In My Skin

Ch 2 || The New Guy

After following the main throng of people, I finally stumbled into a spacious kitchen. Snack bowls filled up the center aisle but they were empty aside from a handful of crumbs. Only a few guys were checking the fridge but nobody I knew.

I didn't even know whose house it was. Chris had texted me the address and I had shown up. And what a waste of time it had been.

I wasn't even sure if I still had a relationship. Was continuing it really worth the effort? Or maybe I was just holding onto it to prove something. That I could have a normal college life, hang out with people, and have a relationship where my skin condition wasn't an issue. A sudden wave of dizziness made me hold onto the counter.

After rummaging through several cupboards I found an empty mug, filled it with water, and took a sip. It helped a little.

My fingers twitched when I felt my neck crawling again. I pinched my arm waiting for the itch to recline. Scratching only made it worse.

Time to leave.

After refilling and downing the entire mug one more time, I headed for the back only to pause in the doorway. The house was connected to a large garage that someone had turned into a disco floor. Trance music blasted from the speakers and flashing lights briefly illuminated the cluster of bodies that were jumping and dancing.

And just like that, my headache returned full force. With a groan, I was about to edge along the wall to avoid the crowd when I saw him. The guy who had overheard Chris and me just now.

He leaned against the wall with a frown and his arms crossed, seemingly waiting for someone. His whole stance projected a clear don't-mess-with-me message and it seemed to work as people gave him a wide berth.

The feeling of a cold sticky liquid running over my arms and the front of my shirt snapped my attention away. A drunken girl had tripped sideways, right into me.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," she said, fussing over my clothes.

The artificial smell of strawberries wafted up my nose.

"It–it's fine," I muttered. "I was just about to leave."

Before she could apologize again, one of her friends caught her arm and pulled her back towards them.

I didn't care. I just wanted out even if that meant getting doused with more alcohol.

Craning my neck, I searched for the easiest way out just to notice the spot where the guy had been at was now empty.

Whatever. I had to leave this place before my headache killed me. Or I lost my dinner.

I started for the exit, pointedly keeping my gaze fixed on my escape route.

Suddenly, I heard my name being called. Or had I imagined it?

I kept pushing forward, my thoughts revolving around fresh air and being away from people.

I almost made it when another one of Chris's friends materialized next to me.

"Hey, Tay." He flashed me a smile, his white teeth contrasting against his deep-brown skin.

I gave a half-hearted smile in return. Cody was one of those genuine people who got along with everyone. I just wished I wouldn't run into him right now.

"I see you're overdoing it a bit with the girly drink," Cody teased, reached for the door, and held it open. "You're not supposed to wear it, you know?"

I rolled my eyes and focused back on him. "Very funny."

I should probably be thankful her cup hadn't been full.