P.S. No Parties

Jennifer Kleeberg (5344645) as Matt

Jessica Muscat (4726248) as Olivia

Caitlin Pace (5728836) as Grace

Brendan Neville (5387425) as Andy

Contents

9pm … 2 12am … 8 3am … 14 4am … 21 The next day … 26

2

2

9 P.M

3

Matt

Another red cup half filled with beer is hit by a wild ping-pong ball. I see it fall in slow motion; the beer splashing around the edges, onto the table and then to the sticky floorboards. My alcohol-dulled reactions had no chance of catching it. Everyone cheers, including me. Still chuckling, I walk into the kitchen to grab a towel.

‘Grace! I’m so glad you could make it.’ I say, seeing a friend. ‘Yeah, it’s neat...’ she replies. I can tell she doesn’t want to be here but I appreciate her effort. ‘I win, bitches!’ I hear Johnny — my beer pong opponent — cheer. Distracted by our apparent loss, I laugh.

‘I’ll catch you later Grace,’ I say as I jog back over to determine our defeat. We have lost, and consequently James and I have to skull their remaining drinks — two each. ‘Drink, drink, drink.’ everyone cheers. Having won the last four games, I’m relieved we don’t have to keep playing. I’m definitely feeling a little unsteady. Nursing my latest beer, I wander around, getting the low down of who is here and who is yet to come. My house is packed; the beer pong table always draws a crowd and some of my buddies are smoking on the patio. There’s a bunch of people dancing in the living room, the couches pushed up against the walls, the music thrumming from the ground up. I can feel it vibrate through my legs and feel it beat at my heart and my ears. I worry that the neighbours might hear and call my parents, but it’s too late now. I am drawn onto the dance-floor by Kate, and am swallowed by the moment.

4

Grace

Stepping through the front door, I am swallowed by a thick tobacco haze and doused in the smell of rich whiskey. Already I feel out of place. I can feel the ground pulsating beneath my feet, the music running through my body like an electric current. There is nothing but bodies on the makeshift dance floor, all pressing up against each other; rubbing their rump against the stranger behind them. Liquid spills over the lips of the plastic cups as they were thrown around in the hands of intoxicated teens. I force my way through the sea of people, holding my breath as I am shoved from one person to another, shuffled like a pack of cards. The musky smell of sweat and alcohol lingers around me as I pass the crowd, careful not step on anybody’s toes. Finally, I made it to the kitchen. I take a minute to pause and let my racing heart return to its natural rhythm. Emerging from the bustling crowd, I see a familiar face. Matt. He prances toward me with a smile from ear to ear — that’s definitely the alcohol taking over. I wish I could share his enthusiasm for parties, but they just aren’t my scene. ‘Grace! I’m so glad you could make it’ Matt laughed ‘Yeah, it’s neat!’ I replied — That was a lie. It was anything but ‘neat’. My anxiety makes an appearance through my hands, clasped tightly as I fiddle with my knuckles, weaving my fingers in and out of each other.

5

‘I win, bitches!’ — Everyone’s attention diverted to the dining room as howls and cheers escaped the onlookers of an intense game of beer pong. I stand in disbelief as the winner howls barbarically. Matt is in hysterics as he jogs toward the table and joins in on the banter. ‘I’ll catch you later Grace’ It is going to be a long night.

6

Olivia

As I walk through the front door of the house I can see plastic cups littered on almost every surface. There are people everywhere; I might be a bit late. It’s just after nine but after hours of rummaging for the perfect outfit to impress Matt, I’ve made it. The music is loud and the drinks are flowing. The partygoers around the front door are glowing with an alcohol-induced flush. It’s finally time to catch up with everyone else. I walk towards the kitchen to grab a drink. With my own red cup in hand, I look around to see if any of my friends are around. I can’t see them yet. The stereo is shaking the floor and the rhythm is pumping me up. With a spring in my step and a wiggle in my hips, I decide it’s time to start searching for anyone I know. There’s a spike in the noise circulating the house, and a collection of cheering draws my attention to the beer pong table. What would a party even be without one of them? “I win, bitches!” is screamed out by Johnny but that’s not who my attention is on. I finally find Matt, Johnny’s opponent. I wonder if tonight will be the night he notices me. Over his head, I spot Claire and Rachel — my two sidekicks. Through the haze of smoke and ever growing crowd I can see them waving me over to them. Figuring I can talk to the party host later, I run up to them; our squealing getting lost in Johnny’s celebrations.

