The Woods (Original)

Where Did The Party Go?

   I got out of my recliner and went into the bathroom. I tossed my hair around with my fingers until I had it just the way I wanted it. I figured the party would be nothing formal, so I slid on my usual white button-up shirt and plain jeans being held up by red suspenders. I was ready.
   As I walked towards the door I heard little trotting steps following me and turned around to see my faithful friend. I kneeled down and scratched his chin, "I'll be home soon ok? You hold down the fort while I'm gone," and he wagged his tail happily in reply. I smiled. "Good boy."
   As I was walking down the long dirt road I began thinking about Reuben. I was about in fifth grade when I found him. I was out playing by the creek that went under the old bridge, and there was a waterfall at the beginning of it. I went over to it when I heard this strange, high pitched noise. I looked around and eventually saw a small German Shepherd pup in the mud. He looked up at me with these sad, pitiful eyes.
   "Awwwh," I said and I reached down to pick him up.
   I carried him all the way home and when my mom saw him, she fell in love with him.
   My guess is that Mom let me keep him because she thought it would be good for me, and here I am six years later with him still as my best friend. I guess it was good for me.
   Before I knew it, I arrived at Axel's house and he greeted me. "Hey dude, ready to go?"
"I'M READY TO GOOOOO-OOOHOHHHHH!" I shouted the Panic! At The Disco reference to him, and we both laughed. "Ready as I'll ever be," I said in all seriousness. We hopped in his pick-up truck and the engine sputtered to a start. To put us in the mood he put on "Where Did The Party Go?" by Fall Out Boy and we looked at each other and smiled. Having the same taste in music really helps a friendship, it was like we could understand each other better.
   Axel turned down the long road that lead to Aiden's house. The road to there was really creepy; a long, curvy road through the woods that seemed inhabitable. I began to tap my fingers on the armrest of the door nervously. I bit my bottom lip and turned to Axel, "What are parties like?" I questioned.
   "Oh, man, they're lots of fun!" He reassured me. "There's dancing, music, some people to talk to... and food!" He emphasized, which made me chuckle.
   I hesitated before asking this next question, "What kind of people will be there?"
   "What do you mean?"
   "Like... Who all do you think?"
   "Well Aiden's friends will be there of course... Lukas, Gill, Maya... Petra. Probably some of the other football team members. That's how I got invited," he shrugged.
   "Oh ok..." I looked down.
   "Hey man don't be nervous. I'll be there with you the whole time." He smiled at me, and I smiled back. I looked out the window at the wooded scenery to try and ease my nerves.
   Eventually we arrived to the party where you could hear the blaring music before the house even came into view. "7:12," Axel noted. "Fashionably late."
   I smiled at him and opened the door of his truck, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves before shutting it. There's no going back now.
There were a few people outside who welcomed us to the party and I smiled nervously. Axel burst through the front door, "THE PARTY HAS ARRIVED!" he shouted as he walked in, followed by many cheers as the party-goers held up their drinks. As we made our way through the crowd I heard Axel say something, but when I turned around and asked what he said he was no longer there.
   "Axel? Axel?!" I shouted hopelessly into the crowd as my heart began to race and panic settled in. As I turned frantically in circles I spotted him on the couch with none other than Olivia.
"Great. He ditched me again. I thought we could just hang out for once, just the two of us, but I am going to be the third wheel yet again. I miss old times."
   Tears welling up in my eyes I made my way into a hallway, and my arm covering my face, I burst through the first open door in escape. I closed the door behind me and turned the lock for privacy. When I turned around I realized I was in the bathroom. I took this opportunity to wash my face off and calm myself down. I could have just had a panic attack.
"He broke his promise..." I stared into the mirror, leaning on the cabinet top with the palms of my hands until a loud bang at the door made me jump.
   "Yo! Who's hoggin' the bathroom?!" I heard a male voice shout from the other side. Quickly, I gathered myself up and burst through the door, unintentionally shoving the boy out of my way as I zipped past. I squeezed through the sea of people with one intention- to get the hell out of there. I had my sights set on the door, letting nothing and no one get in my way.
I finally, finally made it. A door. An escape. I wrapped my fingers around the wooden handle of the sliding glass door and through it open.
Finally. Fresh air.