“So, we’ve got 2 more days until the party and you still haven’t told me anything about whether you know anyone that’s going to be there?!” Sebastian whined for about the millionth time since being told about the party the other day.

“I told you I don’t want to talk about whether I know anyone who’s going,” Kae’s exasperated reply came from the inside of her bathroom door, “Because I don’t want to get excited and then be let down when I get there.” Her enunciation trying again to prod his brain to give in. She’d been hiding in there for about an hour taking a nice hot shower to calm her nerves, before she chose to beat the whine out of him. The kid just wouldn’t let up and had been talking to her through the door the whole time. Now, out of water, with no skin care, or hygiene routines left for excuses she would have to remove the physical barrier that may have been keeping her friend safe from bodily harm.

“Yes. I know this but what does that have to do with telling me the people you might end up knowing at the party?! I know you don’t want to get excited but I just want to know the names of the people that you know that might decide to show up. That’s all I want to know…” Sebastian sounded like he’d almost given up. It was his continued line of questioning though that made it clear he was dying to know who had been ‘my way in.’ Whether she liked it or not he was going to find out sooner or later and clearly the latter, wasn't a choice today.

“Well, I can tell you that I know some of the band because of a really close old friend of mine, they’re from the same clan. Does that work for you?” Kae asked tentatively hoping it would be but knowing Sebastian he heard the tone of her voice and much to her chagrin would most certainly not be enough for the gossip hungry geek in front of her.

“WHAT! You never told me Anything about knowing someone from the band or anything even like that!” Sebastian was nearly screaming by this point. It was probably only seconds until the flood gates were opened to let the full force of his resentment towards this fact drown me in guilt. “How could you keep something like that from me? I’m your best friend; you introduced me to and got me hooked on The Screaming Banshees amazing musical talent. I don’t understand why you would hide something as awesome as this, from a friend like me…”

“Sebastian you know it’s not like that, so just calm down…” She tried in vain as he steamrolled her attempt to assuage his ego.

“No! I have the right to be angry right now, the only thing that you could possibly have for a reason to…!” It was like someone had found the mute button awkwardly.

“Sebastian…? Kae waved her hand in front of his face. “You just stopped mid-sentence what’s wrong?”

“……Kae I’m so sorry I totally forgot… I didn’t realize what could have made you keep something like… I didn’t think about it until I remembered you said ‘because of a close friend, they’re from the same clan’… I’m sorry, what a great friend I am I can’t even think about my friends feelings because I was over excited about a stupid party…” He sounded so solemn, Kae was almost moved to tears by just how much he suddenly cared for how she felt about it all.

“Sebastian, it’s ok, I should have tried to tell you… don’t feel bad it’s my fault that you didn’t know. I should have told you the reason why I didn’t feel comfortable getting my hopes up... plus I told you like forever ago when we first met, but I guess I understand why you forgot.” It was all Kae could do to not cry at the love she felt for her only friend.

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This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

‘Last day of the week and you’d think that things would start winding down, normally they would, but not if you’re going to a Rave tomorrow night!’ thought Kae as she made her way to her eighth period class. ‘You can feel all the excited energy coming off the norm’s like a cat who found prey. It almost feels like Valeria, except that it’s all hyped up and unorganized. If they knew how to control it maybe we could all be equals and live without secrets.’

“Hey! You with the face! Kae! Stop zoning and pay attention already these are big decisions for me and you’re off in La-la-Land.” Huffed Sebastian, sounding as though Kae had been spacing for a while.

“Huh? Oh, sorry, I was just thinking about tomorrow…”

“EXACTLY! I was just talking to you about that there space-zero, so are you gonna help me with this or not?!” He sounded a little irritated with her so she knew she had been gone for too long, now he’d be pissy for the rest of the day.

“Remind me again what I’m helping you with? I forgot.” Not the way to go about it, she knew this, but she really didn’t know what she was supposed to be helping him with.

“Ugh, Kae!? I was trying to figure out what I should wear so that maybe I won’t stand out as a norm and end up as their source of entertainment…” Sebastian was whining now, you could hear it in his voice, he must be more afraid than Kae had thought he would be.

“Ooh, I’m so sorry Sebastian, I’ll help you don’t worry I’m just not… here right now. I won’t let them turn you into a modern day dancing bear, ok, don’t worry. I just need to think right now is all. How about this? While I think and try to focus for you, I’ll rub your back, calm you down, like when I put you to sleep on test nights?” I asked in hopes it would be enough to get a few minutes for thinking, hell maybe he’d fall asleep like usual she’d have a few hours to think.

“Ok sure, maybe I’ll be fine once I relax and think, maybe it won’t be such a big deal after. But you better monitor my breathing and stop before I fall asleep, I want your help and I don’t want it to be last minute help tomorrow before the party, ok?” He sounded like he knew her plan but there was no way he had a clue.

“Sure thing, I said I’d help and I will so no worries.”

It felt weird lying to a friend but it was true Kae would help him; he’d just be asleep while she was helping him.

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Eventually his breathing evened out to the rhythm it took on when he was out cold and he began to snore. It took longer than usual putting Sebastian to sleep, but that was normal considering he was way more stressed than he would’ve been if it was a history test. With Sebastian asleep she was free to think and put together her own plan on how to go to the party without getting excited for, probably, nothing. For keeping the pain away, if necessary, too.

While she was organizing her plan, she managed to put together an outfit for Sebastian. Now he wouldn’t have to worry so much about being pegged for a norm. I did not want that to happen to him just as much as him if not more.

Ok Kae think…this isn’t brain surgery, it’s just in case you need to be ready. Can you even handle this right now? Are you sure it’s even necessary? Of course you can’t handle this right now! It’s absolutely necessary and you know it! She thought for the hundredth, probably not the last either, time today.

“Ugh, this is so not FAIR!” Sebastian shifted in his sleep, she had been too loud and she knew it. She had to stay calm if she was going to get away with this.

“Get it together Rowan and start thinking this through.” It probably wasn’t good that she talked to herself out-loud, but she just didn’t care right now.

So I need to plan on fighting the pain when I see him, that part I know well enough. But how am I going to ignore it all night, we’re best friends; he’s going to want to hang out with me most of the night. I can't even decide if it would be easier or worse if he turned out not to want to hang out or see me. This is just so unfair, but whatever, I can do this, right? Kae seriously doubted that she’d make it that long before it finally ate at her and she snapped.

Ok I’ve done this before, I have gone more than just a few hours acting normal and just being friends. I had to the last time, so I sure as hell should be able to go one whole night at a RAVE. Besides Sebastian will be there, I can distract myself by hanging out with him at the same time. Off on a roll she finally knew how she would overcome the next night’s obstacles and with as little pain as possible. Until later on, when she was away from other people anyways.

Bring on the pain Dredge; I’m ready this time… It even hurt just thinking his name, but Kae was getting herself ready for tomorrow. No way would she get away with not saying his name all night.