7

Andy

The tiled walls are buzzing around me as dance music tessellates with my heart. The party is jumping as I sit hunched over the basin in Matt’s bathroom, staring at the newly acquired ecstasy tablet in my hand. I look up to my shallow reflection in the smudged mirror. ‘What the fuck?’ Gulp; down it goes with a swig of Victoria’s best. Sweating, I wipe my forehead as someone knocks on the door. I’m not usually the ‘druggy’ type, but a girl gave it to me promising endless fun. My arm crept towards the door handle to let in whoever knocked, but before I had the chance, Kelly and her boyfriend Mike, burst through the door. ‘Out.’ They demand. I stumble down the hall, zig zagging through countless rooms crammed with people. ‘You doing alright, Andy?’ Chelsea shouted despite being inches from my ear. ‘Yeah, amazing.’ The house erupted with a chorus of cheering. ‘I win, bitches!’ I bit my lip as my tongue twirled around my mouth as if licking ice cream. Is it kicking in? I wondered. The music and cheering grew louder as the noise swallowed my mind.

8

12 A.M

9

Matt

Somehow I’ve done it. I’m managed to pull the hottest chick in our year. She’s sitting on my bed, looking as hot as hell and I’m having trouble focusing on her face. I feel like I’m going to puke. Why did I play so many goddamn games of beer pong? She’s talking but I can’t concentrate on what she’s saying. ‘I gotta piss, wait here,’ Fuck. That was smooth. I stagger out of my room and once out of sight, I sprint to the bathroom. I make it. Barely. I don’t know how much time has passed but all the lasagna is now in the toilet bowl. Gross. I get up, flush the toilet, wobble to the sink and look in the mirror. Not pretty. I splash my face and like a dog, drink a gallon of water straight from the tap. Feeling like a new man I leave the bathroom and walk back to my room. Kate’s gone. Damn. I’m not surprised but no less disappointed. ‘Kelly you whore!’ Echoes from down the hallway. I may as well see what’s up. I walk back into my parent’s living room and see Kelly dancing on the coffee table. Dancing or stripping? I’m not sure exactly, it’s questionable at the moment. There are other people still dancing, but not many. Most are watching Kelly: laughing, cat calling, and cheering. It’s a mixture. ‘Matt, can you get her down please?’ It’s Kate. She looks up at me pleadingly. ‘She’s going to be so embarrassed. Please.’

‘Yeah, of course.’ I smile. Kate’s grasping my arm and standing very close. It doesn’t look like she’s pissed. Awesome.

10

Grace

My head throbs and my feet ache. I want nothing more than to curl up in bed and sleep; is it too early to leave? I try to force myself out onto the dance floor. I try to have fun and act like a normal eighteen-year-old, but the messy pile of bodies that clutter the room is intimidating. They look so full of life, so confident. An unco-ordinated wave of people staggers around the dance floor as red and green laser lights flicker on their skin. I shuffle back to my safe-haven — the kitchen. I grab a red solo cup from the table and fill it up with water. I lean against the marble bench top, sipping my drink of water. Am I really going to spend the entire night in the kitchen? My eyes wander to a secluded corner of the living room. A boy stands, slumped against the wall, he scrolls through his phone, sipping his drink. For a moment, he looks up from his phone and toward me; I smile before finding sudden interest in my shoes. Breaking my focus, Olivia stumbles into the kitchen with a glum look on her face. She’s drawn to the pre-made shots on the table; picking one up, she skols it, then another and another. She looked bitter about something. ‘Do you want one?’ Olivia offers. ‘N —’ ‘Kelly, you slut!’ echoed throughout the house, followed by cheers and catcalls.

