Having no phone and internet access is probably one of the biggest punishments of being in the 1980s.
The party was a sensory overload. I leaned my head on the back of the couch, trying to stabilize the dizziness throbbing in my skull. I had consumed a few alcoholic drinks in, which is making me more mentally emotional than usual.
The bass from the speakers vibrated through the cushion. A girl was sitting beside me, her mouth moving, trying to talk about something I couldn't quite hear over loud the music.
I was blatantly ignoring her at this point, but I guess being the most popular guy in school meant you could get away with anything.
A while ago, I had completed the mission the system assigned. Accepting a few red plastic cups here and there, letting the alcohol talk and walk my body through a haze of performative confidence, I think I did better than I thought I would. No anxiety, no public breakdown. Just pure, unadulterated jockery.
It was around 2 AM when Jason, somehow still energetic, helped me up from the couch. "Time to get you home, Cap!" he slurred, offering a surprisingly steady arm. I mumbled no response, just letting him guide me to his car.
I slumped into the passenger seat, my face blank, mind still fuzzy from all the drinks I hadn't been able to refuse.
Perhaps I'd let myself get drunk because of how utterly ridiculous my situation is at the moment. I went from being a nonathletic couch potato to a high school jock with a bully system breathing down his neck.
The car came to a stop. "Home sweet home, Cap!" Jason chirped, pulling the keys from the ignition.
This was Shawn Carter's house, obviously. Even in my drunken stupor, it's hard not to notice the sheer size and opulence of it; a house that screamed 'rich bully.'
I fumbled with the seatbelt, my movements sluggish. "Thanks, man."
Jason just gave a thumbs-up. "See ya at practice tomorrow!" The car drove off.
I walked unsteadily towards the house and knocked. No one responded so I knocked once more, louder. The door finally opened, revealing the blurry figure of a guy, framed by the dim light of the foyer.
"Dad?" The word slurred out of my mouth, more a question than a statement.
"I'm your younger brother, idiot." The voice was sharp, annoyed.
I blinked, forcing my vision to clear a bit. Younger brother? I don't have a younger brother-
Oh yeah. I'm Shawn Carter now, and he has a younger brother. A nerdy younger brother, if my memory serves me right from the novel.
I think he's only a year younger than me. I think his name is...? Nico? Milo? Gio? Something with o, but also with e...
"Theo."
"Was I mumbling out loud?"
"Yes. You're such a jerk." Theo's voice was flat, laced with a familiar disdain.
Great. That's my role. "Whatever nerd." The words, heavy with the disdain Shawn Carter would use, tumbled out of my mouth before I could censor them. It was unnervingly easy.
I brushed his shoulders and walked past him. The house was silent, dark, and felt impossibly large. No parents. As expected. Shawn and Theo Carter's rich parents are probably always never around.
As I started climbing the wide staircase, Theo's voice stopped me. "My friends are sleeping over tonight. Please be on your best behavior, Shawn? At least until tomorrow."
I just repeated, "Whatever, nerd."
The system in my head gave a silent, victorious ping. I could almost feel it awarding me points for that casual cruelty. But it spoke nothing about points, just a beep of approval. I guess that implicitly confirms that Shawn Carter is hardwired to antagonize every single person who isn't a jock or a cheerleader.
I halted in my footsteps. I turned around and asked Theo, "Where's my room?"
Hopefully, my drunken stupor would be enough excuse as to why I'm asking this ridiculous question in my own house.
Thankfully, Theo just rolled his eyes, "First door to the left."
I grinned half-heartedly, "Thanks nerd."
I opened my bedroom door and practically collapsed onto the bed.
I slept so deeply, so blissfully, so peacefully. It was the kind of peace that would mock and be of huge contrast to the chaos waiting for me the very next day.