Paper Airplane [s.m]

Twenty-One

"We need to go to a party." Jade says and lays back on my bed.

"Okay." I answer quickly. Everybody looks at me curiously except for Alex.

"Alright just warning you now, it's a college party." She says. I assume It's on the NYU campus.

"Okay." I say again and go to my closet. I take out high waisted skinny jeans and a long sleeved crop top. I'll probably wear converse. Jade and Alex look throw my closet for something to wear. We've decided we are leaving right now. Thalia is already wearing a black casual dress with their thigh high socks so she's good. In the end, Alex and Jade end up in skinny jeans and form-fitting t-shirts. Reggie waits in the hall while we get ready.

The party is in full swing when we get there. This is a lot less chill than the last party I went to. I head straight to the kitchen and take a shot. I'm not gonna get drunk but I want to be tipsy.

Thalia keeps a tight smile and says no to alcohol. Jade and Alex go straight in and take 3 shots. They head to the dance floor after that. Reggie stays with Thalia and they talk by the couch. Eventually Reggie looks around before taking Thalia down the hall to a room. I assume they are just going to get some quiet.

All the people here are either my age or older. Most of them are older. This is definitely different than a high school party.

I lean against the kitchen counter and deny every guy that hits on me. It doesn't matter if they're good looking or not, I have my eyes set on a specific person. I take a sip of beer and then wince. I hate the taste of beer.

I hear a door slam shut and Thalia run into the kitchen. I walk towards Thalia and her eyes are brimming with tears.

"Are you okay?" I ask just as the door slams again. Reggie runs out and looks for Thalia. He sees her and frowns.

"I told him not to touch me." She cries.

"It's okay." I say and hug her. I can't imagine Reggie hurting her on purpose, she's probably still traumatized from the last time.

She leaves with a sober friend from school. I offered to take her home but she refused to ruin my night. Reggie comes up to me after about 15 minutes of pacing in the hallway.

"Is she okay?" He asks me.

"She's fine but you have to be careful, and she told you to stop." I tell him.

"She's didn't say stop, she just got upset when I touched her leg. She l left after that." He explains.

"Her thigh or her knee?" I ask.

"Her thigh but I wasn't being suggestive or anything." He protests.

"Then don't touch her at all." I tell him. He huffs and walks away. Reggie's a sweet guy but he needs think about her before he does things.

"I'm gonna get going." I tell Alex when I find her. She's completely waisted but she nods and giggles anyways.

I can't walk home because I'm on the other side of the city. I try calling a cab but none of them pull over for me. I end up looking through my contacts for people to drive me home. I hover my finger over Shawn's contact. He's leaving tomorrow morning so he's still here. He wouldn't want to see me.

Instead I click on my Aunts number.

"Where are you?" She asks me.

"Somewhere in NYU." I tell her looking around.

"That's a huge area." She sighs.

"Please." I tell her. She gets her own cab and brings it to where I am. I get into the back with her.

"Were you at a party?" She asks me.

"Yes." I blush, embarrassed. She shakes her head with a disappointed look on her face.

"I'm 18 years old." I sigh.

"I know but you've been acting up since you've arrived in New York." She says.

"What? Not really." I shrug.

"You got your phone taken away in school, you skipped class, you went to a college party- did you drink?"

I look down and clasp my hands together in my lap.

"Oh my god. You're 18, that's 3 years too young to be drinking alcohol." She scolds me.

"I've been drinking alcohol before I even got here." I roll my eyes.
She
"Does your mom know?" She asks me, raising an eyebrow.

"No." I mumble. She shakes her head and looks out the window. She's silent all the way home and when she gets to her bedroom, she slams the door. I jump at the loud bang. I didn't expect her to get so mad at me.

I slowly enter my room and close my door quietly. I jump into bed and take out my phone. I see Shawn's contact staring back at me. I type 'hey', but I delete it and lock my phone.

Why hasn't be at least texted me?

Is he avoiding me?