Dreams

Chapter 5

    Adan’s parties are never crowded. Mainly juniors and seniors and the school isn't that big. Adan is a good host, he doesn't let it get out of hand and usually doesn't have much alcohol. There's nothing much to do around here so he makes the teenage boredom disappear for a few hours. Cali was clinging onto me talking about God knows what. She already downed 2 cups of vodka. I don't drink and someone has to be sober enough to watch out for her. Kevin doesn't come to these parties; he's either busy with Alli or work.
     “This party is so fun. Why won't you get loose!!!” I scrunch my nose up at my friend's slurred wording. I was standing close to her as she danced and drank her beverage like it was water. She stumbled a little and I grabbed her by the arm. “You need to take a break from the alcohol. She shrugs off my worried tone and just continues to dance. The music wasn't loud but it wasn't quiet either. Not loud enough for the police to get involved thankfully. Parties are supposed to be irresponsible but Adan somehow doesn't have any drama or pedophiles at his parties. Nothing gets out of hand… except for my alcoholic friend.
     “You're the one who's mostly drunk at this party, Cal. You might wanna sit somewhere.” She pouted and shoved my hand away from her arm. I sigh in irritation. She's stupid when she drinks damn vodka. I sigh deeply and cross my arms. I feel a tap on my shoulder. Adan.
     He stands beside me with a sly grin. He looks at Cali. “Seems like you're having a good time, Cal.” I watch her turn around and flip him off. I laugh lightly, not really amused. “I saw Jonny talking with some guys in the kitchen.” I roll my eyes at how her face broke out in a wide grin as she stumbles off. Jonny has been with her off and on throughout the night. If he wasn't with her, I was. They're a nice couple and I'm glad Calista has Jonny.
     I relax my body now that I don't have to worry about her for the next hour or so. I look up at Adan, he gives a small wave. A sympathetic look. “I heard about Mimi. I been keeping a lookout for her.” I nod, I appreciate his help. He knows how much I love that dog. “Thanks. I blame Janet. She must've kept the door open and she got out.”
     Adsn raised a brow and crossed his arms. I watch his gaze fall down to examine my outfit. He looked a bit dumbfounded, yeah I'm not a fan either. “Cali made me wear it. In case you're wondering why I look like a hooker.” He laughs, shaking his head. “Want one of my jackets? The dress looks too small…” I nod in response. Tired of covering my chest and butt. Adan leads me upstairs to his room. We passed some walking down the stairs.
     He opens his door, basketball posters on his walls, his bed untidy, and some clothes on the floor. Not too filthy. I stand by the door with my arms crossed as he walks to his closet to get a jacket out. I'm his desk was some drawings and letters. I walk over and pick up one of his arts. A sketch of a house, a really nice house. I place the paper down and snoop through his desk. I find a miniature Hershey bar and quietly snag it into my bag.
    I look through his books and hear him walk up to me from behind. I spin around and tske his black jacket he offered and put it over my body. The fabric gave me a warm feeling and not feeling exposed. “Better?” I nod.
     I pick up the house drawing and look at him. “Nice.” A small grin comes to his face as he nods. I place the paper back down. “Thanks…” I walk off from his desk and head to the door. I place my hand on the knob and turn it. My stomach turned. I suddenly felt sick. I narrowed my eyes on the door and sighed. Adan walks up to me. “Are you ok?” I shrug. “Yeah, just a nauseated feeling. It'll pass.”
     My short statement didn't seem to really catch his attention. He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Do you need to go home? You look…pale all of a sudden.” I shrug again. I very much would rather be at home in my cozy bed than at a party 100%. “I'll be fine. Maybe it's the sandwich I ate earlier.”
     I looked up, and he looked concerned. Was my uneasiness really that easy to see? “Are you sure.?” I frown, nodding. I push him aside and walk out of his room. He follows me out into the party.
     A couple weeks have passed since the party. I went home early since I puked everywhere. Adan drove me home. Past weeks my stomach has been hurting as well. I went to the doctor but only said it was a bug. Not really much of a help. I convinced dad to let me get a job since staying at home all day is getting boring. Plus, all my friends stay busy 24/7. Mimi was never found and I eventually gave up. It was a heartbreak from hell.
 
