Annabelle Jackson (On Hold)

Chapter 4

The music was loud blaring through the speakers. There were people everywhere drinking different forms of alcohol. Bottles of cruisers, beers and other liquids were being consumed. Empty cans of sodas, UDL’s, Jim Beam and Jack Daniels were splayed around the place. Most of the bins around the place had been filled with empty alcohol cans or bottles. The house was large and surprisingly close to where mine was. In fact they were on the same street adjacent to the beach though it was further away from the school than mine was.

We had walked the ten minutes down the street to a large house, probably the same size as mine was. Dean’s house was similar with the big wrought iron front gate with the security box that was opened by a guard that stood watch. I found myself momentarily wondering who his family must have been for the security measures to be as tough as the ones at my own home. The security guard had left the gate open though, obviously in preparation for the party ahead.

When I had walked through the gate with the four other girls, it had become obvious just how important it was for everyone to attend that party. It was said to be one of the more prestigious events of the year. My stomach had been alight with nerves but walking into the two story mansion home, the nerves seemed to dissipate leaving behind the odd sensation of anticipation.

The music was loud and already blaring through the house when we arrived even though it couldn’t have been any later than nine o’clock. Masses of bodies flooded the premises dancing and writhing to the music getting drunk. The second story had been blocked off so that no one could go upstairs but it didn’t matter. The people seemed content with staying on the first floor seeing as it was undeniably large.

Addy pulled out a bottle of Midori, one of Vodka and two of Baileys from her bag. My eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets at the sight before my eyes. I honestly hadn’t expected my friends to drink alcohol. They were all at the top of their classes in almost everything. Her gaze met mine and she rolled her eyes in a slight smile seeming to grasp the thoughts that flitted across my mind.

“Come on Anna, even we know how to have fun,” she smiled and handed the Midori to Emma, the Baileys to Elayna and put the Vodka back into her bag.

“Hey, I got you something,” Laurie spoke looking at me and pulled out a bottle of Jack Daniels from her bag. I stared at her incredulously.

“I can’t drink this,” I exclaimed staring at the bottle dumbfounded.

“Why not?” She asked.

“It’s… I just… I mean…” I sighed trying to start that sentence again. “I’ve never had alcohol before let alone been drunk,” I confessed.

“Sure you have, don’t you drink fancy champagne and stuff at your dad’s events?” She queried.

“Well yeah I guess. But that’s different. I usually only have a sip and hand it back to the waiters, that stuff tastes horrible.”

“Look Anna. You don’t have to drink it; I just thought that if you wanted to, the option is there.” She gave me a reassuring smile.

I turned back to see that Emma had a bottle of lemonade which was three quarters full and was filling the rest up with Midori, while Addy did the same with her vodka. Elayna had a plastic see through cup that was filled with a caramel cream sort of liquid which she had brought to her lips and was sipping.

“Do you have anything to mix this with?” I asked Laurie. She smiled and handed me a bottle of coke which I opened and drank some from it. Then she helped me pour some of the Jack Daniels into the bottle. I was a little unsure about what to expect so I hesitantly took a sip and relished the flavour that filled my mouth. There was a slight burn as the liquid poured down my throat but other than that it wasn’t too bad. I took another mouthful and then another and so on.