That's My Sister ➼ tas

Chapter 19

The sound of the music could be heard before we even approached the house. After giving Poppy's mom a quick thank you, we hopped out the car and onto the sidewalk outside a house almost as big as Poppy's. I stared at the house, watching drunk people stumbling around, some smoking on the doorstep and others attempting to play football whilst intoxicated. I followed Poppy through the gates and up to the front door. A few boys whistled and called for Poppy but she just ignored them.

Inside the temperature had increased majorly and I felt the sound of the music deep in my stomach. It was dark apart from the few neon flashlights dotted around and phone screens lighting up people's faces. There was probably close to sixty people in sight, and that was just the hallway and living room. Poppy grabbed my hand and weaved me through the crowds towards  the kitchen.

"Poppy!" A girl screeched, and I turned to see Kimberly embracing Poppy in a hug. Layla was not far behind. "Oh my god, Cait! You made it!" Kimberly totted over to me in her heels and threw her arms around me. I chuckled and hugged her back.

"Yo, girls!" Nick approached us, an arm slung around Aiden's shoulders. I gave them both a small smile, my eyes lingering on Aiden's as he stared at me. I broke contact first. Nick and Poppy hugged, giving Aiden a chance to walk towards me.

"Hey," he said, his voice casual yet attractive - if voices can even be described as that. "Can I get you a drink?"

I shook my head. "Uh, thanks, but I don't drink."

"What d'you mean you don't drink?" Kimberly practically cried next to me. "Come on! Here, take mine!" She shoved a plastic cup of liquid in my direction, which I took from her before she had a chance to spill it all over me. I hesitantly took a sniff of the contents, but pulled back and scrunched my nose in disgust. The group around me laughed.

"Awh, Cait, I can't believe you've never been drunk!" Layla said, almost mockingly.

"You can drink any of my stuff, it's all on me!" Nick slung his arm over my shoulder, pulling me into his side.

"Uh, no thanks," I repeated as I placed Kimberly's cup on the surface next to me.

"Guys, if she doesn't want to drink, don't make her," Poppy huffed before grabbing my wrist and pulling me to the other side of the kitchen. I turned to face her.

"So like," I began. "What do we do?"

"What d'you mean?" She raised an eyebrow at me. "You drink - well, you won't - you dance, you chat, you might hook up with someone, just the usual." I guessed that by the look of the expression on my face, Poppy realised this wasn't my usual scene.

"Grab a plastic cup," she instructed. "Don't worry, it doesn't have to be alcohol, just get something fizzy." She poured some Diet Coke into a cup and shoved it my way. "Now, if we dance in the lounge, you dance. I know you're still kinda new to everyone from school, so if someone tries anything on with you, come find one of us girls - we'll let you know if they're worth it. But basically, just chill out and have a good time." She gave me a smile before turning away, me quickly hurrying after her.

Pushing my nervous feelings aside, I did actually have a good night. I danced with the girls in the living room; we took tons of selfies to post on Instagram; Kimberly began dancing on the table and we had to hold her back from stripping her dress off; I saw Josh and danced with him, laughing most of the time because he was completely smashed.

After a few songs played, I Knew You Were Trouble began, and everyone turned to me. Suddenly I was being lifted onto the table next to Poppy, who grabbed my arms and began dancing with me. Everyone cheered us on and I began to feel more accepted than nervous. Poppy laughed with me, and turned us towards a camera where we posed for a photo.