Craig
My heart sank into my stomach as I watch her small frame, sink into the pool water. She began to panic, flailing her arms as she screamed. I knew she couldn't swim, and I really wanted to avoid something like this ever happening. She's gonna be traumatized forever. I watched as she began to sink down under.
Without hesitation, I followed, diving in after her. My body pounded into the water, slowing me down.
Opening my eyes, I immediately see her under the water. I swim to her, as fast as possible, my heart rate increasing by the second as I begin to panic internally. I successfully grab her body, bringing it close to mine as I start to swim to the surface.
I gasp, desperate for air as we finally reach the edge of the pool. Lifting myself up with a forearm, I pull Lily up and out, getting her onto the grass. I fall beside her, beginning to lift her head from off the ground as she choked and coughed.
Guests began to take notice of the scene, making them trail on outside to take a closer look. This made me panic even more. The last thing I wanted was for Lily to hear about how she embarrassed herself in front of a bunch of people from school. A large percentage of people. She would never live it down. Not as student council president.
I sit her body up more, patting her back, firmly as I watch her puke. It seemed to be most of what she drank from the night. Which wasn't much.
Out of the corner of my eyes, I see Beck and Penny, running outside, trying to collect the crowd.
"Okay, this is over, party is over, and everyone needs to go!" Beck yells, begging to push people toward the back door, leading into the house.
"Stop recording, dumbass!" Penny yells, smacking a phone down from someone's grasp. "Get out!" she snapped.
Lily grabbed my arm, slowly leaning over, seeming like she was dazed.
"Lily," I say, loudly as I grab both of her arms, trying to stand her up, but her body grew limp.
I lift her body up and over my shoulder, quickly making my way inside, pushing past people as I try to rush to my bedroom.
Once I was able to make it through, I rushed up the stairs, holding her body for dear life. My heart felt like it was sprinting just as quickly as I was at this point. My blood was pumping through my veins like they were working overtime.
I finally made it to my bedroom, kicking the door open and hurrying to the bed, laying Lily down. I quickly got my cell phone out and called Jack.
I waited as I listened to the phone ring, anxious for him to answer.
Finally, he picked up, "Bro, you're calling at three sixteen my time, you know that right?" he groaned.
"Doesn't matter. Lily fell in the pool and she's drunk and she's out of it and I'm scared to call your parents." I urged, basically yelling into the phone.
"Wait, what?! What happened? I thought the party would be over by now?" he says, now sounding more alert.
"It was supposed to be, but more people showed up than intended! Lily isn't responding, bro! What am I supposed to do!" I continue to yell, beginning to pace the room as I stare at Lily's almost lifeless-looking body on my bed.
"You have to take her to the hospital. I'll call my parents. Just go now, I'll text you. You have to stay calm." he stated, ending the call right after.
Just then, Beck burst in, almost panting, "We couldn't get everyone, but we're working on it." he says.
"It's fine, I need to take Lily to the hospital, like now. I'm sorry this is all happening on Penny's night." I say, quickly putting my phone in my pocket and grabbing my car keys from my dresser before going to pick up Lily again, lifting her over my shoulder yet again.
"This escalated a bit too quickly. I'll make it up to you, I swear." I say.
He began to respond, but I was too fast, eager to rush out of my room. I flew down the stairs and through the front door. By this time, I noticed a significant change in the number of people in my house. Hopefully, they would all be gone before sunrise. Or at least by the time I got home.
When I got to the car, I laid Lily in the backseat before getting into the driver's seat and speeding down the driveway.
——
This would easily be one of those times when Lily would ask, "Penny for your thoughts?"
This time there wasn't a thought in my brain. I could help but replay her soft, sweet voice in my mind, over and over, in hopes of comfort. Waiting in a hospital for an answer was such an endless loop. It had probably only been less than an hour, but it felt like so much longer.
Breaking the anticipation, my phone notified me that Jack texted me. I fumbled, quickly unlocking it to read that his parents would be showing up at any second. Just as I read it, they did so.
Something about Lillian's parents was so unsettling. I knew that they weren't born or raised here, like Lily. Which is one of the big reasons they were strict. But they were also extremely controlling if you ask me. To a point where Lily and Jack have to be somewhat fake around them. It's a surprise to me that they've finally started to accept Jack for being transgender. That's really not my story to tell though.
What's worse is that I just know that her parents are never gonna let her be normal again after this. Maybe never forgive her. Never let us see each other ever again.
I watched as they approached me, followed by a doctor. I guess we were all gonna receive the news.
Since Lily's dad is a doctor, I could only assume that he was gonna make this hard for the hospital. She always talks about how he says he knows better than anyone about what they need. Figures.
"Craig." Mr. Jeong said, walking up to me.
"Mr. Jeong, I'm sorry, we just were having a little get-together. She slipped in the pool, I jumped in like right after." I say, struggling to explain myself.
