Where Do We Go From Here?

Dinner with Cassandra’s parents was pleasant, considering the fact that they held a decent conversation with my parents. My father and Lawrence spoke extensively on the educators union—since Lawrence is a history professor for Seattle University—while my mother and Caroline spoke about the upcoming wedding. They were stressing about seating arrangements and costs—albeit, Jason and Cassandra offered their input, but it was the mother’s that accented the details. Callie, Ronnie, and I sat by and spoke only when the conversation somehow drifted towards us.

Callie wasn’t in a chatty mood mostly because after she and Ronnie poked fun at my newly obtained sex life, she got a call from Mike which resulted in an argument about Prom or something. To be honest, I had completely forgotten about Prom. However, Callie insisted that she pay for her ticket stub if Mike was going to rent a limo—it was a lovers’ quarrel about Callie wanting to independent and Mike wanting to revive chivalry. Nevertheless, it was an argument as a whole.

Ronnie was quiet mostly because my father picked up some button busting desserts in which Ronnie still wasn’t ready to indulge herself in. She ate a full serving of dinner—that my mother reluctantly admitted was not homemade—and even had a few of the appetizers. However, I believe her discomfort on eating was due to the fact that there were new people over which in turn results in Ronnie becoming an introvert—a new addition to her personality ever since her eating disorder became known.

After dinner and a generous serving of dessert, Callie and I went upstairs to get ready for Austin’s party. Due to the argument that happened a few hours ago, Callie has now decided she wants to catch a ride with Tony and me. I don’t mind because I wasn’t really looking forward to an awkwardly silent car ride out into the valley.

“He’s just being pigheaded.” Callie spoke gruffly while tugging on her dress.

I laughed. “No, he’s just trying to be a gentlemen.” I pointed out.

She rolled her eyes. “If he wasn’t stuck in his archaic ways then there wouldn’t be an argument.” She retorted while grabbing out her makeup bag.

I took out one of the mermaid style dresses I got from Santorini and threw it on the bed—it was black with a palely tie-die color bodice.

“I guess.” I replied, keeping my response vague since, after all, Callie is my best friend.

In a matter of minutes, I was fully dressed and Callie had put on her makeup. Tony had texted and said he was ten minutes away. I replied with a cliché ‘okay’ before glancing at my reflection. I allowed Callie to rim my eyes with eyeliner, but that was where my generosity ended—I didn’t want to look any different than I usually do, and eyeliner is practically the extent of my makeup face. I pulled out my leather jacket before shrugging it on. It’s still the winter months in California, and even though it doesn’t snow here, it does get a little nippy.

“Are you and Tony arguing or something?” Callie asked.

“Not technically, but there is a definite tension.” I answered truthfully.

Callie frowned. “I can straighten him out for you.” She offered.

I laughed while waving her off. “There’s no need for that. I can handle this myself.”

It was then that Tony pulled into the crowded driveway, in which Callie and I ran downstairs while promising my parents we’ll see then no later than 1 in the morning since they generously allowed us to stay out past midnight to celebrate the New Year.

“Hey Verity—oh, and Callie.” Tony greeted as I slid in the passenger seat and Callie the back seat.

I smiled. “Yeah, we have an addition for the ride over.”

“That’s cool.” He replied, but I could tell that his smile was forced.

We drove towards the highway with the radio as our only background noise. Tony was silent as he rested one hand on the steering wheel and the other on my knee.

“You look beautiful, by the way.” Tony blurted out.

Startled and shocked by his sudden statement that came from left field, I mumbled out a “Thanks.”

“Verity got that dress when we were in Santorini.” Callie chimed in.

“It looks good on you.” Tony commented.

Blushing from his compliment, I smiled embarrassingly back at him. “How much people do you think Austin invited?” I asked, desperately trying to change the subject.

“Last year Austin practically invited the entire school and then some.” Tony answered.

I didn’t take offence to the fact that I was completely unaware of the party, since I wasn’t a party animal. If I recall correctly, I believe my family—and myself, of course—took a trip up to New York and watched the ball drop in Times Square.

“Sounds like a blast.” I mumbled back.

A part of me didn’t want to go to the party because I never found such pleasure in spending time with my peers. When I was in Columbia, having drinks with Lori and her friends that was the only time I allowed such cliché, teenagey behavior to take course. To be frank though, I was surrounded by college students who were of legal age to drink and therefore wasn’t the equivalent to a high school house party. When we arrived to Austin’s house, I wondered how his parents could allow such an event take place. However, I assumed that his parents were oblivious to the parties he throws while they’re away. Upon our arrival, Callie walked into the house with the intentions of a red solo cup making way to her hand. Mines, however, was occupied with Tony’s calloused hands engulfing my right one.

“Does his parents ever get mad when Austin throws parties?” I asked while leaning in close to Tony’s ear—the music was blasting rather loudly that even when yelling you’d have to lean in close to convey whatever you wanted to say.

Tony’s smile lightly slipped as he replied “Austin’s father—Robert—allows Austin to throw parties to compensate for the lack of having a mother figure around the house. You see, Mr. Carlile works late hours in the city so he’s hardly ever around, and well, Austin’s mother passed away when he was a child.”

Tony’s explanation humbled my pessimistic views on Austin’s party. My throat felt tight as I offered a sympathetic smile in Tony’s directions. Even if my throat didn’t feel oddly constricted I don’t think I could have said anything in the matter, for words seemed to lose its meaning if all I could think of were cliché compliments and apologies.

Notes

Two updates because I've been slacking. Enjoy everyone!

The new house is pretty great. 5 bedrooms and three bathrooms and a two car garage. My lease is for two years, so hopefully once that is up then my boyfriend and I can find a nice loft. Anywho, I plan on updating again this weekend.

Oh, and apologies if these chapters aren't that great. I was kinda rushing to post new stuff. I love you all and thanks for reading!! <3