The Cafè

Party

Jamal: hey Se! My buddy over by Peakson is having a party tonight. Be ready by 8 and wear something to dance in ;)
I read that message over and over. I've never been to a college party before. I can't tell you how many times i almost texted "hey sorry can't go. I have to work! Maybe next time :(." but by the time i was going to, it was 7:50 pm and I was already wearing a "Guns and Roses" crop top with high waisted jeans.
As I'm putting on my heals to leave, i hear a knock at my door. I finish buckling the back of my heal and open. I see Jamal look me up and down with a grin. I blushed a bit, not even going to lie.
   "I just got to grab my purse and then we can leave." I finally spoke after awkwardly standing at my door for a good 10 seconds. "Come on in and have a seat." I pointed to my beige sofa.
   He came in and closed the door. However, he didn't sit down, he just stood by the door. I could see the mud on his shoes so I assume it rained out earlier.
   I went into the hallway closet on the other side of the house and grabbed my purse.
"So are there going to be any cute boys at this party?" i said jokingly while making my way back over the the front door. When i reached to where i could see the door, i noticed he wasn't there.
"Jamal?" I called while setting my purse on the stool. I walked into the kitchen, then the guest room, then the bathroom.
"Jamal come on. Where are you?" I laughed nervously. I opened my bedroom door and looked around.
"If you're in here, I'm going to find you." I said anxiously.
I walked over to my closet and opened it quickly. He wasn't there.
As i begin to crouch to look under my bed, something quickly grabs my ankle. I scream.
The hand let's go and Jamal climbs out from under my bed laughing.
"Hahaha," i mock, "not very funny."

———

As I'm walking out of the restroom, i hear a familiar voice. I turn to see who it is and i yell "CAMILLE IS THAT YOU!?"
The girl with blonde hair and brown eyes looks at me and smiles, then waddles her way over to me and gives me a hug. I could smell the alcohol on her.
We begin a short conversation until i realize that i completely ditched Jamal. We exchanged numbers and then i walked over to where i was with Jamal.
"I was just beginning to think i needed to file a missing persons report." Jamal joked.
I smiled and replied, "Sorry, i ran into Camille Sanderson from high school and started talking. She's really hammered."
He smiled and looked at me then stated, "i want you to meet some of my buddies." He put his hand around my waist and escorted me to a group of guys doing shots.
   "Hey guys. I this was the girl i was talking about. Everyone meet Selena." Jamal introduced me.
  Everyone looks at me and nods or waves. I noticed one looked familiar, but i don't know from where.
  "Damn J," one of guys say, "she's a lot hotter than you described her."
  I looked at Jamal and he apologized to me saying, "He's not normally like this. He's a little drunk."
  I sat down at the kitchen table with Jamal's friends while he got us more drinks. I was a little drunk, but i was also a lightweight. However, i couldn't help staring at guy who looked familiar to me. I know I've seen him somewhere, i just can't put my finger on it.
   "Do i know you?" I finally got up and asked. He was on the other side of the table and there were empty chairs on one side of him.
  He kind of smiled and said, "I'm surprised you don't recognize me. I work at Terry's Coffee Shop." Then it came back to me.
  "Oh you're Cole, right?" I questioned. He nodded and took a drink of his beer.
   We started talking and i realized it's been over 20 minutes since i heard from Jamal. I mean, i guess he was technically my date.
   "Hey Cole, I'm going to go find Jamal. He's not answering his phone and he's been gone a while. Here give me your phone and I'll put my number in." And without any hesitation, he handed me his phone. I took another shot and walked away.
   I looked everywhere down stairs and couldn't find him. Granted there were a lot of people, but he was pretty tall. 
    I looked upstairs, starting with the bathroom. I made my way over to a closed room and knocked. I didn't hear anything so i opened the door.
   Man do I regret doing that.
   I see Camille on top of Jamal look at me and yell "OH MY GOD SELENA I SAID DON'T COME IN!"
   I see Jamal's head pop up and look at me. He pushed Camille off and hurried to put clothes on. I could only stand there in shock.
   I began to close the door and walk downstairs when i heard him yell for me to stop. I pulled out my phone and texted Liam to come and get me.
   Jamal ran out shirtless and grabbed my shoulder, making me turn around.
   "Se, look I'm sorry. It just happened." He pleaded.
   "I'm sure it did, Jamal. I mean, 'it just so happens' that i told you how drunk she was earlier and not even an hour later you guys are having sex!?" At this point everyone was watching us. We were in the middle of the living room downstairs.
   He rolled his eyes and started to get louder. "It's not even like that! She came onto me! Besides i don't even understand why you're mad, we aren't even a thing!" The room went silent. The only thing that you could hear was the music.
  "You know what?" I said holding back tears, "You're right. I'm sorry for over reacting even though YOU were the one who lead me on. Remember when you said, 'I missed people that i love, including you' or was that just you trying to get into my pants? Oh and i sorry for thinking that you might actually like me because that's too good to be true, right?"
   I started to storm away. I heard a mix of people say "Damn. That's just cold." or "I mean, he isn't wrong." 
  "Selena I'm sorry." Jamal yelled.
  "I don't want to hear it." I yelled back.
  "Selena listen to me!" He yelled again, this time forcefully turning me around after he caught up to me.
   I punched in the face and continued to walk out. At this point, i was crying.