Hello My Name Is...

8] Hello My Name Is...

         After unlocking my front door I practically ran upstairs ready to slump against the plush grey duvet covers currently scattered across my bed and get some much-needed shut-eye. Upon tossing my backpack onto my bed's surface I was quickly reminded of the assignments given on the first day of school: five pages of entry level physics problems, analysis on the first sixty pages of The Great Gatsby (sixty pages I had yet to read), and an essay outline for philosophy. To say the least any idea of sleep evaporated instantly. 

        What could've easily have been just another night of school quickly took a turn for the worst when my alarm blared for my typical Skype with Caroline. Sliding away from my physics textbook and worksheets I hastily turned on my laptop brushing a hand through my matted curls. Caroline being her usual punctual self was already on. Her honey blonde hair glossy with whatever new oil treatment that was "the rage" now. I filled her in on my day and waited patiently for her reaction. 

"...So you just got a ride home from a stranger?" Caroline asked drawing out the 'o' in so. 

"Well, he wasn't a complete stranger I gave his family a care package," I replied.

"Hmm still reeks of stranger danger to me," she replied with a giggle. "I don't know, you just seem different now that you've moved to Atlanta."

"I guess I kind of am. Being down south is a lot different than being on the west coast, but enough about me how's life back there?"

"Well, the usual a few beach parties here and there, a surfing trip, and school,"

"How's Brandon doing?"

"Still dreary as ever, you really should have told him earlier that you were leaving."

"Caro, we've been over this I thought you understood,"

"There's a difference in understanding and not questioning your judgement,"

"Tell him I'm sorry will you? I really am, you do know that right?"

"I'm so tired of being your middle man if you cared for him that much tell him yourself," she snapped.

"Caroline, why didn't you tell me?! I never meant for you to feel forced, but I mean it's not like I can talk to him,"

"There you go again, making excuses like you're the victim here."

"Well, if that's what you think, maybe I should go, I need to get ready anyway," seeing her questioning look I continued. "for a party," I said quietly. Caroline muttered a goodbye before logging off Skype. I rubbed the bleariness from my eyes suddenly just as tired as before.

+

"Girl, you better not be sleeping! We have a party to get too, and from the sounds of it, you aren't even dressed," Hannah practically yelled in my ear. "Don't tell me you fell asleep?!"

I answered with a groan. "I'm going, I'm going just let me find something to wear," 

"You better, because I am not allowing you to drop out of this one. No one else that I'm friends with is going to this party and it's a Carleigh party!" She rambled. I forced myself not to mention the fact that the name, Carleigh, meant nothing to me. 

"Just text me your address so I can pick you up," Hannah replied her voice crackling out through my iPhone's speakers. 

"Fine, I'll be ready just give me a second,''I mumbled pressing the end button before rolling out of bed. After sending her a text message with my house's details I frantically rushed to get half way  presentable. Within ten minutes I was dressed in a decent enough t-shirt dress and nude ballet flats; choosing to forgo my usual ponytail for a slightly more complex do -- a messy bun.

+

"What is this, physics?" Hannah asked as she made her way around my room thumbing through my unfinished work packet. "Don't tell me you actually did work on the first day of school. This was optional!"

      Choosing to ignore her question, I changed the subject rather abruptly to my appearance "How do I look?" I asked in between a swipe of red lipstick.

"Perfect! If I was a guy, I'd totally dance with you," she said in between giggles. "Now can we please go?!"

      After saying my goodbyes to my parents and listening to their safety spiel, I was hurriedly lead into Hannah's ride, an adorable yellow Volkswagon beetle. 

"Where are we headed?" I asked as she exited my neighborhood.

"Carleigh's house," she answered vaguely with a glance towards me before adding. "Oh that's right, you have no idea who Carleigh is. She lives in the Ansley Park area, think old money, big mansions that sort of thing. Don't worry Carleigh's parents are allowing her to use their guest house for the party." 

"Sounds cool," I replied with a bob of my head suddenly wondering why I agreed to go.

"We're here!" She cried out as we turned into a beautifully wooded neighborhood. A neighborhood whose magnificence could be shown even within its sign, which read, "Welcome to Ansley Park" in a golden scrawl. After passing what felt like a multitude of perfectly manicured lawns we stopped at the house that seemed to trump them all: A large stately home whose large milky white bricks were traced with ivy tendrils. Hannah quickly exited her car and nodded for me to follow. "Are you ready to party?!" She exclaimed.

Swallowing I gave her the only answer she would take, "Yes!" hoping that this wasn't one huge mistake.