Chapter 11

Chapter 11

It was already nighttime at the Walsh residence. Ryan had just finished getting a second round of scolding from his mother, who was complaining about his attitude toward school and how he lacked ambition to be successful like his father.

On nights like this—especially when his dad wasn’t around—the nagging would go on and on. His father usually intervened, not because he cared, but because he was always tired of the yelling.

"Let the boy be. His life is in his hands. If he wants to ruin it, let him. We already spoiled him." Those would be his father’s words.

That was why Ryan saw it as a good thing when his mother told him to go up and pack his bags. Maybe going away to this school would be good for him after all. He would finally get his freedom from his parents, and there would be no one to supervise his movements there.

 Plus, he was sure some of his friends would be heading to that same school. Being a school for the wealthy, it was almost guaranteed. He had already gotten a text from his friend Lana, saying she got into the school.

Ryan looked around his closet, wondering why he had to do all the packing by himself. He took out his phone and began scrolling through social media. He was bored silly from having to pack, especially since his mother had already told the cleaners and staff not to help him out.

He kept groaning in frustration—just to fold clothes? He had now abandoned the task altogether, choosing instead to scroll through his feed.

A message from Lana popped up.

Lana: Yo Ryan, where are you?

He opened the message and replied:

Ryan: Where am I? At home, of course. And oh, I went to the dumb school today.

Lana: Dude, everyone’s at the club. Are you not going to pull up? Zach is throwing a bash.

Ryan realized he had totally forgotten there was a party tonight. He badly wanted to go—it was exactly what he needed instead of folding clothes. But he couldn’t.

Ryan: Don’t think I can come. My mom has me doing all these chores, plus she wouldn’t allow me to attend any party. Not after last night.

His phone beeped as Lana replied.

Lana: And when has Ryan Walsh ever let his mom tell him what to do? Not to mention stopping him from going to the club?

He smiled at the message.

Ryan: Now you’re just pushing me. (He added a few emojis.)

Lana: Lol, you don’t even have to tell her you’re going to the club. Just tell her I’m sick, and you’re coming to check on me. She’ll be asleep by the time you get back.

It sounded like a good idea to Ryan. He smiled.

Ryan: All hail Lana, the cunning queen. This plan might actually work out.

Lana: Yes, it will. And if she calls me, I’ll pretend to be sick. Your mother already trusts me.

Ryan: See you in a bit then.

He got up and went to his mother’s room. She was on a call, so he stood at the door and waited patiently for her to be done.

"What is it?" she asked as she turned to him.

"Yeah, umm… Lana just called. She said she’s really sick. I was thinking of going to check up on her, you know, with her living alone and all."

"Oh, that poor child," his mother said sympathetically. "You should go check up on her this instant. Carry some chocolates along—I heard it immediately helps anyone feel better."

Ryan nodded. "I will do just that!" Then, he walked out.

Lana’s plan had worked like magic. As a matter of fact, it had worked easier than he expected.

There was no way he was missing this party. He went into his room and opened his closet—this was going to be a good night for him. He got dressed in one of his dopest fits. Boy, was he planning on having fun tonight.

He took the car his dad left behind for him and drove out of the house.

As soon as he left the gates, he called Lana.

"Hey, your plan worked like crazy! I’m finally out of the house. I’ll pull up in a minute or so."

"I told you it was going to work! Don’t you ever doubt me," Lana boasted.

"Yeah, boast all you want. I owe you for this. Can’t believe this woman wanted me to sit in and fold clothes tonight," Ryan said over the phone.

    "Well, you should have your bags packed. We resume tomorrow."  

The loud music was playing in the background, and Ryan couldn't hear her properly. The club was already within view.  

"Well, you can tell me more about it. I'm at the club," he said.  

Ryan parked *military style* close to the gate of the club, rolled up the windows, then turned off the engine. The music blasting from the club was even louder than it had been over the phone, nearly deafening as he walked in.  

Teenagers of all kinds were present, dancing and twisting their bodies to the rhythm playing from the speakers. In another corner, a bunch of guys were chugging down beer from a container, screaming at the top of their voices. Ryan was pretty sure they were drunk.  

He turned to another corner of the room, and there she was—Lana. His friend since high school. The only daughter of parents who had moved overseas due to debt and tax issues, but she refused to go along with them, claiming her whole life was back here.  

