Where Do We Go From Here?

I looked at my reflection and hated it. It wasn’t because I was on the heavy side or the fact that my eyeliner had once again smudged. I hated my reflection because the top Callie bought me didn’t feel like me. The fabric clung to my chest, making them appear embarrassingly huge before flaring out over my hips.

“No.” I said while shaking my head. “I can’t wear this.”

“But you look so cute.” Callie whined.

“Cal, I look stupid. I told you that I refuse to dress up.” I remarked before going back into my closet and pulling out an old Ramones t-shirt.

“Don’t you want to dress up—just a little?” Callie asked in a small voice.

“No, I’d rather go to some tribunal hearing in Guantanamo.” I answered dryly.

Callie sighed. “V, you just have to get used to the fact that you’re gorgeous. So show it off once in a while.”

I rolled my eyes to myself before saying “I’m just not in the mood for this talk, okay.”

With that Callie dropped it and waited patiently as I tossed aside the top she bought me and pulled on my band tee. It was comfortable and worn just enough times to hang loose around my figure. I paired it with my ripped skinny jeans and a pair of my old converse shoes. Callie sat on my bed with a small smile on her face.

“You still look nice.” She complimented.

“Thanks.” I mumbled before grabbing my grey beanie from my dresser. “We can take my car if you want.” I offered.

Callie nodded enthusiastically before following me. We arrived at the party at a decent hour. The directions that Mike gave Callie—which I’m assuming they swapped numbers since Callie was on her phone after the mall—led us into the valley. The house was just past a large bank of trees before opening up to a brightly lit house that had music blaring from it. There were cars filling the driveway which made me have to park quite a walk away from the place.

I got out first, adjusting the beanie on my head before glancing at Callie. She had a nervous expression on her face as she wrapped her arms around herself.

“You okay?” I asked.

Callie nodded as she plastered a small smile on her face. “I’ve never really been to one of these.” She shrugged.

“You’re on the cheer squad, I’m sure you have a pretty good idea on what happens at a party like this.” I pointed out.

“True, but hearing about things and actually experiencing them are two completely different things.” Callie remarked.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be here for you.” I assured her as we made our way to Austin’s house.

I could hear loud talking as we neared the party. Girls were stumbling over their ridiculously high heels and some guys were getting obnoxiously loud as they spoke vividly about last night’s game—not that I really knew of. I rolled my eyes as I saw a few girls dancing shamelessly provocative to some rap song that I knew nothing of. Callie nodded her head while taking in the scene of everything. It all looked like it should have been a part of some drunk-driving awareness advertisement. I sighed as I made my way through the sweaty crowd with Callie in tow.

She clung closely to my arm as I spotted the kitchen. My throat felt dry and I could only hope that there was an abundant supply of soft drinks. Two kegs and an overflowing cooler filled with ice and more beer obscured the path to the kitchen, which made me have to practically perform parkour to get to the other side. Callie would have been with me if it weren’t for some of her team mates chatting her up. I didn’t take it personally since I wasn’t in the mood to really speak to anyone. Grabbing a chilled Pepsi from an unattended cooler, I leaned my frame against the kitchen counter and sipped it slowly.

“You made it!” Tony’s voice boomed over the loud music, causing me to feel startled.

“Yeah.” Was all I said in response.

“A Pepsi, really?” Tony questioned.

“I’m driving tonight. Besides, I’m not really into the drinking scene.” I answered.

“You’re not into a lot of things, are you?”

“I am.” I said defensively.

“Sure you are.” Tony replied skeptically.

“Whatever.” I mumbled while drinking another gulp of my soda. “Callie is out in the living room, in case you were wondering.”

Tony’s brows furrowed with confusion. “Why aren’t you out there with her?”

“I’m not feeling all that sociable.” I admitted.

Tony was about to say something, but was interrupted by Austin stumbling into the kitchen. “Hey guys!” Austin said with a flushed looking face. My guess would be that he was already drunk. “What are you two cool kids doing in here?”

“Drinking a soda.” I answered while holding up my can.

“A soda?! Ver—Verity” Austin slurred. “You need to step up to the big leagues.”

“Thanks, but no thanks. I’m fine with just this.” I said before pushing myself off from the kitchen counter and walking towards the open door.

I didn’t know where I was going, but I was hoping I wouldn’t run into a couple making out or into anyone else who would try to make small talk with me. I found myself on the back porch of the house. It was completely empty, which surprised me since there was a pool. Kicking off my shoes and socks, I rolled up my jeans and dangled my feet into the deep side—which was nothing more than six feet.

I couldn’t help but think of the things I could be doing at home, like reading or reorganizing my vinyl’s. I could be working on my homework or my art project, but no. Instead, I was at a shitty party filled with shitty people that were having—at least I’m assuming here—shitty conversations. My thoughts circled around the idea that I was upset; an emotion I am frequently aware of feeling often.

“Can I ask you something?” It was Tony again. I wanted to yell at him for being here and for not bothering Callie; someone he wanted to know about, at least in the sense of her relationship status.

“You just did.” I pointed out blandly.

Ignoring my response, Tony took a seat next to me and asked “Why don’t you like me? Did I do something wrong?”

Turning to him with knitted brows I replied “Is that why you keep bugging me? Because I don’t like you?”

Tony blushed. “I’m just wondering what I did for you to act like this.”

Now I felt like a bitch. This realization made my features soften. “Don’t take it personally, I’m like this with everyone.” I assured him.

We sat in silence as I slowly finished off my soda. “Can I ask you something?” I asked, breaking through the silence.

“You just did.” Tony smirked.

Rolling my eyes, I said “Why aren’t you enjoying the party like everyone else?”

Tony sighed. “Because it’s the same every year.” He shrugged. “It’s like everyone here has this idea of what having fun is like, but to be honest the most fun I ever have is when I’m alone in my room listening to music or playing my guitar. Sure, it’s fun to drink but it gets pretty boring when it’s something that constantly happens.” He explained.

I let out a small laugh. “I tend to forget that you’re a sharer.”

Tony smiled. “And this, talking to you, it’s something that I find surprisingly fun. Most girls try to find ways to hook up with me, but you don’t. It’s nice to know that I can talk to a girl without the ulterior motive of sex on their mind.” He shrugged before his voice got low and added “And for the record, I’m not a sharer with other people.”

I didn’t say anything else after that. Instead, I just looked into the chlorine water and waited for enough time to pass before I could round up Callie and head home.

Notes

Those comments kept rolling in so here's the next update <3

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