"Welcome to your first party".Tara stood next to him
"What should I do?"
"I would tell you to socialize,but your kind doesn't do that"
"Ouch".He feigned hurt, clutching his chest.
"Hey Tara.Love the black look".Eddie yelled
"Thanks".
"You know Eddie Johnson?!".Daniel asked surprisedly
"Yeah.Now come on".Tara went to the kitchen which was still loud but at least she could hear him.
"This is your first party".Tara said to Daniel."You need to make it memorable"
Daniel understood what she was trying to say.But it was easier said than done.He was perfectly okay with sitting in a corner and observing the costumes of his fellow students.
He needed to show her that bringing him wasn't a mistake.He could at least try to do something "radical" or "cool".
He noticed the wary looks people were giving.Their faces all read:You shouldn't be here.
Tara was talking with Eddie Johnson and the rest of the basketball team.Her boyfriend didn't seem to be among them.
"Yo,Martinelli.Go back to the rock you crawled out from".A jock jeered with the rest of the crowd laughing."Who invited him?".The jock turned to a girl.
"Tara wilson".The girl replied, clearly overjoyed that the jock was talking to her.
"Tara".He turned."Why'd you bring him here? Thought you were better than that"
The crowd snickered as they glanced darkly at Tara.
Tara wasn't concerned about herself ,but she was concerned about Daniel.
She turned to him and mouthed."Are you ok?"
"Yes".He nodded as he gripped his knuckles.
Daniel thought this was pathetic.Furiously,he rose and strode to a table.He grabbed a bottle and downed the contents.Whatever he drank seemed to give him confidence.
"Hey David".Daniel turned to the jock.
"What do you want, Martinelli".He said,putting his arms round two girls.
"Apologize!"
The music had already stopped as the crowd turned to watch the altercation unfold.
"Apologize for what?".
"You know what you did".Daniel said.
David grabbed a nearby cup and took a swig.He stood in front of Daniel and said."Do you know who you're dealing with?"
Daniel could smell his breath and it was far from good.The stench of alcohol seemed to reintroduce his nausea but he held it.
"No".Daniel said slowly.The alcohol had already started taking effect."But you're a dick"
The crowd all shouted "ouu!".Daniel turned to them."You're all dicks.The idea of ostracizing someone because he or her is single is stupid"
"Shut up".David splashed water on Daniel's face.
"You're gonna regret that".Daniel seethed as he grabbed a cup and did the same."Never try—"
"BAM!".The sound echoed as David's fist connected with Daniel's face.
Daniel tried retaliating but Tara,out of nowhere and with a face full of hurt,grabbed his arm and dragged him outside."
What is wrong with you?".She asked furiously
"Don't use that tone with me".Daniel pointed his finger at her.He was still drunk."I'm sorry Tara.I know you tried a lot but this isn't me.I don't know how to do all this. I'm like a snail,always going back inside my shell and you're like a beautiful bird, soaring to new heights.Thank you for caring,you have no idea how much this means to me".He said before going past the black gate and onto the road
"Daniel".Tara called out.She wanted to continue but a voice interrupted her.
"Tara,can we talk?".Julian asked
Tara inwardly sighed.This was it
"Daniel,can you wait for me?".She turned to the tipsy teenager on the road.
He nodded affirmatively or maybe it was her imagination.
"What is it Julian?".Tara turned
"First off,you look gorgeous".Julian praised
"Thank you".She said quickly.She couldn't allow herself to get carried away by his words.He was also hot.He was dressed as a zombie with jagged shorts and boots that had holes in them.He wore no covering on his upper body, exposing his perfectly toned torso.
"I have something for you".Julian said, gauging her expression.She looked off for some reason.Maybe his gift would change her mood.
Julian fished out a box from his pocket and gave it to her.
"What's this?"
"Open it"
Tara heeded and opened the box.It housed a beautiful necklace lined with pendants of different sizes but the most noticeable feature was the large "T" at the center.
She loved it but this wasn't what she wanted.Things were far too gone.
"You don't like it?".Julian frowned when he noticed her reaction.
"I do but I can't take it".Tara placed it back into the box.
"Why?"
"Julian,".Tara started."I've thought a lot about this.I try to look past it but I can't .It's just not possible"
"What are you saying?".Julian frowned.He knew this speech all too well."Did martinelli do something,I'm gonna kill that nerd!"
"No.This is exactly what I mean.Why would you think he's the one that caused all this?"
"I don't know.I saw you with him earlier and he was apologizing when I came outside"
"I was with him because I invited him to the party"
"Why?"
"I don't know Julian".Tara shouted.She felt so confused."Maybe I'm trying to distract myself or get over you or I genuinely wanted to go with him.I don't know anymore"
"Wait,".Julian stepped forward and held Tara's hand."What do you mean by get over me?"
"Oh Julian".She sighed sadly."You have no idea,do you?"
"I don't understand Tara"
"I can't take it anymore.You've hurt me and I can't handle it"
"How? What did I do?"
"The incident with the armed gangsters—"
"That wasn't my fault"
"I know".Tara said."It's what happened after that.Daniel saved us and you guys couldn't say thank you."
"You're letting a thank you get in between us?"
"Yes Julian! It's the little things that matter to me.I told you not to partake in the truth or dare game but you went on to join"
"It's just a little game Tara.You're overreacting
"To you!".Tara growled.She had to think of herself."I saw you kissing Cassandra and that scene keeps playing in my mind.It brings back memories I've kept buried.This isn't about a silly breakup.As long as I'm with you,I'll continue seeing that scene in my mind"
"Can't you block it or something?"
"No Julian".Tara removed her hand.Tears were streaming down her cheeks."It was nice while it lasted but this is it."
"Tara,Don't do this"
"Goodbye Julian "