Project: CA, U.S.A. | Harry Styles AU

Chapter 8

All of my senses were literally taken away from me at the moment, I first entered the house. My nose and mouth were filled with hot and dry air, drenched in alcohol, making it impossible to breath in the first seconds. It stung in my airways. The deep pounding of the bass, the loud and flat singing, cheering and bawling of the other people were testing the solidity of my eardrums on its hardest. Coming along with that, I happened to be not as safe with my equilibrium as I'd have prefered. Also the bright lights, that were dancing around, were blending my vision. So I hopelessly had to trust my hands, stumbling through the crowded room behind Leah, trying my best to avoid any unnecessary contact with the sweaty and alcohol stinking bodies or -to my consternation- the already existing stains of vomit on the floor. I wouldn't want to imagine going through all this, also with alcohol streaming through the veins of my body, completely making myself unable to stand normal at all. I had to admit that I really was impressed by the other guys and girls who weren't already lying on the ground (which was to be honest also a fair amount of people) but dancing and grinding desperately onto each other (which, speaking of the latter, I didn't admire.) I shook my head, disgusted. Just ew. Maybe I should go out and dig a common grave. I do feel a bit pity for all the virginities, probably being killed tonight. Poor victims of the common malady, which draws its circles on innocent teenager brains nowadays: the 'I-don't-care syndrome'.

I don't want to sound arrogant or something or that I think higher of myself than of them. I really don't. I just think that too many teens throw treasures and opportunities away, with the excuse to just have fun at the now. Things, that would might make their future more enjoyable and valuable. Because many of them will maybe realize their importance and vulnerability just when it's already too late. (And I'm not just talking about virginity.)

Anyways - we finally managed to make it to the luckily less crowded kitchen. There were just a bundle of students from my classes or one year older, scattered around the room. They were chatting and laughing along, everyone holding one of the infamous red plastic cups in their hands.  I was looking down at the floor, trying to not wake any attention. Because adding to the growing uncomfortable feeling about the place, I was suddenly feeling very self-conscious about my outfit again, seeing all those pretty girls around here.

But Leah, being the openhearted and bubbly person she was, already pulled me with her towards the group. She stopped next to a short haired boy, who instantly grabbed a new cup and held one out for Leah. As she took it, he smiled warmly at her and I saw that her cheeks were flushing pink and she looked briefly at the ground.

"Heya Leah! Who would have thought you'd still come today?" Another boy from our science class, Dan I think, greeted her. Leah quickly looked up again, her previous tomato-transformation was fortunately already gone again.

"Hey! Yes, well about that, I had to convince this young pretty fella here to join us first." She laughed and padded on my shoulder. "Guys, this is Ali. She's the exchange student I've already told you about. Ali, this is-" Following, was a bunch of names, which I either already knew, couldn't understand over the still thumping music or had already forgotten when Leah had finished. I just nodded along though.

I got back a few 'Hey's and 'Nice to meet you's but some of them were still  just talking along with each other. One couple was occupied with sucking each other's face off on the little bench in the corner. And by the speed of it, they should better relocate themselves into one of the guest rooms soon. Or, well, at least I know now where I definitely won't be playing with and feeding Ed anymore.  

One boy, standing on the left to us, with dark short hair and bright baby-blue eyes was also making his way over to us. His name was Jordan, I think?