11

Our attention is directed to the living room. Kelly, on top of the coffee table, is dancing provocatively; throwing her hands in the air as her tiny top struggles to conceal her body. Olivia runs off to join the crowd and I decided to sneak out the back for a little fresh air.

12

OLIVIA Bodies crowd the makeshift dancefloor. Claire and Rachel are acting like it’s their sole mission in life to get me, and everyone around us, to drink as much as possible. It’s not like we get to escape the torment of the upcoming HSC that often. We’ve been dancing for what feels like hours. There’s a light layer of sweat clinging to my skin as I dance the night away. On an enthusiastic spin I can see a crowd forming in the living room. I grab onto the two girls and drag them to see what’s happening. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Matt grab the hand of a pretty girl. They’re heading upstairs. My mood instantly plummets. I guess that I’m just crazier about him than he is I. Maybe everyone else here has the right idea. It’s time to drink. I leave my friends in the crowd surrounding the coffee table and head back to the kitchen for the umpteenth time tonight. Grace, the quiet girl from English class is standing at the bench. She really doesn’t look that excited to be here. Throwing back some of the pre-made shots that are just sitting on the bench-top, I turn towards her to see if she wants any. She opens her mouth, about to answer when a loud yell rips through the house. ‘Kelly, you slut!’ The yell is followed be more cheering and even a few catcalls. Whatever is going on out there sounds like fun. I forget Grace is still standing next to me, I grab a couple of drinks and race back to the applause surrounding the dancing girl.

13

Andy

As I sit on the couch, I am overcome with emotions. High as the brightest stars, staring into Chelsea’s baby blues, the warmth surrounding my chest radiating to the tips of my fingers that are intertwined with hers. What the implications of this temporary love would be tomorrow, I could care less. I’m king of the world. ‘How are you doing?’ she asks, a crease appearing on her brow. ‘I want to kiss you,’ I whispered. She giggled like a schoolgirl. I couldn’t hold back and caught on with the infectious laughter, like two hyenas in the packed out living room. Thankfully, something drew attention away from us chewing our gums off on the couch. Kelly had ditched the guy I saw her with in the bathroom and was up on Matt’s coffee table. Her boyfriend Mike stormed out as she swung her body around without a care, showing off everything she could. ‘Kelly, you slut!’

I lick my bone-dry lips. ‘Fuck, I’m thirsty. I saw someone stash some more beers out the front, let’s get out of here!’ Chelsea whispers.

‘What?’ Am I about to get laid?

14

3 A.M

15

Matt

‘Stop Matt, not now...not here’ Kate smiles at me playfully. I feel like I’m going to burst. I wish everyone would just leave. We’re sitting on the couch that has been dragged off the patio onto the lawn. Her legs are draped across mine, our bodies pressed tightly. I could kiss her until the sun comes up. Damn friends, go home already. I take a deep, collecting breath and glance down; she’s tracing lines on my wrist. I shiver. One of the straps from her white singlet has slid off her shoulder, it hangs seductively off skin that’s freckled with fresh goose bumps. I can’t focus, this time though, it’s for all the right reasons. ‘Okay… you wanna go somewhere?’ I venture. ‘Um’, she hesitates ‘your room?’ ‘Yeah, get some peace and quiet, you know?’ ‘Okay’, she smiles. She takes her legs off mine and I stand up, holding my hand out for her. As Kate stands, I hear a muffled yell from inside, followed by the crash of breaking glass and the tinkle of it landing. I glance up to see the lounge room window broken and Andy staring at me next to the remaining jagged glass. ‘Fuck. Andy, what the fuck, man!’ Shit this is bad. My parents are going to kill me. I rush over to Andy, ready to rip him a new one I’m furious he is supposed to be my fucking friend. ‘What the hell happened dude?’ ‘Matt. I am so sorry man, I dunno what happened.’ He slurs at me.

