Chapter 12

Nick POV

It's Friday, party day, the big f, the start of the weekend. And it feels great.

Adien and I are getting close, real close and it's kind of scary, we've only been friends for 2 weeks give or take.

Jared and I have known each other our whole lives, Jared is the only one who knows about my parents and how I'm in a foster home. Yet our friendships aren't that different. I'm close to them both but in such different ways.

It's after basketball practice and Adien is doing what we call his usual now, even though he's only been our mini-coach for 3 lessons. He's telling everyone it's time to go, everyone groans basketball is suddenly more enjoyable since Adien became our coach. Our old one just used to butcher us.

He gave up on us a long time ago and agreed to hand over the coaching position to Adien off season and only coach once a week, as long as none of the other teachers find out. Im pretty sure he’s shagging the English teacher.

I quickly changed, about to leave before Jared stopped me.

"You and Adien still coming?" He asks walking with me out of the changing rooms.

"Yeah, sure as long as Adien doesn't chicken out at the last minute. I guess it's understandable he hasn't been around many other teens outside the school. It'll be overwhelming."

"I bet he's never been drunk before"

"My bet is as good as yours,"

He sat in the canteen for the first time yesterday. I was shocked, after constantly trying to persuade him, he finally came the day I gave up hope. Normally, I sit with Jared alone, we rarely sit with anyone else other than the team occasionally and Angel so others must have been shocked to see such a shy kid just appear and sit on our table unfazed.

"Finally, I was wondering when you'd ever turn up" Jared had said at that moment. Adien had just shrugged and continued eating his lunch, his mum had supposedly made, the canteen food isn't that good.

It didn't take us long to get him laughing and joining in the fun.

I came back to reality with a jolt and walking shoulder first into a wall and Jared and Adien stood laughing. I hate them.

"It's not funny" I scowl punching them both in the arm, technically I punched Jared and tapped Adien.

"You're right it's not funny...it hilarious" Adien laughed harder followed by Jared. I may have chuckled a little bit.

"Jared, what should I wear?" Adien asked after they'd both calmed down and caught their breaths.

"Anything really and are you sure you're comfortable with coming? If you're not, I totally understand,"

"No! I want to go," he answered determination in his voice. He's so cute...wait what? I shake my head trying to get the thought out of my head.

"We'll meet you at your lodge house at 7 pm to help set up" I spoke walking backward, heading towards my car.

"Bye" we all say in sync.

We arrive at his house, his mum is already home cooking something that smells delicious.

"Hey, mum," He says dumping his bag on the ground.

"Adien Michael Lester! What have I told you about putting your bag on the floor everywhere? The other day I nearly decapitated myself because of that stupid bag" she spoke sternly but not actually angry.

"Sorry, mum," He said going to give her a kiss on the cheek looking slightly embarrassed.

"It's okay. Nick, sweetheart," she spoke noticing me for the first time since I got there.

"Hi, Mrs. Lester," I say giving her a

small wave.

"Mum, remember I'm going to a party tonight" Adien spoke surprising me, I thought he would lie to her. Isn't it a rite of passage to lie about where you are to your parents?

"Okay, darling," she may be the best mother in the world to be this okay with him going so last minute. "Just no drugs, no sex and maybe a little bit of alcohol but if you come home blackout drunk Adien I will slice and dice you with a 1,2,3 action," she spoke holding her knife, before smiling. There it is, the best mother in the world.

"Yes okay, mum I promise," Adien said lazily getting out two glasses and filling them with some kind of tropical drink, before handing me a glass.

"Now you guys go get ready for the party and when you come down I'll have the lasagne ready, you can eat then go to the party" she spoke chopping the salad and putting some garlic bread into the oven.

"Oh and Nick you're staying for the night right?"

"If that's okay with you" I respond sheepishly.

"Of course it is, now hurry the foods nearly ready,"

We rushed upstairs to get ready. I had packed some hair gel, black jeans, a dark blue top and my black vans.

"What should I wear?" Adien asks panicking.

"It's just a party,"

"Exactly my point, you're popular you probably go to these Every week, I've never been to a party unless you count those birthday parties you have when you're kids"

"The trick is to play it cool and have enough alcohol to make the night seem more exciting than it is but not enough to give you a hangover the next morning," I say casually remembering all those times I used to get drunk, thank god I sobered up.

We go through his closet and finally decide on getting him to wear a purple top, dark blue jeans and some black vans.

“There we look great," I say enthusiastically.

"I have to admit we do look kinda good" he admitted modestly.

We get downstairs to find the dining table already set and the lasagne streaming right out of the oven, smelling heavenly.

"Here you go boys, enjoy" Adien's mum enters bringing out the garlic bread and the salad.

"Thank you, it looks delicious," I compliment resisting the temptation to drool.

"Yeah thanks, mum"

"Dig in," she laughs. We begin to eat and there is a festival in my mouth, I don't understand why she's a playschool teacher, she should be a chef. We finally finish before taking our plates to the kitchen, I'm so full as I usually am after going to Adien's house.

"Don't worry about those I'll clear up, it's 6:30 you guys should go," she spoke taking the rest of the things on the table away.

"Bye," we both say in unison heading for the door, after thanking her for the food one last time and putting away the items on the table.

"What time will you be back?"

"Around 1 am no later" I promise halfway out the door followed by Adien.

We get into the car, I look over at Adien and seeing his anxious face. I really hope he enjoys it, he's my responsibility tonight.

"It'll be fine," I say unintentionally touching his leg before removing it immediately after, he doesn't notice but if he did he's doing a hell of a good job not showing it.

We sit in silence through the rest of the ride but it's comfortable. We arrive at the party destination and help set up, it only takes slightly over an hour but we get the job done and it looks great even if I do say so myself. It was mostly blowing balloons, getting snacks and putting kegs on the kitchen counter and locking bedroom doors.

"We need some more drinks do you guys think you could run to the local shops and get some?" Jared asks putting the last of the pizza on the table.

"Yeah sure," I reply grabbing my car keys.

"Hurry, the guests are coming any minute" Jared shouts just as we exit the house. We get to the shops in a short amount of time and buy some drinks. Though it's unlikely to be drank, most people will head straight for the kegs.

"So are you excited?" I ask, him scanning the soda trays on the self-checkout scanner.

"I guess," Adien replies handing me the last batch of cans and bottles. "I'm just scared I'll make a fool of myself" he shrugs.

"Of course you won't...I'm here." I joke trying to lighten the mood.

"Shut up," he punches my arm, barely making me flinch. We finish paying and retreat to the car park. There are already loads of cars parked outside by the time we get back, people are streaming inside, holding bottles of God knows what.

"Are you ready?" I ask looking at Adien expectantly, hoping he won't chicken out at the last minute.

"As ready as I'll ever be"...