to the ground on my behalf. He almost got suspended if it weren’t for my testimony.
“Best friends are made to punch people for you,” he said when I found him in detention that day.
“No, they don’t, bug.” I laughed.
“Well, they should. I’m totally adding it to the manual.”
Currently, I put my arm in Dan’s as we walk into Ronan’s mansion. Drunk teenagers fall on either side making out or cannonballing into the kidney-shaped pool.
A loud pop song I don’t recognise thumps through the speakers and many kids dance to it, spilling alcohol all around.
One would think that Ronan would try to wind down the chaos, but he’s betting with Xander about who can down more shots.
If the howling and the screaming by the side of the pool are of any sign, Ronan isn’t winding down the party any soon.
Where the hell do his parents disappear to?
I grab a drink from a server — because it’s totally normal to have servers and butlers at teenagers’ parties — and down it in one shot.
“Liquid courage this early?” Dan asks with a slight lift in his lips before he throws one, too.
I submit my hair. “Okay, how do I look?”
“Badass.” He pulls my cheek. “You should’ve gone wild before.”
By going wild, Dan means that I wore the sinfully short denim shorts that he made me buy on a dare last year.
My lips are painted red and my hair is pulled up into a messy ponytail that I spent an hour trying to make it look right.
I wore a strapless black top, but against Dan’s suggestions, I did put on my matching denim jacket.
I might want to feel powerful, but I still want to crawl back into my comfort zone.
Which won’t happen.
Thus liquid courage.
Dan and I down tequila shots for what seems like half an hour before he starts getting fidgety.
I push him in the direction of a second-year girl who’s been watching him the entire time. “Go shag.”
He waggles an eyebrow. “Wanna join?”
I make a face. “You suck, bug.”
“I can suck.”
“Eww, Dan. Now, I need bleach, thanks a bunch.”
He makes two guns as he walks backwards with a grin. “Call me and we’re out of here, okay?”
That’s some commitment for Dan.
Tonight is different. I’m not bailing out.
I down one more shot. Woah. The tequila here is strong enough to make me spin.
Wait. Am I the one spinning, or is the room?
Fun.
I came here to have fun.
Although my feet are unsteady, I keep going on zigzag lines towards the football team where Ronan’s having his drinking competition.
I steal a shot from a passerby and mumble a sorry here and there when I stumble upon someone — or two.
The plan is to watch from afar. Like really afar.
I hide behind a leaf that adds some shadow to my face.
See, not noticeable at all.
Heat creeps up my neck and my arms. It’s freaking hot in here.
I tap someone’s shoulder and give him my shot. “Hold this for me.”
“Sure thing, love.” He’s smiling down at me. I smile back, or I think I do as I take off my jacket and throw it somewhere behind me.
Much better.
“Thanks!” I take back my shot. “Oh, Knight! Go, Elites!”
“Woohoo!” He pauses. “Wait. Was Danny boy right? Do you have a high alcohol tolerance?”
I tap my chest. “I’m the man.”
His eyes glint as he takes me by the arm and drags to the rest of the team.
“No,” I whisper-hiss. “I’m supposed to watch from afar, dummy.”
He chuckles, the sound devious as he winks. “Believe me, love, this will be more fun.”
Xander uses his shoulder to push through the football players before we stop beside Cole and number thirteen.
I giggle.
I forgot the name of the one who threw the party.
“Look who I found!” Xander shouts over the guys hoots. “A competition for Ronan.”
Yup. Ronan. That’s his name.
“Oh, puhleeze, bitch.” Ronan wipes alcohol from his mouth, his cheeks red. “I can drink an entire galloon and still fuck two girls into oblivion.”
“You’re a pig,” I tell him in a semi-slurred tone.
Ooh and Aaah’s erupt around us. Cole clutches Ronan’s shoulder. “You need to prove your worth, little shit.”
“She’s on!” Ronan is in my face. “No one can beat the king.”
“I can beat any king,” I hiss, rolling off my imaginary sleeves.
“Woohoo!” Xander raises my arm. “It’s on, team. Let the bets roll.”
Aiden walks straight to the middle of the scene and pushes both Xander and Ronan off. “Leave, Clifford.”
Determination pumps in my veins as I place a finger on his shoulder and push