The Sweetest Feeling

Chapter Twelve

I haven't spoken to any of my friends in over a week I just can't be bothered; I've kept to myself at work. Jeff keeps trying to get me to talk to him but I just want to be left alone. Nathan has called and text every day, he turned up at the house once but I got Nan to tell him I wasn't there. I can't face him right now.

It's Friday afternoon and I am on my way home when my phone rings, it's Otis. I don't know why but I pick up. "Hi Otis, how are you?" I ask. "All good singing girl; you were amazing last week, I have been bragging at work to the lads every time your song comes on the radio" he says. I can't bring myself to listen to the radio or watch the music channels at the moment. "What are you up to tonight?"
"Not much to be honest" I reply "There is a house party tonight just up the road from you, wanna come?" I know I should just say no and be done with it but I could do with a crazy night of drinking and getting on it. "Yeah sounds good, text me the details" I say.

I don't feel like dressing to impress, I just don't want to look like shit so I settle on dark blue skinny jeans, a loose fitted black top with the back cut out and my black high heel ankle boots. My hair is straight and adding a bit of eyeliner, I don't look too bad. The party isn't far away; I leave a note telling Nan where it is.

I only have to walk up the road, to a house opposite Barnard Park. It's a beautiful house, there are three floors and a decent sized back garden, which is where most of the people are gathered, it's February but they have big outdoor gas heaters so people are warm enough. The house actually belongs to Jack's mum and dad, who are away this weekend.

Otis sits with me in the kitchen and keeps rubbing his hand down my back I'm not interested; that's not why I am here. When he realises he is getting nowhere he wonders off, leaving me with Lydia, Chloe and little Sam. Rich is floating about somewhere but luckily I haven't spotted him yet. We stay in the kitchen and downstairs lounge, drinking, sniffing and laughing at Sam. I've actually lost count of how much I have had, I just do a line every time the others do, probably not a good idea as I am not used to it like they are. I'm pretty drunk by now too. I need to pee so I leave my wine with the girls and head upstairs to find the bathroom.

On the first floor there are two doors along the hallway leading to the front door, I'm sure one of these is a bathroom. I open one slightly, only to find Otis naked on a bed with a blonde girl I recognise. I knew that bastard was cheating on me and I knew it was her to be honest. I know we aren't together anymore but it's still not nice, he obviously invited me thinking I would sleep with him but ended up with her because I wasn't interested, what a dick. They haven't noticed, so I back out quietly, opening the other door I find the bathroom and use the toilet; I'm done with all this, no more drugs or reckless behaviour. I'm sick of it. I will go finish my drink, say goodbye then leave.

Back downstairs the kitchen is empty, I grab my wine and down it in one. I can't be bothered to look for Sam, he's the only one I really like but I just want to go home. As I get to the hallway upstairs I hear footsteps behind me. "Emily, are you ok?" It's Rich, I don't want to talk to him; he is weird. "Yeah, I just need to leave" I say. I don't feel right; things are starting to go fuzzy, wow I sniffed way too much, I'm so going to regret this I think to myself. I hold onto the wall to steady myself, my legs don't seem to want to work properly. My body is heavy all of a sudden and I can't hold up my own head, I fall to my knees. What's happening to me? Rich helps me up. "Come you need to sit down".

His voice is clear amongst the fog that fills my head. I hear him open a door, where is he taking me? I feel a bed underneath me as he sits me down. It's that same bedroom I saw Otis in. I just want to go home. The next thing I feel is lips on mine, Rich is trying to kiss me and he is being really aggressive. No stop, please. I can't get the words out but I somehow push him off me and stumble off the bed. "Come on Emily, be a good girl, don't fight it" he says in a low voice.