Eastwood Academy

Chapter 9: Party

I wake up feeling tired. I tossed and turned last night, thinking about the photo of River and me that's currently circulating around the school. It feels unfair that everyone now assumes I slept with him. We were sophomores, for God's sake. I was fifteen and had been kissed one time in my entire life.

The idea that I would have just decided to hook up with some random guy is beyond ridiculous since I'm still a virgin, but no one knows that, so I guess they've just decided to label me as another slut. I also look like shit in that photo. My outfit and unwashed hair didn't exactly scream, "Do me!"

After hitting snooze multiple times, I finally drag myself out of bed and into my uniform. I'm late, which means I have to rush. No time to make myself look a little better than normal in case I receive any unwanted attention. I put my hair in a high ponytail, grab a protein bar, and make instant coffee. Then I head to my first class, Art History. I feel self-conscious as I walk from my dorm to the classroom. People definitely stare and whisper as I pass. I hear them mention the sports committee and that my idea was more popular than Beth's. I also hear River's name and mine intertwined like we're some kind of an item. As much as I want to grab a megaphone and loudly deny our involvement, I know it's useless, so I keep my head down and pretend to be oblivious.

My next class is History with River. I've made a habit of getting to all my classes early, but today, I make sure to arrive just as the bell rings so I won't have to navigate trying to decide whether or not to talk to River. Since our previous interactions have been so hostile, I have no intention of bringing up the day we met. River gave me no indication that he remembered or wanted anything to do with me. Now, I don't know how to act. Do I continue as I was before? Should I address this head-on and talk with him? No, I decide as I replay his words yesterday: "I must have missed the part of our interactions that gave you any indication that we have any kind of relationship at all." Definitely better not to try to talk to him. He made it very clear that he detests my presence.

I'm the last person to arrive. River is already seated and does not indicate he is aware of my presence as I sit down and take out my notes. I should be relieved, but I feel disappointment wash over me.

Since this is an AP class, the lectures are fast paced, and the material is dense. It takes all my concentration to focus on understanding what Mr. Roger is saying. When class is over, River rises smoothly from his seat and is the first person out the door. Gavin and I trade looks as everyone gets up, and the whispering starts again. As we exit the classroom I can feel other people's eyes boring a hole into my back.

"Don't worry about it. He'll be onto someone else and then back to Beth, and everyone will be talking about that soon. They'll forget all about this," Gavin says as we walk to the cafeteria.

"Yeah, sure," I reply dully.

At lunch, Jessica announces to Gavin, Carly, and me that she's decided to take Tyler Jordan up on his invitation to go to his party, and she wants us to come along. I agree, and then butterflies start to form in my stomach. I remember River's obvious annoyance when Tyler said Jessica could bring me along. Combine that with the photo scandal, and I feel downright anxious, but this plays right into my strategy of acting like I don't give a fuck.

After the announcement, that's all everyone at my table is able to talk about, as well as past shenanigans that have taken place at parties thrown by Tyler. Apparently, he, River, and Marina are known for being quite the party crowd. One time, the police showed up, and everyone had to run, which was unfortunate because the entire crowd had just decided to go skinny dipping. Tyler's father happens to be a very successful lawyer who knows "a lot of the right people," so nobody got in serious trouble. Another time River and Tyler hosted a Christmas party decorated with lights that they had stolen from neighboring houses and got bitched out in front of everyone by Tyler's parents. Somehow, that incident came off as cool instead of lame. Don't ask me how.