Page 2 of Life of the Party

“Oh, yeah.” I groaned. “I felt so sick yesterday.”

“Is that why you didn’t call?”

“Oh, did I say I would?” I couldn’t remember. “I’m sorry.”

“No problem.”

We drove in silence for a moment. I gazed at Riley from the corner of my eye.

I’d known him since kindergarten. He was without a doubt my best friend in the whole world, better than any girlfriend I’d ever had, someone who really understood me and didn’t judge me and someone I had tons of fun with without the petty, trivial shit that accompanies most high school relationships. We were totally accepting of each other, no matter what.

Something was up with him that morning, I could tell. He looked different. His hair was dark, short, messy curls, but he’d styled it special. He was wearing his good shirt, too, the one he usually saved for going out on the weekends.

I leaned closer and took a whiff, inhaling the deep scent of men’s cologne.

“You smell good today, Ry. Who’s the girl?” He was too easy to figure out.

“What do you mean?”

“The girl you’re so dolled up for? Who is it?”

“You don’t remember.” He realized, blinking in surprise. “…I guess that makes sense. You were a fucking mess the other night.”

“Oh. I know…” I groaned again. “I can remember up until the quaalude, and then everything goes black.” I laughed. “Why, did you hook up with someone? I’m so pissed I can’t remember. Who was it?”

“It was…nobody.” He mumbled. “No one you know.”

“Was she hot?”

“Yeah.”

“Really?” I laughed and groaned. “Who brings ‘ludes to a party anyway? This isn’t nineteen seventy-four, and we’re not in California.”

“No. Whotakes‘ludes at a party?” Riley admonished, shaking his head at me. “That guy was a total creep, Mac. And mixing that shit with alcohol can really mess you up.”

“Like you can talk.” I chuckled, rolling my eyes. “So, do I get to meet her?”

“No.” Riley shook his head. “And you know why, Mac.”

I did. I knew exactly what he was talking about.

Something came over me every time Riley was with a girl, not exactly jealousy but…possession, almost. I’ve always tried to be a good supportive friend and accept his new relationships, but as soon as he starts getting close to someone else, I panic at the thought of losing my best friend to the claws of a she-devil who will occupy all his time and energy. Afraid he’ll fall so hard for one of these girls that I’ll be out of the picture indefinitely. It wasn’t like I wanted him for myself…Riley was like my brother.

I just didn’t want him with anyone else, either.

Super selfish. Yep, that’s me. I glanced over at him, smiling at the sight. Riley was good-looking; I couldn’t blame the girls for wanting him. He was special too, loyal and caring, one of the good ones. I guess I knew it was only a matter of time before some girl took my place in his life, but I wanted to avoid that for as long as possible.

I sighed and changed the subject. “Man, Mitch won’t get over this whole job kick he’s on,” I complained. “They want me to take a job at the hospital, just like Marcy. Mom was ecstatic at the idea. Can you imagine?

“You could get a job at the restaurant.” Riley offered. “They’re always hiring there.”

I laughed outright. “Yeah, okay. The only place worse than the hospital would be a restaurant. I don’t know how you do it. Customer service? No thanks.”

“What do you want to do then?”

“I don’t know.” I flicked my cigarette out the window. “Be a bum? Laze around?”

Riley laughed. “How would you support all your habits?”

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