Page 26 of Tiny Fractures

“Told you this stuff is strong,” Ronan says. He watches me intently as, intrigued, I pick up the glass and take a swig of the cold drink. I know I shouldn’t; I should have declined the drink to begin with, but here I am, decidedly too close to overstepping my own, newly set boundaries as I leave my better judgment behind.

Vada is right: it’s strong, but also delicious. I follow up the first swig with a second, and the liquid goes down my throat easily, warming me from the inside. God, it’s like muscle memory. I feel the alcohol wind its way to my head, rounding the edges, slowing the pace.

I can feel the stares of everyone around me.

“What?” I say, taken aback. “It’s not so bad!”

We eat our ridiculously good food while chatting, and I’m once again enjoying the company of my new friends, truly feeling content with the people around me.

***

“Okay, so here’s the game plan,” Shane says about thirty minutes later, leaning back on a chair while Ronan stacks our now-empty plates on top of each other. “Summer kickoff party this Saturday at the beach. It’s going to be fucking epic, okay? So, no excuses.”

“Bossy much?” Ronan mutters, making everyone laugh.

“You guys are still okay with helping me move Tuesday?” Shane double-checks.

“Yep, and then Wednesday are we partying at your place or are we heading to the beach to celebrate Ran’s birthday?” Zack asks.

Shane grins at Ronan. “Honestly, the beach house is probably better because my apartment is crammed and there’ll be shit everywhere. Plus, the bar is well-stocked. And there’s plenty of space for people to crash if the party gets too wild or… wet.”

Everyone agrees to the plan before we finally leave Murphy’s in time for me to make my curfew. I say bye to Zack and Summer, and I clamber into the backseat of Vada’s car while she takes the passenger seat.

Steve starts the engine. “Do you want to stay with me after Shane’s party next weekend?” I hear him ask Vada.

She smiles at him, then places her left elbow on the back of her seat and twists to face me. “Would it be okay if I tell my dad I’m spending the night at your house next weekend?”

“Of course!” I say, and laugh. “Whatever you need, friend.”

“You’re the best. And feel free to use sleeping over at my place so you can spend the night at a guy’s house, too,” she says, grinning.

“Okay,” I laugh again. “But that won’t be necessary.”

“We shall see about that,” she says, and I roll my eyes at her, shaking my head. “All I’m saying is that you’re hot and single and Ran is hot and single, so…” She draws out the last word and shrugs.

“Jeez, babe, you really are pushy,” Steve says.

Vada turns to him, crossing her arms over her chest and cocking her head to her side. “I’m not pushy. I just want people to be happy!”

“And hook up,” Steve says.

There’s a momentary silence before Vada nods her head fervently, laughing. “Yes, and hook up.”

Vada and Steve drop me off at my house. After talking with my mom for a few minutes, I make my way up to my room and get myself ready for the night, knowing Vada will be back to pick me up early the next morning so we can walk to school together and get finals weeks started and over with.

Saturday, May 29th

Ronan

Yep, I needed this. I needed a night away from home, a night at the beach house, a night with my friends, just letting go of everything for a while.

It’s been a hell of a week. Like the rest of my friends—with the exception of Shane and my brother, both of whom are officially done with high school—I spent my week either taking exams or studying. I tried to do the vast majority of the studying either at school or at the public library because things at home have been tense since my dad cancelled his planned trip home at the last minute.

It’s not anything new or particularly surprising. My dad changes his plans all the time, calling home the day he was supposed to arrive to inform us that something came up at work or whatever. It’s to the point where I don’t even believe my dad will actually show until I see him walk through the front door. I’m surprised my mom reacts this strongly to his broken promises, but she’s been seriously on edge this week. So I’ve been feeling on edge in turn and have avoided being home as much as possible.

But right now all of that stuff feels light-years away as I sit in my usual spot on the sectional outdoor sofa on the porch of Shane’s mom’s beach house. My best friends take up the remaining spots around the fire while Shane’s summer kickoff party is in full swing. There are probably a hundred and fifty people hanging out on the deck, inside the house, or down by the beach, drinking, eating, talking.

I can tell Shane is proud of how things turned out; he has a relaxed smile on his face as he leans back on the sofa, Tori in his arms, her body seemingly contouring to his. Shane’s parties are mostly like this: hundreds of people, only a small percentage of whom we actually know, word about the party spreading by word-of-mouth, first through our school, then through schools of neighboring boroughs. Friends telling other friends, inviting girlfriends, boyfriends, hookups, whatever. Shane doesn’t mind. He thrives in this environment, enjoys providing a space for people to have a great time. He’s going to be perfect at running Murphy’s. It’s just in his blood.

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