Mercy

Chapter 9

    It's been a few days since Justin asked me to be his girlfriend and realization is now hitting me.
   Like, I actually have a boyfriend? WOW.

   Anyway, today is Brian's house party for his birthday, so I took the day off of work just to go with my boyfriend. Hehehe–it's nice to call Justin my "boyfriend".

   Justin and I didn't go to the party at the same time because he has to speak to his father about something important, so Olivia gave me ride.

"Want some?" Olivia asked as she poured some Patrón into a red plastic cup while we stood in Brian's kitchen.

I shook my head. "I don't drink."

"I'm here!" Sophia smiled as she walked into the kitchen with a new bottle of Hennessy in her hand.

"Oh my gosh, hey! I'm so glad you came." Olivia smiled as she hugged Sophia.

"Girl, I never miss parties." Sophia grinned.

"—Oh...wow, Ella.. your here too." She added as she faced me.

   I looked at her awkwardly.

"I was just telling Ella to have a drink so that we can turn up." Olivia smiled.

I shook my head. "I really don't drink though."

Sophia opened the bottle of alcohol in her hand and poured some into a cup. "Well I came on time."

"Here, drink this." She added as she handed me the cup.

"No, thanks." I smiled politely.

"Come on Ella! Live!" Olivia entreated.

Jade raised an eyebrow as she walked into the kitchen with Justin. "Peer pressure much?"

"Hey." Justin smiled as he kissed me.

"Hey." I grinned.

"You look gorgeous."

"Thank you."

"Woah! Since when did you both start dating?" Jade asked in shock.

   I laughed.

"You both are together?" Olivia queried.

   Justin looked at me.

I nodded my head. "Yes."

"You guys are my favorite couple now!" Jade bursted.

   Justin and I laughed as he put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer to him.

Olivia shrugged her shoulders. "I'm happy for you—both."

"I am too." Sophia smiled before stressfully gulped down some alcohol.

"Thank you." I said, politely as possible.

    I could feel the negative energy as we all stood in silence.

"We should all have a drink." Jade insisted.

I nodded my head. "I agree."

     I don't drink, but right now it's needed with all of this tension.

"I can't, I'm driving home but have fun. I'm going to go find some friends." Justin explained.

"I'll be back." He added as he kissed me on my cheek.

"Okay." I beamed before he walked out of the kitchen.

Sophia raised an eyebrow. "Ella, I thought you said you don't drink.

"It won't kill me to try." I said as I poured a lot of alcohol into my cup.

"Girls?" I smiled, indicating to pour drinks for them too.