Triple Life (#Wattys2015)

Ch 30

I walked in after Miles. I took great care in trying to not seem like I just came in with Miles. It would raise a lot of suspicion and questions. I did not want that. I want to deal with Rhea on my own. I didn't want my friends to get into some sort of trouble because of me. Also, my other reason to blend in with the crowd already inside was because of the highschool rumour mill. Rumours were the worst thing ever. I did not want any rumours saying I had a crush on Miles or anything extraordinary like that. After all, staying out of the spotlight was my main focus.

I looked around for any sign of my friends which seemed to be hard considering the number of people here. It seemed like nearly the whole of Ridgewood High was in. I weaved myself in between the crowd of teenagers and tried to see whether I could spot Frannie's bright red hair or Anne's strawberry blond locks or Hayley's melodic voice or Roxy's purple striking dress or Michelle's unique hairstyle. So far, I spotted none.

Oh c'mon! You guys can't be so hard to find in midst of all this!

I contemplated giving them a call but then decided it would be hopeless due to the loud music. I cursed the loudness of the music and the size of the mansion under my breath. I decided to search the kitchen and the whole ground floor for them.

After nearly 15 minutes of searching the ground floor, my search proved unsuccessful.

"Oh for heaven's sake, whatever am I to do now?" I asked my conscience.

"Well, you could do this one thing. That is comb the upper floor. Don't leave any bathrooms or bedrooms unchecked." I could feel my conscience smirking at me, as horror crept up on me.

Check the upper floor? Check the bathrooms and bedrooms? Oh my goodness, I would rather sit outside in the freezing weather with a t shirt and a pair of jeans than do what I am supposed to do. Clutching my purse tightly, swallowing down a lump in my throat, I slowly and fearfully tread to the stairs. After praying to God numerous times, I slowly, hesitantly kept my right foot on the first step. From there on, I walked up quickly and quietly like a spy. As I reached the first floor landing, I looked around terrified. I heard noises that I would prefer I didn't hear. Especially all those retching noises. They made me sick. I tiptoed to a bathroom on my right and peeped in. I had to hold my mouth and nose to stop myself from puking right on the stop. There was a girl, who I presume to be a Junior, dressed in quite revealing clothing. She was vomiting a lot and her vomit was nearly all over the place. She looked a right royal mess. I was worried whether she had got poisoned or anything but decided to hurry out of the bathroom because I am sure, another second there I would've started vomiting.

I peeked into 5 bathroom and there were people vomiting, crying, cursing and there was one bathroom where about 5 girls were talking with each other in hushed whispers sitting on the floor. They looked at me alarmed when I peeked in and I mumbled a quick apology and scurried off, embarrassed. That was definitely strange. I decided against peeking inside bedrooms because I didn't want to have any horrid memories. As I passed a corridor, I heard familiar voices shouting. It seemed to be coming from a bedroom.

I tread quietly and neared the door. The shouts were becoming more clearer. I was right. Those voices were certainly very familiar to me.

"Whatever will she say when she finds out?" Frannie's voice floated out.

"Yeah, you are so stupid to tell that to him, Anna!" Roxy's voice sounded really angry.

"We've been trying to help her but this, this is just so..urgh, I don't have words to explain!" Hayley's outraged voice floated.

I heard a thump, as if someone had punched a table, and soft sobbing of someone, I presume it was Anna.

"I just don't know what really happened to you. Did you drink something that was spiked to make you act like that?" Michelle's usually soft voice, was now very loud and angry.