The Lost Girl

Chapter 5 The Party

I am now going to the party with my friends. We have arrived and there are bright lights and loud music. I don't think I have ever been to a party like this before. Layla gives Celeste and me a card with our names, age and address on it, except the age says I'm 21. I am confused. "Layla, why do I need this? I have an ID. Why does it say I'm 21 here?" Then Layla says, "I made these so we can get drinks here because we have to be over 21 to buy drinks". I ask her, "Why do we need to be a certain age to get water or juice, I get water all the time?" Layla answers, "Because it isn't water or juice. It is alcoholic drinks, so you have to be 21 or older to drink them". I ask, "Why would we drink the stuff we put on our wounds?" Layla answers, "because it tastes good and feels good to drink things like wine, beer or vodka. I also want to get drunk, I want to see how funny I'm gonna be". Celeste then says "Layla! Be responsible! You have class tomorrow! You don't want a hangover during class. Remember when that happened after that party in high school and you literally had the biggest headache all throughout the morning periods." I ask, "Celeste, what is a hangover?" She responds "it's basically the consequences of being drunk. You get many headaches and all you want to do is vomit." As I turn around I see Layla come back to us with some drinks. They all look like really dark grape juice. I am really excited to try it. I taste it and it tastes really dry. It has weird taste, it isn't so appealing at first, but it makes me feel good. I ask Layla, "what is this?" She responds, "it's red wine". Layla then asks me and Celeste to go to the dancefloor to dance. The music is so loud but I love the sound of the vibration. I don't think I have ever heard these songs. I was only able to listen to classical music growing up. The music sounds very electronic. While dancing this kind man offers to buy me a drink and I take it because he was so sweet. He didn't seem disgusting like how I pictured men to be. We talk for a little bit. I start to get this tingly feeling inside. I don't know how to explain it but it feels nice. I turn around and I see Layla on the floor all crazy. She is screaming and dancing. I ask the sweet guy what his name was and he said it was "Ryland". Ryland asks me "is your friend okay". I was just so lost in his bright green eyes that I couldn't hear him so I just said, "I don't know". Ryland said, "watch out for her because she looks pretty fucked up. If she gets this wasted she may risk having a guy take advantage of her. In other words, she might get raped". I say, "I'm sorry. Who are you talking about?" Ryland responds, "your friend". I say, "Oh right, sorry I didn't here the first thing you said because I was so lost in your gorgeous eyes". He responds, "thanks, your eyes are really pretty too. They are blue like the ocean". I got another tingly feeling inside and I still don't understand what it is. And what is rape? Why would Layla risk haveing that happen to her? I'm so confused. I'll just ask Celeste when I see her. Celeste went back to our room early because she wanted to be prepared for class tomorrow and she wanted a good night sleep. Wait, where's Layla? "Ryland, have you seen my friend?" Ryland responds, "No, do you need help finding her?" I say, "I guess so. I don't know where to look. I'm new here." Ryland says, "don't worry, I'll help you find her. Since she seems like the party type, the first place to check is the bathroom. She may be in there puking." We head to the bathroom where in fact she is vomiting rivers into the toilet. I say, "Layla lets go home, you look fucked up and drunk". Layla can't even get words together and she says "Hooooooow dooooooo youuuuu know............. what drunnk.....eveeeen iis? I'm not even that drunk. What.......are.........you........talking..........about? I say, "I picked up some new terms. Lets go back to our room. Ryland, she is really heavy. Can you help me carry her?" Ryland agrees to carry her with me. Damn he is so sweet. I still can't get rid of this feeling I have inside. As we are walking Layla, is just talking all weird and all over the place. She is saying weird things like "did you know life is life and death mean you die". She is just not making any sense. At least now I know what drunk is. We drop Layla off at our room. Celeste comes to put her in bed. Celeste asks, "who is that beautiful man right there?"I respond, "he is Ryland, a friend I made at the party". I don't want to go to sleep just yet so Ryland and I decide to take a walk around campus. He asks me "What's your name? Sorry, I didn't get around to asking that question yet." For a second I think I just forgot what my name was. I think these weird tingles are making me stupid. I respond, "Jaelynn." He walks me back to my room and he gives me a hug and tells me "goodnight". A hug never felt so good in my life. Celeste is still trying to get Layla to sleep. I tuck myself into bed and close my eyes feeling great.