Match Your Weakness With A Name

Six? This Is Just Getting Ridiculous.

"What do you say we have a little fun?" he says, smirking.

"Uh, I'm seeing someone, so no," I blurt, hoping Awsten is okay with that. 

"Seeing someone? Already?" he says.

"Zakk, we broke up in March," I point out. Yes. Change the focus.

"Wait, this is your ex?" interjects some girl I don't know. "I thought he'd be smaller."

"Hell yeah, it's my ex," says Zakk. "Geoff, this is Tay, Jake, Cameron, Ryan, Tony, and Evan."

I forget all those names almost instantly. It doesn't matter that much, though, as someone yells from outside, and the door bursts open. Derek waltzes in, carrying a few six-packs and smiling like the fuckboy he is. "I brought the drinks!" he shouts, and sets the six-packs on the nearest empty table.

The entire party swarms the table, and Derek stands back proudly. I walk over to him, because I kind of know him, and he smirks at me.

"I don't drink," he says as the alcohol is distributed. "I win."

"I don't drink this early in the evening," I say, and he chuckles. "Uh, I might have some later, though, if they don't all get to it."

"S'probably not gonna happen," he says. "They are like animals when it comes to drinks."

"I can tell," I say.

Derek nods and heads over to an out-of-the-way side table. I follow him, spotting a set of speakers on it. "Gonna make this a real party," he says, smiling.

The music starts, and the other partygoers begin cheering.

"Jeez, they act like they're already drunk," he says, and I laugh.

"They do," I say. "Let's hope they don't get too violent."

"I've seen 'em all drunk before. You'll be fine," he says, glancing down at my hand. "But they might want to sign your cast."

 "Uh, I'm okay with that, I guess," I say.

Derek nods. "You'll live. Now go have fun."

Before I can protest, he disappears into the screaming mob, and I am left alone. I decide to take his advice.

It works, for the most part. I dance with some girls I don't know and pretend I'm totally straight. They don't mean anything by it, and I make sure they know I don't either. It's a party, and we're just trying to have fun. But every time I let a girl's hands on my shoulders, I can't help but think of Awsten.

By ten, most of the guys are drunk enough to dance with other guys. I'm not drunk. I've only had a few drinks. Regardless, I am more than willing to participate in this activity (although I avoid Zakk at all costs). The guys are tall and muscular and not like Awsten, and they all smell like alcohol. They are quick to tell me I look enough like a girl to dance with them. I wonder if I'm like that when I'm drunk. Although, I suppose if I'd ever told a girl she looked enough like a boy to dance with me, I'd probably have more memories of being slapped in the face.

Shut up, Geoff. Dance with the drunk boys.

The party doesn't start to lose its luster until one or so. That's when the first girl goes home. I don't remember her name, but I danced with her. She was the one who got a bit too handsy and I had to actually push her away.

I wait for a few more people to leave before I decide to call it a night. I can't be the first guy to leave, or I'll look weird. Once I find my opportunity, I make my way to the edge of the makeshift dance floor and search for Derek. I don't see him anywhere, so I just leave.

I can walk in a straight line, so I assume I'm sober enough to drive myself home. Nobody pulls me over, and I make it home by two.

My aunt and uncle are already asleep, and I assume Rebecca is too. They don't come rushing to the door when I open it. I'm safe. I drag myself up to my bedroom and fall asleep in my clothes.

The next morning, I wake up to a pounding headache, a couple scuffs on my bedsheets from sleeping in my combat boots, and an overload of texts from an interesting mix of people.

Jenna: I'm sorry.

?: Is it true?

??: I can't believe you did that.

???: Ew, who are you?

????: I'm never going to forgive you for this.

And finally...

Derek: Are you getting as many weird texts as I am?