She had even run away from home and stayed with Ryan for a few days just to make her point. Of course, Ryan's parents had let her stay. Eleanor Walsh had a soft spot for her, and Lana had been comfortable there.  

A few weeks after, she received word from her parents that they were out of the country for good. They left behind the house and a car for her, even though she was only 16 at the time. Along with the necessary documents, she got restitution from them.  

Her friendship with Ryan grew even stronger during those days together. It was one of the best times in Lana’s life. She had deep affection for Ryan, but he had always seen her as just a friend.  

There she was now, seated at a table along with some of their other high school buddies—Zach, Taylor (a girl Ryan had dated at some point but who was now in a relationship with Zach), and a few others.  

There were also some unfamiliar faces at the table—people Ryan didn’t recognize but had seen at his own party yesterday. They were the ones Zach had introduced as his cousins.

    "There he is, the main man!" Zach hailed him as he came into view, drawing the attention of everyone at the table.

"Hey!!" Lana yelled out immediately upon seeing him and jumped to her feet to embrace him.

Ryan lifted her up in the air playfully.

"Thanks for bailing me out," he said at the top of his voice so she could hear him. The music was at its loudest, and the club kept booming with vibrations. It was hard to hear anything—almost impossible.

"What's with the hugs? Come on in, big boy, let's party hard!" Zach yelled out as he handed over a bottle of alcohol to Ryan.

Ryan took the drink and, without wasting time, downed all of its contents in one gulp.

"Yeahhhhh!" He felt like he was hit with a wave of energy. He liked it.

The whole crew cheered him on.

"Come on, guys, let's party hard!!" He pulled Zach and Lana onto the dance floor, and everyone stood up, swinging and vibrating their bodies to the rhythm of the music. They danced wildly, moving their bodies as it played on.

"This is going to be a crazy night! We’re getting into a huge school tomorrow, let’s party!" Zach screamed out loud.

Lana and Ryan kept on dancing together. She was whining seductively against him as he grabbed her waist. It was something they'd done time and again.

It was a wonder how they weren't in a relationship.

Ryan was screaming wildly at the top of his voice. He was on his third bottle of alcohol now, trying to be careful to avoid a repeat of last night. He couldn’t bear his mom scolding him again.

"What's up, tiger? Slowing down on the drinks? Too afraid to get wasted?" Zach teased. "Always knew you were lightheaded. I'm on my 7th bottle and still going for more!"

"Nah, I'm trying to keep a clear head. Big day tomorrow, can’t afford to mess it up. My mom was mad at me over what happened last night," Ryan said coolly.

"Ohhh, I get it. Not only is he lightheaded, but he's also a mummy's boy!" Zach teased out loud, and the whole crew burst out laughing.

Ryan felt a bit embarrassed. Zach was pushing it at this point. He didn’t want to take any more alcohol, but neither did he want to be seen as a weakling or, worse, a "mummy's boy" as Zach called it. He felt he had a point to prove.

"Oh please, if anyone here is lightheaded, it’s you. We all remember the day you were drunk as hell, pooed in the pool, and drank from..." the water 

   Woah… the whole crowd gasped , they seem to be invested in the it at this point ,

    That was a long time ago. You Surely can't equate that to the current me ,I take way Stronger stuff ones that will kill you if you dared to try them and I definitely don't care what my mother had to say 

   Zach was doing this on purpose, he always had this sort of competitive spirit when Ryan is involved, if Ryan threw a party today he always intended to throw a bigger one , which is why he went as far as taking Ryan's girlfriend 

   Ryan was cool with it as he was already tired and ready to leave the relationship , but he knew it was Zach's nature he always didn't let it get to him but tonight was different,

 Zach was doing it cause Ryan's ex was present, it was Zach's party his cousins were also here it was a full home advantage to him

   And what are the things you think you're taking that I can't? Ryan finally spoke up? You think because you can chug down bottles of alcohol, let me challenge you right now , we can go five for five bottle of alcohol first to pass out loses 

 The whole crowd cheered , the party was fully distracted, everyone was focused on them

    Zach was willing to accept it, alright then it's on!

Get the tables and drinks , we are doing this all right 

Let's do this Zach yelled.