Chapter 33: A Night of Hollow Laughter
Chapter 33: A Night of Hollow Laughter
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Swept Along by the Tide
I don't remember saying yes.
But somehow, I'm here.
The karaoke bar is a whirlwind of noise and flashing lights—
A place that feels like it belongs to a different world.
Loud. Chaotic. Overwhelming.
The air is thick with the stench of cheap alcohol and sweat.
Jason and his friends move with familiar ease, like they own the place.
Like they own me.
I trail behind them, feeling like a spectator in my own life.
"Relax, man." Luke claps me on the shoulder, grinning. "You look like you're at a funeral."
I don't respond.
Because in a way—I am.
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The First Drink
Jason plops down into the leather booth, stretching like he belongs here. He grabs a menu but doesn't look at it before tossing it aside.
"Come on, Steins." He grabs a drink from the table and shoves it toward me. "We're celebrating."
"Celebrating what?" My voice is flat.
Jason shrugs. "New beginnings, second chances, whatever. Just drink."
I hesitate.
Luke chuckles, shaking his head. "What, too good to drink with us?"
Brandon smirks. "Yeah, man. Don't be lame."
Ryan, the quietest of them all, just watches.
I glance at the drink in my hand. The condensation drips down my fingers, cold and slick.
I shouldn't be here.
But I take a sip.
The alcohol burns, sharp and bitter.
Jason smirks. "That's more like it."
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A Blur of Noise and Smoke
The night spirals.
More drinks.
More forced laughter.
More empty words.
The music blasts, drowning out everything real.
"Derrick, your turn!" Luke shoves the microphone toward me.
I shake my head. "I don't sing."
Brandon laughs. "Oh, come on! You scared?"
"I just don't want to."
Jason leans forward, his smirk widening. "Not even for your new best friends?" His tone is mocking, but there's an edge to it.
I meet his gaze.
"Best friends?" I repeat, voice hollow.
Luke nudges Jason. "Man, don't push him. We're all just chilling."
"Right, right." Jason leans back, throwing an arm around the booth. "Just trying to make sure our boy here is having fun."
Is that what this is?
Fun?
Because it feels like a test.
Like they're waiting for me to prove something.
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Old Aggression Beneath New Friendships
For a moment—just a moment—
I forget.
I let myself pretend this is real.
That Jason and his pack are just classmates.
That their words mean something.
That I'm actually part of this—whatever this is.
But then—
"Hey, Steins." Jason's voice cuts through the noise. "Remember when I made you eat dirt in the courtyard?"
My blood runs cold.
The conversation dies around the table.
Brandon snorts, shaking his head. "Damn, that was messed up."
Luke laughs under his breath. "Dude, we did some crazy shit back then."
Ryan doesn't say anything, eyes darting toward me, as if gauging my reaction.
Jason tilts his head. "You ever think about that? About how weak you used to be?"
The fake warmth in his tone is gone.
The mask is slipping.
My grip tightens around my drink.
"Used to be?" My voice is quiet.
Jason grins. "Yeah, man. Look at you now. Sitting here with us, drinking like you belong."
"Like I belong?"
Jason leans in, his breath laced with liquor. "That's what you wanted, right?"
The air changes.
The easy laughter from before? Gone.
Brandon clears his throat. Luke shifts in his seat.
Ryan watches. Silent. Waiting.
Jason taps the table with a single finger. "Tell me, Derrick—if we hadn't stopped, if I hadn't apologized—would you have snapped?"
I don't answer.
Because I don't know.
Jason chuckles, shaking his head. "See? That's what makes this fun."
---
A Night That Shouldn't Have Happened
The weight of the night settles in my chest.
A thick, suffocating cloak of discomfort.
Jason's words linger.
The laughter, the drinks, the forced camaraderie—
It was never about friendship.
It was never about moving forward.
It was about seeing if I belonged to them.
If I had become one of them.
I don't belong here.
I never did.
And no amount of cheap alcohol, hollow laughter, or forced smiles
Will ever change that.