I hate you | B.E.

6

I don't need a xanny, to feel better.

-

That Saturday night, Aurelia walked hand in hand with Stephanie, both adorned in matching slip dresses and heels, each in a different vibrant hue. Aurelia felt undeniably alluring, a sensation she couldn't help but acknowledge. Gripping Stephanie tightly, she braced herself against the surge of body heat from the crowds, the pungent scent of weed assaulting her senses. Rolling her eyes, she observed the intoxicated bodies entwined in frenzied dances, devouring each other's faces, consuming endless alcohol, and carelessly breaking things. She couldn't fathom the allure of these chaotic parties.

The loud music thudded in her eardrums as she scanned the room. Bodies pressed together, sweat glistening, spotting familiar faces now and again. Then, she froze her gaze on one in particular: Billie. She was seated in the corner amidst her friends, engaging in conversation, looking uninterested, Stephanie continued pulling Aurelia through the crowd. Aurelia couldn't help but let her eyes linger on Billie in the kitchen. Her friends were downing shots, while Billie sat with furrowed brows. Aurelia knew Billie didn't like drinking, hated being the lone sober one in a sea of intoxicated teens.

Billie vanished from sight as Stephanie pulled Aurelia out to the backyard, where the crowd seemed to multiply. People jumped on each other, danced intimately, indulged in more drinking and weed. The scene made Aurelia nearly throw up in her mouth. She shared one thing in common with Billie: they both hated being the only sober ones.

"Come on let's dance!" Stephanie shouted over the music, dragging Aurelia towards a group of people she knew.

"Ugh! fine!" Aurelia decided she didn't want to be the only one not dancing, so she joined the crowd, losing herself in the music and movement. As a few favorite songs played, she found herself genuinely enjoying the moment with her friends.

After losing herself in the dance for what felt like an eternity, Aurelia suddenly realized she was completely isolated from her friends. The mingling odors of the party assaulted her senses, intensifying her growing panic. She began to frantically push through the crowd, desperately searching for any familiar face amidst the sea of strangers.

As she hurried through the crowd, Aurelia accidentally bumped into a tall man. His face seemed familiar, but not enough to care for his name. She looked up at him.

"Hey aurelia!" He smiled down at her, and despite her efforts, Aurelia couldn't place who he was or how he knew her. 

"Wanna dance?" He asked.

"Um..no thanks" Aurelia felt another wave of panic wash over her; she instinctively recoiled, not wanting him to touch her. 

"Oh come on, let's go have some fun." His warm smile twisted into a devilish smirk as he gripped Aurelia by the waist. She squeaked in fear, feeling her heart pound and her skin prickling with discomfort. She desperately tried to squirm away from his grasp. 

"You look real good in this dress." He bent down, whispering something in her ear that made Aurelia feel like she could almost faint from fear. Her throat went dry, and she struggled frantically to break free from his grip.

"Get off me!" She cried out, bewildered by the lack of reaction from the crowded party, why was no one hearing her pleas? There were so many people around, but they were all too drunk to notice or care about what was happening to her.

He forcefully pulled Aurelia into the house through the sliding doors, dragging her along with a tight grip on her wrists that she couldn't break free from.

"Let go of me!" She cries out once more as he stormed down the hall, Aurelia stumbling in his wake. As they made their way toward a room, he collided with someone of similar height.