The warm early summer breeze rustled the trees. Twilight was descending on the small backyard where the party was being held. Laughter seemed to be coming from every direction and a smile crept onto my lips as I looked at the people around me. It seemed impossible for me to have grown so close to the people surrounding me in such a short amount of time. I had only started talking to most of them during the past week due to the Drama Club initiation. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude towards my friend Claire for convincing me to sign up; the past week had been the best experience of my life. I looked to my right and made eye contact with her, smiling warmly and knowing that she understood what I was trying to convey when she returned the expression.

A tremendous burst of sound brought me out of my thoughts and caused all the Drama Club members around me to halt their conversations. I turned in the direction the party guests did and immediately saw what had caused such a deafening pop. Someone stood, grinning wildly with a burnt Black Cat at their feet and a bag of fireworks in their hands. People rushed forward, grabbing whatever they could, I laughed at the sheer chaos of it all and followed in the general direction the crowd was headed as word of a Roman Candle fight circulated throughout the group. A little voice at the back of my head wondered if this was a good idea, as there were numerous warning labels on the barrel of the explosives not to use them in combat. In the end, however,I let it go, knowing that once these people set their mind to something there was no stopping them.

I edged my way close enough to the front of the crowd so I could so I could see and was awestruck by the explosion of green fire that shot from the candle in one person’s hand to the direction of his opponent. Glowing red sparks shot back from the other side of the yard, arching gracefully through the air before dying out. Soon the air was illuminated with the flared of red and green. I couldn’t help but compare it to a wizarding battle. The warriors struck bold poses as they held out their makeshift wands, looking surprisingly impressive in a way they shouldn’t have been able to. A flaming ball of red flew towards the crowd that had gathered. A couple people, myself included, yelped and covered their heads, but the intimidating light fizzled out before setting anyone ablaze. Relieved laughter once again flooded my ears as the crowd returned their attention to the spectacle in front of them.

Later that evening, the excitement had died down, giving way to a relaxed atmosphere as we all sat by the warm glow of the dying fire, sharing smiles, and not minding the chocolate and marshmallow smeared on our faces. A tingling sensation that I recognized as elation swept over me; I looked at the people around me and an overwhelming feeling of acceptance washed over me, it was like I belonged. I was so thankful to all the people present: I had made so many new friends, had so many new experiences, and it was the first time I had felt accepted in such  a large group of people. I knew they cared about me, I knew they would help me if I needed it, and I knew they accepted me for who I was. Laughter started up again, following some joke one of the students had made, and even though I didn’t hear it; I threw my head back and laughed at the sky.