ch 13

                                    

                                          
Just to preface: (I AM NOT CONDONING OR ENCOURAGING UNDERAGE DRINKING OR SUBSTANCE USE) 

                          
Clay pulled up to the bonfire at 8:45. He assumed the rest of his friends were already there, or coming soon after.  Clay calculates the time he plans to spend there correlated with how he handles his liquor. He decided that if he only drinks in the first two hours and leaves around 1 or 2, he would be fine to drive. 
                          
Clay could handle his alcohol, so he didn't feel the need to remain entirely sober the entire time. Its a party, for God's sake.  Besides, he wanted to keep his mind off of what happened earlier.
                          
He felt he was at a weird point in life, regarding his relationships. 
                          
Him and his best friend in the entire world weren't speaking, meanwhile there was some weird energy between him and the boy he was in love with. 
                          
Hopefully, partying with a bunch of strangers could him forget about his tainted relationships with the only two people he values. 
                          
 He arrived to a collection of unfamiliar faces, but he knew exactly where to find his friends.
                          
There was a table set off to the side with a mix of different alcoholic beverages provided by Alex and Dave, who served as the hosts of the party. At this table he was greeted by Will, Karl, Dave, and Alex. Two unfamiliar boys were there as well, that Clay didn't recognize. He assumed they went to other schools. 
                          
"Clay!" Karl called for. "Listen to this guys voice!" He looked toward the tall, brown haired curly headed boy Karl motioned to. He was a mix between hispanic and white. 
                          
He cleared his throat before saying, "Hello,"  startling Clay. His voice was deeper than anything he'd ever heard. It had a slight raspiness, but oddly enough it was entrancing. 
                          
"Holy shit! How is that possible?" Nick asked, genuinely curious. He had arrived almost immediately after Clay, inserting himself into the conversation. 
                          
Clay was still mildly upset at Nick. But he wanted to be mature about the situation, so they could both enjoy the party. 
                          
Deep down, Clay ached to make amends with Nick. He wanted to celebrate his last party with his best friend. He was also aware he was partially in the wrong, but he was too stubborn to admit it. 
                          
So for the time being he just gave him and Nick some space to avoid any negativity.  
                          
"I don't know, man. It's just been progressively getting deeper my entire life. I probably won't even have a voice by the time I'm 20." The boy responded with a laugh. 
                          
Karl escaped into enormous laughter. "Isn't that just the coolest thing you've ever heard?" They all nodded in awe.
                          
"Corpse," The other boy chimed in. "I will pay you 30 bucks to say, 'Luke, I am your father.'"
                          
"Hold up," Clay interrupted. "Corpse?" 
                          
"That's what people call me." The deep voice stated. 
                          
"There's no way that's your biological name." 
                          
"Maybe it is, who knows?" Corpse shrugged. "I like to keep my identity a secret." 
                          
That's a little strange but kinda cool I guess, Clay thought to himself. 
                          
"What's your name, then?" Nick asked the other boy. 
                          
"Jimmy." he said. As they all got to know Jimmy and Corpse, they really grew fond of them. 
                          
Eventually, Jimmy challenged Nick to a drink-off. 
                          
"Chug! Chug! Chug!" the rest of the crowd cheered as the two boys chugged individual bottles of vodka. After about 7 swigs, Nick finally decided to call it, forfeiting to Jimmy. The crowd cheered and Jimmy hit his chest and raised his arms in victorious. Nick shook his head.