WE ARE THE D.S (Somos la D.S - English version)

9. THE NE PARTY

How to list every single thing that has taken my breath away at night?

I wouldn't know where to begin.

After two glasses of Talissa's weird vodka that tastes sour and looks like neon yellow highlighter water, I'm already starting to join the vibe of the people around me.

Talissa's house is a fucking mansion straight out of a celebrity real estate catalog. I want to believe that Talissa's sweet face hides nothing sinister, but the elegance and spaciousness of the place make me consider the small possibility that her parents might be drug dealers. I know it's crazy, but I prefer to keep the possibility in my mind and believe that we are in danger.

By the time I move away from the bustle of the large room, I do so being a little uncomfortable, I've just had too much to drink and drinking soup at Baelee's hasn't helped at all. Too much liquid for my body, I know.

I slide my hand across the perfectly waxed mahogany as I head straight for the toilet. I replay Talissa's words over and over in my head, "go up the stairs, continue down the hallway to the right and open the door at the back." I repeat her words like a broken record because I really don't want to open the wrong door.

What would happen maybe if I opened a door and found bags of cocaine, or a geeky-faced idiot with glasses counting bills?

I laugh quietly as I walk down the hallway and notice a large glowing chandelier over my head.

This house is full of shiny crystals hanging on the ceiling, I could surely die if one falls on my head. And I don't wish to die, not while like an idiot I open the button of my white jeans.

At what point did anyone think wearing a pair of white jeans to a party could be a good idea?

I know it was a requirement to wear this or a pair of neon colored jeans, so white for me was out of the question.

I linger for a few minutes in my reflection, observing the work of the makeup artist Talissa hired.

It took me longer than everyone else to decide what to do on my chest, because the Ne party has had the wonderful idea of us guys wearing nothing on our bodies but a pair of tennis shoes and white pants and the rest of our bodies? The rest is based on bare chest covered in fluorescent paint. I can't believe it's taken me this long to decide on a pair of green tribal symbols that I don't even know what they mean.

This is so bizarre.

Although if I were critical, I'd say my choice has been simple. I should just look at Bernard and his pink lightning bolts, or maybe François and his big green skull, but it's definitely Malton who takes the prize for imagination. The boy with the brown curls has asked to paint the shape of his muscles. Not even in his wildest dreams could he ask for something like that.
But at this party the real winners have been the girls who look pretty with little clothes and makeup on their face. Right now I wish I had a female reproductive device between my legs or nice long hair like Baelee and not this hideous paint on my body.

"Sorry" the bathroom door opens and I find Luttia with a smile on her face.

Now I know who has had more to drink than everyone else here.

"You can use it, I'm done here," I move in the direction of the exit, but the girl in front of me seems to have other plans as she places her hand on the door. "I said it's all yours, can you let me out?# She denies with her face and smiles. "Luttia, I don't have all night."

"But I do," he leans against me just enough for his breath to fall on my face. "Do you know that from the first minute your stepsister brought you to town, I've liked you?" His lips are very close to mine and despite the vodka coursing through my veins, I doubt very much he wants to do this.