Party(2)

Everyone started crowding the basement.

By the time 11 hit, more than what seemed to be 20 kids at the party.

The basement was large. So no one was squished together. Thankfully, that was the case. I like my personal space.

I was sitting in the same spot by the table, drinking my fruit punch. Most of the others were standing in groups, trying to talk over the loud music.

I looked around and saw Alessia greeting them and eventually standing near a group of boys. One of which was the guy I saw her with last time.

Bored, I continued looking around.

My friends were with their girls or talking with other people.

"Hey. You good?"

Interrupted, I looked at the person sitting beside me.

"Ya. Why?"

I stared at the girl in a black crop top and tights. She had short curly hair with blonde highlights, green eyes, and tanned skin.

"You just looked lost. I'm Emma."

She put her hand out.

I grabbed it and shook it before responding. "Damian. And I'm just bored. I thought a party would be more fun."

She laughed after hearing my reason.

"Well, Damian. You're right about it being boring. What grade are you in?"

"Grade 9."

"Really? Damn. You look a lot older. I'm in 10th grade."

"I get that a lot. How's the 10th grade?"

"Not bad. A lot easier than grade 9. What school do you go to?"

"I go to xyzx. You?"

"Abyz. What are you drinking?"

"Fruit punch. Want some?"

"Sure."

I grabbed another red cup beside me and poured her a drink.

"Thanks."

We both took a sip before continuing our conversation.

I learned a good amount about her. She was 15, turning 16 soon. She enjoyed comedy movies, sports, and video games.

She played soccer outside of school and played on a good team as a starter.

Emma also enjoyed playing shooter games. "It helped me relieve pent-up stress," were her exact words.

Overall, both of us got along well. So well that she even shared her future aspirations.

Video game designer.

That's what she wanted to be.

I asked why, and her answer stunned me.

"If I can help create a video game, that would top charts. I would have something to be remembered by when I die."

It was weird to talk about something so deep after only knowing a person for such a short period. But it fit her image in my mind. A happy girl trying to live her life to the fullest.

"What do you wanna do?"

She eventually asked me what I wanted to be.

"I'm gonna start my own business."

She was curious what that business would be, so I happily answered.

"Lending business."

She was confused about what that was, so I gave her a short and simplified version.

"You need money. I give you the money. I take interest or I'll take the collateral if you can't pay it back."

After hearing my explanation, she responded with an "oh. That's what a lender does."

We continued to talk for a little while longer.

During our conversations, I felt eyes looking at me. I left it be for a while, but I eventually turned around. I made eye contact with Alessia, making her quickly turn her head around.

Emma, who was beside me, obviously felt the stares and saw Alessia turn her head around. She laughed out and even asked me what that was about.

"So, are you and Alessia a thing?"

"No. Just friends."

"Didn't seem that way. She was staring at you like you killed her pet."

"*sigh, just leave it be."

We talked for a while longer before she left. However, she gave me her socials and number before doing so.

I drank a bit too much fruit punch. Because of this, I was about to piss my pants. I looked around and didn't see Alessia. So, I walked towards Samantha and asked if she saw her.

"She's in the living room with Jacob."

She had a small smirk on her face when she told me. But I quickly dismissed it.

I walked to up the stairs and made my way to the living room. There I saw Alessia and Job kissing.

'How the fuck am I gonna ask to go to the washroom? Fuck, I'm gonna piss myself.'

I took a small step, and the floor creaked. The two quickly turned around. Jacob, the brown-haired kid, looked scared, but quickly changed his facial expressions from a surprised one to an annoyed one.

"Damian!"

Alessia was the most surprised as she yelped when she saw me. Jacob noticed and visibly got confused.

"My bad for interrupting. But I need to use the washroom. Can one of you show me where it is?"

Jacob said nothing, but the blond got up from the couch.

"S-Sure I'll show you. I'll be back."

She turned to Jacob and let him know.

"Sure." The brown-haired boy responded.

The walk to the washroom was silent and awkward. I felt bad. The thought of ruining a kid's first kiss made me horrible.

"I-"

"Sorry about that."

I cut off Alessia.

"No. Don't be. It's not your fault you didn't know. Plus, it's not like you could help it."

We got to the washroom not long after.

"Damian. We're still friends, right?"

'What? Why would she ask that?'

I was confused. What made her think we weren't friends? 'Oh. The kiss.'

"Alessia. Why wouldn't we still be friends?"

"I-it's nothing. Stupid question, haha"

She nervously laughed and scratched her head.

I went in and did my business. By the time I came out, she was gone. I made my way back to the basement, passing the laughing couple. Alessia and Jacob.

'Why do I have to have a child's body? If only I was in an adult's body. I'd be able to go for my English teacher.'

Seeing all these couples made me want to date someone as well. I know I'd be able to date a girl around my body's age. But I knew better than to go for a child.

I made my way back to my little spot. I sat by the table and poured myself another fruit punch.

I scrolled through my phone, wanting to see what was new.

"You're still here?"

I looked to my side and saw the familiar curly hair. "The fruit punch is good and the seat is comfortable." I shrugged, not knowing what else to say.

"Get up. Let's go dance."

"I'm not really a dancer, though."

"Shut up and follow me. It's a party, act a little more excited."

I sighed and got up and followed her. She then disappeared for a second before a Spanish song came on. She walked towards me with a smile, making me really regret getting up.

"You know how to do the bachata?"

"A little."

"Follow my lead."

We put our hands together and got into position. We danced to the song and those around us started recording. Luckily, in my last life, I was forced to learn the bachata and tango for Ivan's sisters' quinceanera.

When the song finished, many clapped and my friends all screamed.

"WOO. GO DAMIAN."

"THAT'S MY BOY."

Emma bowed to the crowd and made me follow her lead.

After the dance, we went back to our seats, huffing, and puffing.

"Damn, Damian. I didn't know you were that good."

"I aim to please."

We laughed and continued talking.

"So, are you the only grade 10 here?"

"Nah. There's Jacob and his two friends. I also brought one of my friends but she's nowhere to be found."

"That's cool."

"I guess. You know any of the grade 10s?"

"I've sort of met Jacob, but that all. But I didn't really talk to him. You talk to him?"

"I don't really know him either. Just in the same grade."

Before I knew it, most of the people left. It was already one in the morning.

Now, there were only 10 people left in the house.

Me, my group, and Alessia and hers. I had already said goodbye to Emma and told her I'd keep in contact.

The ten of us saw on the couches and chairs.

"It was a good party, Alessia. Good job."

"Thanks."

"So, Avesh. Let's sleep at your place?"

"I can't. I told my parents I'd be sleeping at Ivan's."

""I said the same.""

We all told our parents we'd be staying at a friends. None of our parents would let us stay out for long if we didn't.

"Why don't you guys sleep here? We have a guest room."

The five of us looked at each other and shrugged. "Sure. Thanks, Alessia."

I thanked her. If not for her letting us sleepover, we'd be forced to find someplace else.

"Let's clean up before we do anything else."

Daniela suggested before getting up and picking up garbage.

We all followed her lead and cleaned the basement up.

It took us an entire hour to clean everything. By the time we were in our rooms, it was already 3 in the morning.

—-

Avesh and I lay on the bed while the others laid on the floor. We won the Rock Paper Scissors game. Giving us the privilege of sleeping comfortably.

"So, Damian. Who was that girl you were dancing with?"

"Ya who?"

All the boys sat up and waited for me to explain. With a sigh, I explained how we met.

"Wow. She's something."

I nodded at Danny's words. She really was something. She drained both my energy and social battery.