You & I

2. Douch Bags & Dart Boards

Natalie sat on her twin bed, her eyes focused on her hands as she picked at the cuticles surrounding her fingernails. Why did I think this would be fun? she asked herself. These girls were not like her. She was organized, poised, and practically raised in a church, while these girls looked to be the long-lost daughters of Gene Simmons. Maybe she could call her mother and figure out a way to transfer schools. No, that wouldn’t work. The year had already been paid for, and, besides, Natalie was not a quitter.

“Hey,” a voice said, making Natalie jump slightly. When she looked up, she saw Lily leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed over her chest.

“Hi,” she quietly replied, then looked back down to her hands folded in her lap.

“Look,” Lily sighed, walking across the room and sitting on her own bed, opposite Natalie. “I’m sorry about Melissa. She can be a little… bitchy sometimes.” Natalie grimaced at her choice of words, but let her continue. “But she will warm up to you, really. She just needs to get to know you.”

“Okay,” Natalie shrugged. She didn’t know if she wanted to get to know Melissa, though. She was so… well, rude. First impressions are everything to Natalie and her family.

“Which is why,” Lily continued, “I think you should come to a party! The frat house is hosting one tonight, lots of kids will be there.”

Natalie nearly choked. A party? Couldn’t Lily see that partying was clearly not her thing? “No, thank you,” she said simply.

Lily whined. “But it will be fun!”

“I’m not really that kind of person.” Natalie smoothed out her plaid skirt.

“It will give you the chance to meet new people and make some more friends,” Lily pointed out. I guess she has a point, Natalie thought. But, no, she was not going to a party. No way.

“I don’t think-”

“Oh, come on, Natalie! It will be fun! Just one party, please? It’s only one. And if you decide you don’t like it within the first five minutes, I will come back to the house with you. Please?” Lily begged, batting her thick, mascara coated lashes.

Natalie heavily sighed. She could make more friends. Plus, it might get her more familiar with the whole sorority-fraternity concept. “I guess one party couldn’t hurt,” she finally said.

Lily squealed and clapped her hands. “Now, we just have to find you something to wear…”

Natalie looked down at her outfit. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

“Oh, nothing! I just thought you might want to… dress up a little bit more. Make people remember you, you know,” Lily said. Gesturing to her own outfit, she smiled.

Natalie considered it for a split second, then quickly shook her head. No way was she wearing anyone else’s clothes. “I’ll wear this.”

“But-”

“Lily,” Natalie said, raising an eyebrow. “If I’m going to a party, I’m going to dress appropriately.”

“Fine,” Lily huffed. “We’re leaving at eight-thirty, so be ready.” Lily gave her a friendly smile, before leaving the room.

 Once the doors to the fraternity were opened, Natalie already had a headache. Music shook the walls, and students were stumbling and fumbling all around her, each accustomed with a drunken grin and a plastic cup with some kind of alcohol. Cringing, Natalie followed Lily into the tight and hot space.

As they walked through the living room, a beyond-intoxicated kid with a perm offered Natalie a drink, which she kindly declined. A short brunette was pushed into her, practically knocking her over. The girl slurred a “sorry,” then ran back to her friend wailing in laughter.