An Overwhelming Party

********

I drove out into the forest for the second time that day. "Where does Neo live anyway?"

He smirked, "He has an awesome house. You'll love it. It's a huge house with bricks and black siding. He has his own private lake. You have to see it to believe it."

With awe palpable in my voice I remarked, "It sounds amazing."

"I didn't even tell you all of it. You need a map to get around that place. It's a good spot to throw a party," he nodded in excitement.

I noticed his word choice, "It's just going to be us though, right? I won't walk into a huge, overwhelming party."

"No, it's just the seven of us. I wouldn't ambush you like that when I know about your anxiety. And I talked to Piper, she should be chilled out from your argument with her," he clarified.

I tapped my fingers on the dashboard, "Celia is still coming?"

He nodded, "Yeah, she and Piper made up apparently. She has a forgiving spirit. I mean, she still hangs out with me after what I did to her. She'll forgive you, I'm sure of it."

The loud music was made abundantly clear as we pulled up to the mini-mansion. Banks was right about the house being something to marvel at. It was a stunning contemporary home with floor-to-ceiling windows all around and more balconies than one person could ever need. Every line was clean and straight.

I could hear the music bumping from my place in the car. "Wow," was all I could manage to say.

"Wait until I give you the full tour," he came over and opened the door for me.

Looking out, I noticed the string of randomly parked cars in the yard that looked like more than just a few people. "This is your idea of a small get-together," I half-joked.

He cursed under his breath, "That dick! I'm sorry he promised me it would be just us."

A few stragglers were outside walking around and through the small slice in the door, I saw an entire sea of people. Immediately, I tensed up and squeezed his arm. "We can always go somewhere else if it's too much."

Peaking up at his face with underlying anger, I said, "No, no, I can do this! Neo can't control who shows up to his house."

The concern in his eyes couldn't be faked, "If you ever feel anxious about anything hold onto me or text me. Whatever you need."

With all smiles, I said, "I'm ready! Let's go in!"

"He lives here by himself?" We walked up the ascending stairs.

"Piper stays with him most of the time. His parents come and visit every once in a while." The inside could be described as an open concept with a floating staircase right dead in the middle of the room.

Neo ran up to us and tried to drunkenly bro-hug Banks. "Hey, man," he said with his beer in hand.

"And the woman of the hour," he slapped my hand and I could feel his stale breath nose.

"Don't just stand there, come in," he said over the music.

Banks held onto my hand as we followed Neo to the living room area of the house. My eyes found Brian and Michy who were playing video games on his television that was projected onto the wall.

I decided it was finally time to apologize. "Brian, hi," I said as I stood in front of him and Michy awkwardly. There was dead silence between us for a few seconds past comfortable. Michy excused herself.

"I'm sorry about how things ended with us. I should have told you about Banks much sooner." He has Michy possibly and we had one in-depth conversation. It's not like we were supposed to be betrothed or something.

He stood up and said, "I reacted poorly at the time but I should have seen it. You were always sneaking off together. When shit goes down, I can always count on having good friends around. That's cool with me. I'll see you around," he moved to walk around me.

I stopped him, "Thank you.... for not being as weird as I am about all this."

"Of course, I'm not mad. We're good." He actually smiled at me.

I breathed out, "My guardian angel."

"Only part-time now," he joked before he leaned down and kissed my cheek. Whew, I felt relieved that part was over.

I walked back up to Banks and Neo who were having a conversation. "Bro, who are all these people," Banks gritted his teeth but tried to hide it so I wouldn't notice.

"It's a party, man!" Neo playfully pushed him in the chest. "Chill out! Have a drink!"

Neo picked up a completely random cup off the table a put it in Banks' hand. "I have to drive her home."

Peering over the cup, I saw that it was almost empty meaning that it was definitely someone else's. Neo slurred, "What is he talking about?" As he grabbed the shoulder of some guy I'd never seen before.

"You know they invented this thing called Uber. You've used it a couple of times before," he laughed. "Dude, your room is always open. I thought you two would be planning on spending the night anyway." I couldn't help but hear but hear the innuendo there.

"Dude," he recited in a mocking tone. "We're going to have to sober you up before school tomorrow. The coach would kill you if he saw you get wasted after two beers," Banks threw a subtle jab his way.

"Does anyone else want to get high?" Neo pointed at me, "Are you down, Daya?"

I looked up at Banks with uncertainty. I didn't want to come off weird but I had never been put in such a situation because, "No, I'm good without that."

"God, when did you two get so lame," Neo grunted.

