Margaret

6 'Cause I Know You Struggle

The party was mild compared to some. The only reason I had come was because I had heard he would be there. Everyone was drinking and chilling on the red couches on the first floor of the dorm apartments A3 at Sunny Lake High School. A lot of people were smoking weed, but that wasn't really my jazz so I tried to scootch past them on my way back over to the shots lined up on the side of the abandoned beer pong table. It was white and collapsible, perfect for a junior year party. As I turned back with a couple shots in my hand for me and my friend Ara, I saw him. He was sitting with his usual crowd. Ryan and Lexi were next to him smoking and he seemed to be drinking a mystery substance from a red Solo cup. My eyes caught on his facial features. I always took advantage of crowded situations like this so I could stare at his face without anyone noticing. He had bushy eyebrows and a generally feminine facial structure. His hair was very dirty blonde and long. It hung in front of his eyes, almost like a shaggy bowlcut. It looked so soft, I just wanted to run my fingers through it. What if he had a girlfriend? What would you do then, Margaret? Its just a hopeless crush that won't ever amount to anything, I should probably let it go while I can. I turned away and walked over to my best friend, Ara. She was dancing and yelling and generally being extremely drunk. I handed her a shot and she downed it quickly before grabbing my wrist and pulling me over to the center of the crowd of dancing people. Ariana Grande was playing and I tried my best to get as hyped as I could so I wouldn't stick out. I started loosening up again after my shot and I continued dancing with Ara, making a bit more of an effort this time. I started feeling the music and really started enjoying myself. Theusic was actually really nice and it was great to be spending time with Ara, like always. Both of us had been studying for midterms all week so it was amazing to just absolutely let loose and dance my heart out with her. We danced for about an hour before we could slowly feel the party energy winding down. A lot of people had either passed out or left to their dorms. After a while only about 20 people remained. Dancing became less enjoyable with nobody there, so since me and Ara weren't that drunk we decided to sit on the couches and just talk for a while. He was still there, sitting a couple couches over. I never saw him dancing but I did see him wandering around and talking with people. I played with my hair and tried to look at him without being too obvious. He was slumped over the arm rest of his couch and he looked really tired. Ara touched my arm. I jumped and looked back at her. "Let's go back upstairs. The party's pretty much dead and I'm tired." She said really softly. I could tell she was struggling to stay awake. Her eyelids kept falling.
"Okay." I got up and followed her towards the stairs. We walked past him and up about 10 steps before I realized. "I forgot my phone! You go ahead, Cause I know you struggle staying up late." Ara looked at me.
"Alright. Goodnight Margaret."
"Goodnight Ara." I said as I watched her continue to climb up the stairs. I turned back towards the bottom and started my way back down. I remembered setting my phone on the kitchen counter. Hopefully it's still there. I have no idea what I would do if my phone was stolen. On my way towards the kitchen I passed him again. I held my breath and tried not to stare at him as I speed walked towards the kitchen doorway. Once I walked through I immediately saw my phone by the fridge and sighed out of relief. Once I walked back out my eyes darted to him really quickly. There were still people walking and talking around and generally enjoying themselves, I wonder why he isn't joining them. As I walked past I heard his voice. God I love his voice.
"Hey." He was looking right at me. I turned towards him and tried not to turn bright red.
"Yeah?" I asked.
"Your dorm is on the third floor right?" His voice was slightly high but still kind of raspy and I nearly melted.
"Uh yeah, why?"
"I know this sounds weird but I was wondering if I could crash there?" Did he want to hook up? I was confused.
"What do you mean?"
"Like, not anything bad just literally sleeping in your dorm. My building is across campus and you seem really nice. We've talked in class before."
"Uh..."
"I swear nothing bad, just like I really don't wanna walk across campus. I won't bother you or anything. My roommates also really suck. You know Ryan and Lexi? Yeah."
"I mean sure, Ara's crashed there before. Just don't smoke or anything." This is gonna be so awkward.
"Cool." He got up and walked towards me. He laughed kind of, I couldn't tell if it was fake or not but it was still really nice. "Are we gonna go or not?"
"Oh yeah sorry." I tried to smile so I didn't seem rude or anything and I started walking up the stairs. My dorm was on the third floor so there was a lot of walking involved to get there, but it was good for burning calories. I tugged down my jacket sleeves and tried not to think about him looking at my ass as he walked behind me up the steep stairs. We walked all the way up to the third floor and I heard him yawn from behind me. I blushed, knowing he couldn't see me.

We had walked into my dorm, making nice small talk on the way. I sat on the carpet of my floor and sighed, resting my head on the side of my bed. He walked over and and layed down in front of me. "Don't fall asleep just yet." I laughed.
"Why not?" He asked.
"Because I like talking to you." I tried really hard not to blush. There was a short silence before he raised himself up on his elbows and made eye contact with me.
"Your names Margaret, right?"
"Yeah, how'd you know?"
"Because we have Ecology, English and math together."
"We never talk though."
"So? That doesn't mean I don't know your name." There was another pause. "Margaret" he said softly to himself laying back down. "Your name is weird."
"That's kind of rude."
"It's like a name from the 1800s. It's an old timey name. Do you have a middle name?"
"Yeah, it's Pearl."
"See, I like that much better. Pearl is pretty, just like you. I'm gonna call you Pearl from now on. Is that okay?"
"Yeah, okay." I giggled.