Spencer Tracey

After the extra exciting dance Percy and I shared in front of practically the whole school, I needed a break to breathe and get my beating heart back together. It's not that I was scared of being out like that, nothing of that sought. It's just, nothing like this has ever happened to me, never like this and not in school. A school that hasn't treated me all rightly in the first place, I was sure they were going to talk.

"I need to pee," I yelled close to Percy ears. That's another reason I hated parties, the screaming part. Must the music be so loud and harsh?

"Okay, let's go." Percy said taking my hand in his.

"No no, you stay," I stopped him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Your friends are just about ready to jump you and I don't want to hoard you all to myself all night." I pointed at the group of girls who kept giggling and pointing at Percy clearly waiting for him to be alone. I'd gladly keep him all to myself all night too but I needed space to breath too, away from this noise.

Percy smiled at them, and then his attention returned to me. "You sure, I could just show you the bathroom and head back."

I smiled knowing that's not possible, "yes I'm sure. I'll be fine."

He kissed me and reluctantly let go of my hand. "Okay then, hurry up. I'll be waiting right here."

"Sure," I slowly walked away, pushing pass kissing couples and through dancing friends. By the time I was up the stairs, I could barely see Percy surrounded by all the girls, all of them talking and sharing shots. I shook my head, he's probably going to get shit faced drunk after all.

"You know," a boy I didn't know from anywhere came to stand right in front of me, sneering down. "How you managed to get Percy wrapped around your sorry ass is still very surprising."

I glared, "like how you managed to come out of your mother's womb looking like that?" He glared and I didn't wait for him to react to that before I pushed pass him taking the stairs two at a time and running up. I ran into the first open room I saw and closed the door behind me.

That's what I was talking about but I'm done giving into hate and snide remarks. My past is bad as most people and I'd probably be paying for it every day of my life but I am human, I've changed and I too deserved happiness. It was coming now and I was not going to let meaningless talk get to me. I've been through enough; let me smile this one time.

I closed my eyes shut thinking about Percy, I'd say he's my only reason to live but after Ida's death, my mother, I've come to the conclusion that I didn't need to live for anybody other than myself. Yes, people I love and care about should influence my thoughts, goals and dreams once in a while but I wasn't living for them. I wasn't living just so I could find my Mr. Right one day and finally be happy. I wasn't living just so I could reunite with my father and he'd love me like a father would love a son and I'd be happy. I wasn't living to please anybody or to finally find happiness from anyone. Happiness was everywhere, I just needed something to open my eyes and mind to see it. Happiness was in Stormi's relentless barking and wagging tail, Happiness was in Tricia's laughter, Happiness was in Percy and his mom's banter. Happiness was even in Ryder and her mom cooking together and her dad playing cards. Just because she had what I didn't, didn't mean she deserved to be happy and I didn't.

I knew four languages, I've traveled in more places than most my mates, I was smart with excellent communication skills. I was a complete catch. I didn't need to live for anybody because the day I'd finally die, I wouldn't die with anybody and everything I've ever done would be on me. I was going to live for myself and Percy, I had to do right for us both. I'd try not to make stupid mistakes again, no matter what I would be happy and he would be too.

I chuckled to myself, running into the toilet to go take a piss. I couldn't wait for our date tomorrow; I wondered where he was taking me. Just when I was almost done, I heard the door harshly bang open, heard a voice yell a bit and then nothing. My stomach sunk and I leaned closer to the door to listen but I couldn't hear anything except the muffled voices of two people. Cautiously, I opened the door a little and peeped out but then I was too late and I only saw a guy walking out and Percy's ex girlfriend on the bed sniffling.

She touched her head and my eyes widened as I saw blood. I was going to coming out to ask what just happened and if she was okay but then, she just bolted out the room like something was chasing her.

What in the world?

Did that guy whoever it was hit her? I had to tell Percy so he'd find her and know exactly what was going on. It wasn't my place to pry and I don't even know where to start looking for her from. I left the room after cleaning up and flushing, trying my best to go down the stairs as fast as I could. But then when I finally got down back to the life of the party, the group of girls were now scattered and Percy wasn't there either. I searched and searched to no avail.

