Just As I Am

Seven

Music was blaring from the loudspeakers when we arrived. The whole place was packed. This is when I realized what I would have missed if I had stayed at home. I'm just gad I followed Melissa's advice.

"What are you wearing?" Melissa asked me in utter disgust.

"A dress", I replied, wondering why Melissa had asked me that question.

"Ugh, just follow me", Melissa said and she led me into a restroom and locked the door.

"What you're wearing is too long. Is it a wedding gown or something? Since I don't have any dress that will fit you, I'll just have to readjust the one you're wearing. And no make-up? Seriously?" Melissa said.

I didn't say anything but compared what Melissa was wearing a blue halter dress which exposed her thighs. It was that short. I also noticed she wore heavy make-up. Lindsey and Nicole were dressed in a similar outfit. When they were finished with me, I looked exactly like them.

We then went to the party scene. Some people were dancing, others were eating and some were drinking. Melissa and her other friends sent me to get them  food and drinks which were displayed on a large table but I didn't mind. I wanted to do anything for them. It was on one of those trips when I was taking a drink for Melissa that I bumped into someone. I found myself staring into a piercing pair of blue eyes.

"I'm so sorry!" I said, trying to get up

A hand reached out to me and pulled me up. I grabbed it gratefully.

"Don't worry. You're the girl who looks like Esther, right? Wait, are you Esther?" the male voice said.

"The girl who looks like Esther is called Karen. And no, I'm not Esther", I said matter-of-factly.

"Sorry. Just thought you were Esther. Anyways, I'm Ethan", he introduced himself to me.

"Nice to meet you", I said and left to take the drink Melissa wanted.

I was about to return to where Melissa and her other friends were standing when Ethan walked up to me and  introduced me to some of his friends. Before I knew it, we were chatting about random stuff and I totally forgot about Melissa's drink.

Melissa knew that Karen had been gone for too long. How long does one take to get a drink? She scanned the area for Karen. She found her and the smile on her face disappeared and she felt a pang of jealousy. What was Karen doing with Ethan? Maybe she needed to send Karen more often. She shook her head and made her way towards Karen.

I saw Melissa making her way towards me. Uh oh. Judging by the look on her face, I could tell I was in serious trouble.

"Hey Karen", Melissa said with a plastered smile on her face.

"Hi", I said.

"I told you to get me a drink and not to stand here socialising", Melissa said, getting straight to the point.

"Do you really want a drink? Here you are", I said and dumped the contents of the drink all over Melissa.

I was as surprised as Melissa was when I did that.

"If you really want a drink, go get yourself one", I said, handing the glass ro Melissa before storming out of the house with Ethan at my heels.

"You've gotta admit, that was pretty funny", Ethan said with a light chuckle.

I didn't answer.

"Do you need a ride?" Ethan asked me.

I nodded again and before I knew it, Ethan's green Toyota Highlander pulled up at my house.

"Call me", Ethan said, handing me a paper on which he had scribbled his number.

I nodded, dazed from the night's activities. I got into my bed to get some well needed rest.