The Whisper Seekers

Crash Goes the Cheerleader

The walk around the vast space and through jumbles of people takes some time, but I never find Derek. I've walked all over the massive house, but can't find him anywhere. I ask all of his friends that I bump into, but no one has seen him either. The bathrooms are tiny horror shows behind every door. Girls are crying or snorting cocaine and guys get handjobs without locking the door. The nightmare of having the most popular girl walk in on your scandal left people scrambling. The more I witness, the more I want to leave. 

I scan the tightly packed kitchen, but still no sign of him. I am about to pull my phone out to call him again when I hear Mike calling out Derek's name. I walk around the corner and Derek is by the front door, putting his letter jacket on.   

"There you are! I couldn't find you!" I shout, but he completely ignores me as he opens the front door. I run behind him to try and catch him, but he doesn't turn around at my shouting. 

"What the hell, Derek? I'm talking to you," I yell loudly. He suddenly whips around and snaps, "Oh, is Liam busy?" I stop in my tracks and shake my head.

"What? What does that even mean?" He points toward the backyard as he snaps, "I leave to get you a drink and five seconds later, you two are already huddled up together."

"To talk about Harper!" I exclaim.

"Right Ellie, he's only hanging out with her to get close to you and you don't seem to mind. It's not that hard to see that she's not the one he's into," he says with a shake of his head. "I'm sure he won't mind giving you a ride home either. I'm out." He throws his hands in the air and strides off towards his Jeep. I watch him shove a kid out of his way and sneer, "Move dirt!" 

Mike and Aaron trail after him, leaving me alone on the grass. I'm too stunned to move at first, but then confusion sharpens into anger, and I stomp my way back into the house.

I'm beyond annoyed, practically seething as I push open the French doors to the backyard. I nearly kick over a planter in frustration, but stop myself when I realize Lily, Liam, and Harper are no longer at the firepit. I squint through the tangle of partygoers, searching. I shoulder past a group playing King's Cup and spot the back gate hanging slightly open. A breeze rustles it like it's waving goodbye.

Did they already leave too? Liam had looked ready to bolt, so I may no longer have a ride.

I check my phone. My curfew came and went forty-two minutes ago. I'm screwed. Grounded for sure. And when I walk in the door in this outfit, reeking of cheap liquor and bad decisions, my mom might actually combust.

I'm wobbling now, the buzz catching up with me. I'm not that surprised my phone is silent since I picked a petty fight with Harper. My heels sink into the grass, wobbling like a baby deer, and the sprawling house seems to get bigger with every step.

I reach the gate, shove it open, and peer out at the packed driveway. I shuffle toward the cars, unsteady and determined, scanning for Liam's—but there are three black BMWs lined up like clones, and I can't tell which one is his.

I really want to go home when my stomach starts feeling queasy from mixing alcohol, just as I thought it would. Why did I take that last shot of tequila? I tug at Lily's stupid skirt, hoping to free the tight waistband from my upset stomach. I regret switching skirts with Lily and wonder how she can wear this sweaty bandage wrap. The balls of my feet ache from the height of my heels and right as I'm about to plop down in the grass with defeat, I see Ashley and Brittany stumbling out of the front door, walking behind two other cheerleaders. I yell out Brittany's name to get her attention and she stops to find me.

"Hey, can I please catch a ride with you?" I beg. It's obvious they have all been drinking, but I only live a few blocks away.

"Yeah, I just have to figure out how I am going to get my car out. It's blocked by like, ten others," Brittany says while she fumbles for her keys. I hear my phone ring from within my purse and I attempt to fish it out. It looks like the number Liam called me from earlier, so I answer.