Tattler || 5sos

Twenty-One

            Sure enough, people began showing up with wide smiles and empty cups, already calling it the party of the summer. I pressed myself against a wall as the house filled, scanning the room for Luke. Ashton was talking to one of his friends from music class, toasting him with his splashing red cup. I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself. It had been a long time since I'd been to a real party, a long time since I had let myself get a little tipsy and forget all of my troubles, and I was anxious. A few girls from art smiled at me as they passed, but I heard them try to be discreet once they were gone.

            "Since when does she get out?"

            "Who cares, I'm glad she decided to drag her hot boyfriend here with her."

            "Gross, they both are seriously messed up, don't even think about it."

            I closed my eyes for a half beat and took another breath. Suddenly a couple pressed themselves against the wall next to me, kissing in a way that looked extremely uncomfortable. I briskly hopped away, letting myself out onto the back porch, where the party hadn't stretched yet. It wasn't very late yet, cars were still pulling into the driveway. The party wasn't even at its peak yet, and the house was already suffocating. I leaned my elbows on the railing and looked at the small backyard that eventually gave way to the thick forest that managed to look dark in the waning sunlight.

            "Too much for you to handle?" a nasally voice chirped behind me. I vaguely recognized it, and when I glanced back I wanted to groan. Ivy Cobb smiled a sickly smile at me, twirling her finger along the inside of her cup.

            "Could you just leave me alone?" I pleaded. She smelled like stale cigarettes and sex. I wanted to puke.

            "I can't believe you actually showed up to this party Em-"

            "Don't call me Em," I interrupted. I only let Luke and Ash call me Em.

            "Emery," she drew out, taking a long gulp of her drink. "And the first here, I heard. I had no idea you and Tara were such good friends."

            "Friend of a friend," I corrected. I barely even knew the girl.

            "Ah," Ivy nodded, running a long nailed finger under her eye to catch the smudged eyeliner. "My mistake."

            "What do you want?"

            "I was just curious as to if Britt has actually been sleeping with Calum, I love to keep up with people's secrets, you see."

            "Why, would you rather be the one with Calum?" I looked down at my nails, not really caring about this conversation in the slightest.

            "So it's true?"

            I paused, weighing my options. Ruin Britt, or keep her secrets. "What do you think," I answered, and turned to leave. Ivy laughed slightly as I opened the door.

            "That's all I needed, hun," she smugly grinned and raised her cup to her lips.

            As I turned the corner, I ran into someone.

            "Emery," Luke took a breath, holding his cup out to the side. "You almost made me spill my drink."

            He looked defeated, as if he was disappointed by the party too. I sighed and tucked my hair behind my ears. "Have you seen Ashton?"