"Please excuse me, have you seen Percy? Percy Flynn?" I asked a girl I clearly recognized was with the group I left Percy with.

"Oh Percy?" She giggled, "He's gone home boyfriend." She touched my cheek with her long manicured nails. "He loves you so much, couldn't stop yapping about you."

"Home?" I asked, reaching for my phone to call him but then I saw a text.

Percy - I couldn't wait anymore. Hitched a ride with them Mel, I'd see you tomorrow!

What the fuck?

I frowned my hand going up to my hair to get it up in a bun. He couldn't leave without telling me, right? We came together and I was just gone for like top twenty minutes... I think. I called him anyway but his phone just rang and rang and went over to voicemail. I called again and again, all the while walking up and down checking for him. Why did he go? And I didn't have Mel's number or any other of his close friends.

I fell on the sofa in confusion, watching the party go on in front of me as I read his text over and over. It was unlike him, so unlike him. Maybe Mel had another party in her house that I wasn't invited to? Maybe he was too drunk to think about waiting for me? Maybe... I jumped off the sofa when I saw Janis, running over to her before she disappeared again.

"Hey," I called, placing a hand on her shoulder and for someone who's in a party with people touching her every now and then, she gave such a fright, jumping around and looking at me with wide deer-caught-in-the-headlights look. Even I was scared and I had to look around to make sure there wasn't a grim reaper behind me. "Hey?"

She exhaled shaking using her hands to wrap around herself and rub off the Goosebumps on her skin.

I narrowed my eyes at her, "are you okay?"

She narrowed her eyes right back at me, "what's it to you?"

She had more makeup on now and her hair was half covering what looked to be a bruise but I wasn't sure because of the lightening and makeup. I blinked at her, remembering why I was here. "Yes, please do you have Melody's number?"

"No, why?"

I sighed, my hand itching to go up to my hair. "It seems Percy went off with her and I'd love to make sure."

She raised a surprised brow, "he didn't tell you before leaving?" I nodded slowly and she laughed, "Typical Percy." She made to leave and I stopped her.

"What do you mean by typical Percy?"

"He was my boyfriend first okay? It doesn't happen much but this scenario isn't all that surprising. Just go home, he'd show up and apologize and this party is about to end anyway, I'm so fucking tired." I watched her walk away and despite what she said about Percy, it just didn't feel right or like the Percy I knew.

The party ended sooner than everyone thought it would from all the grumbling and soon everyone started to leave one by one. I tried and I wasn't getting anywhere so I left a message telling Percy to call me as soon as he can. I had no choice but to leave the party alone and drive back to the Flynn resident.

I couldn't sleep all night, I lay turning and tossing and looking at Percy's bed. I knew he was not missing but why did it feel like I didn't do enough to find him? He'd show up in the morning, everything would be fine, he'd explain why he left, I'd forgive him and we would go on our perfect date.

*

Morning arrived and because I didn't get to sleep well in the night, I was so tired and I got out of bed later than usual. I had work today but then, I cancelled it, taking an excuse because of my date with my boyfriend Percy— My boyfriend that wasn't home yet.

I was all nervous, my hair was screaming for me to just cut it and leave it be. I couldn't eat and I was just waiting and waiting and waiting for Percy. I called but the phone was useless. Paxton wasn't home else I'd have ran it through with him and I'd know for sure if this is a normal 'scenario'.

Noon came and that's when shit hit the fan for me, I couldn't take it anymore. He was even late to our supposed date but that didn't matter, what if he was kidnapped or God forbid, they had an accident. I was just about ready to run into the kitchen and interrupt Mr. Flynn's work telling him that his son was missing when I heard a car drive up the driveway.

Watching from the window eagerly, I saw Percy stagger out of the back seat. Relief washed over me and I didn't know when I clapped my hands together and did a little of the Spanish Catholic prayer I learnt a very long time ago. I wasn't even sure I remembered it until I did it, complete with the sign of the cross and all.

After the worry was done with, then came the slight anger.

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