Trying to Remember

Chapter 1: The King's House

                Cordelia. The name sat in my brain like the stale taste of last night's rum. I couldn't open my eyes, the sunlight burned through my eyelids. Cordelia. Every second I tried to think of something else I heard it in my mind. Who's Cordelia? The name was somewhat familiar, but I just couldn't attach it to anyone I knew. I racked my brain for those distant memories, but, of course, to no avail. I swear, man. Either someone is outside calling this Cordelia person, or I'm going crazy hearing things. Then I figured that it was probably just the repercussions of my worsening hangover. I decided to crack my eyes open because I knew that I needed to get up sooner or later. But, when I did a blank white room is what filled my eyes. Like, it was a bedroom, but everything in it was white. The grand bed frame was white, the furniture was white, the curtains were white, the carpet, everything! Where am I? What am I doing here? Then everything fell into place. Oh yeah. This is the 'King's House'. Last night's party was here. I don't normally do social settings, so what was I doing at a party in the first place?

                I have two of the best friends in the world. They really know how to have fun. My mom and dad had a trip planned out for a cruise. It was put together by my dad's job allowing him to bring one other person, who just so happened to be his wife. They decided that they could trust me to spend the week alone, since I never caused any trouble for them. And I had convinced them that they needed some time alone, as a couple. So as soon as my parents were out the door Johnny walked in, instantly in party mode. I've known him since 7th grade summer, when he moved in next door. He used to come to my house every day since his parents were constantly at work. Johnny still comes to my house every day. He walked in and made himself at home by grabbing my box of honey cereal and throwing himself on the couch. That's MY cereal! How dare you!
"Hey, Chicky. What in hell are you wearing? We're supposed to be on our way to the 'King's House'," he said with an eyebrow waggle. He slid his phone out of his pocket and started tapping away at the screen. A look of surprise and lust spread across his face. Really, Johnny? You couldn't be easier to read. I tried to look, but he was too fast.
"Come on, Jay Jay, let me see. It can't be that bad, or can it?" I said, teasing.
"There are just some things you were never meant to see, Cassidy. I wouldn't want to stain that precious, innocent mind of yours." His reply kind of stung.
 Before I could shoot something back I heard a knock at the door. "That would be Joe," I said.

                I ran as fast as I could and opened the door. Joe has been my best friend since 4th grade. I know what you're thinking. Why is her name Joe if she's a girl? Well, years before she was born her dad had made some bet with his sister and if he lost he would name his first child Joe, a name he absolutely hated. And it didn't matter if it was a boy or a girl. Well, you can guess who won that one. She walked in the house and instantly ran for the bathroom.
"MOVE! I gotta GO!" she yelled, shoving me out of the way.

                While she was gone I kept trying to sneak peaks at Johnny's phone, failing completely. He held it above his head, "I'll let you see if you can reach it."
He said that on purpose because he knows that I'll never be able to reach and that I won't even try because of my height. That was kind of my sore spot, being only five feet tall and him a whole foot taller. I will never jump up to reach something because it is so humiliating and it would put a major dent in my pride.
"Oh, give it up, jerkwad. You know I won't jump. Not even for you," I said, sticking my tongue out at him. Johnny  tried to do it right back but got smacked in the head before he could.
"HA! That'll teach you to mess with my poor little Cassy Boo," Joe huffed in a protective manner, "Only I can do that."
"Hey," I spouted, "Not fair!"

                With that Joe and Johnny pulled a kicking and screaming me to my bedroom. I really did not like being surrounded by people, so I'd never really been to a party before. I didn't want to go to this one, but I let them convince me otherwise. So to my room I was dragged.
"Why are you so anti-social, girly? It's not healthy," Joe advised, "This is your chance to shine! Get out there, meet some guys, fall in love, live a little."
"Unless you want to meet me," Johnny teased, "Oh wait. Scratch that, you're too short!"
"Again with the height? No one's going to be able to reach you up there," I shot back, "you'll be Johnny Giraffe, Forever Alone."