The Babysitter

The Babysitter: Pushing Myself Out There

The thought of possibly going to Juliette's dorm just patronized me.As abashed as I was, I did want to go to a college party.I like experiencing things, and hate when I miss out on them.Even though I have social anxiety, I love knowing how things feel.It is also the reason I only let in Alex, Jane, Henry, Stacia, and Landon, why I don't go to parties, etc. Dating was the worst.I heard a lot of couples meet in college, about 15%.Why can't I be the three out of twenty that meet?!I can't still have a broken heart... right?

Landon broke my day dream with his soft, mesmerizing voice."Mermaid, we're here."

Landon calls me mermaid because I love to swim and use to in high school.Also, mermaid and Mercia start with a mer-.

I pushed open the door, keeping my balance.Trembling, I closed the passenger door.I began walking towards the entrance, Alex beside me."Mercia, don't be worried.I'll stay with you the whole time."

Alex is an angel, but I didn't want to ruin his last college party.Alex was sort of a party boy."Alex, you don't have to.It's the last party, go have fun."

Alex held the door for me like a gentlemen."I can't have fun knowing you're in the background and feeling like you're not important.Plus, I'll have fun with you just by my side."

We both stepped in and I ruffled his hair."You're so selfless." I said.

"Not always." He said, looking in the elevator's reflective mirror to the side, fixing his hair.

I pushed the buttons and nervously cracked my knuckles."Chill out Mercia.If Juliette sees you like this, she'll definitely go after you." He said, massaging my shoulder.

"Where's Jane, Henry, Stacia, and Landon?" I asked, now noticing they weren't with us.

"They took the stairs, Jane made them."

I nodded and focused my head on the now opening elevator door.Jane was deathly afraid of elevators.Sometimes I think she's crazy, but then I remind myself that I'm the one with social anxiety.

Alex and I looked to the left corner of to find our friends out of breath."Did you guys race?" I asked, looking at them like they were 5 years old.

"I won." Claimed Henry, red in the face.

Alex looked to the right, " Here's the dorm." He said, us following him there.

My breathing was no longer clear and my heart beat made it feel like I was on the world's fastest track team.Alex grabbed my hanging hand, taking notice of my feeling.We both were facing the door now and Stacia knocked.I wanted to close my eyes so I didn't see the person opening the door, but that wouldn't look good."Hey, Chris." Greeted Alex.

Chris smiled and led us in.I looked around the dorm, it didn't belong to a guy.Most of the furniture was pink and yellow, it seemed little modern in style.The TV was a flat screen, but I couldn't tell what was on.We stood by the alcohol, but only Henry and Stacia drank.

Soon, the place was flooded.About half of the people there were drunk .Stacia was an emotional drunk, while Henry was wild.Landon and Jane were watching whatever TV show was on.Alex and I watched Stacia and Henry.From the corner of my eye, a blond figure of evil entered my eye.It was Juliette.

Alex saw her too.I restrained myself from shaking, trembling, breathing heavily, and frankly, being scared.I said to Alex, "I can handle Stacia and Henry.Go party!"I said, excitedly.

Alex gave me a sympathetic smile and reluctantly said, "Thank you and if you need me, just come get me."

I saw Stacia annoying a sober guy and ran over to her, she was mumbling something about her childhood."I'm sorry." I apologized for Stacia.

"It's fine.I'm Jace." He said, introducing himself.

I smiled in relief at his niceness.His blue eyes seemed like crystals, looking amazing with his brown hair.Jace had a lean swimmer's body and he was about six feet tall.He didn't tower over me, I'm about 5'9 or 5'10.I know my swimmers, trust me.I quit my ogling and responded "I'm Mercia."

"So, it's the last night here.Are you gonna miss this place?"

"Not really, I guess just the free living." I responded with a laugh.

He laughed, "Do you want a drink?"

"No thanks, I don't drink."

"Here's some water." He said and handed me water.

"Thanks.I know I might sound stupid, but who's dorm is this?"

"My sister, Anilase's.I graduated 2 years ago, I'm just helping her move her stuff later, she told me the wrong time."

I wanted to sigh in relief."Oh, you're a good brother."

"That's not what Anilase says." He said.

Juliette began walking towards me.I turned completely to face Jace, "So, where are you from?"

"Dana, Iowa.How bout' you?"

"Bridgeview, Illinois.Stuck in the south suburbs of Chicago." I almost cringed at hearing the sound of my hometown coming out of my mouth, I really hate that town.

I could feel the tension, Juliette was right behind me, staring at my back.Jace pointed behind me.I needed to face my fear and I was about to.I turned."Hi." I tried with a fake smile.

Alex saw what was happening and stared at me from behind Juliette.The room went dead silent."What are you doing here?" She said in a posh Beverly Hills voice.

"It's the last party.I'm just doing what everyone else is, having fun."

"Anilase, kick her out." Juliette called to Anilase.

"Why, she wasn't bothering anyone?" Alex questioned Juliette.

"Uh yeah, me." Juliette said.

The social anxiety flowed back in.I wasn't gonna show it on the outside, no."Juliette, I'm so sick of you.Can't you just quit being rude.Just drop whatever you're gonna say, I don't wanna hear it." The words fell out of my mouth.

Juliette rolled her eyes, but you could tell she was embarrassed.I turned back to Jace, he was smirking."How do you know her?"

"I don't really.She has had it out for me for such a long time." I say looking directly into his eyes.

"Anilase told me about Juliette.She isn't such a fan either."

I wasn't really friends with Anilase, but I guess I've seen Juliette spread her terror to her."Stacia, you need to stand up." I say, attempting to pick her up off the lament floor.

Jace put his beer bottle down and helped me lift Stacia to the pink leather couch.I looked over to see girls taking shots off of Henry.I laughed out loud and said, "Thanks, Jace."

"No problem."

Alex rushed in, interrupting our conversation, "I think Henry's kicked out.We should head to the hotel."

Jane, Henry, Alex, Stacia, Landon, and I got a hotel room to sleep in since we had to be out of the dorms tonight and our stuff tomorrow.It wasn't big and we were going to flip coins or something to see who gets the two beds, the two couches, and the floor."Can I have your number?" Jace asked.

I smiled, no one ever asked me it before.I grabbed a pen and a napkin and wrote it down.I gave it to him and waved goodbye.We dragged Stacia and Henry out to Alex's car.Alex didn't drink, so he just ended up driving.I hope I don't get floor duty.

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Sorry, I'm like a month late with updating.