Don't Threaten Me With a Good Time

Date: August 18

         It was 8:00 PM and Frank was getting ready for bed when his phone rung. He picked it up and saw that Jason was calling him. Frank accepted the call and put his phone up next to his ear.

    "Hey Jason," Frank said. "How are you? Why are you calling so late?"

    "It's only 8:02," Jason said. "I was wondering if you wanted to go to the Stolls' party with me."

    "I thought you were going with Reyna," Frank said.

    "We were, but, can you please go with me?" Jason said. "I don't want to go alone?'

    "Alright," Frank said.

    "I'll be over in fifteen minutes," Jason said.

    He hung up. Frank changed into jeans and an archery t-shirt. He combed his hair and spritzed on some cologne. He had never gone to a party before unless you counted birthday parties and Frank didn't.

    "Fai, where are you going?" Frank's grandmother asked as he walked downstairs.

   "To a party with Jason?" Frank asked.

    "Alright, go do whatever you young people do," she said. "Just come back alive and with all your limbs intact."

   Frank was surprised by his grandmother's words. He had expected her to forbid him from going. He waited outside and when Jason parked his car by in the street, he got into the car.

    "Why isn't Reyna coming with you?" Frank asked.

    "I don't want to talk about it," Jason said.

    He turned on the radio and "Treat You Better" came on. When the song ended and "Happier" began to play, Jason turned off the radio and sighed.

    "We broke up," Jason finally said.

    "What?" Frank asked.

    He must have heard wrong. They had been dancing together just last night.

    "Reyna, said that I didn't love her like she was my girlfriend," Jason said. "I told her I did, but she said she was tired of us being like friends when we were boyfriend and girlfriend. She said I saw her as only a friend."

      Frank realized his friend was crying. Jason parked the car. They were outside of the Stoll mansion. 

   "I'm sorry for burdening you with my problems," Jason said.

    "Are you sure you want to go to the party?" Frank said. "Maybe you should go home and sleep?"

    "No," Jason said. "I want to forget about Reyna for a bit. Come on."

    "I don't want to drink," Frank said as he followed Jason into the house.

   "Don't worry, you can drink soda," Jason said. "Just pour it yourself and watch your cup."

    Jason led Frank to the kitchen and the two helped themselves to the drinks provided. Jason asked Dakota for some vodka while Frank drank Pepsi. 

   "Hey Frank!" Travis said. "I never thought I would see you here."

   "I came here with Jason," Frank said.

    He looked around for Jason, but he wasn't in the kitchen anymore. Frank let Travis lead him to the patio where teens were dancing. He drank soda, ate chips, and talked to others. When he got tired, he texted Jason and got a ride home with Leo. He fell asleep with a buzz of happiness pushing away the familiar loneliness away.