Confessions Of A Teenage Party Animal (Editing.)

11- pep-rallies and their problems.

Lana's POV

Sitting with my friends (and sister) Luca, Wren, and Ella in the packed gymnasium, I couldn't help but feel a bit irritated at their active chanting. The four of us were students at this high school, and the pep rally was just another way to promote school spirit, in my opinion. My friends, on the other hand, were ecstatic about the whole thing.

"Guys, the pep rally is just a way to promote coming to school. I mean, the school will..." I started to say, but before I could finish my sentence, Luca screamed the last line of the school-made chant at the top of her lungs. The chanting finally finished, and everyone in the gymnasium immediately sat back in their seats.

Just then, our school principal, Mr. Wallace, appeared on stage, he cleared his throat as if anyone was still speaking, we weren't. "Hello, students," he said, "I hope this spring has been treating you well, especially our dear seniors." Ella beamed with pride, being the only senior in our group of friends.

Mr. Wallace continued, "I want everyone to be excited for this year, we have a lot planned, for example, the soccer fundraiser game, against our very own team, The Romans and of course, The Crows." A chorus of long boos could be heard after the Crows were mentioned, annoying.

"We have a school play in the works and a lot more, so don't expect another boring year." Mr. Wallace tried to make it sound interesting, but it was not. "If you have any questions about the soccer team or almost any other sports, just ask Lana Varga." I felt like melting into my seat as everyone's eyes turned to me, "He'll be sure to help you out." I couldn't help but feel like this wasn't my job. After all, wasn't that what the school was supposed to do?

After the rally ended, the cheer squad performed a quick routine, which included my Luca and Ella. We all left the gymnasium in a hurry to grab something to eat before our next classes. As we sat down at our usual outdoor table, I overheard Luca whispering to the group, "Yeah, I think Jaz also got a nose job." Wren responded in a quiet but loud tone, "Right? Like, what do you mean the Portugal sun contoured your nose that much!?" Ella and Luca nodded in agreement.

I couldn't help but joke, "I feel like I just sat at the Plastics table from Mean Girls." They glanced at me and chuckled before continuing to decide the great question of, 'Did Jazmine Hurley really get a nose job or not?' At first, I participated in the conversation quietly, I eventually reached for my phone as a distraction.

To: Sleeping Beauty (no cap)

What are you doing right now?

From: Sleeping Beauty (no cap)

Class, why are you bored or something?

To: Sleeping Beauty (no cap)

Texting in class, almost as bad as driving and drinking.

From: Sleeping Beauty

Isn't it drinking and driving? Lmao

As my friends started a new conversation, my ears perked up to catch their words. "He's a total smash," Ella said, and I couldn't help but feel curious. "Who are you talking about?" I asked, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. "Camille Bridgend," came the reply.

I grimaced, though they probably thought it was because to something else entirely. "He's hot," Luca added. I shook my head in disapproval, not because I disagreed, but because I didn't think it was relevant to the conversation. "I never said he wasn't," I replied, hoping to steer the conversation in a different direction.

"You absolutely loathe him," Wren responded in accusation, "I do not loathe him, he can be... annoying, but he's my coworker, I'm civil." They all raised eyebrows, a skill I did not possess, "Don't look at me like that." I rolled my eyes, they laughed, but continued the game, "Hmm, what about, umm, I know! Tate Hurley." Wren said, referring to Jazmine's college-aged brother, "First of all, ew, he's like thirty, anandJaz is our friend-" I snorted at Luca's statement effectively cutting her off. She glared at me. "As I was saying, Jaz is our friend."

"He's not thirty he's twenty-five," Wren tried to counter, "Who cares?" Ella asked I saw Wren's face, and it looked hurt, "Guys." I looked at my best friend.

"I'm with Rome."

Ten seconds, I counted.

"You're what!?" That was Luca, I was too shocked, "He's twenty-four, and you're sixteen... Wren, that's eight years!" This was Ella's worried cry, "You're joking?" This was my very late reply. Wren didn't speak, "Say something!" I screamed a sound I didn't fully believe was me.

I asked him again, with a tone of concern in my voice, "Did he force you?" But Wren remained silent, refusing to speak. Frustration and anger boiled inside me, as I screamed at her, "Fucking speak!" My emotions were overwhelming, and I could feel my vision starting to cloud. At that moment, I thought of Rome.

I knew Rome would be devastated if he found out what had happened. "Lana-" I cut off Wren, sensing the apology. "Don't you dare apologize!" I shouted. "You could have stopped this, my cousin, Wren! My adult cousin and you! My sixteen-year-old best friend!?'" He didn't look at me, "Lana, calm down." That was Luca. "No, I won't calm down. I'm going to be very dramatic and walk out, and you." I pointed at my best friend, "You better have one hell of an explanation when you text me or call me or whatever the fuck." Wren didn't try to stop me, but that was probably better, I most likely would have punched him if he tried.

✮⋆
Whenever I found myself in a state of utter confusion, I would make my way to the lake nearby. I would sit by the water's edge and stare into its crystal-clear depths as if seeking some sort of divine guidance to help me make sense of my thoughts. This time, that felt a bit harder.

First, because my phone was buzzing with messages and missed calls, from a plethora of people, and second, because I was in utter confusion because of a predicament I didn't think I would ever end up in.

As I was lying down on the soft grass, I suddenly heard a familiar voice behind me. I turned around to find Camille standing there, looking at me with a mixture of surprise and amusement in his eyes. "I thought you ran away to like fucking New York," he said, his tone teasing and playful. Despite myself, I couldn't help but smile at his comment. "Stalker," I muttered under my breath, feeling a slight smile creeping up my face. Camille's response was a high, light laugh - the kind that always seemed to make me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

As he sat down next to me, I noticed a twinkle in his eye. "You ran away from school," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Apparently, it was very dramatic." I rolled my eyes in response, but I doubted he noticed. "I couldn't stay there another minute," I replied, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as I spoke.

He glanced at me and then asked, "Wanna go to a party?" I couldn't help but smile at his suggestion. "You know me too well," I said.