He stared at me, watching me make a fool out of myself.
"Is this the Jeong family?" the doctor asked as he walked up to us.
"I am her father. This is my wife." her dad said, shaking the hand of the doctor.
"This is her friend." he gestured, giving me a sleek side-eye. I averted my gaze to the floor.
"Well, Mr, Jeong, we're going to need to keep Lillian. We found a substance in her system. Rhypnol. It's commonly used as a party drug. Does your daughter tend to use drugs on a regular basis?" the doctor states, looking through papers on his clipboard.
Drugs? Lily would never. She barely smokes weed with me.
"Lillian would never engage in that sort of behavior. Craig, would you know anything about this?" Mr. Jeong turned his body toward mine.
I quickly shake my head, holding my hands up, "No, no I wouldn't ever bring that around her, I swear. We had a small party. People came over and we didn't know more people would come. I wasn't with her the whole night..." I say, starting to feel my hands become clammy with guilt.
"They're commonly known as 'Benzos' to the kids on the streets. It can even be used as a date rape drug. It's quite possible she might not have even known." the doctor continued.
"We can run further tests. In the meantime, you guys can come with me?" he says, looking at all of us.
"We can come with you. I will be there in one moment." her dad says, then looking at me after he sent her mom and the doctor away.
"You have lost any privileges you have had with my daughter. When she met you, she became out of control. She has a future. You? Nothing. I will no longer allow you to change her." he said, firmly putting me in my place.
I could feel a lump in my throat as I tried to gather words, "I—I'm sorry, it's not what it seems, Mr. Jeong. I would never harm, Lily." I say quietly.
"You are no longer needed here. You can go home." he scoffed, walking away.
I watched as they all walked to the backrooms of the emergency department. I was left there. I couldn't do anything but take myself back home. Her parents were always a force to be reckoned with. Not only that, but I know I'll never amount to anything they would want for her.
Whatever chance I had at impressing them, I fucked it up. Officially.
The drive home was painfully quiet. I'd received texts from Beck, asking about what happened, but for once I listened to Lily and stopped looking at my phone.
When I arrived back at my house, it was empty. My nerves finally began to calm down, seeing this. When I walked inside, I heard faint voices coming from what sounded like the kitchen. I began to look around as I headed toward the dining area, following the sound.
When I turned the corner to enter the dining room, I saw Dani, Beck, and Penny, talking. I slowly appeared them, shoving my hands in my pockets.
"Hey, you didn't respond, I was getting worried," Beck says, as they all stop talking.
"I know. I just needed a moment. Lily's dad is sick about this. We're definitely over forsure, forsure now." I say, letting out a half-suppressed chuckle.
"Well, what happened? Is Lily good, or what?" Dani says in a sassy tone.
I shrug, "I honestly have no idea now. The doctor said that they found 'Benzos' in her system." I say, shaking my head.
"That's a date rape drug..." Penny says, hesitantly.
"But how would she get those? She doesn't even know anything—" I say, interrupted by Dani now.
"Chase sells them. Some girls on the team buy them when they wanna party." Dani says.
"Well I went to the bathroom and I saw him coming out. He was being suspicious about it though, and when I went in, Stella was in there." Beck says, becoming more engaged in the conversation.
"Okay, and?" I say, fishing for more information.
"She just was off it. But not in a good way. She didn't seem okay if you get what I'm saying. Plus she wasn't put together when I went in..." he says, practically whispering the last part.
"Hm, probably hooking up, as per usual. Sounds like you just caught her in a hook-up." Penny says, crossing her arms, seeming uninterested.
Dani then looks at Penny, snapping, "Okay, just because it's your birthday, doesn't mean you get to be a bitch."
"Alright, Dani," he says before turning to Penny.
"Penelope, she just means that Stella has a lot going on right now. Stuff you don't know about." Beck says, trying to simmer down the pressure of the situation.
"What? I mean, you would know Beck. You seem to always find her in the bathroom, right?" Dani says, flashing a bitter smile at both of them.
"Danielle, enough," Beck says, viably becoming upset now.
"Wait, what is she talking about?" Penny says, looking at Beck now.
I couldn't watch anymore and I had to stop it. My head was spinning.
"Okay, guys! Whatever Chase did or didn't do, we should probably not speculate because that's a really huge accusation." I say, shutting everyone up.
Beck sighs, "Look, all I'm saying is that she was shit-faced, he wasn't."
"Okay..." I say, drawing out the word. "Well, where is she then?" I continued.
"She took an Uber home sometime earlier. She /did say she wasn't feeling good." Dani says.
"Well, we'll just have to figure it out at school tomorrow. Which is literally in a couple of hours so all of you help me. The maid should be here any minute. The least we can do is start for her." I say, sighing as I look around the room.
It then dawned on me that we bought a cake for Penny and never got to light the candles.
