"Don't tell me you're backing out!"
I took a deep breath and looked down at my peach dress. It was the off-the-shoulders kind of dress with sleeves that reached my elbows and was almost two inches past my finger tips. I added my favorite silver layering chain necklace along with simple, tiny stud earrings. I was allowed to wear my white flats too. But my shoulders felt exposed and so did my legs. I wasn't used to showing so much skin. The fact that I was still insecure about the thickness of my thighs and the way my shoulders sort of slumped frustrated me as well.
"Ashton. I don't know if I want to go dressed like this." I admitted.
"You look hot! Don't worry!" He gave me a thumbs up. "Your mum was right about getting your hair curled."
I looked at how he's dressed; a black T-shirt with two skeletons inside a coffin with the words "Ride or Die" on the bottom and his over used black skinny jeans. He tied back his hair, making it look more like a light chestnut color than his actual dirty blonde. It was his casual style. Meanwhile I'm forced to dress up. And for what? A stupid party that I wasn't even invited to?
"Thank you but-"
"No buts! Let's GO."
He pulled me along by my arm, towards his car.
"Promise me you won't leave me alone. You know I don't know anyone there." I pleaded.
"I'll introduce you to my friends. They're cool."
Suddenly, something flashed behind us. My head snapped towards its direction and I found my mom with her camera. She waved with a goofy grin. Ashton released my arm.
"Can you not?" I said to her.
"I had to! Now, pose for Facebook!" She held up her camera and took another picture. I roll my eyes.
"Party already started." Ashton was already in the car. I got in and covered my face before my mom took another picture.
"Why does she do this to me?"
Ashton laughed a little. "She has to."
When we arrived, it was the typical party scene; a pastel blue two-story house with booming music, flashing lights, red and blue cups scattered about the lawn, small groups huddled together, couples attacking each other with their mouths, and drunks stumbling around. It was exactly what I expected.
The moment we walked inside, the music enveloped me, no, it was more like forced itself inside and made my chest thump to the beat of the bass. I wondered how the neighbors haven't complained by now. Maybe they already had.
I let Ashton lead me through the crowd of dancing bodies, ignoring those who kept bumping into me without apologizing. I didn't realize I held on to Ashton's shirt until we reached the kitchen. I let go before we approached a group which I guessed were his 'cool' friends.
"Ash! Papi!" A girl with bright red hair wrapped her tiny little arms around Ashton's neck and pulled him down to kiss his cheek. He picked her up by her waist into a hug.
I looked down at the floor. It would've felt awkward to watch them any longer.
"Who's your girl?" She asks. She meant me.
"I'm not his girl. We're temporary roommates." I clarify. The rest of the group, two guys -- one with noticeable green hair and the other jet black -- laughed. Was it because of what I said?
Ashton pat my shoulder, a little too hard, and laughed along with them. I try to join them but it sounded unnatural and forced so I stopped short.
"I'm Joanna but call me Jo." The girl smiled and her hazel eyes looked me up and down. I sort of did the same. She wore those high waisted shorts with the pockets hanging out and a flowy sleeveless white shirt that hugged her chest (and showed some cleavage) then flowed out. The type of outfit I wouldn't be able to pull off.
