Little Talks

.: Chapter Nineteen :.

"Okay, so now that we're all settled, how about we get some introductions done?" says Celina.

"Oh, right, sorry," I awkwardly laugh, "Celina, this is my friend Kita, Kita, this is one of my oldest friends, Celina." They smile and nod. at each other I hope this isn't too awkward for them.

"I'm going to get a few drinks for us, what do you guys want?" Celina asks me and Kita.

"I'll have whatever you're having," I say.

"Yeah, I'll have whatever she's having," says Kita.

"Alright, you two don't go far." she points her finger at us before walking away.

She leave us standing, backs to the wall, watching the party from a distance.

"So, do you usually come to parties like this?" he asks. I can't help but let a little laugh out.

"Nah, this is my first one. Maddy's never invited me before."

"I thought her name was Celina?"

"Well, this is Maddy's party, but technically yeah Celina is the one who invited me."

"Oh."

Celina pops out of the crowd, holding three red Solo cups.

"I made you guys what I'm having, as promised." She hands us two cups and pulls out her cup from between her stomach and forearm.

"Ew, this smells nast-" Kita catches himself mid-cringe, "I mean, thanks, but still."

I smell mine for myself, and it smells like every drink combined, then drained through a used gym sock into this cup. I arch my back so my face is away from the cup, and cover my nose with a finger.

"C'mon guys. One last toast before we get separated?" Celina asks, holding her cup up. She night hasn't even begun and yet she still looks tired.

Reluctantly, Kita and I hold up our drinks and 'clink' them.

"On three we chug, alright?" Celina looks at us expectantly.

"Yup, on free," Kita repeats, his nose already pinched. I copy him.

"On, to, free!" I shout, chugging down my drink. It tastes so bitter, but that won't slow me down.

Kita finishes first, followed by me, then Celina.

"Damn you guys beat me at my own game," she says, defeated.

I unpinch my nose and run my tongue under my teeth. It feels so rough, almost numb. I text it on the roof of my mouth, and it feels like my taste buds have been burnt.

"Um, what was that? My tongue feels leathery," I ask.

Celina giggles, which is never a good sign. "I did my usual." Her smile is naturally mischievous, but now it's at a hundred percent mischievousness.

"Which is?" Kita sounds as confused and grossed out as me.

"A little but of everything that I saw. Every type of beer, vodka, wine, soda, even Caprisuns and a few drops of water," Celina says proudly.

I feel like throwing up at the thought of what I just drank. I don't know much about drinking or alcohol, but it sounds like overkill. Though, I notice, I feel fine so far.

I hand her my cup. "Can I have another round?"

"Girl, that's too much," she looks kind of shocked. "I'll get you a beer. Not a full cocktail, though. Kita, you want one?"

"Oh, no thanks. I'll probably have more as the night goes on."

Celina walks off into the crowd again.

"You're seriously getting another beer already? You don't even know your limit," Kita says. His features look different in this low lighting, he now looks more mature, though still keeping his boyish look.

"Well then I'll figure out tonight, right?"

"I guess I can't stop you."

Celina returns, quicker than last time. She hands me my cup back.

"Only beer and water from now on, alright?" Celina says, either angry or concerned, I can't tell.

"Alright, alright. Where's Maddy?"

"Pretty sure she's already in bed with someone."

"Of course, probably won't be the last time."

I feel my purse vibrate, so I frantically check it, hoping it's nothing bad. It's from Mrs. Hemingsworth.

"I gotta check this real quick," I tell Celina and Kita, before scooting a few feet away.

Mrs. Hemingsworth: picture

It's a cute selfie of her and my mom. I breathe a sigh of relief as I know everything is okay. I put my phone away and start going back to Kita and Celina, but I stop as I overhear their conversation.

"I swear I'm not like that, I'm not like that!" I hear Kita protest.

"You'd better not be. You're Alliah's first date."

"She doesn't even like me like that, you have nothing to worry about."

"I'm not worried that she doesn't like you, she's never been keen on stuff like that. I'm wondering if you like her."

He doesn't say his answer, but I can tell her answered her. I choose to rejoin them then.

"So is everything okay?" Kita asks, and Celina looks annoyed she didn't get to say it first.

"Yeah, my mom and her co-worker sent me a sign-of-life picture."

"Oh, that's good," Celina says, almost too quick. She sticks her tongue out at Kita as he rolls his eyes.

We don't know what to do now except stand and listen to the blasting music. All of us are staring at the ground or looking off in the distance.

"Well, I'll walk Alliah around, we have old friends here," Celina says, pulling me away, "come find us before you leave."

She starts pulling me towards the crowd, and I look back for a second.

Kita and I meet eyes. He gives me a helpless smile. I smile back, and run blindly into Amelia.