บท 3: The Party
Mr. Reynolds drove Jay to a grandiose mansion in their family's five-year-old black Chevrolet. Despite Jay's insistence that he didn't need a ride—flying would have been much faster—Mr. Reynolds had insisted, so Jay acquiesced. After parking the car, Mr. Reynolds wished him a fun evening and watched him enter the opulent building before driving away.
Two weeks after graduating from high school—for Jay, it was technically his second time—a lavish party was thrown by Lois, the class's well-known heiress. Her father, a local financier of some renown, endowed her with a lifestyle that exemplified the archetype of a wealthy heiress. Known for her extravagant spending, she never scrimped, which made her quite popular among her peers. From the day she arrived at school, her presence was defined by designer labels, exuding an extraordinary aura of affluence.
Ascending to the top floor in an elevator, Jay pushed open the ornate door to Lois's living room and was greeted by a world vastly different from the one outside. The expansiveness of the space was almost exaggerated; it was more of a palace than anything else. The golden dome ceiling, ten meters above, cradled a chandelier that cascaded a spectrum of lights, while rock music filled the room with the vibrant energy of youth.
"Jay?"
Barely inside, Jay was spotted by a pudgy classmate standing eagerly by the buffet, his mouth stuffed with an assortment of expensive delicacies.
The fellow, Pearson, was the first classmate Jay had made a point to remember, not because of his distinctive physique but due to a chance encounter during lunch on their second day of school.
Initially, it resembled a typical case of schoolyard bullying: a group of robust boys cornered the chubby Pearson in an abandoned bike shed, demanding his lunch money and sandwich.
Fortunately, Jay chanced upon the scene and intervened. The bullies, undeterred, advanced on him only to be effortlessly subdued. Not accepting defeat, they later amassed a larger group to confront the meddler, but the outcome was the same: they were all laid out flat.
Pearson's call turned every head in the room to Jay, causing a stir as if a rare animal had escaped the zoo. It was a bit embarrassing for Jay, but someone called out, "You really came! Lois said you'd attend tonight—we thought she was bragging!"
Lois, hand on hip, flashed a triumphant smile to her friends as if to say, "See, I told you so."
No wonder he was so warmly received—with consistently top grades, athletic prowess, and being a star player on the football team, Jay Reynolds was bathed in an aura that couldn't be hidden. His accolades piled up like a small mountain, each one unattainable for the average student. At this high school, he was the epitome of perfection.
So, with such a reputation, one would expect him to have many friends, right?
Contrary to expectations, he barely had anyone he could call a friend after three years of high school. The reason was simple: he was too exceptional. While people admired and looked up to him, he seemed unapproachable, causing nervousness in his presence, let alone fostering camaraderie.
Never attending a party before, all his invitations were politely declined, making this event his true first. No wonder everyone was so surprised.
This time, Jay had indeed given the hostess Lois quite the honor, her face beaming with joy. Clearing her throat, she announced, "What's with the quiet? Let's get this party started!"
Cheers erupted like a high tide, and the music reverberated through the living room once again.
Lois wove through the crowd with a swing in her step, dazzling amid the throng like a sole rose among the greenery.
"Hi," she greeted Jay with a wave, her green eyes shimmering like emeralds. "So glad you could make it. There's food and drinks over there—help yourself. If you need anything, just let me know. Maybe join in singing or even dance a bit. Can you dance?"
Jay smiled politely, "Sorry, dancing's not my forte."
"So there is something you're not good at," Lois chuckled, "Just kidding. Have fun!"
"Thanks," Jay offered as she sauntered off.
Pearson sidled up to Jay, eyeing Lois's retreating figure wistfully, whispering, "Boss, what are my chances if I confess to her?"
Jay grinned, "Maybe you should try, before it's too late, right?"
Pearson's head wobbled dismissively, "Forget it, the line of guys after her is too long. I know my limits. But you, you've got a shot. Did you see how she looks at you? She's into you, boss!"
Shaking his head with a smile, Jay chose not to reply.
As the party reached its zenith, a group of inebriated boys near the buffet escalated their revelry, culminating in the crash of shattered glass. Lois scolded sharply, "Try not to break anything, gentlemen, or I'll have to ask you to leave!"
"Sorry, sorry," a burly blonde in denim apologized with a sheepish grin, "We'll be more careful."
"Hey, genius!" A trendy youngster surrounded by his cronies called out to Jay, waving a bottle, "How about something stronger?" Before Jay could respond, he taunted, "Oh, I forgot! You're a good boy. Mommy doesn't let you drink, right?"
"Spike! I don't care what your problem is, but don't cause trouble in my house," Lois snapped, her gaze darting to Jay, hoping not to offend the honorable guest.
Spike had a history with Jay, a known troublemaker since junior high who had carried his habits into high school. It came to a head when Spike and his minions cornered Jay, only to regret their decision.
Since then, Spike never dared to confront Jay directly but seized any chance to antagonize him—childish antics that Jay never took to heart.
Raising his hands in innocence, Spike retorted, "Hey, I'm just trying to bond with my classmates. Isn't that how male friendships are built?"
His lackeys nodded fervently, eager to please.
Unruffled, Jay approached Spike and picked up a bottle, suggesting, "Alright, then it's a drinking contest. Whoever drops first loses, agreed?"
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