The Pseudo Semicolon

CHAPTER 12 || PART: 2

"Do we have too? Splitting up doesn't work well in horror movies." Akira said nervously as he followed Devland inside, navigating through the crowd.

"This is a party, Akira, the only horrifying things you'll find here are sex and weed." Devland rolled his eyes, stepping over the sleeping body on the floor, "And alcohol."

"The music is so bad." He scrunched his nose and headed straight for the kitchen. There, a group of people chatted amongst themselves, filling up their drinks.

"Okay, listen up." Devland turned to Akira, "Drink alcohol sparingly, don't do anything stupid, don't say anything stupid, act normal and stalk any one of The Elites. And if you need me or if you feel like you want to leave, then you can but not without telling me."

Akira looked nervous, but regardless, he nodded. Devland stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do. On one hand, he wanted to leave with Akira, but on the other hand, he had to do this.

Devland awkwardly patted Akira on the back, "Good luck?"

"So reassuring." Akira rolled his eyes but gave him a weak smile. Devland huffed in annoyance and disappeared into the crowd. He was on high alert, his eyes sweeping over everyone.

He sidestepped some girls asking for his number and finally caught a glimpse of Jason, sitting on the couch nursing a bottle in his hand. He looked utterly drunk.

"You look—gay as fuck?" Jason raised an eyebrow, his voice slurring a bit.

"Thanks." Devland sat down beside Jason. The disco ball shone like a prism, drenching the room in different colours. "Enjoying the party?"

"Kind of." Jason nodded, "What about you, Max?"

Max. That was who he was. "Good, Kylee hit on me just now."

"Lucky bastard." Jason grumbled, "You get everything you want."

Devland sensed a bitter edge in his tone, "Do you have a problem with me?"

"N-No." Jason bit his lower lip and Devland groaned internally, "I'm just being jealous."

"There's something more to it than that." Devland insisted, "What is it, Jason?"

"I—I'm just jealous, jealous that you have everything I don't have; loving family, good grades, looks... It's just.. So unfair." Devland couldn't care less about all of this, but regardless, he put the information away for later use.

"That's not true, you're second only to Ma–me, you also have good grades and loving family–"

Jason scoffed, "Those are just pretend—I mean, they aren't even my real family. Why do you think I'm in this shit in the first place?"

"What shit?"

Jason gestured vaguely, "All of this. Why do you think I did all of those things with you guys?"

"What things?"

"Don't bullshit me, Beckett. You know exactly what I'm talking about."

"Hmmmm... you're right. How's the pain?" Devland decided to go a different route.

"It's... okay." Jason decided, "If we don't finish this shit by Halloween, we're all dead."

"Dead? Don't be dramatic."

"He'll kill us, Max—wait." Jason suddenly sat up straight, "Max how are you here? Is this your ghost?"

"Uhh yeah, dumbass." Devland nervously chuckled, "I'm dead."

"Wow, I'm that drunk I guess." Jason nodded, "Your brother's here by the way."

"Is he?"

"Yeah. Creepy kid; really dark eye bags underneath his eyes, looks like he survives on caffeine and spite." Jason shook his head, "He's a proper two-faced brat. Just like us. He's also hanging around Fukumoto often, you know? The stray you picked up?"

Devland was slightly surprised at how clearly Jason had seen through him despite their few interactions and what was that last line?

"Ahhh Fukumoto, I know him. Nice kid." Devland improvised.

"I don't like Fukumoto—too spineless and obedient. He's also... not our type you know?"

Devland wanted to rip Jason limb-from-limb but restrained himself. When he saw Todd coming towards him, he immediately changed tactics. "Hey Jason! You high or what?"

"Max?"

"No dumbass, it's me, Devland." The boy shook Jason roughly as Todd stood in front of them. "He's very drunk." He told Todd.

"Devland you look..." Todd trailed off, gawking at Devland's attire, "Different than you usually look. You look hot."

"Thanks Todd, wanna take a walk? It's getting kinda suffocating here." Devland grinned at him sweetly and the two of them moved away from Jason and went upstairs, where there were less people.

Here we go again.