Don't Text Back

Chapter 8

The next morning I was awakened by Ameira and Rebecca arguing in the living room. I would have stayed away from the situation, but they were loud. I'm talking, screaming, banging against walls, stomping feet, who has the loudest voice game. I peeked out from behind the wall and saw Ameira wearing her clothes, dressed as if she was about to leave somewhere. Rebecca was still in her pajamas. The other girls were sitting on the couch looking at them.

"Guys," Amanda stood up using her hands to make a space between Amanda and Rebecca. I was scared that they would get physical.

"I'm so sick of this," Ameira plopped down onto the couch next to Dakota. Using two fingers, she pinched her forehead while looking at the floor. "This is getting ridiculous. I can't believe it."

"Ameira," Dakota placed her arm around her. "Let's be rational."

"I'm leaving," I heard Ameira say. "I'm so sorry, but I have to leave."

Amanda sat next to them. "You're not leaving. Deep breaths. We'll get through this."

"We'll get through this," Rebecca made a nasty face at them then went off into her room, slamming the door shut behind her.

Not wanting to get involved in that mess, I slid my way back into my room. That was none of my business, I hoped. What if Rebecca had said something about me that made them fight?

I laid down back in bed with my phone. 9:49 AM. It was still early, but I wanted to do something. I texted TJ and asked him if he wanted to hang out later. To my surprise, he replied back immediately.

"I wish! But I'm planning for a party tonight. College party :/"

"Oh man :c Alright then," I texted back.

"Hey, would you like to help? There's no one here helping me."

"Sure!" I replied.

"I'll pick you up at 1. That's okay?"

"Yes."

There was a knock at my door. I put my phone down then got up to answer the door. Who was there? Rebecca, frowning at me with her arms crossed.

"Can I come in?" She asked.

Without me saying anything, she walked in and sat on my bed. "Sure," I said then sat down next to her. "Are you okay?"

She shook her head and stared down into her lap. "Not really. I think they're getting tired of me being here."

"No," I put my hand on her shoulder for support. "You're an amazing person and so much fun to hang out with."

She smiled at me. "I'm sorry if I upset you last night. I'm just so used to being turned down. No one wants to hang out or do stuff with me because I get easily hurt."

"That's okay," I said. "People should be careful what they say, and you should be careful not to hurt their feelings. Just take a deep breath then talk."

She looked at me like I was crazy then laughed. "Thanks for the advice therapist. What are your plans for today?"

"I'm going to hang out with my friend later and help him out with this party," I said.

Rebecca nodded with a smile on her face. It wasn't a natural smile either. It was one of those sneaky smiles, or the ones when you think something's up and it's not. Maybe she thought the wrong way and assumed I was attending the party as well. As if.

***

Tj had picked me up using his friend's car. He drove me to someone's dorm, and there we started setting up stuff. We covered the tables, put out the cups, bought the alcohol, straightened out the chairs, placed the DJ equipment in the right place, and lastly, we made sure the place looked clean. I had never put together a party. Doing this with TJ was fun because we laughed and talked a lot of stuff. He knew why I had moved here and why I had left home. His situation was a little similar. He left his parent's state because they were controlling and didn't want him doing the things he was passionate about.

"Parents," he said. "Can't live with them, can't live without them. Know what I mean?"

I nodded while looking at the beautiful wine glasses that stood next to a tall bottle of red wine. It looked like art. I mean, the way it was set up seemed fancy. I almost couldn't believe that I helped make this place look like a masterpiece. I couldn't take full credit or half. Maybe a quarter.

"I know what you mean," I said finally.

He turned to me while scratching the back of his head. "Hey," he said nervously. "I'd love it if you stayed for the party. There are so many interesting people coming, and I'd like for you to meet them. What do you say?"

I shook my head. "I really don't know. I've never been to parties like this."

He laughed. "They're super fun," he said while waving his hands dramatically. "You will have a blast, I promise. Please?"

"Um," I thought about it. I was afraid that something bad would happen. The worst that could happen is if I got drunk and passed out. I heard horrible stories of women passing out and being raped at these types of parties.

"I won't let anyone touch you," Tj said as if he knew what I was thinking.

His big beautiful smile made it hard to say no. "Fine," I said. "I'll stay."

***

  The music was so loud that it made my skin tingle and my lungs feel wobbly. The bass thumped in time with my heartbeat as though they were one, filling me from head to toe with music. I liked this song. Hazy chatter could be heard in every direction. Everything was happening at once. I couldn't make out any words, but laughter rang in my ears and wouldn't seem to stop. While everyone was dancing and having fun, what was I doing? Sitting on a couch, drinking juice like a lost soul in paradise. Sure, the music made me want to get up and dance, but I could never. I was far too nervous.

TJ and this girl sat down next to me, Tj in the middle with a wine glass in his hand. "Alex, this is my friend Kyndall," he yelled through the music.

"Nice to meet you!" A woman dressed in a yellow skirt and sleeveless top called out to me. "Glad to have you here."

"Nice to-nice to meet you too! Glad to be here," I said.

"Come dance with us. Sitting here is no fun," she called out to me while leaning her head towards mine.

I let out a soft laugh. "I can't dance."

"I'm not taking no for an answer," the brunette said then took my hand. "Come dance with us, TJ."

TJ raised his glass in the air and smiled at us. "I think I'll watch, thank you," he said and got comfortable in the seat. Some other guys joined him, accidentally spilling some wine or juice or soda on him.

Kyndall and I only took a few steps away from the chair. She quickly took a glass of champagne off of the counter and handed me the bubbling golden liquid. "Loosen up," she handed me the glass.

I didn't want to tell her that I didn't drink, so I just stood there with the glass doing one of those steps to the left and right sort of dance. Some people I assumed to be her friend started dancing around us, most of them smiling at me and trying to get me in the mood.

"Let the music take control, Alex," Kyndall nudged me and took my wine glass.

I let the music take control and before I knew it I was dancing along with them. It was nice and I felt like as soon as I started dancing, more people joined our tiny circle. TJ finally got up off the chair then removed his shirt. I figured because it was wet. Everyone started clapping, and soon enough other guys removed their shirts and started dancing. It was like a performance when the other guys danced together and boy was I amazed. TJ was a natural born dancer.

So there I was, having fun, not having a single care in the world when all of a sudden I see someone walking towards me with two wine glasses in her hand. It was Rebecca.