   I stand behind the counter at the small gas station that's near the grocery store. I started working here everyday after school last Friday. As well as the weekends. It was a warmer Saturday in the 60s, near 70. Oddly boring. I rest my chin on my hand while leaning on the counter top. I sigh deeply. This place doesn't get too much business. I scroll through my Instagram, tapping my foot while humming a tune. I wore some ripped jeans and a black tank top because of the heater in the store. The main owner, Frederick, keeps This place hot as fire. Even with the cooling temperature outside it feels abnormally hot.
     Hours pass, some customers walk in, buy some things and leave. I'm the only one working at the moment. Too much stress for a 16 year old. He lets me do basically everything. Clean, restock, cashier and cook the hunt brothers pizzas you get at gas stations. Only things I'm not allowed to do is sell cigarettes, tapes, or alcohol.
     Homecoming is next Friday. Calista wants to drag me to the mall for a dress when I get off work at 5. No one's asked me and I frankly don't care. Although Adan has been acting off for the last couple weeks since the party. He's been a little quiet around me. He could be chatting away to Cal and Kev but when I approach he goes into lockdown. I'm not the only one who noticed it too. But my friends are strange so nothing new.
      I play Candy Crush on my phone when I hear the bell ring. Singling that a customer has walked in. An old man, maybe mid 50s or close. He gives me a friendly smile as he walks to the coolers. I sigh, my stomach starts to rumble. I haven't eaten anything today or barely yesterday. I feel sick just thinking about food. I watch the man walk around the store. A button up shirt tucked into his jeans. A bag of pretzels in his hand along with a coke. He hums something not sure what it is specifically as he reaches the counter.
     “Is that all for you sir?” I ring up his 2 items and look at him. He nods. “8.23 is your total.” I watch his wrinkled hands pull out a 20 dollar bill. I take it and open the register. I bag up his things and hand them to him along with his receipt. “1.77 is your change.” The man nods and takes his things. He gives me a friendly wave and exits. I sigh and lay my head on the counter. It's like this everyday. Maybe about 2-3 customers an hour then the rest of the time is boring.
     5 rolls around finally. I had my sweatshirt on my shoulder. Since I'm a school kid I have to get off at 5pm on weekends. Strange I know. Weeknights is 9. Alora, a woman in her mid 30s, works behind the desk. She's been working here for years. A nice woman but she isn't too fond of me since her hours were cut back with me working from 5am to 5pm. I wave at her and she waves back.
     I exit the store and dial Cali's number. I already informed dad I was going to be home late today because of shopping. The phone rings a couple times until I hear her voice. “Yes?” I can hear shuffling On the other end. Along with some voices. She sounded cheerful and full of energy. “I'm off, come get me.”
     “On my way!” I can hear the grin in her voice. I roll my eyes and hang up. I pull my sweatshirt over my head since I don't like being outside in a tank top.
     I lean against the wall, moving my ginger hair behind my head while the wind shuffled it around in my face. The sky was painted beautifully. Orange mixing into pink. I watch residents walk down the streets, mainly crackheads I'm assuming. They normally come out at this time. I watch cars roll up and down the road. I haven't spotted Calista's car yet. She drives pretty fast so it won't take her long to get here.
     My head starts to spin. My stomach still in pain. Dad surprisingly noticed my lack of eating and makes me eat. But u don't have the appetite nor energy to eat. My migraine progresses more each day. It gets yo the point u could barely see. The tension behind my eyes makes it so hard to concentrate on anything. And the heat in the store wasn't exactly helping.

     “I think you should get green. It'll definitely match your eyes!” I shake my head at the dress she held up to my chest. It was one sleeve, puffy. The material was silk. I maybe liked it but why green of all colors. “I don't think so. I'd look like your average ginger. If I'm gonna be dragged to this damn dance choose a dress that's actually good, Cali.” I watch her frown and roll her eyes. “You gotta admit it's cute.” She puts the dress back on the rack. I follow her around the store, watching her pull out dresses abs asking if I like them. I turn them down and she gets fussy.
     Around near 7 after going store to store 20 times, I settle on a black dress that poofs out at the bottom. The sleeves are off shoulder. Cali bought it, I told her I'd pay her back, which she refused. I'm still paying her back. She told me I could use her black heels she let me wear at the party weekso ago. We sat in a cafe at the mall. The dress in a bag beside my feet. I ordered a grilled cheese, she ordered a chicken salad. We sat in a booth and waited on our food. Cali was talking about how she might get back into cheer or something like that. If she does, I'd feel bad for her. Alli and her friend Rebecca are in cheer. was barely paying attention. She seemed to notice and threw a salt shaker ar me. I flinch.
    “What the fuck!?” She rolls her eyes. I set the shaker back. “If I'm being boring then tell me! Don't ignore what I'm saying.” I groan, rubbing my head. I need some Tylenol or Ibuprofen. “I'm listening, just tired. You dragged me practically around the whole mall for nearly 2 hours.” She rolls her eyes, sipping on her tea. “I can take you home if your tired. We can get out food too go.”  I shrug. “We can stay and eat. I honestly don't feel like going home.”
     She nods, I take a sip of my water. So glad no school tomorrow. The waiter brings our food. I eat my sandwich. It's not the best but not to bad. “So, you talk to Adan? Hes been telling us he's been wanting to tell you something.” I shrug. We text but not much. He usually asks how I am or if I'm feeling better each day. Stuff like that. “Yeah, but I don't understand. He's been distant. Like he seems different around me. Well other than he is around you and Kevin.” She laughs. I don't see what's funny. “Why are you laughing?” She shrugs, placing down her plastic fork. “I'm super surprised you never noticed.” I frown, taking another bite of my grilled cheese.
     “What was I supposed to notice?!” She still laughs. “Nothing, just nothing. You'll find out sooner or later.” I grumble and flip her a bird. She just rolls her eyes.