The Impeccable Infinity

Chapter 22

I stood on the front deck and waited for Alex to come and pick me up for the party. It was much colder at night, which changed my whole opinion on my outfit. I pulled at my short dress and rubbed my legs and arms, trying to warm my skin as much as possible while a cold breeze moved across the yard.

I leaned on the wooden railing of the deck and looked out at the street, watching as the lights bounced around as cars drove by. I'm beginning to regret my decision of agreeing to this, because my legs are shaking harder with every passing minute.

Right as I was about to take out my phone to text Alex that I can't go, he pulled up into the driveway and beeped his horn while gently waving at me.

No backing out now.

I smiled and waved back, carefully stepping down each wooden platform in my high heels until I stood in front of his car. Loud music came from the inside, and Alex tapped his fingers against the steering wheel, just like Mute does. Alex's music's not as obnoxious as Mute's, but that doesn't mean it's any better.

Stop thinking about him Haley. Don't let him ruin your night.

I opened the car door and slid into the passenger seat, feeling the cool leather against my bare legs. I'm not used to wearing short dresses, or at least not this short.

"Hey, how are you?" He asked, turning down the knob on the stereo.

"I'm good. How are you?"

"Good."

We sat in an awkward silence for a few seconds, nodding our heads in agreement, until he finally moved the gear into reverse and began driving. Now, most people wouldn't trust getting in a car with someone they just met a day before. But as for me, I have some weird trust for most people I meet.

After only about ten minutes of violent music and reckless driving, Alex steered the car up against the side of a curb and parked it, turning off the radio and taking the keys out of the ignition.

"Alright. You ready?" He asked, glancing over at me and then looking past my face and at the people entering the party.

"Yea, are you?" I asked, my voice cracking with each word. Just thinking about walking in there in front of a bunch of strangers terrifies me.

He nodded while getting out of the car and opened the door for me, grabbing my hand and aiding me out of the passenger seat. He placed an arm around my waist and led me up the driveway, periodically looking over at me with a smile on his face.

"Don't worry, I'll stay with you until you feel comfortable," he whispered, his breath warming the side of my neck.

I held back chills and nodded, trying to steady my heavy breathing. I suddenly felt insecure and targeted, as if everyone in the party knows I'm coming and their ready to attack me with snide comments and dirty looks. But than again, anxiety gives you that feeling.

He held open the door as I walked into the deafeningly loud house. Music blared from the speakers and people yelled out the lyrics to the chorus. I was shoved back and forth as I tried to make my way out of the crowd, but Alex grabbed my hand and dragged me to the kitchen.

"Do you want anything to drink?" He asked, pulling me towards the refrigerator and past two teenagers lying across a table.

From all of the advice my mom gave me when she was alive, one of the most memorable and important ones was not to drink anything at a party, or at least try to avoid drinking anything. Someone can pull a roofie or put something into it, even if you just drink a bottled water.

I shook my head and gave him a small smile, one that's so fake I'm surprised even Alex bought it. I hate parties, I always have. They're just not my thing.