Unsure

Chapter 4

I wake up to the deafening sound of my alarm and check the time. 10am. I rub my eyes and pull out my planner to see if I have any classes today. I see that I don't start classes until Monday, and since it's Saturday, the rest of my weekend is free. Except the party I agreed to go to tonight. Will Riley be there? I shudder at the thought.

"Morning" Sky walks into our dorm with a devious grin across her face and sits on the end of my bed. "So what were you up to last night?" she chuckles, but her smile fades as she looks at my neutral expression.

"Riley's here" I whisper to her, and her eyes widen. 

"No way" she gasps. "Are you okay? Did he try to hurt you?"

"I'm fine." I say, "Zayn put him in his place. I'm just going to try to stay as far away as possible from him and make sure I ignore any attempts he makes to contact me. I hate him."

"That makes two of us." Sky sighs, "But anyway, you and Zayn eh?" she winks at me and I both cringe and laugh at the same time.

"No Sky, we're just friends, that's all. He wouldn't ever see me in that way anyway" I admit, but begin to reconsider this as images of Zayn's warm lips kissing my flustered cheek flash through my mind.

Sky rolls her eyes and picks the piece of paper containing Louis' number and the address the party is at up and nosily scans it. "What's this?" she grins.

"A party. One of Zayn's friends invited us. It's tonight at 8" I smile cheerily, "Should I call and say we'll come or do you think we-"

"Of course we're going Bella!" she shrieks in excitement, "oh my god, we'll need something to wear! Call the boy and tell him we'll come" she gestures to my phone that is placed next to my bed.

I take the paper from Sky and dial the number into my phone.

"Hello?" Louis' strange accent answers cheerfully.

"Hi Louis. It's Bella, Zayn's friend?" I say just as cheerfully.

"Oh, hi Bella." He sounds more nervous, "Are you calling about the party?"

"Yeah. I just called to say that my friend Sky and I would love to come" I grin.

"Oh, thats great!" he sounds excited, "Well I've got a couple of spaces in my car if you want a lift with me? Save you worrying about getting a cab home?"

"Sure, that would be great, thanks." 

"Cool! Meet me in the student car park at around 8, I'll see you later Bella." He hangs up.

I put my phone on the table and look up at Sky who is applying her mascara. "Where are you going?" I curiously ask.

"We're going shopping" she grins, "you can't wear jeans and a t shirt to a party!"

I don't really own any party clothes. I'm more comfortable in my typical jeans and a t shirt, and the only times that I think I've dressed up properly is for weddings and important events. I throw on some jeans and a t shirt and Sky rolls her eyes before I apply a small amount of make up and we make our way down to the bus stop.

...

After shopping for hours, we finally arrive back at the dorms. Its 6pm now and we only have two hours to shower and get ourselves ready. 

Sky has chosen me a ridiculously short black bodycon dress that I would never have chosen myself but none-the-less looks quite good on me. She is wearing a similar dress which is much shorter and is purple which matches the ends of her hair. She does my make up for me and despite me protesting about the amount she applies I feel that I look quite good. Although this look is not a look I would ever have gone for I feel ready to go to a party.

At 7.45pm we decide to depart and Sky shoves a pair of her black heels into my arms before I can protest. 

"Hey" Sky and I say in unison.

"H- Whoa." Louis' and Harry's mouths falls open as they turn to look at Sky and I. I feel my cheeks redden a little in embarrassment but decide not to let this get the best of me. Tonight I am not shy and embarrassed Bella; I am confident and unabashed Bella.

The ride to the party is short and we arrive to a small house which is overflowing with students; both outside and inside.

Louis and Harry say hi to a few people as we walk through the crowds and into the house. The house is already trashed and most of its attractive decor ruined. 

"This is mine and Niall's house" Harry informs Sky and I. He owns this house? He must be gutted to have to clear all the mess after the god-knows how many parties he has here. 

Sky wonders off with Harry and Louis to meet their group of friends as I make my way to find the kitchen to get a drink. Much to my surprise I find the only options are alcohol and water. I've had alcohol before back in Australia but since only recently turning 18 have never actually gotten 'drunk'. I shrug and take it this will be the night to do it.

I grab a plastic cup and a large clear bottle of vodka, pouring the liquid to around half way. That's enough, right? I find a bottle which contains a pink fizzy liquid and use it to fill the rest of my cup. As I take a big gulp from my cup I feel a disgusting burn travel down my throat and almost gag. If this is what all alcohol tastes like I don't know if I'll be a big drinker.

...

After a few drinks, I find myself socializing with complete strangers. I spot the caramel haired boy from yesterday across the room from me and he smiles and waves me over. Justin, I think his name was? I giggle at the fact I'm finding it so difficult to remember his name as I walk over to him.

"Hey what's so funny?" he chuckles, "Bella, was it? How are you enjoying the party?"

"It's great" I giggle, twisting my empty cup around in my hand.

"Want another one?" he gestures to the kitchen. I nod and follow him there. For some reason now I've had a few drinks I find everything extremely interesting. And funny.

I pick up what looks like a tiny glass and laugh at it, "What's this?" I ask, humour clear in my voice.

"You're serious?" He raises his eyebrow, humour also clear in his. "It's a shot glass. You drink pure alcohol from it. Do you want to do one with me?" He smirks and I nod. He pulls out two shot glasses and pours a dark spirit into each. "On the count of three, you drink it. Ready? One, two, three". He knocks back the shot and as he opens his mouth wide I notice a metal ball on his tongue. This is something I have never seen before and I admire the small ball closely, giggling a little. 

"Hey" he complains. "You were meant to do it at the same time?" He shakes his head, chuckling at me again.

"What's that on your tongue?" I ask, curiously. 

"I'm not answering you until you take your shot" he teases, gesturing to the filled shot glass on the counter. I lift the shot glass and knock it back before he can count to three. The liquid burns my throat, more than before. Despite the vile taste of the vodka becoming less recognizable as I drank more of it I realise that this spirit must be a lot stronger. This time I do gag, and screw my eyes shut at the foul taste in my mouth.

Justin takes a step back and laughs. "Guessing you don't like that" he remarks, I giggle and hear a voice from behind me.

"Bella?" I hear Zayn call. I turn to face him before he continues.

"Um.. could I speak to you..Outside?" he asks shyly. Why does he come across as so nervous recently?