So High School

Bitch pack friends

"Taylor, I'm going to be there the whole time. My friends are really nice, they'll love you" Travis told her.
"So you will stay with me the whole time? You promise?" Taylor asked, her teeth working her bottom lip.
"I promise" Travis stepped forward, pulling Taylor into his arms. He brushed his hand over her lips, getting her to stop that habit. She smiled sheepishly, looking down.
"Okay I'll come, but you can't leave me. You know I don't do well with meeting new people" she gave in, fiddling nervously with her hands.
Travis's face immediately lit up as he wrapped his arms around her, pressing his lips into hers. "Yay! We're going to have so much fun, my friends will love you!" He exclaimed excitedly.

They pulled up to the restaurant two hours later. This restaurant wasn't a fancy one, it was more like a pub. Travis got out the car then went round to the other side, opening the door for Taylor. She grabbed into his hand then climbed out, smoothing down her little black dress. Travis could feel the anxiety radiating off her, and so he squeezed her hand tightly.
"They'll love you" he whispered, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

They made their way inside, spotting Travis's friends in the far corner, sat around a table. There were about nine men there, and one of them had brought his girlfriend. However, she didn't look like the type of woman Taylor would get along with; she was outgoing, her make-up bold and her voice loud as she gripped a bottle of beer in her right hand, obviously already drunk. Taylor was more quiet, and she was definitely a wine gal; no judgment to her though, she just didn't think they'd get along well.

"Hey guys!" Travis called as they made their way over. A chorus of greetings arose from the group as Travis went round greeting everyone. Taylor stood awkwardly to the side, not sure what to do. Travis suddenly remembered Taylor, and almost as if she was an afterthought he introduced her to his friends.
"This is Taylor" he gestured towards her and she raised her hand in an awkward wave.

After a couple of mumbled 'hi's, they went to sit down. Taylor was in the end, with Travis next to her. They ordered their food and drinks, and then one of the guys mentioned something that made Travis gasp. He leant into the middle of the table, chattering away about something. Taylor didn't even know what they were talking about and she felt so isolated, everyone leant away from her and talking about something that didn't include her.

She sat like this for over an hour, her hands fiddling in her lap and her leg bouncing. The food had come a while ago and she had eaten it in silence, barely listening to the conversation at the table. It wasn't like it mattered; it was as if no one even realised she was there.

The feeling was coming on gradually; the churning of her stomach and the tightening of her lungs. Soon it was getting too hard to bare and she knew she had to get out of there.
"I'm going to the toilet" she whispered, leaning towards Travis.
"Okay baby" he nodded, barely even glancing in her direction. Part of her was hoping he'd ask if she was okay, that he'd offer to come with her, that he'd notice she had been left out all evening. But he didn't, just going back to his conversation.

She stumbled into the bathroom, feeling the familiar burn of tears in her eyes. She wasn't really sure why she was crying; she felt a little pathetic. But Travis promised. He knew she didn't do well around new people, and she hadnt even wanted to come in the first place. She felt like a longer, pathetic. Worthless.

Her breathing started to speed up as she locked herself in a cubicle, sliding down to the floor. She was hyperventilating now, her tears coming hot and her breaths coming fast. She dug her fingers into her thigh as an effort to ground herself, but it wasn't working. Nothing was working. She closed her eyes, pinching the skin on her thigh. She could feel a bruise forming, but it still wasnt working.

After what seemed like a lifetime later, but was actually more like half an hour, she could feel her breathing starting to slow. She pulled herself up from the ground, unlocking the door and stumbling out. Using the sink to steady herself she looked into her reflection, cringing at her red eyes and the mascara streaked down her cheeks.