"Look who decided to show up!" Jordan wraps his arms around Nick and Noah, excluding me.
Luck is on my side though when I see a familiar face. "Alvin?"
He turns to me. "Anastasia? How are you here?"
"My brother." I hook my thumb over my shoulder.
He takes a sip from his drink. "Willow and Cassie are out back, I think some of their friends are too but I don't know."
"Oh great, thanks." I press my lips together and disperse.
Music is pounding in my ears as I walk to the back door. I've only been here once but that was when the house was not full of people and I could actually see where I was going. It's been a while since I've been to a party and now I remember why I stopped showing up to them. Nick always brought me to his because everyone remotely related to football knew me and was nice to me, so it was a nice escape.
Despite the usual war between siblings, me and Nick always got along. He protected me and made sure I was okay because he was the only person who had eyes on me growing up. Both of us were rarely ever home so maybe that's why he feels both like my best friend and a brother. I honestly got the two terms confused and considered my brothers friends, growing up, my family or my brothers. When we moved though, the dynamic became more apparent as we were now closer to everyone.
I open the back sliding glass door when an arm comes around my shoulder making me jump.
"Nick said you were here," Nate slurs.
I laugh. "Hello to you too Nate."
"You coming to sit with us?" He raises a brow, stumbling slightly.
"Later," I assure. "Nate, how about you go drink some water?"
He nods. "That's why I'm over here. I don't want the last time to repeat."
"What happened last time?" I ask with my brows furrowed.
A lazy smile plays on his face. "Alcohol poisoning."
I shake my head. "Of course. Now go drink water." I shrug his arm off.
He salutes and walks off. We used to be closer when we were younger and he's always been the sweetest out of the boys but like all good things, we grew apart. I think our parents don't like each other anymore or something like that. But I always enjoyed seeing him, along with the other boys on the football team. I remember when they started out playing flag football and all had buzz cuts or just really short spiked hair in elementary school.
I enter the backyard the second Nate leaves. I hope he sobers up soon or that someone sober is his designated driver. I see Willow, Cassie, Bennett, and Allen all sitting by a tree or leaning on it. I smiled, I knew they were going to be shocked because every Friday I make a point to tell them I'm busy. Surprise. I'm overwhelmed by joy as I think about the wins tonight and now I get to hangout with my friends, my heart is lit up like it finally has some strong light inside. The only thing wrong is something else that's making that light extra bright, I can't put my finger on it. I've been hanging out with Nick, Noah and my friends, when I can. But my feelings are telling me something else is igniting the fire in my heart, this good and beautiful fire. I thank God a thousand times, I'm not even stressed about finals or worried about Nick's wrist anymore. Something is different, like I've filled a hole. I wish I could run to Leia and tell her everything. But what is everything? Like I said, I don't know. I just know I'm happy. The fact that I can't run to Leia doesn't make me sad anymore. I have more friends now, people who care.
"Anastasia! What are you doing here?" Willow runs up to me and hugs me.
I hug her back smiling. "My plans ended early. I came here with Nick and Noah but then I saw Alvin and he said you all were here. I'm so glad to see you guys, it's been a stressful week," I rushed out.
She laughs. "You can relax now. Finals aren't for a little bit."
I was more stressed out about Nick and Noah possibly losing, I want to say.
"I know, I know," I agree. "So, what brought you guys here? How'd you find Jordan's party?"
"Alvin follows him on Insta," Cassie speaks up and then brings me into a hug, careful to steer me clear of her drink. "Just sprite," she announces when she sees me eyeing her cup.
"We don't drink." Willow gestures to the group. "Maybe on special occasions." She winks.
I nod. "Pretty much the same for me." And when I do drink it's never to get stupid drunk.
"Man Anastasia you should've come earlier. Allen ate shit on the patio," Bennett says, laughing when Allen punches his shoulder.
"Nice skills," I say to Allen. "Where's Maya?"
"Home, she's got strict parents," Allen answers.
"How do you know?" Cassie asks teasingly.
He blushes. "Anyways, everyone else was too tired."
I nod and walk over to sit down and lay my back against the tree. It's rough and isn't the most comfortable but I'm now in the center of my friends and I feel like I can decompress, listen, or talk whenever with little to no expectations. I so badly want to tell them about my night, and why I wasn't at school for the second half. I want to talk to the girls about boys they might like, specifically Willow since Cassie and Alexander are a thing. I think they are doing well, but Alexander tends to separate himself from us outside of school sometimes.
"We're going to go find Alvin," Allen announces, whispering something to Bennett.
We dismiss them and immediately huddle. "So, how are you and Alexander?" I ask.
"Doing well I think. He still seems really shy sometimes but he's slowly opening up more and more." Cassie shrugs.
"Time and communication," I assure. "How about you Willow? Any new crushes?" I wiggle my brows.
"Stop, that's beginning to creep me out," she chuckles. "And to answer your question, yes. I have a passing period crush."
I laugh. "Why is that so real?"
"You have one too?" She asks excitedly, wanting some juice.
I shake my head. "Nope, but I have had a passing period crush."
"Aw~"
I scoff.
I play with the twigs in the ground as we talk about our days and the classes we hate. When they noticed my disappearance for the rest of the day after Noah showed up, I ended up just telling them I didn't feel good and that's why I ended up leaving early. I included the fact that Noah drove me home because I felt like I owed them that much. It's not the full truth but the idea is there and seems to satisfy their questions and delusions.
"Anastasia," Cassie says sternly.
"What? Is this going to be one of your delusions?" I tease.
"He likes you; I see you guys together all the time. He's always playful with you and, let's be honest, touchy. There's no way he doesn't like you!" She laughs like I'm visually impaired.
I look at Willow who nods.
I burst out laughing, genuine laughter. "You got it all wrong! I treat him the same way I treat Nick and he treats me the same way Nick treats me," I state.
"The Nyle is a river in Egypt," Willow says.
I chuckle. "Okay, maybe you guys are right. We are playful with each other, but I know he doesn't like me. There are so many girls his age that I'm sure he is interested in. The only reason he and I hang out together is because of Nick, rarely do we hang out without Nick," I assure, talking with my hands.
