someone just fell off the roof.” She said, looking behind me. “I'll be right back. Call me if you need anything!” She waved and left.

I don't really know what happened but after a few minutes, everything became hazy.

*******

Brandon's POV

"I'm gonna head inside to get more drinks." I told the guys before going in.

The guys heard about Grace's party and decided to go. I couldn't care less about the party or the person that threw the party, but I decided to go because I had nothing else to do. And of course, keep an eye on Grace.

I walked over to the bar and grabbed some root beer.

"S-sorry I d-don't d-dance." I heard a familiar voice say, making me stop.

That voice...Will!

I turned sideways, and sure enough, it was Will. I dropped the beer on the table and walked over to where he was.

"I'll take it from here, thank you." I dismissed the blonde bimbo who was choking Will with her uneven implants.

"Well w-well l-look what the c-cat d-dr-drrr-" He slurred out.

"Shit, will! How much did you take?!"

"Dunno. A g-glass or t-ten?" He said, moving his fingers in the air.

"Okay, stay right here, I'll go get you some water." I went to the kitchen to fetch water from the sink, but it was piled up.

I went back and carried him upstairs. I found an empty room, walked in and laid him down on the bed. I went into the bathroom and filled a glass with water. I came out and saw Will talking to a pillow. I chuckled, going over to the bed and kneeling beside him.

"Drink this up. It will reduce the pain you'd feel afterwards. I'm going to head downstairs now." I gave him the glass and stood upright.

Before I could turn around and leave, Will dragged me down to him. His lips capturing mine in an instant.