Issues // H.S. // A.U.

Chapter Sixteen

DANI

"How do you feel?" I ask Mickie as we walk down the sidewalk to the house party. My friends were a little ways ahead, and Harry would be meeting me there in an hour or two.

Mickie had decided to start putting herself out there, and really wanted to experience a one-night-stand. It had definitely surprised me, but I was happy she came to me about it. Well, to me and Harry. A few days ago she had slipped into the booth we were sitting at after my shift and asked us if we would help her.

We had both talked about our experiences, both with other people and the things that could go wrong. It was nice not to have to worry about jealousy with Harry. He was so secure in our relationship that I never had to worry about him going all caveman on me.

"I'm good, Dani. You don't have to keep asking me that." She answers me annoyed at my constant mothering.

"Sorry, sorry, just a little nervous." I say.

She laughs, "What do you have to be nervous about?"

"I don't know, honestly. I just feel like I'm feeding you to the wolves."

"Dani, you did this exact thing for years. I'll be fine for a night."

She was right, of course. I only hoped that she was truly ready. Not everyone was made to have meaningless sex, and I always thought Mickie was one of them. Even though she was my age she seemed so much more naive when it came to this sort of thing. She didn't know how much work I put into finding the right type of guy to sleep with, and how many times I had inevitably chosen wrong. There were good guys around, but there were a lot of assholes too.

"Do you remember the rules?" I ask her as we trudge up to the house.

"Don't take drinks from anyone. Don't lose sight of my drink. If a guy seems to be pushy or aggressive walk away. Don't go to a secluded part of the house unless I tell someone where I'm going." She recites. "Don't you think the last one's a little excessive?"

"For your first few times no." I say firmly, "I just want to make sure you aren't beyond consent. I know I drank a little too much for my first few times..."

"I'm having one drink tonight, okay? Just to loosen up a tiny bit, and then I'm going straight for some dick." She joked.

I laugh, "Okay, okay, let's find the kitchen and scope out your prey."

For the next thirty minutes we talk to random guys, and I let her know what I think. There were a few guys I thought would be a good match, but she was being picky. That was fine by me, but I found myself getting bored. I didn't remember how tedious this all was, grafting from guy to guy trying to predict who would be the best lay. I found myself missing Harry. This had been the longest I've been at a party without him in ages.

I checked my phone to see that Harry had text me.

From Harry: Be there soon, baby girl. Leaving my friends right now. Miss you!

I smile and respond with some emoji's, and turn back to Mickie and this guy, I think he said his name was Trent. She seemed to be enjoying his company, flirting up a storm. His friend was trying to talk to me, but I kept my distance and gave him generic answers.

"How about we dance?" Trent asks Mickie.

She sends him a flirtatious smirk, "Okay."

She turns back to me, and I nod, "I'll stay here. Let me know-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know." She waves me off, making me chuckle, and grabs his hand to pull him over to the next room.

"Do you want to dance?" The guy's friend asked.