Banks separated himself from me and stepped closer to Neo. I was worried about what he might do and all the people surrounding me. "Why the fuck do I even hang out with you?" Banks said to Neo with fury behind his words.

Banks was taller than Neo but Neo didn't seem intimidated by him in the slightest. "Because I support your whore habit and I gave you a place to lay down when you were sleeping in a fucking tent. You better step back."

My eyes were on Banks but he had his eyes zoned in on Neo Zhao. Grabbing him by the shirt, Banks said, "You've always been an asshole rich kid." Neo put his hands up to the side and shrugged with a smile on his face.

Then, I felt movement in the crowd as Piper ran over and grabbed the back of Neo's shirt. "Can you two stop with the dick-measuring competition?" Banks pushed Neo back causing him to stumble over Piper.

Flopping down on the couch, Neo laughed, "I was just messing with her man. We had to sign papers to consent to random drug testing by the coach. That bong won't be used until basketball season is over. But he doesn't check us for alcohol. You look like you like that fizzy stuff."

He snapped his fingers like the whole argument had never occurred. "Banks get your woman something."

Piper elbowed him in the side, "Stop trying to corrupt the poor girl."

"Don't talk to her or me," Banks turned around and found me a few people behind him. Holding my hand, he leaned down and said, "I need some air. Sometimes I can't stand that dude."

Before we could get too far away Piper ran up to us, "Hey, slow down! I'm sorry about him. You know how he is when he's drunk."

I couldn't help but think about the last time I saw Piper and how angry she was at me. "Hey Pipes," I awkwardly said.

"Sup girlie," she nodded. "You're just in time for the mandatory girl gang meeting. I'll get Celia and then we're going in my room."

I squeezed his arm subconsciously so when Piper reached for my hand Banks kind of stepped in between us. She looked like she couldn't believe he did that. "Can you part with her for a few minutes? You act like I'm going to hurt her."

He looked back at me and I nodded to show him that it was okay. "I'll be outside when you're done." Banks pecked my lips and gave me a slight squeeze before stepping to the side.

She immediately grabbed my hand and pulled me down the hall into her room which I assumed she shared with Neo. That one bedroom was bigger than my entire downstairs. "Is Celia here?"

"I'm going to get her. Stay put and I'll be back in a second," and then she was gone again. Walking over to the balcony, I could see into the backyard. A swarm of people were out there and the music was loud in a way that made my ears ring.

After a few minutes, I spotted Banks standing by the edge of the pool completely still and looking over to the other side. I tried to find what he could possibly be looking at that intently.

Then, Michy and a friend of hers walked over to him. He was twitching and flailing his arms around awkwardly like he was nervous. I couldn't really see the girl until Michy walked away from them and I saw her profile.

From my briefest recollection, I finally put context clues together and realized that the girl he was talking to was no other than his infamous ex-girlfriend Taryn. Even from far away, I could see the tension between the two of them before she leaned in and gave him an embrace.

Out of fear, I turned around and leaned against the balcony. My breath quickened and I held onto the railing for dear life. At that exact moment, Piper and Celia walked into the room and startled me. I heard Piper say, "Day, are you okay?" So, I must have looked worse than even I had realized.

When I turned back around the Banks and Taryn were gone from the place they once stood. My mind immediately went to the worst possible conclusion and I attempted to run past the two girls in front of me.

They blocked my way and I frantically said, "I have to find him! Please!"

Piper walked me to the bed and Celia closed and locked the door behind her. "What are you going on about now?" Celia asked with her arms crossed.

"Wow, it's a weird day in hell when I'm telling you to be sensitive, Cece," Piper said rubbing my back.

Breathing deeply, I said, "I saw him.... with his ex..... Taryn." I looked up at them with doe eyes.

Celia huffed, "Well, good luck with that! Am I supposed to feel bad for you? Seriously, why did you drag me in here, Piper?"

Piper rolled her eyes, "Daya, I know last time was not on... amazing terms. But, I talked to Banks about it and if he's fine then so am I. Just don't do it again."

She looked at Celia and motioned for her to come over. "Now, we can't have a girl gang with you two on opposite sides and me in the middle. So, fix it!"

"I'm not doing this," Celia said still standing before she turned to walk away.

I blurted out, "Celia, I'm sorry! You don't have to forgive me but can we at least get past you acting like you can't stand the sight of me? It breaks my heart that you hate me. But, you being upset about it isn't going to stop Banks and I from being together. I'm sorry that I hurt you. I know how I felt when I saw someone I cared about moving on and I don't want to put you through that. Can we be cool?"