16

‘SERIOU--- Whoa, Andy,’ I grab his shoulder and look into his eyes. Inky black marbles stare vacantly back at me. ‘Are you okay?’ Andy is not okay. And then from directly behind Andy, across the yard and over the grey paling fence, the neighbour’s bedroom light turns on. This is not good.

17

Grace

Sitting on the swinging chair, I fidget with the hem of my dress as I use my feet to push the chair into motion. I swirl the remaining water around in my cup as I stare blankly into the distance. To the left, a girl is throwing up; her friend is holding her hair back and using her free hand to hold a bottle of vodka. There is a guy passed out in middle of the lawn, acting as hurdle for the guests to step over. Bodies stumble around the front yard, using each other as support to keep them up on their own two feet. My eyes are heavy; the constant swaying of the chair has a therapeutic effect on me. I would have left the party hours ago but Jenny is my ride home and she’s currently occupied with the guy she sits next to in biology. Ben trudges up the stairs to the veranda with two bottles of Vodka Cruisers before he plants himself into the empty space beside me. Without saying a word, he stretches out his hand, offering me one of the drinks. Hesitantly, I accept the offer. I struggle to get past the bitter aftertaste that follows an immediate sweet raspberry flavour, but to avoid looking like a complete novice, I force myself to drink it. ‘I’m surprised you’re still here.’ Ben says. I chuckle, ‘Yeah, me too.’ We continue to talk whilst I sip the remainder of my drink. Maybe the party isn’t so dull. “Fuck. Andy, what the fuck man!’ We turn around and see Matt near the living room in hysterics.

18

We turn toward the living room; the window is smashed. Gasps escape everyone's mouths as Matt scolds Andy. The noise has captured the attention of Matt’s neighbour whose bedroom light is on and whose silhouette is filling the window frame.

19

OLIVIA

A small crowd has started to gather on the back patio, so the girls and I decide to head out there. Everyone’s chatting and some blonde-haired guy is trying to get everyone to play a game of Cards Against Humanity. I’ve had too many drinks for any of this to make sense. As we’re about to take a seat on the stained decking, the sound of glass shattering fills the air. Matt shoots past us, leaving Kate to trail behind him. Whoever’s in charge of the music turns it down. Matt’s yelling at Andy, by the sound of it… Blonde-y takes it upon himself to draw our attention back to the game, but out of the corner of my eye, I can see the neighbour’s lights switch on. Claire’s telling me that we should go and see what’s happened, but the idea of seeing Matt is too much right now. I take another sip of whatever concoction is in my cup and turn back to the game that I’m only half paying attention too. A couple of people I’ve never seen before come and join our game, trying to get out of the way of the broken glass and furious boys. As we’re making room in the circle for them, I notice that Matt’s next-door neighbour is standing at the window with his phone in hand.

20

Andy

Chelsea grabbed my hand as she scurried outside, confused whether I had heard correctly. Why don’t we just go upstairs to a bedroom like everyone else? Maybe she was really into nature and had a nice spot in mind for us. I was dripping in sweat so some fresh air would be nice anyway. “Over here,” she pointed to a bush in front of the living room window. “Won’t people see us?” I was a bit unsure this was going where I hoped. “It’s just a few beers, no one will give a shit in the morning.” She said as she tossed me a Coopers. I stared for a second. “Fuck.” “What’s that for?” Chelsea even more puzzled than I was. “You said we should screw right?” I blurted “No, Andy!” Chelsea exclaimed. “Where’s the bin then, I hate Coopers.” I turned towards the street and saw no bins. I can’t bare the awkwardness, I am so nervous. Instincts kick in and I toss the bottle behind me. SMASH… The bottle went straight through Matt’s window. Glass shattered everywhere and a short silence had found everyone looking at me. The music had stopped. “Fuck. Andy, what the fuck, man!” Matt called out to me from across the grass. What have I done?

