>>39102740CONT
Even though I'm buzzed I start to panic. The popular girl starts flipping out and screaming, demanding to know who shit in her mom's bathroom. Some people start joking about it, but things get serious when she threatens to shut the party down. I insert myself into a conversation with two strangers next to me, and point out Shannon, saying I saw her recently exiting one of the bedrooms. They instantly track down the girl throwing the party, who then publicly confronts Shannon and makes her leave.
Any preconceived notions people had about Shannon went out the window. At school everyone started calling her "the phantom wiper," teasing her, and doing what high school kids do. There was even a small inside reference to it included in the yearbook.
Obviously none of this was good for her fragile emotions, and she became reclusive. She was basically too embarrassed to talk to me and the guy and started hanging out with her other friends in band. That summer, she didn't show for band camp, I feared the worst. Thankfully, she only transferred schools.
I've felt pretty shitty about all this in the 10 years since it happened. I was worried I'd get caught, but those guys had no idea who I was, and in the confusion everyone just went with what I said. Then I realized I ruined a friendship and someone's social life. Looking back at how vulnerable I felt, I can't imagine how bad things were for Shannon.
I don't think I've seen her since she transferred. Her parents occasionally updated mine on what she was up to, she went to school out west, and as far as I know never really comes back here. I looked her up on Facebook a few years ago and added her. Thought about telling her the truth, but she was so fucking nice when I reached out I just felt worse. I cringe every time I think of that night.
