.
.
.
I quickly gave a brief version of what happened in the cafeteria.
Stacy looked like she was trying to hold her laugh while Alison didn't hide.
“Listen Monica, Lisa doesn't mean any harm okay?”
“She just loves to play cupid at times in the most infuriating way possible.” Stacy chipped in.
“B-but I-” Anna sputtered.
“Nope, you can’t even deny it.” Alison raised a finger. “You should’ve seen her handwork at the party before things got out of control.”
“I just like happy endings.” Lisa mumbled, brushing her hair round her fingers
“Well not everyone is up for your experiments.” Stacy rolled her eyes. Lisa sighed in annoyance.
“Whatever. ”Glad we've sorted that out, now I can make an important announcement.” Stacy cleared her throat and paused for dramatic effect. “Next week Friday, John is throwing a pre-birthday party and you’re all invited.”
“Seriously?” I asked. “What?” Stacy turned to me.
“Even after what happened yesterday, he’s planning a party?” I said.
“It’s kind of a way to make up for the disaster that happened yesterday. It’s strictly by invitation though so not everyone can get in.” “I’ll go.” Lisa said.
“Me too.” Alison seconded. All three girls turned to look at me as they waited for a response. “I…”
“Don’t even think about skipping out of this one.” Lisa said.
“You need to get a social life.”
“My social life is doing just fine.”
“Nope, it’s non-existent. That’s what it is.”
Lisa snickered. My mouth tightened in irritation. This girl just couldn't give me a break. “I’ll think about it.” I shrugged.
They agreed to that and finally gave me some peace of mind about the issue.
That was how I found myself the following Friday, sitting in a roomful of inebriated people and sipping from my drink.
I kept tugging at my blouse to feel a bit more comfortable until Alison grabbed my hand. “Stop fidgeting.” I shrugged uncomfortably without saying
anything.
“Listen, I’m going to the restroom, try not to look like this is torture.” She laughed as she walked away, hips swaying despite the loose, knee-length gown she wore.
I sighed as I remembered another party I attended a long time ago.
************
Two years ago…
I dabbed on some of the red Italian lipstick that Jane
handed over to me when we were in the ladies’ room and rubbed my lips together to spread the color.
“Is it too much?” I asked nervously.
“Nope. you look hot.” She winked at me.
I laughed and swatted her shoulder. I’d gone along
with her to Jev’s party that night and she had hinted at me that there was someone special who wanted to see me. I’d made an extra effort to look good that evening after taking an excuse
from my parents that I only wanted to attend my friend’s birthday party. They let me go because I’d been cooped up in
the house for days since we were on vacation. I adjusted the hem of my gown and walked out with
Jane.
She led us straight to a group of her friends and as I looked at the faces of some of the party goers, I realized only few of my set-mates were present. This was what was termed an ‘Exclusive Party’. It was the kind of party that was thrown by a senior
and only a few selected students in lower classes got to attend.
Jane had convinced Jev to invite me when she heard
Ryan might attend.
I snapped to attention when she nudged me
gently to the left. My gaze followed her gesture and when I looked back at her she smiled knowingly.
“I was hoping that I’d see you here.” It was Ryan and
he stood behind me.
I’m quite ashamed to say that I grinned like a dimwit.
“Do you wanna dance?” He nodded towards the dance floor where several gyrating bodies were displaying their dancing
skills.
“Um.” I hesitated. I didn’t really know how. “If you don’t want to, it’s okay.” He shrugged. I sighed in relief.
“We could just talk, you know, hang out.” Ryan said and I agreed.
We spent several minutes talking and I fell deeper and deeper with each minute that passed. I didn’t know what came over
me, but I pulled him to the dance floor even though I was clueless on what to do. But he seemed to know exactly what he was doing and very soon we were swaying with an easy rhythm. When we were tired of dancing, We found a couch outside to sit on and I relished the cool, fresh air. Inside had begun to smell dank and nauseating.
“You know,” He started. “When Jane told me
you would come, I knew I had to show up just to be sure.
I grinned silently and nodded.
“It’s funny how we don’t talk at school. Don’t you think we should change that?” His eyes held a teasing look in them.
“I’d like that.” I replied. I was elated. I couldn’t believe this handsome, cool and sophisticated senior guy wanted to hang out with me. Me!
“Good.”
Suddenly, I felt warm when he put his arm across
my shoulders, drawing me closer. I was stiff for a
second before I relaxed into his hold. This felt nice.
His hand drifted down to the curve of my waist and I stiffened again.
“Relax.” He chuckled. I tried but couldn’t. My heart had begun to beat at a fast pace and I tried to sit up but he held me firm to his side.
I remembered how strong his grip was the day I tripped and how he bruised my arm without knowing it.
“I really need to get going.” I whispered. “I’m sure Jane is looking for me by now.”
“I’m sure your friend knows you’re with me, she saw us leave together.” He countered my concerns.
“Now, I’ve been meaning to ask. “I was quiet as I waited for his question.
“Have you ever had a boyfriend before or do you currently have one?”
“What?” I frowned as my eyebrows scrunched together. “You know, a guy and girl-”
I waved his explanation away. “I know what it means.”
“So, have you?” He asked again. I gave him a quiet and hesitant reply but it seemed to be
exactly what he wanted to hear because his eyes lit up with a strange light.
“Perfect.” He smiled. “You’re perfect.”
.
.
.
...