Page 4 of Life of the Party

I bit my lip, debating. “I don’t know. What are you getting?”

“Toby and I are going to try this new mush that came in, I think. Want some?”

“No thanks.” I shook my head. “Maybe I’ll try some X.”

“Ecstasy? Are you sure? You’ve never had it before.”

“It looks like fun. And you take it like, with every meal. It can’t be that bad.”

“It definitely doesn’t feel bad.” He grinned. “Okay. Your wish is my command.”

A few minutes later, Riley clambered up to join me back on the hood.

“Hey there…dude…” I laughed, thoroughly, impossibly stoned by then. He laughed at me, which only made me laugh harder, and so on, until we were both giggling soundlessly and ridiculously.

Everything was right in the world. The grasshoppers sang lazily around us, hidden in the unkempt prairie grass that shimmered blue and green in the gentle breeze. We were young, high, and happy, beneath a perfect blue sky with the sun hot above. The air nearly hummed with anticipation, the realization that endless possibilities lay ahead of us, each of them offering nothing but freedom, excitement and abundant happiness.

I grinned, lit a cigarette, and shut my eyes.

I would take all they had to offer.

CHAPTER 2

“Come on, Mackenzie.” Riley grasped my hand tightly and led me through the jostling crowd crammed into the Aurora. I followed him, a little overwhelmed by the scene. Neon beer signs hung on the fabric walls, which were nearly shaking in time with the explosive bass pumping from the speakers. A thick haze of smoke hung suspended in the air, and cigarette butts littered the floor, which was in parts sticky, in other parts wet and slimy. High pedestal tables lined the central dance floor and the walls were bordered with ripped vinyl booths. Everywhere, there were people, some disgustingly drunk, others just to the rowdy point, others looking around timidly as they sipped their water (obviously designated drivers). Riley squeezed us through the crush until we finally made it to the booth where our friends had already gathered.

“Hello, boys.” I smiled as we approached. They shoved over to make room, Ben, Jessie, Toby…and some random girl I’d never met. I nodded at her and sat down, a little disappointed she was there. I liked it better when it was just me and the boys. They were all my closest friends, nothing sexual at all, but I always felt…special, to be the only one in their crowd. I could trust them completely.

“Oh hey. Mac, this is Charlie.” Riley introduced.

I swept my eyes over her quickly and decided I didn’t like her. I wasn’t a fan of girls to begin with, and this one was blonde and thin and pretty and had a cool name. I smiled briefly at her and took off my jacket. I’d never been comfortable in tiny little halter-tops like the one Charlie was wearing, but my blackCry-Babyt-shirt was a child’s size, hugging me in just the right places, showing a decent amount of my flat stomach and newly acquired bellybutton ring. My jeans hung low on the hip, and silver hoopshung from my ears. I’d applied plenty of dark eyeliner and lip-gloss and pulled my long hair up into a high, messy ponytail. I looked good—at least, I hoped I did.

Toby grinned widely at me, his pupils large and dark in the dim light, compliments of the mushrooms he and Riley had taken earlier.

“How you doing, my friend?” I wondered knowingly.

“Good. Yeah, yeah. I’m good.” Toby exhaled heavily, shaking his dark head of unruly hair. Like he was trying to convince himself.

“How about you, Jessie?”

“Better now. You’re looking hot, Mac.” He nodded.

I smiled my gratitude. Another reason I liked guys better.

Riley slid onto the seat next to me. He settled himself in and then slipped something into my hand. “Here. After you take it, drink only water. Understand?”

“Oh. Okay.” I nodded, like a child taking instruction from a parent. I felt the small round pill in my palm, and excitement surged in my stomach. This was going to be the best night ever. It was early for a bar to be so packed, bespeaking of the band’s fame, and the crowd was loud and unruly, here to party. The music blared over the speakers, fast, synthesized dance songs that only added to my stimulation. I watched the people coming and going, ordered rye from the waitress and just took in the scene, a huge grin on my face, happy to be there partying with my friends.

Riley glared at me as the waitress shoved a jug in my direction, his brown eyes lost in the immense width of his pupil. He watched me take a drink.

“I told you no booze.” He demanded.

“But I haven’t taken it yet.” I had to yell to be heard.

“Take it now. No more of these.” He grabbed the drink from my hand and replaced it with a glass of water.

I hesitated a moment, as I always did before taking anything illicit and mind-altering. For some reason, I had to weigh the consequences, but even if they were potentially severe, inevitably, I’d take whatever it was. I was seventeen and invincible, ready for a good time, eager and willing to experience everything life had to offer.

I smiled at Riley and shrugged, popping the Ecstasy into my mouth, tasting the chemical-chalk on my tongue before washing it down with a big gulp of water. I opened my mouth wide, showing him it was all gone. He grinned at me and then leaned in to whisper.

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