21

4 A.M

22

Matt

I never heard from Colin and the phone never rang the lights are off now so maybe he was just going to the bathroom. I’m in no state for cranky neighbors and this party has seriously lost its charm. I stumble through the living room, into the kitchen, looking for Kate. I swear I don’t even know half these people. When did my house get so packed? It wasn’t meant to be this big and looking at the carpet, the smashed window and haphazard furniture on the lawn, I am starting to freak out. I lost Andy ages ago I’d sat him down and went to get him some water but then I couldn’t remember where I left him. My head is throbbing; everything is spinning. I fill a glass of water from the sink and chug it down. It’s the hardest thing I’ve had to do and it goes down slowly. ‘Dude, the cops are here’ I hear someone call from the direction of the front door and I stagger towards it. I think I might vomit but I have to see if it’s true about the cops. I zig zag down the corridor, bumping off the walls. I don’t feel so good and as I reach the door I trip and slam into the wall. I try to stand back up but my legs are jelly and the world is spiralling. I crawl like a baby to the door and push at the screen with my head. ‘Son, do you live here? Where are your paren- ‘

23

Grace

Within minutes, sirens wail through the street, two police cars pull up to Matt’s house and burst out of the vehicle. My heart quickens and my body freezes. What am I going to do? Do I run? The police officer walks onto the veranda staring directly at me. ‘Where is the owner of the house?’ I panic. ‘He’s inside somewhere.’ The officer proceeded to walk into the house. Seconds later, the guests spill out, making their way down the street into their cars or calling their parents to get picked up. I knew this was my cue to leave, but before I had the chance to get up, Andy stumbles out from the side of the house. His eyes are bloodshot and his pupils are dilated. Oh no. If the police officers know what Andy is doing, there will be trouble. My maternal instincts kick in. I latch onto Andy’s arm to keep him balanced before sneaking him into the house and into the bathroom. He’s sat on the toilet lid, staring at his feet and mumbling to his shoes. I pace up and down the small bathroom until I hear the music come to a stop. I poke my head out of the bathroom door to see the officers leaving the house, which is a complete mess. The lights in the living room lit up the stains on the carpet and cups scattered on the floor. I direct Andy into the living room, who, once reaching the couch, collapses. I scurry out the front door, down the street and hail a taxi. This is the first and last party that I’ll be going to.

24

Olivia We’re still playing Cards Against Humanity when the noise picks up again. Instead of sounding like it did when I first arrived at Matt’s impromptu get together like everyone was having a good time – it now sounds panicked. I try to stand up but I’m a bit wobbly and off balance to begin with. Someone I can’t see from the patio turns on the lights in the house and the music is turned off. As I finally find my balance, a police officer walks into the backyard. Party time is over… I look at my phone and I’m shocked to see that it’s past four. I’m way too drunk to walk home. “Hey, come on, let’s get out of here.” Claire grabs my arm and starts leading me through the house. Rachel’s following behind us. “How am I more drunk than you are right now?” I can’t help but laugh back to her. I swear I didn’t drink that much.

We make our way out of Matt’s house and through the empty suburban street, taking the familiar path back to my house. Claire and Rachel are already arguing over who gets what side of my bed. What a night we just had.

25

Andy I guess I fucked up. Matt’s pissed and I hear sirens roaring up the street as I sit around the side of the house out of sight. I’d act more like I gave a shit, had I not been so wasted. Do I apologise now or later? It keeps playing on my mind as I run through the possible outcomes over and over. Can I even speak English right now? I stumble up and fall back into Matt’s mum’s bush snapping a few branches off. Once I’m finally standing I shake my head, as if it would help me think clearly. Struggling to walk, I make it round the corner where I see Grace. She looks distressed and before I can say anything she grabs me by the arm and pulls me inside. Moving through what remains of the party, I see that the house is a mess. I don’t want to know what Matt’s parents are going to do. I sit in the same toilet this all started in. My vision so blurred. I look down, slumped over, trying not to spew on my new shoes. Grace, again, grabs my arm and pulls me up. It’s a miracle I didn’t vomit on her. She leads me back to the living room and everything goes black as I fall onto the couch.

26