9

LUNA

THE PUTRID SMELL OF NARCOTICS wafted through my nostrils, and I felt my stomach clench. No matter how often I smelled it, it seemed more repulsive. Intoxicated teenagers filled Austin's spacious living room. The hot air made breathing hard as the sweaty bodies paraded throughout the house.

I maneuvered through the herd, trying to avoid colliding with someone, and retreated to the kitchen, a perk of knowing this house like the back of my hand. I glanced around the room, avoiding the gazes of the few inhabitants, and concocted a drink in one of the cliché red cups and took a small sip, wincing at the pungent flavor. Obnoxious laughter flittered through my ear, mixed with the booming music.

Austin and his friends were standing outside the kitchen, jabbing each other, making jokes at the expense of one another. Each of them clutched a red cup in their hands as they glanced down at something on Austin's phone, which he placed back in his pocket when I approached.

"Hey, babe."

He bent to place a chaste kiss on my cheek. The sickening essence of beer overbore my nostrils. I scrunched my nose and offered them the smallest of smiles. Austin wrapped an arm around my waist as they continued their antics. I sighed in relief as I spotted Maya approaching and fled the rowdy group towards my best friend.

"Don't hate me, but I brought a friend."

Before I could question who, the figure appeared beside us.

"Hope we're not late." He said with a cocky grin as he glanced around the living room.

Maya bit her lip as she gazed into my harsh eyes.

"I'm going to get a drink." Hudson said with his hands in his pockets, unbothered by my lack of conversation.

He strutted through the crowd, towering over most of the partygoers.

"Hear me out," Maya said. "We became econ partners and I think he's cool once you get over his arrogance. We were talking about the party during class, and I invited him along."

I wanted to scream and curse her for inviting my worst enemy and the most annoying human being to my boyfriend's party, the same boyfriend who despised him. However, I could never be upset with Maya. She always had the natural ability to make friends with anyone she crossed paths with, even if the friend was a deranged and arrogant jerk.But, he used to be her friend too.

"It's fine."

How much trouble can one person make, anyway?

I offered an encouraging grin and glanced toward Austin and his buddies. I sighed in relief, optimistic that he hadn't seen Hudson yet and that the party was too crowded for their paths to cross.

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