Find me

Chapter 14

It's Saturday, weekend time, everybody has their plans. So do I. Thanks to Laura who invited me to her place. Before heading, I decided to bring some of my books so that if I'll get bored or something then I will have an option. I packed two tank tops, two pairs of jeans, trousers, a blue dress which my dad gifted me on my 17th birthday, and my toiletry bag.
I was doing my thing when one knock arise. It must be Laura. She has come to pick me up.
I open the door and she walks in and wraps her arms around me "Hey..darling" She whispered.
I smile "Hey"
She sits down on the edge of my bed, and crosses her legs " So, all set?" She asks.
"Almost"
"It seems you packed everything".
"Yeah.. sort of" I replied while closing the zip of my bag.
"Alice, I've to tell you something" her voice is somewhat dull, but she continued "There will be a party tonight at my place" I can see how is she biting her lips while telling. She must be nervous about what happened last time.

"Okay, no problem, I'll come tomorrow, maybe" I state.
Her brows drawn together, speaking slowly and stretching out her words: "What? No way! It's not like the last one, I promise".
I sigh, don't know what to say. I don't want to hurt her but I don't want to go too. The last time when I attended, someone died. And that is still fresh in some part of my unconscious mind.
But I'm unable to say 'No' to her.

She makes faces "Please come" she begs "Party is at my place, only my friends will be there. Please, please. It'll be fun".

But another party? It's like throwing yourself in front of the train.
I finally speak "Okay" and gave her a tight smile.
"Yay girl! That's the spirit" she is whooping, clapping on the back.

A big part of me is praying that everything will be fine. One bad night doesn't change anything.

She stood up "Get ready then and I'll catch you later".

I took out my blue dress from the bag which I packed just a few minutes before.
Laura gapes at my dress "You look pretty in this one".
I slide my hand over the fabric "Thanks, my dad had brought this one for me". This is my nicest dress, my favourite dress and it's not like I have all that many. The blue material is soft, made up of chiffon, maybe. Its bottom has volume, length is hitting up to my knee. The collar was not so deep and the sleeves were three-quarter length made up of chiffon only and it will show up on my skin under it.
Later, when my hair was perfectly curled and lying down on my back. I pushed one bobby pin on one side and keep another side falling on my face.
I took blue eyeliner and draw a slight thin line around both eyes, apply little blush over my cheeks, kept it natural and then apply a little bit of lipstick over my lips of a light peachy shade.
"Wow," Laura said from behind " You look ... you look" searching for the right word "You look stunning".

I smiled "Thanks", and smoothened my dress.
Her phone buzzes.
"You have your phone? I thought they won't allow us to keep these"
She narrowed her eyes "That's a little secret. It's not like they are going to check your bag every time they saw you".

She grabs her purse "Come on, Eric is here" she said. He's the same Eric who played volleyball with us. He didn't interact much but seemed sweet and behave nicely with everyone. He always greets me with his sweet smile.
I grabbed my bag and slip onto my flat.

Eric is waiting in front of our building, slow-burn music blaring out of his car when he rolled down the windows.
"Hey" Eric greeted us.
Laura climb onto the passenger seat while I sat down in the backseat, putting my bag beside me.
"You look good, Alice," Eric said.
"Thanks" I replied, watching him in the side mirror and find his usual sweet smile.
This was the first time when everybody complimented me and this makes me giggle.
Finally, Eric parks on the side of the busy street lined with large, seemingly identical houses.
"It's so big, I can't believe you lived here" I gulp. The lawn was full of people holding cups, and soda can, some of them dancing, right there on the lawn.
"Sort of, practically this is my stepfather's house" Laura replied, rolling her eyes and getting out of the car, slamming the car door behind her.
I climbed out of the car, making sure to smooth my dress once again.
I could see a beach right in front of me. It's beautiful same as Laura described to me. I could spend my whole life here. I loved the vibes coming from the oceans. I could smell the salty air hitting my face.
"Let's go," Eric said, locking his car behind him.
I followed them into the crowded house.