Joey stood in the corner of his only sister's graduation party. Diane was giddy running around like an idiot in Joey's mind though it may just be sibling jealousy. Joey never got a graduation party even though he was a much better student; he usually made straight A's, where his sister consistently made C's.
Joey watched as their dad proudly put his arm around her, posing for pictures relatives were taking. She just turned 18, her birthday was last month, and Joey couldn't help but feel left out since this was her second major party, in two consecutive months. The weather was nice, in mid-sixties, so she ran around in cut-off denim shorts and a double-layered tank top. The bottom one was thicker white and top one was thin pink. Pink was always her favorite color, since he could remember.
Standing straight she was all of 5'6", had short brown hair cut off at the top of the neck, and green eyes. She wasn't what you would call large, but not completely skinny either, she was flat except for a small round mound on her stomach. Still she could get by with smaller cloths.
He had no right to judge, and he wasn't in the same shape like high school. At 6' 2'', Joey was taller than Diane, had red hair with blue eyes, a lot like their mom.
Though he was jealous, he knew why his parents spoiled Diane so much. Before Diane was born mom was pregnant with a girl, but lost the child in pregnancy. She was told she could never have kids again, a year later Diane was born.
Diane turned as her best friend Rita showed up at the party, the both rushed forward giving each other a hug.
"Oh my god, can you believe we're finally out of high school," Rita asked.
"I know I can't wait for summer," Diane said. "I have to try out my new swimsuit."
Diane turned looking around, it was her dad's idea to have this party he always spoiled her ever since she was a baby. She could care less that she had it; it was a total snoozer. Her uncles' all showed up, and they were the dullest people imaginable. The only pleasure Diane got out of this was Joey's misery, he was always jealous of the attention she got from dad. For her the real party was going to start tonight, they were going to a real party to get drunk.
"Where's Joey?" Rita asked, looking over the crowd. Diane didn't know and up to that, point hadn't cared. She saw him when things first started slink into a corner. He couldn't still be there could he? Of course Diane knew the reason Rita was asking; she has had a crush on Joey and since the two of them became friends in Junior High. She couldn't figure out what she saw in him.
Diane's eyes roamed searching for Joey and sure enough, he was in the same corner he slunk into at the beginning of the evening. No one had even come to talk to him; this was met with a brief moment of guilt from her.
'So much for hiding in the corner' Joey thought as he turned to see Diane and Rita approach.
"There you are Joey," Diane stated simply. "Why are you sitting here by yourself?"
"No one I want to talk to," Joey replied, not trying to be rude though his tone told a different story.
"Hi Joey," Rita said in a very seductive tone.
'I can't believe she's hitting on him right in front of me.' Diane thought angrily.
"Hi," he returned, turning towards the two of them.
"So what have you been up to?" Rita asked in the same tone. Joey may not have had a lot of experience with women; but was smart enough to know Rita was coming on to him. Joey took pride in seeing the irritation in Diane's face, as she seemed to realize this too.
"Not much just finished finals. Going to be working most of the summer," Joey responded, he attended a local college and, from what he understood, Diane was going to do the same. Joey had a job at the local hardware store and now that it was summer, it was going to be near full time hours. It wasn't a dream job by any means but it paid his bills.
"Do you have to work tomorrow?" Rita asked.
"Well, no." Joey responded.
"Great, we're going to a party tonight if you want to come," Rita offered
"What?" Diane stated. She could not believe she had done this. Tonight was supposed to be fun and it wouldn't be if Joey was there.
"Sure," Joey accepted, knowing it was exactly the opposite of what his sister would want.
Rita turned and walked away with a victorious smile on her face. When Rita was out of sight, Diane turned and slapped Joey on the shoulder. It wasn't playful and that's the best way to put it.
"Ouch," Joey complained. "What the fuck was that for?"
"You're such a jerk," Diane insulted. "Why are you doing this? Why are you playing games with Rita, you know she likes you." Joey didn't know why she suddenly felt the urge to do this. They have both known about the crush for years now.
"Hey she's the one coming on to me, go slap her," Joey mumbled turning away from his sister.
The "party" ended, but it was just the start to the true party in Diane's mind. She was politely saying goodbye to her relatives, as she rushed over to Rita.
"Come on let's go," Diane urged.
"Where are you two going?" Dad (Mike) asked.
"Out," Diane answered vaguely.
"Out where?" Dad probed.
"Don't worry dad," Diane heard Joey say. "I'm going with them." With that, their father seemed satisfied.
They walked towards Joey's car; it was an old piece of junk that made squeaking noises when started. After starting up, Joey turned.
