Step by step

Chapter Five

I craned my neck over the crowd, my toes standing on the edge. Where was Therese? I tried spotting the cherry redhead. But she was nowhere. I pressed on my lock screen button, still no reception. I groaned in frustration as I moved along with the crowd. The Sony Hall, donated by -yes, you've guessed it- Sony, seemed so fully alive with the bright moving lights on each sides of the massive entrance, illuminating the Twilight skies. There were also flickering strobe lights flashing from the insides. I was surrounded by students with excited chatters and looks of anticipation.

I reached the entrance, handed over my ticket, got my left wrist stamped on, and then I squeezed myself inside. The hall echoed with the voices of thousand of students from different grade levels together with the booming sounds of party songs. I shield my eyes from the blinding lights as I try to spot Therese over the mass crowd in a very dim lighting.

"Mount High students, please proceed to be seated as we are going to start."

The commotion grew louder and more agitated. I mean, who wouldn't be excited? Taylor Swift would be our guest speaker for the topic of 'Teen pregnancy and common teen problems' afterwhich there would be a mini concert where Taylor would perform two songs.

The phone in my hand suddenly vibrated wildly, signalling me someone was calling. I snapped at it, one bar, I quickly answered it, blocking my other free ear.

"Hello?" I said in a loud voice, trying to win over the booming sound system.

"Hello? Ellie?"

"Matty! Where are you? Are you already inside?" I shuffled away from the sound system and head for the least crowded place, near the restrooms.

"I'm not coming."

"What!?"

"Sorry, Love, remember aunt Rebecca? Mom's sister?"

"Yeah, what about her?"

"She died this morning, car crash. We're already here in the hospital morgue."

"Oh my, I'm sorry to hear that. Condolence to you and your mom."

"Well, mom doesn't really give a flop. We're just here for show." I could hear the disappointment and disgust in his voice. I felt bad for him.

"Well, you take care okay? Stay safe."

"And sorry I couldn't contact you, the travel here was awful and I had no reception."

"It's okay. I understand. Just be safe. Okay? Love you."

"Alright, you too. I love you."

I ended the call before I became disappointed. Matt couldn't come, Therese was nowhere, and Jasmine wasn't coming probably due to girlfriend duties that I'm not going to elaborate on. I watched the crowd enter the hall and wait for their squad before going ahead to seat down.

The cons of having limited really close friends. Yeah, I could sit anywhere I wanted to and sit with anyone but it wouldn't be the same as sitting with your friends.

I sigh and grudgingly marched into the crowd and looked for an empty seat, luckily I found one way front and hurried my way. I look at the front row, only four empty chairs and none on the succeeding rows. The two front rows were occupied by the football team and I'm guessing it was because of Taylor Swift's recent dress malfunction where her fluffy pink princess dress was blown up by a steam machine and she was too oblivious to notice.

"Hey," I tapped one guy lightly on the shoulders. He had Korean black eyes and his lips were full and red. "Is this seat taken?" I disturbed him from laughing and chatting with his peers, mid-laugh he turned to me. Stunned. I waited for his answer but he just kept staring. "Um, hello?"