Introvert

Chapter One

Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a tiny bit.

However, I should get back to the party itself. The first thing I see is a chandelier. Saftey hazard much? You have drunk teens running around and you don't think to take the chandelier down?

I chew on my lower lip as I scan the house a little more. There aren't people making out in corners like I thought...

They're on the couch instead.

I try and seek out the kitchen, but before I can, I'm spun around by Mike. "Corona, if you need to leave, the keys are in the glovebox of the car. Text me that you left. If I'm drunk, I'll read it in the morning. Just be safe okay?" His eyes are a pool of excitement and worry.

I nod, not being able to speak the words, "You're leaving me?" before he's off with his friends. Alex, like I guessed, is long gone. So I return my search for the kitchen.

As I squirm through the grinding couples and lonely singles, I eventually find myself in the middle of the dance floor. And let me tell you, I don't think I've ever ran faster in my life.

That earns me a few awkward stares and glares. I brush it off, as I try to build up the courage to talk to someone.

"Oh. My. God. Ronnie?" I hear a squeal from behind me. Ava. I turn around slowly and smile slightly. She hugs me tightly and raises her right foot.

I tense a little and pull away after a few seconds. "H-hi," I stutter. She tilts her head to one side. "Awh, you've still got your adorable little stutter," she says in a pouty voice.

I blush lightly and look down. "So, Ronnie, is this your first party?" she asks, sweetly. I nod. Her voice isn't annoyingly sweet, and her hair isn't too big, and her makeup amount is even, and her body is flawless. No wonder everybody likes her.

"Well, in that case, why don"t I get you something to drink?" I hear Alex's words replay in my head. "N-no thank you, I-I'm not th-thirsty," I quickly refuse.

Her mouth forms a small smile and nods. "I wouldn't drug you, C. Mike would kill me," she says somewhat reassuringly. But we all know that's a lie. Mike wouldn't hurt her in a million years.

"You look super pretty, Ronnie," she adds. I blush lightly at the compliment. "T-thanks, Ava." I mentally curse at my stutter, my terrible nervous habit.

"W-why aren't you with Mi-" I can't even finish my sentence before choking on the scent of alcohol. "Mike? Oh, he's probably upstairs with Alex," she giggles. I look at her confused and her face suddenly goes pale. "Like playing a drinking game or something, silly," she says, slaping my arm lightly.

"Okay..." I mumble. Seeing as how she was right infront of me, I decide to take this opportunity to ask her where the kitchen is. She gladly shows me the way and I thank her as I take a seat at the counter.

Though, she's not leaving. "Ava?" I say as clearly as I can. She looks at me with all smiles. "I assume that you're pretty p-popular," I start, "so why are you hanging out with me...?" She sighs in reponse.

"I can't be popular if we don't even go to the same school," she mutters. I glance at her, not knowing if I heard her correctly. Before I can ask her to repeat, she blurts out something unbelievable.

"Ronnie, I'm not really dating Mike..." she hesitates. I glance at her. "Did you two break up?" I ask, trying to seem 'comforting'. She shakes her head. "We were never dating."

I look at her shocked. Never dated? "So you lied to the entire school?" I say, a little too loud. It's times like these where I actually enjoy my stutter.

"No..." she looks around nervously, "just to you." I feel a pang in my chest. My own brother, the only person I've ever trusted, lied to me.

"Wha?" I choke out. She blushes deeply. "I'm so sorry, Corona. I should've let him tell you. But I couldn't lie anymore." I can't even look at her perfect self anymore.

"I-is there anything else I s-should know?" I mumble. She nods. "I'm Alex's cousin... I don't even go to your school, I just stop by in the halls every so often around you. Mike should tell you the rest." Tears form in her eyes as she walks away from me completely.

I feel my stomach turn and I think I'm about to lose my lunch all over the kitchen floor. "I gotta find Mike..." I mumble to myself before going on another search throughout the house.

"Mike?" I repeat this as I weave through the crowd. The longer I search, the more I think, 'why would he lie?'. I can't think of a reasonable explanation, when I bump into someone.

"S-sorry," I stutter. "It's alright. Wanna dance?" the boy slurs. I scrunch up my nose at the smell of his breath. A mixture of alcohol and vomit.

"N-no thanks. Have y-you seen M-Mike?" I practically shout over the music. He nods. "Upstairs, second room. I wouldn't bug him though," he laughs before starting again, "he seemed pretty busy."

I make a digusted face at the innuendo and run up the stairs. I look down the hallways. All of the doors were locked accept for one. I hear laughter from inside, and it's recognizable.

It's Mike's laugh.

I walk in, all ready to shout until I see something that I don't think I can unsee. Mike's lips are attached to someone else's and he's smiling.

And giggling.

His arms are wrapped around the person's waist, his hands underneath the plaid shirt. The plaid shirt is what throws me off. I look up to the top of the shirt and too the head. Then the face.

It's Alex.

"M-Mike?" I say shakily. He stops instantly, and looks like a deer caught in headlights. Alex is the one to talk. "Ronnie-"

"I'm going home," I mumble before walking downstairs. Behind me, I hear Alex calling after me, but he's drown out by the music. I run to the car and search for the keys.

My shaky hands eventually find them and put them in the ignition.

I don't have a problem with Mike being gay, not at all. It's the fact that he's lied to everyone for so long-

Unless everybody else already knew, and I'm the only clueless one. I bang my fist against the steering wheel in aggrivation.

I don't think the car ride home could've been any longer. I rush inside and go into Mike's room.

I search around for any clue of him showing his sexuality. He had playboy magazines under his bed, but they look brand new.

I search around more and suddenly reach a chest full of notes.

I know you said you were scared of showing it, but when you come out, I'll be here for you. -Alex

I read through a few more of the notes. They're all support letters from Alex, telling Mike that when he comes out, he'll support him if nobody else does, etcetera.

Then I come across one note in particular.

Look, since I know your scared about how Corona will react, my cousin, Ava, has agreed to fake date you until you're ready to tell her. I know you respect Ronnie's opinion and you're worried about what she'll say, but I can guarantee that she'll be fine with it. But you gotta tell her before she finds out-

"Corona? Why are you in Mike's room?"

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A/N: It's finally up! Yay! 3,161 words! I've been editing and typing and modifying just to make sure it's as close to perfect as I can make it. I hope you enjoy!

-Amelia