A part of me really wanted to make up with Celia. However, the more dominant part of me wanted to resolve that as quickly as possible so I could figure out what was going on with Banks. Her lip was quivering, "I don't hate you, Daya."

"See, we're making strides," Piper pulled her down onto the bed and into a group hug.

Piper said looking back and forth between the two of us with a smile, "So, are we officially back together?"

"I vote yes," I smiled back and the both of us stared at Celia in anticipation.

"Fine! I'll get over it in time. Just try to avoid making out in front of me," she said before Piper compressed us a little bit tighter.

I gave her a thumbs up, "I can do that."

"Now, I have to find out what's going on with him," I said hastily.

"Oh right, I forgot you said that," Piper patted my arm. "Don't worry about Taryn. Banks is petrified of her! He can't be around her for more than ten minutes without freaking out. We just got the group back together and we're at a party. Let's dance!" She pulled the two of us up from the bed and dragged us into the living room.

Piper brought us over to the dining room table and jumped on top of it, "Daya! Are you ready to become a party girl?" She turned to Celia, "The girl gang has been assembled!"

Celia winked at me and got onto the table with Pipes. "You're crazy," I laughed as they both kneeled down and reached their arms out to me. Reluctantly, I gave in and used a chair to prop myself on the table with them.

"I'm not much of a dancer," I shouted. "Neither is Celia, just have fun." My movements were awkward as I swayed to the music. Piper looked like the epitome of pure joy as she took my teddy coat off me. "You look adorable," she grabbed my hips and tried to loosen me up.

"Relax," she slapped my ass. I jumped up and down and waved my hands in the air. "This is a party, let's go at it!"

Celia joined us in the weird dance session we were having. For a second I forgot about the Banks thing and let the ecstasy of the party atmosphere take over.

Then, Neo whistled at Piper from the loveseat. She jumped down and sat on his lap, leaving Celia and me on the table. "Is this your first party," she asked.

"It's my first party that's not for someone's birthday." Celia and I walked over to the couch but I made sure to keep my eyes out for him.

But, instead, Banks was nowhere to be found and I got blessed with seeing Taryn and Michy walking my way. At least I knew they weren't together.

Michy ran up and gave me a hug for some reason. "Hey, I never thought I'd live to see the day you came to a party!"

"Yeah, I'm here with Banks," I yelled over the music. "Have you seen him?"

"How are you here with him and lost your man?" Taryn said with an attitude even though she tried to mask it for Michy's sake.

Ignoring her, I said to Michy, "How are you doing? I know we haven't gotten to talk much since you broke up with my brother."

"It's been tough. The whole thing has been so confusing. But, I've been trying to move on with Brian. He's right over there. I'll see you later, girl." She squeezed my shoulder and left me alone with Taryn.

Taryn leaned closer to me and whispered in my ear, "You're new blood. Don't think you'll ever fully have him. We both know where his loyalties are." Leaning back she gave me a knowing smile that told me everything. I was frozen in fear as I stood there listening to her every word.

Out of nowhere, I felt an arm around my waist and immediately knew who it was.

"Hey, what's going on here," Banks said as he looked between the two of us.

Taryn squeezed his bicep and said, "Just talking. Wow, you weren't kidding when you said she was pretty."

He cleared his throat, "Um, Taryn, this is my.... girl, Daya. Tara, Dayn, Dayn, Tara, damn it," he bungled his words up.

"Aw, isn't he so cute when he's nervous," Taryn held his chin like she didn't care at all that I was there. Like he was still hers.

He lost his footing and leaned on me, "What makes you think I'm nervous?"

"I'll always have that effect on you," she said in a sexy tone. I felt like a third wheel like I was intruding on their moment. Then, in a sudden move, Banks leaned down and kissed me roughly and with no real emotion behind it.

He looked back at her and she was smiling ear to ear. Almost like she was proud of him. "Damn, I guess I'll leave you and your girl alone," she brazenly grabbed his ass before she walked away like I wouldn't notice.

He let out a huge breath that he was holding the whole time she was there. "What the hell was that?"

When she was out of sight, I pushed him off me and looked at him in disgust. "I didn't know what to do."

"Anything but that!" My eyes wanted to pop out of my skull.

"Let's talk in private. I'll explain the whole thing." He reached for my hand but anger was fueling me.

Snatching my hand away, I said, "I'll follow you." He nodded and I tracked him outside. It seemed like no matter what he did, I'd follow him anywhere.

*Oop, this seems like a good place to end the chapter.

Why do you think Banks did that in the end?

How do y'all feel about the friend dynamic between the characters?

Please remember to follow, comment and share for me!!*