"Are you insane?" are the first words out of my mouth to Remi when she picks up the phone.
"Well hello to you, too."
"Remi, I'm serious. I'm not throwing a party."
"What! C'mon. Why not?"
"Hm, let's see. One - because I don't want to. Two - because I'll be grounded for eternity. And three - did I mention that I don't want to?"
"Bella, you're the one who's been preaching this entire time about new experiences. Well, consider this a new experience."
"When I said a new experience, I meant one that, hm...I don't know, doesn't entail my mom and grandma basically disowning me."
"Live a little, why don't you? We'll have everyone out before your mom gets home. And worse comes to worse, you can blame it on me."
"Thanks, but no thanks. The answer is no."
"Pleeeeeease," she begs so loudly that I have to hold the phone away from my ear. "...Eeeeease," her voice continues.
I bring the phone back to my ear. "Remi, stop."
"Fine, but let me end on this. The only way that you're going to see change happen is by making it happen."
I can't believe that I'm saying this, but I find myself actually considering her words. I guess I can make sure that everyone's out before midnight. I mean, there's no way that mom's making it back home before that.
I catch Remi before she hangs up. "Okay, let's just say that I agree to this..."
"YES!" she interrupts.
"Remi, wait. Let's think about this for a minute. If I agree to this, then we have to keep the number of guests to a minimum. And no alcohol."
"Boring, but okay. I think that's doable."
"Who are we going to tell?"
"B, I'll handle everything."
I feel my heart starting to race. "Why does that terrify me more than anything?"
***
Newsflash - when Remi says 'I'll handle everything', that doesn't mean anything. Yes, she took care of the guest list, but there are so many people here that I'll be shocked if the cops don't raid this thing in an hour.
"Sorry, can you not?" I say, walking up to a random dude who's playing catch with some other random dude using Grandma Ruby's vase as the ball.
Remi approaches in her sequined romper as I lock the vase up in one of the wooden cabinets. "Okay, so I know you're freaking, but let me explain..."
"Remi, what happened to 20 people? This is at least 60. I didn't even know Grandma Ruby's house could hold 60 people."
"I don't know, but I promise I'm going to take care of it."
I roll my eyes and cross my arms. "Yeah, I've heard that one before."
"I'm serious, B. Just...sit back, relax, and let your bestie take charge."
An hour later, and there's even more people. I'm talking 100 unfamiliar faces. The only people that I do know are Remi and Danny. Danny's been trying his hardest to keep things tame, but that's kind of hard to do when no one cares to pay attention to you.
"Okay, so I was able to clean up the mess in the kitchen, but your grandma's rug is stained," he tells me as he holds a dirty, wet rag in his hand.
"Shit," I close my eyes and say. I'm trying to remain calm about this whole situation, but I'm not going to lie, I'm on the verge of a breakdown.
I see Remi holding a garbage bag, picking up plastic cups, paper plates, and a bag of chips, so I walk up to her. "What exactly happened to you taking charge?"
"I promise I'm trying," she tells me.
"Well, try harder. This isn't funny, Remi. My mom just texted me that she'll be home in an hour. We need to get everyone out of here."
"Okay, okay," she says nervously with her hands in the air. "I have a solution this time."
"And what about all the other times?"
"No, I promise you, this time, it'll work."
I let out a deep breath. "I don't care what you have to do, just get these people out of my house."
"Bella," Danny comes over to me and says. "Tiny problem. I think I just heard glass break."
"Oh my gosh, why is this happening?" I turn to Remi, but she speaks up before I do, which is a good thing because I was ready to shout at the top of my lungs.
"I know, I know. I'm on it," she assures me.
***
The doorbell rings, and if I have to welcome one more stranger into my home, I'm calling mom and confessing everything. There's no way that I'm getting away with this.
I let a deep breathe out, hoping that'll calm me, but let's be real, nothing at this point will calm me. I'm going to need a good 30-minute meditation tomorrow morning, and that's just the minimum.
I make my way to the door, turning the knob on the handle, but the second that I open it, I shut it close.
She didn't.
I finally collect myself and open the door again.
"I really hope that's not how you've been greeting your guests, BC."
"Nico," I say. "What are you doing here?"
"Remi called me. Told me you needed help." He turns around to face the driveway, so I can't help but peek my head up. "Brooks is parking the car."
"I can't believe she called you," I say under my breath.
"Don't be mad at her. She clearly had no other option. I know that I'm the last person you want here."
Hearing Nico say that hurts my heart, but I don't correct him. I let him believe it. And that hurts my heart even more.
"So, who's ass do I have to beat tonight?" he changes the subject and asks.
"Come on in and see for yourself," I say.