The car stopped on the street in front of a packed house and I looked up with wide eyes. Violet urged me out, and I opened the door and stepped to the curb. Loud rock music was blasting through the windows and laughter floated out over it. Violet thanked the girl and grabbed my arm, pulling me into the house. I’d been here a couple of times before for parties and it was always crazy. This was no different.
The living room furniture was pushed against the wall, so people could dance to the radio. I could see people sitting on the couches and chairs before I glanced into the kitchen to see the alcohol there. My stomach growled, and I regretted not eating, but there were snacks here. That would tide me over and I could get something from a machine later. I followed Violet to the makeshift bar, and she looked over the various open bottles before looking at me. She was braver than I was. Violet opened the fridge and selected two bottles that were sealed, handing me one. I smiled gratefully before looking slowly around to see if anyone noticed.
She walked to the living room and looked over the crowd as she opened her bottle. I did the same, leaning against the wall with her as I sipped the sweet liquid. The party was packed and so many voices and laughter filled the room as I tugged at my shirt. I knew the drill. Violet would make me dance out there since it was her favorite thing to do. She was good about staying with me and cool with the fact that I didn’t drink too much. It worked.
One of her favorite songs came on and Vi smiled at me. She walked into the crowd and I followed, holding tightly to my bottle. She started moving to the beat, and I took a slow breath and focused on the hard beat of the song. When I did let go, it was nice. I used to be so carefree as a kid but when I got into the upper grades and college, I became cautious. Sleeping with Sterling casually was the only wild thing that I did, and I wondered about that choice some days. I certainly wasn’t looking to jump into bed with anyone else.
Violet cheered me on and I laughed as I started shaking my hips to the faster song. Okay, this was fun. I should get out more and enjoy college before graduation. I knew that once I started working, time would be limited. Since I was going into writing that could lead to some weird hours and long nights. It depended on what I ended up doing.
I was on my third song and just starting to feel thirsty when I felt someone close to me, tapping me on the shoulder. I turned to see Ed, a guy that was in my psychology class with me. I smiled at him. He was a nice guy and certainly handsome, but I’d never noticed him looking at me this way before.
“Hi, Ed. How are you?” I asked as he sipped the red cup that he was holding before tossing it into a big trash can a few feet away. That reminded me that he played basketball and I complimented his skill with a warm smile.
“Thanks, Rosalind. I’m great. It’s good to see you here.” He nodded at someone before focusing his whiskey colored eyes on me.
“My best friend dragged me here.” I winked at Violet and she looked Ed over as she waved at him. He moved closer to me and started to move with me, not too close but suggestively. I pressed my lips together and began dancing again, looking behind Ed. I noticed Sterling on the steps with a blonde girl who was laughing at something he said and leaning close to his face. His eyes were hard on her and I felt something deep in my chest.
I should stop this situation with him and just move on.
I focused on Ed, who was moving closer to me as another song started. I decided that I should give him a chance and try something new. I smiled and moved a little closer, matching my movements with his. I could do this. He was obviously into me, at least in this moment.
We danced until I couldn’t stand it any longer and told him I needed something to drink. I passed up alcohol and reached for a bottle of water that was in a cooler, watching as he got another beer from the keg.
“Do you stay here?” I asked as he sipped it with his gaze on my face.
“No. I have an apartment with a friend a couple blocks away. I’m not the frat guy type but I like their parties.” I nodded, taking a long drink from my water bottle. We made small talk as we found a couch in the corner of the room, and he made me laugh. I didn’t pull away when he leaned in to kiss me, closing my eyes and letting it happen.