Lilacs Forever

Chapter 24: Live and Love

"You're going to a party?!" Anita basically squealed.

"Well, yeah..." Delilah laughed nervously.

"So... he finally asked you out," she teased.

Delilah blushed furiously. "H-he did not! And we're not dating."

"But you go to the library and bakery together? Regularly?"

"As friends!"

A smile crept Anita's face. "First things first, do you like him?"

"Well... he's really likable..."

Anita grinned.

Delilah licked her lips nervously, "I'll admit... he's really cute..." she looked down as her face burned. "But he's probably got his eyes on someone else..."

"What? Who!"

There was a pain in Delilah's chest. "T-there's this girl at the cafe named Amelia. She and Jacob have been friends since they were kids... They must know each other very well..."

"And how do you feel about that?"

"I-I don't know, it feels kind of weird when I see Jacob talking to other girls..."

"Is that jealousy I'm sensing?"

"N-no! I'm not jealous! I'm sure there'll be other girls at the party too. It's fine." Delilah was flustered, but she didn't want to leave the conversation at that. She felt the need to... talk about it more. "I'll probably make some friends this time."

"A party is the perfect place to make friends, have some drinks, or maybe even score a man," Anita winked.

"N-no, maybe making friends but you know... not with other guys..."

"You'd rather be with Jacob?" she teased.

"Anita!"

"Oh come on, it'll be fun."

"A-anyway, have you been to any parties?"

"Of course!" Anita laughed, "Wanna know about my first party?"

Delilah couldn't help but be interested.

"Actually, I wasn't even supposed to be there. My parents were on the strict and conservative side and would never let me go to any. There was one night where I begged my parents to go on a sleepover with my friends. It took some convincing, but they eventually said yes."

Delilah tilted her head curiously.

"Anyway," Anita continued, "that was a cover up. That night there was a party at one of the class jock's houses. Or should I say mansion, his parents were basically loaded with money, and he was one of those kids who drove around the fancy car he got for his 16th birthday. We basically snuck out of one of my friend's houses and went to the party, can you believe it?"

"And then what happened?" Delilah was at the edge of her seat.

"I had the time of my life. That was my first time drinking. I had a taste of Mr. Jock's parents' fine wines. But I preferred their vodka better. They had a whole home bar in their basement! I still can't believe that I drank that much, it was way over drink 8. I fell into the pool, hehe."

"Even back then you were a lot of trouble," Delilah shook her head jokingly.

"I also had my first time too..."

"What?!"

"Yup, he was one of the school's bad boys. At the time it was hard to resist when you're very very drunk and a half naked hot guy is waiting for you and ready to go. He was pretty irresistible. I could still remember him "

"H-how was it?"

"It was amazing. It wasn't the fact that I slept with a hot guy or that I drank and got wasted. Doing something on my own, without anyone to stop me... The independence and the thrill seeking, it made me feel empowered."

"Were you caught?"

"Of course I did. I got in big trouble. My parents made sure that I never went out with friends ever again. Even birthday parties. They also made me study more. I guess they wanted me to be the chaste, innocent, good girl who got good grades and would never think to cause trouble. But that wasn't who I am. I prioritized boys over school. I basically became a rebel until I graduated high school and moved out in college. Ever since I learned to live and love on my own."

"How are your parents now?"

"Oh, we still laugh about it today. Parents start to have a change of heart when their kids become adults."

"Wow, I wish that I was as carefree as you. But there's so many things holding me back" Delilah couldn't help but envy her.

"That's because you worry too much about what other people think about you. you're young and beautiful, loosen up, smile more!"

Delilah couldn't help but smile. Maybe she could learn a thing or two from Anita.