"Wait, actually, we forgot something," I say, walking around the island and to the refrigerator. I open it, take out a round cake with long candles, setting it on the counter.
"I'm sorry this isn't the most ideal eighteenth birthday. But we can end it right, at least?" I say, reaching into my pocket for my lighter.
"Oh guys, this is so sweet," Penelope says, smiling as they all walk over. "Thank you," she says, looking at us all.
Beck began to sing 'Happy Birthday', looking at Daniella and me. I slowly start to chime in, and soon all three of us were singing.
I couldn't help but think about Lily and if she was okay. She's gonna be a train wreck when she comes home.
Penny
After what I'd considered being one of the longest nights of my life, thus far, it was bittersweet to eat cake. It didn't even feel right without Lily. It meant so much, but I know that Craig really would rather be with Lily, Dani hates me, and now there seems something about Beck and Stella in a bathroom.
It kept playing in my head again, and again. I just wanted to stop everything and ask him what the hell she was talking about. I want answers. This whole day I've spent dedicated to everything else but myself. It was no different than any other time in my past.
When they finished singing, I blew out the candles, wish-less. I just honestly wish I were back home now.
"So why don't we have some?" Craig says, smiling, going to grab plates.
"Actually, I think I'm just gonna go. I'm gonna go see if I can see Lily. Thank you for everything, it was awesome." I say, feeling myself become choked up.
I quickly turn around, rushing to the front door. I could hear mumbling behind me, followed by footsteps, but I had made it out before they could catch me.
I could feel tears running down my cheeks, my face red hot. The cool wind was the only thing to cool me down, as it hit my face at full speed while I walked down the driveway.
I finally feel a hand grab my waist.
"Why are you so fast?" I turn my head to be met with Beck as he's laughing softly.
I push his arm down, sniffling as I keep up my momentum. He follows like a lost dog.
"Penelope, what's wrong? Is this about what Daniella said?" he says, keeping up with me.
I try to keep going, but I'm stopped as he grabs my arm. "Wait. Talk to me," he says, stopping us in our tracks.
I couldn't bring myself to look at him. I just want to cry about it.
I let out a soft, weak voice, "Do you like her? Stella?"
"What? No," he says, quickly. "Look, Danielle is just being bitchy, like she always is. You can't take what she says seriously," he adds.
I finally look up at him, our faces inches away now.
"Then what did she mean? It doesn't seem like nothing, Beck. Stella doesn't seem like she's over whatever it is you guys had." I say, gaining my voice back.
He sighs, looking at me, letting me go, "Penny, forreal."
I wipe my face, looking away, "This is a horrible birthday."
"It's literally not what it seems, Penelope. I'm sorry," he says, trying to plead his case.
"You need to be honest with me. If there was something, anything." I say, looking at him again.
"And you need to trust me. I'm being honest with you," he says, looking me dead in the eyes.
"I'm so into you," he whispered to me, placing a soft hand on my cheek.
I look up at him again, still not convinced. "I see how you look at her," I say.
"Like what? What about how I look at you? I'm /only looking at you." he says, now cupping both of my cheeks into his hands.
Slowly he leaned in, closing his eyes. I replicated his actions, feeling his soft lips, press against mine. His large hands, trail down my body, to my waist, pulling me in as he slowly pulls his lips away.
"You need to not let this get in between us. Let me take you to the hospital, please," he says, taking my hands into his.
I don't fight it. He was always so warm and inviting to me. I feel safe with him. I can't seem to get that anywhere else. I'd follow him anywhere if he asked me to.
——
When Beck dropped me off, I was quickly met by Lily's parents. They were going home and explained to me that she had fallen asleep.
The good news was that she was fine. The bad news was that she had to take painkillers and rest for a couple of days. I decided to silently sit with her in her room. It beats sitting around Dani all night.
Quietly, I took my phone out of my wristlet and dialed my dad. He hadn't called me at all for my birthday. That's not much of a surprise, but I could at least get a text. Ever since I came to Oregon, it's like we don't talk anymore. It makes me miss my mom even more. I feel stuck in a void.
I listened to the phone ring, over and over, until I was met with a full mailbox. I let my phone hang up the call, sighing as I sat back in my seat, staring at it for a moment.
After a moment, I unlocked my phone and went to Facebook, trying to distract myself. Scrolling for a moment, there seemed to be a lot of people that came to my party. This made me smile a bit.
Slowly continuing to scroll, I see Chase's name, roll onto my screen, followed by a video that was blocked for maturity. A part of me remembered the previous conversation I had with Beck, Dani, and Craig, not that long ago. It made me eager to stalk his page.
I looked at the caption, seeing just one sentence, followed by Stella's name.
'You're gonna be a superstar, Stella Moreno.'
I gasp softly, quickly tapping the video. I wasn't ready for what it was, at all. Beck was right.