Right Now - by Ed Ngai

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?!"

"I... I don't know what came over me, look I wasn't going to do anything, I swear."

"Bullshit!"

"Nothing happened, she's gone, just calm down."

"You seriously telling me to calm down after what just happened!"

"Look I'm sorry, let's just forget about this and go home okay?"

"Go to hell!"

2 HOURS EARLIER...

As Ryan and James were getting ready to leave the house for Cobie's fancy dress party, the two housemates walked out of their respective rooms to reveal what costume they had both chosen to wear. James chose to dress up as a 70's disco dancer similar to John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever, whilst Ryan opted for the Joker from Batman. Ryan looked at James for a second with a puzzled stare, his head tilted to either side and finally he burst out in laughter.

"Dude, you look like my dad when he was having a mid-life crisis!"

James shook his head "All I can say is you are one creepy clown and you are never gonna get laid tonight!"

"Well that makes the two of us, doesn't it?."

Ryan walked towards the door and slowly opened it and let James through. As James passed him he asked, "So I hear Jess is going to this party. You excited?"

James turned to look at Ryan and smirked, "That's none of your business."

Ryan gave a grin that was made creepier than usual, from all the make up and said, "Why? Are you scared of a me stealing the love of your life?"

James blushed, "You're a dick, you know that right!"

The two friends headed out of their house and began walking down the street towards the party.

1 HOUR EARLIER...

Ryan was separated from James, he spotted a girl who looked like Jess wearing a Supergirl outfit. Ryan sneaked behind her.

"Boo!" 

"Shit! Ryan is that you? Don't creep up on me like that! You scared the life out of me!" 

As Ryan recovered from his drunken laughter, he composed himself and shouted over the loud music, "Guess what? Your admirer has been trying to look for you all night."

Jess looked at Ryan and gave him a big smile, "Oh yeah? So how come he sent you?"

Ryan grinned and replied, "Because... he's shy. He doesn't want to profess his love for you in front of all these people, not that you'll hear anything under this AWFUL music anyway."

Jess smiled again, "Well he better make it fast, I'm not sticking around forever."

Ryan laughed, "Wow, seems like you have been desperately waiting for him."

"Yes I have Joker, it's the only reason why I came to this stupid party in the first place."

"Well Supergirl, me being the Joker, all evil and what not, I'm gonna make you wait a little bit longer. Go to the the upstairs bedroom in say half an hour and I'll make sure he is nice and ready for you."

Jess gave Ryan another big smile and whispered in Ryan's ears, "I can't wait."

30 MINUTES EARLIER...

Jess arrived at the door of the upstairs bedroom. She was slightly anxious about entering the room but she took a final drink from her vodka and coke and knocked on the door. The music was too loud to hear a response so she just walked in. 

She entered the room to find James looking through a pile of CD's. The room was a lot quieter than outside, although you could still hear muffled music from outside and the floor was vibrating from the heavy bass downstairs.

James saw Jess walk in and his face was immediately filled with happiness and joy. Jess' face on the other hand was completely different. She had a confused look for a second and then confusion evolved into shock, as she finally understood what was going on. There was an awkward tension in the room. Both stared at each other, not quite sure what to say, but Jess decided to speak first, "Erm.. You're Ryan's housemate James right?"

"Yes," James replied.

"You're my... admirer?"

James blushed and shyly replied, "Erm.. I guess so"

"Wow, this is a bit awkward and kinda embarrassing, but I thought Ryan was... my admirer."

James was confused by her remark and replied, "But I thought he told you it was me."

"Well... No he only mentioned I had an admirer and since I have had the biggest crush on him since forever, I thought it was him trying to say he liked me... I'm sorry, I should go."

"No, no, please stay. I know you don't know me very well but I really really like you and I have done ever since I first laid eyes one you."

"Look, you seem like a nice guy but, I'm sorry, it's just... I like Ryan and I... I can't explain. I'm just gonna go"

James began to get frustrated, "I don't understand, Why do you like Ryan? Why do all the girls like him? He's an asshole. He's in a different relationship every other week. I'm the one who loves you not him. Why can't you just give me a chance?!" 

Jess was starting to get intimidated, "I'm sorry.." she muttered, she could feel the tension building up now and she attempted to leave the room, but James rushed towards the door and slammed it shut. Jess backed away from him but every step she took backwards, he closed the gap with a step towards her.

15 MINUTES EARLIER...

Ryan was talking to some blonde girl by the kitchen downstairs. All of a sudden the music stopped. He looked over to the living room. Two police officers were standing by the stereo.

"Alright, party's over. This is what you get for being so damn loud!"

The police officers began to shepherd the people outside. 

Ryan looked back towards the blonde girl, only to find her throwing up by the sink. He swiftly exited the room. 

He decided to go find his housemate to tell him that the party was over. He went upstairs to the bedroom and knocked on the door. No reply.

He had a devious grin on his face as he placed his ear on the door to hear what was going on and at that moment, "HELP!"

He rushed in to find that James was on top of Jess with both his hands holding her wrists against the floor.

Ryan pulled James off of Jess and punched him in the face.

Jess, with tears streaming down her cheeks started scrambling to get up and ran out of the room, as if her life depended on it.

NOW...

Ryan pushed James onto the ground.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?!"

"I... I don't know what came over me, look I wasn't going to do anything, I swear."

"Bullshit!"

"Nothing happened, she's gone, just calm down."

"You seriously telling me to calm down after what just happened!"

"Look I'm sorry, let's just forget about this and go home okay?"

"Go to hell!"

Ryan left James on the floor as he started to chase after Jess. He exited the house to find that the police officers and almost everybody else had gone. He spotted Jess walking swiftly away at the end of the street. He ran and caught up to her.

"Jess, wait up." She ignored him and began to walk faster. He then put his hand on her shoulder and she flinched, but then looked up and realised it was Ryan. She hugged him and started crying out loud. 

Ryan held her tightly and said "I'm sorry."