Innocent

I smile at my phone as I see that Karl has texted me back. It was occasional for him to do so. And it was rare to not find me thinking of him.

Karl:

I miss you too boo bear. We should hang out some time.

I shriek and run to my sister to tell her of Karl's text. Her brown eyes look me over and she smiles.

"He texted you back? What did he say!"

She hops over to me, her insanely long black hair flouncing everywhere. I show her the screen and we both bounce up and down in celebration. She quickly eats away her lunch. I go to my room and try to figure out what to text back.

Me:

Aww really? And yes, we definitely should!

I hit send and automatically over think what I've just done. I lay on my bed, trying to figure out what I'll wear for my first party tonight, thinking of Karl and what he's thinking of me and if we could ever be together.

No. He doesn't like you, Amelia. Besides, he lives two hours away, there's no point. He's had his heart broken way too much. But I'm different. I adore him. Can't you give me a chance?

It's almost nine at night, and I finally get a text.

Karl:

Well why don't you come over here?

Because I live two hours away, dummy.

I let my phone charge a little more as I sit there and stare.

Me:

Ahah, I live far from you? Dummy :P

I sigh and check my outfit in the mirror again. A bandeau top and high waisted shorts.

I'm sure if my parents saw me they would freak. But who cares? Not their problem.

I shuffle through my seemingly endless supply of sandals and find the perfect pair. I play with my ring and hair to pass the time before my best friend decides to show up.

Geez, Danielle. I'm trying to sneak out of the house, not wait for my parents to catch me!

I hear the bumping bass outside my house and quickly snatch up my small purse and phone. I spritz on some perfume and exit out the window.

Thank God I have a one story.

I have my feet touch the ground and find myself opening the gate in such a silenced way that it gives off an eerie feel. I sprint to the white vehicle awaiting me. I hop in and quickly turn down the music.

"Are you crazy? My parents will know if you're coming by with that music so loud."

I put on my seatbelt. Danielle's dyed hair flips.

"You know what? I'm cool. And this is what cool people do."

She turns it back up and speeds out of the residential area. I quickly take out my make up bag and begin putting everything on. We pass exotic mansions and shiny cars and landscapes that look as if they're a painting.

I'm sure anyone who wasn't from around here would stare in awe, but it's home. And it's become boring.

"So, did you get the invite?"

Danielle yells over the music. I reach over to the dial and the music is tamed.

"Yea."

She smiles at my response.

"It amazes me how you can get invited to parties and never go."

"My parents' rules amaze you?"

Danielle laughs and turns the music back up. I put away the make up and look to my phone for a response from Karl. Zip. Nada.

He hates me.

"So, please tell me you're over that scumbag Karl."

Danielle notices I'm holding my phone like a hungry teenager holds the refrigerator door for something to eat.

"Okay, he's not that bad..."

"Do you want me to throw you out of this car?"

Danielle looks at me.

She's never liked Karl. Despises him is the correct term. I told her our story once and she hasn't given him a chance since. Seems like I've given him too many.

"Okay, geez Louise! Oh, here it's in this gate."

I point to a brick gate with beige colors. A security guard comes to the counter as we pull up. He eyes us and holds a clipboard.

"Daniels. We're visiting the Daniels."

Danielle says, running fingers through her hair. The man looks it over and writes down our plates.

"Yea they're really good friends of ours. It's not like there's gonna be..."

Danielle hurriedly speeds up to the opening iron gate.

"Are you stupid? The more details you give is going to give you away!"

Danielle scolds me and I nod. The mansions space out as the estates and private golf course get bigger.

"Okay. So tell me how to act. I don't know what to do or how much I should drink... Actually not that much because I'm lightweight."

I giggle at my stupidness and look at myself.

There is no way someone could find you attractive. Impossible. And it's true that Karl hates you. Everyone does.

"Well, I think this is where the party is at!"

Danielle stops the car on the road and a couple yards ahead is a slightly small mansion, lights poking out large windows, petite girls atop a large balcony, raising their red cups to the sky. Danielle takes my hand and we skip to the driveway, where bongs and potheads enjoy themselves. The dimly lighted cement has little bursts of light as lighters fuse cigarettes or joints. My hand goes to the large black iron handle for the massive double doors that hold blaring music and the fumes of alcohol and weed. I watch as at least twenty people mingle in the foyer, their bodies entangled among the stairs. Cheers call out from a distant room and Danielle takes me deeper in the mass of young adults.

Keep calm. You do this all the time.

I watch as the large, spacey living room and backyard become apparent. Teenagers repeatedly jump in the cascading pool, girls let the boys feel up their skirts, people go in for refills. We make our way over to the large island counter for drinks. The black marble contains a wide assortment of liquor.

"Here, I want you to stick with beer."

Danielle orders me. I let her split a cold Bud Light between her and I. She hands me a red cup and I take a swig. I look around and find Sammy, drinking in a corner with a blonde girl twirling at his disheveled hair. I smile and see more familiar faces and then some faces that look older.

"You want to go out the balcony or what?"

I hold the cup close to my face as I speak to the short girl beside me. She shakes her head.

"Lets go check out the DJ."

Danielle goes through the crowd of teens and I follow her, trying not to spill the liquid. I watch her maroon hair bob in and out of my vision, and random people say hello before they kiss my cheek. I finally realize that I'm standing beside a stereo stacked with equipment and little flashing lights coming out of the black foam of the speaker. I take another gulp of beer before I look to my right.

Beau. Beautiful Beau.