Pity Party

It was the day. The day all 8th graders held sacred. The last day of middle school. Starting now, we were mature, cool, grown-up high schoolers. And what better way to celebrate that then with a party? That is exactly what James Morrow though when he invited everyone in Hawk's Eye Middle to "the best end of middle school party this town has ever seen". His words on the email, not mine. But nevertheless, I was excited. I had already chosen my high school, Waterfall Performing Arts High School, so I was all set.

I knew that I had to look my best for this party. It was the part of the year. So, I asked my sister, who was the most famous high school hair stylist in the town (maybe perhaps the world), to do my hair. And oh boy, did she work her magic. My scruffy, long brown hair was now medium caramel waves. Mom was going to kill me when she saw this, but hey! I'm done with middle school, so who cares? I put on flower scented perfume, pink eyeshadow and mascara, blush, nail polish, and my old Easter dress that somehow fit after all these years. I then got in the backseat of my dad's car.

My jaw dropped as we pulled up to James' house. Banners, neon lights, kids partying as far as the eye could see. I stared at my dad, waiting for his reaction. He nodded as I got out of the car. I walked inside, and became part of a party wonderland. Pink fog, disco lights, red cups which I didn't dare drink out of. It was paradise. But I couldn't get distracted. There was one real reason I was here. To say goodbye to my crush, Maisy Umami. She would be moving across the country, and this was my last chance to see her.

Just as I was making my way across the room, Carmella, my best friend, approached me. "Hey, you made it, Jules! I didn't think you would be here! Come on, they need more people on the dance floor!" I tried to object, but it was too late. Carmella was already pulling me across the room. I noticed that someone had written "Hamham was here." No idea who it was, though. Many people like that musical. As we arrived at the "dance floor.", a boy walked up to Carmella. "Ey, I see you got another one, Carsy! Let's see what she can do." He then cleared the dance floor. I tried to sneak away, but then someone asked what song I wanted. I figured I could dance a little. I responded "The Room Where It Happens". People cheered. As the music started, I started to dance. People joined me until the whole party was dancing. I tried to dance my way over to Maisy, but James popped in front of me. "Hey, I need to talk to you. Right now." I followed him into a large bathroom down the hall.

"Okay, you need to listen. This is MY party. This is MY house. I am the center of this. Not you. Not that dancing brat Carsy. Me. Now if you keep stealing my spotlight, this will be the last party you will ever go to." James said to me in a hushed voice. I was appalled. "Okay, what have you been drinking? I never wanted to be the center of attention. Maybe Carmella does, but it's the final middle school party, so everyone does. You can have your "spotlight" back, from me at least, but I am disgusted. How did your parents even let you have a party?" I asked. James yelled "You twisted little-" I stopped him right there. "You have no right to threaten me. And when you wake up in your bed 4 hours later, you're going to regret saying that. And after you puke up your dinner, you're going to apologize. And if you don't, you're going to carry that burden for the rest of your life." And that was the end of that conversation. He was speechless as I walked out.

I attempted to get back to my goal. But like all the other times, something stopped me. And it wasn't a person. It was a fight. Apparently, Mark Plano was flirting with Samuel Espino's girlfriend. He punched him in the nose, and the rest unfolded. People were chanting and recording. Samuel's girlfriend tried to stop him, but he yelled at her "Back off, you pig!" Before he realized what he said, it was too late. She ran off crying, and everyone started yelling at Samuel. Mark bolted when he had the chance. Carmella came up to me with her footage, and asked me what I thought of the angle. I gave her a thumbs up and snuck away to avoid further questioning from anyone.

Now, I refocused on my main mission. Saying goodbye to Maisy. I rushed across the room, shutting down everyone who tried to engage with me. Finally, I reached her. "Hello, Maisy." I said as she turned around. "Oh, hi, Julia! What's up?" I gathered up my courage and said "I know you're moving away soon, and I wanted to say goodbye." Maisy smiled. "That's the first time anyone's said that to me tonight. Thank you!" I blushed. "You actually seem really nice, and now I regret not getting to know you. Want to trade phone numbers?" I felt dizzy, but was able to nod.

I walked out the front and into my dad's car. As we pulled away, I waved goodbye to Maisy and Carmella. I opened my phone to Maisy's number, and texted something.

"Just making sure this is Maisy Umami's number! Can't wait to talk."

"No, this is Carl Tonut. From Colorado. I don't even know Maisy."

I gasped. As I turned around to look at Maisy, she was smirking at me. My efforts to say goodbye were fruitless, as she had tricked me into my own little pity party.