Her name is Susan. She's been in and out of jobs. Her parents died when she was in high school, leaving her and her younger to fight their way to survive.
She's 23 but she didn't go to college because of their economic situation. Her brother is...
"Relax. You're doing just great." Jackson whispers at Su's ear, slightly leaning towards her at his side as he nods, high-fives, fist bumps, hugs, kisses each and every person in the hall.
Su's confidence level is starting to go down, feeling out of place as she tries hard to smile in front of these many people. Sam is the only other person she recognizes in this party. Mark and their other friends are still in Santorini. There are some familiar faces she thinks she saw in the club last time, but she doesn't know them by name. She suddenly feels out of place.
"Here," Jackson hands her a cocktail that he took from the waiter.
"Jackson," she tries to protest, remembering what happened to her when she tried drinking. She doesn't want that to ever happen again. Jackson's mom would say it's unlady-like. "Childish!" She can hear the woman's voice screaming in her head.
"Sip...not gulp." Jackson nudges, reminding her what she just learned earlier today as he helps her to her seat.
"Don't you dare leave me, Jackson." She says, still clinging on his arm. It's like all eyes are on her, watching her every move. She thought she would at least unwind tonight, but it seems like she's even more tense. Like tens more of Jackson's mom. Any mistake she would be making tonight, she feels like she'd be yelled at.
"Don't worry, babe. Socialize." He pats Su's thigh, trying to assure her, but he's already looking through the crowd for girls. Not even fifteen minutes and he's up talking and laughing with his peers and some fresh faces at the dance floor, leaving the girl alone at the table.
"So, you're Jackson's fiance everybody's talking about, eh?" A guy, who Su just saw for the first time, sits beside her at their table.
Instantly, she sits up straight, crosses her legs and holds her chin up - just as she was taught. "Yes. I'm Susan." She takes out her hand for a quick hand shake.
"Minhyuk," the guy says with a pretty bright and innocent smile. Su can't help but smile back.
Aside from being stupefied by the boy's looks, Su also wonders how old he is. He looks too young to be in a party like this.
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"It's actually my birthday party." He laughs upon seeing her surprised and embarrassed expression. "Thanks for coming."
"I'm really sorry. Jackson didn't tell me." Her cheeks are now red.
"No worries." That pretty smile again. "So, you enjoying or what?"
"Uhm...I don't really know these people. I think you've heard, I'm new here." She starts her act again but still a bit shy.
He stares at her longer than necessary, with an expression that's difficult to read. Then, in just a second, he smiles again. "C'mon." He gets up, offering his hand to the girl. "I'll introduce you around."
She smiles, demurely taking his hand, and follows him to the group of people at one side of the hall with her drink on her other hand.
Girls are talking about the latest fashion while boys talk about girls on the latest fashion. Boring much for her, but she's able to join in some of the conversation without looking stupid.
