I walked around the side of Ella's house. There were enough people in attendance that I hoped to just blend in with everyone else. Classmates and people I didn't recognize were everywhere. Music pumped through several large speakers set up around the patio. The bass rattled my ribcage. People danced, some swam throwing color beach balls at each other, a few sat and talked away from the music. I looked around for Reagan. She could be anywhere. Looking toward the house I saw people seated in the living room too. I ran a hand through my hair. Where was she?
                          
I moved through the crowd like I belonged. I said hi to a few people I knew from school. Hopefully, word wouldn't get to Ella I was here until after I located Reagan.
                          
Sweat ran down my spine and the amount of people did not help. I wiped sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand. I swept the area with my eyes until I saw her.
                          
Reagan sat on the edge of the pool, her feet in the water. Ella sat with her. Pierce was nowhere to be seen. Good.
                          
I strode over doing my best not to push partygoers into the pool. She caught sight of me and her mouth opened in amazement.
                          
"What are you doing here?" She asked and then turned to Ella. "I thought you weren't going to invite him."
                          
Her words cut right through me. They had talked about me and came to the conclusion I wasn't welcome here. Oh well, too late to go back now. I would burst if I didn't talk to Reagan.
                          
"I didn't invite him," Ella growled a little.
                          
"I'm sorry for crashing. I need to talk to Reagan and I knew she would be here. I'll leave when I talk to her." I looked at Reagan, pleading as best I could with my eyes.
                          
"You weren't invited, Alec. You should leave now," Ella said.
                          
My chance was slipping away from me. I didn't want to be a jerk and stay where I wasn't wanted, but I couldn't let my chance go.
                          
"I promise, Ella, I will leave. Reagan, please walk me to my car." I just needed a minute with her.
                          
"Alec, I don't think I should," Reagan said. Her voice small against the music and yet it managed to deafen me. She wouldn't come.
                          
"Reagan, I-"
                          
"Hey!"
                          
I turned to see Pierce coming toward me. Reagan got to her feet, but he put himself between us. My hands curled into fists at my side.
                          
"You aren't supposed to be here," he snapped.
                          
"I'm leaving." I looked past him to Reagan. "Reagan, please, just a few minutes."
                          
"I think you-" Reagan started, but Pierce cut in.
                          
"She's the one who didn't want you invited."
                          
I couldn't say I was surprised after she asked Ella why I was there, but it still cut like a knife.
                          
"I'm not talking to you," I said, stepping closer to Pierce. "I am asking Reagan."
                          
Reagan grabbed Pierce, pulling him back toward her. "Pierce, leave him alone."
                          
"Don't let him off, Reagan. He's being a super douche crashing."
                          
All party-goers stopped to watch. I could see them whispering behind their red Solo cups. I pushed my embarrassment down. If this ended poorly I'd never have to see these people again anyway.
                          
"Reagan, please. Just a minute."
                          
Pierce shoved me. "Get over it!"
                          
Reagan pulled on his arm, trying to get him out of my reach. I kept my fists at my sides. I wouldn't hurt Reagan by punching him in the face.
                          
"Don't touch me," I said between clenched teeth.
                          
"You've been friend-zoned, buddy." His voice was sharp. "And you don't even belong there!
                          
"Pierce! Stop!" Reagan knocked his shoulder with her fist. "Alec, leave. We can talk later."
                          
"When?" I shouted now. "You've ignored me for like two weeks! I came here to see you!"
                          
Pierce shoved me again. I still refrained from hitting back. I kept my eyes on Reagan.
                          
"Alec! Go!" She said. Her eyes darted around us.
                          
A small circle formed, watching to see what happened next. Reagan tried to hide her face behind her hands.
                          
"You heard her." Pierce hit my shoulder. "You have no reason to be here."
                          
"I'm here because I love you, Reagan. I can't go another day without telling you!"
                          
Pierce punched me in the face. Stars swam before my eyes and I instinctively held my nose. My eyes watered, but I didn't feel any blood.
                          
"Pierce! Don't!" Reagan cried over the din of our classmates cheering.
                          
Pierce wound up for another punch, but I saw it and ducked in time. I stayed low and aimed at his stomach. My fists drove into the muscle of his abs, driving him backwards. I straightened myself and put my fists up.
                          
"Break it up!" Ella shouted.
                          
Pierce ignored her and charged at me. He caught me off balance, driving me to the edge of the pool. I lost my balance but grabbed him by the front of the shirt as we both tumbled in with a splash. All sound dampened underwater. The music thumped on and over it, the cheers of classmates broke through. I surfaced with a gasp.
                          
My vision went down to a pinprick, focused entirely on Pierce. I pushed myself off the pool wall, driving my body into his. We kicked and punched at each other in the pool. Water filled my nose and mouth. He made contact with my face, right on my cheek. I grabbed his hair and dunked him into the water.
                          
I tried to get out, but he pulled me away from the ladder. The only sound I heard was my own ragged breath. We grappled, slippery and encumbered by the water, we weren't doing much damage. After I don't know how long two arms wrapped around me and pulled back. A guy from the football also had Pierce in a headlock, dragging him through the water out of my reach.
                          
"You assholes!" Ella shrieked from the side of the pool. The music had stopped. People watched all around, laughing and gossiping. Ella's face was beet red. "Get out of my house! Both of you! If you don't leave immediately, I'll call the cops on you."
                          
I'd lose my scholarship if I was arrested. I shrugged the football player who held me back off. "Where's Reagan?" I asked as I pulled myself out of the pool.
                          
"She left!" Ella snapped. "Now get out!"
                          
I didn't waste any time leaving. Soaking wet and exhausted I got into my car, not caring about the water everywhere. I drove around for a while, stewing in anger. I drove around for an hour or so before my anger gave way to misery.
                          
By the time I got home tears flowed down my face. I gave way to the sobs I'd held in for so long. I'd lost Reagan. I'd ruined everything. Our friendship and our future. And now I'd have to spend the rest of the summer in isolation for embarrassing myself so utterly.
                          
My passenger door opened and Reagan slipped in. We stared at each other without a word. She leaned over the center console and pressed her lips to mine. I had to be dreaming.
                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
                          
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