When it hurts (ongoing)

Chapter ten

"Please Nora" Jess claps her hands together, begging "It will be fun I promise".
"I'm sorry Jess but I don't like parties" I say "I'm socially awkward remember".
"So am I" she argues "that's why we need to go together".
I shake my head "We are already going to the bonfire next Friday, I need to get extra practice on my solo this weekend".
Jess nods "Yes but we have plenty of time to practice and this is a costume party, we can dress up in outfits that people won't even be able to tell it's you. That may make you feel less awkward".
The suggestion eases my nerves. I sign "When is this party?"
She chews on her finger nail anxiously "Tonight".
My eyes widen on their own "Tonight? Jess!"
"I know I know" she chases me down the corridor "I'm sorry for the late notice but Jason didn't know he could throw the party until just now". Jess looks behind us and I realise Samuel is there.
He smiles at us "What's up guys?"
Jess tugs at his arm "Please help me convince Nora to come to Jason's party tonight".
"You're going aren't you?" Samuel asks "Nora this is going to be one of the best parties of the school year. Everyone is going".
I throw my head back "Not you too".
Phone alerts go off in unison, everyone gets a notification at the same time. I glance down at my phone, seeing it's an alert about Jason's party. I look around the hallway, at all the other people that received an invitation, at all the other students jumping around excitedly and discussing what to dress up as.
All those people that will be there
Samuel stops me, putting his hands on my shoulders "Nora listen, you need to go. If you don't like it I promise we'll drop you home. But give it a chance, live a little. It's a Friday night, think of it as celebrating surviving the first week of senior year".
I frown "But I have chess club after school".
He shakes his head, trying hard not to laugh "What am I going to do with you".
Him and Jess begin to walk away, laughing.
I chase after them "Hey! Chess club is class!"
                                                    *****

I dressed up as maleficent, wings and horns. My dark hair curled at my sides. Samuel went as a black crow to match me, how he got a bird suit so fast I have no idea, but he looks exactly like the bird in the movie. Jess went as superwomen, the red and blue suit. The cape, the mask. She looks great. Me, Jess and Samuel advance up Jason's driveway. I'd worried that there wouldn't be enough space for everyone that was invited, but now that I'm here that clearly will not be an issue. Although the house looks more like a student house, for multiple students to share. You can hear the music before you've even stepped in the door. Alcohol is being passed around, teenagers jumping and dancing to the rhythm of the song.How did they get alcohol? Chips and crisp's lay in large bowls on tables and countertops. Jess fits right in, dancing and singing along. I share at her, amazed. Although Jess had said she was socially awkward before, that was just to make me feel better. She is probably one of the most confident people I know.
Samuel grabs my waist, leaning down to speak in my ear "You okay?"
I look up at him "Yes".
He smiles, taking my hand and leading me into the jungle of dancing bodies "Dance with me".
I hate dancing. I just feel awkward. But Samuel calms me down a little. I actually start to have fun. We dance together, Jess joins us. I don't know how, but eventually I lose my friends, get pushed away from them. I try to search for them, but it's no use. I get too warm and push through everyone, when I get to the stairs I look over everyone from a higher advantage point, but it's impossible. I look up the stairs where it's very quiet, abandoned. I think about camping out there until this party is done. But then I feel guilty leaving Jess. When I look over again and don't spot her, I descend up the stairs.
Just 10 minutes of quiet
I walk down the corridor and see there are multiple closed doors. I was right, this is a student complex. When I see one slightly ajar, I peek in, relieved to find it empty. I walk in slowly, closing the door behind me. I walk over to a couch in the middle of the room, dropping down on it. I look at the chessboard lying on a glass table in front of the couch, another couch at the other side. I've always wanted to play chess, I've just never knew how. The door creaks open, by the time I turn to look, the intruder is already kneeling before me, so close our lips almost touch. They are dressed up as a ninja, black head to toe, a black mask, very blue eyes.
I could recognise those eyes anywhere
"Austin" I whisper.
He smiles "Nora".
Dimples dimples dimples
I smile "Hi".
His smile deepens "Hi".
We stare at each other for a few silent seconds before he asks "Why are you hiding out up here?"
I fidget with my fingers "I don't like it".
"Me or the party?"
I laugh playfully "Both".