Descent

Chapter 11

Traci-- that was cupcake girl's name-- jumped out of the cab the second it stopped. Her and all her friends scrambled out, a swirl of straightened hair and short skirts with flats. I didn't quite match their look. Don't get me wrong, I still looked great and totally party ready. Just different.

I was in worn jeans, combat boots, a misty looking pink shirt and a black half jacket. I had even painted my nails and taken forever trying to get my mass of hair to curl. It was my first party in the big city, and I wanted everything to be perfect.

We crowded into a huge apartment where there was already at least fifty people, but it could probably hold more. My eyes widened as I took it all in. Everyone here was older than me, most were at least in high school. I felt like a little kid tagging along with the big kids.

After a while, I relaxed and just had fun. The music here was great. And so loud! I could feel it my bones. The whole world probably could.

Everyone was dancing and talking and drinking. I completely lost sight of Traci and the other girls I came with. But it was a big apartment, they were probably still in here. So I just danced, and kept on dancing until my feet were sore and I was out of breath.

I went to the kitchen and started looking around. There was beer, chips and dip, cookies, beer, other assorted junk food, beer...

"Is there anything to drink that isn't beer?" I muttered to myself. A girl nearby heard and turned to me.

"Sorry, little miss too-good," she said, taking a swig. "It's beer or nothin'. Grow up and drink."

I picked up a can and stared at it. I sighed, opened it and looked around. The girl had left, so I was alone in the kitchen. I poured the can's contents down the sink, rinsed it out a couple times, and filled it back up with water. I am not drinking beer.

I headed back to the living room and started dancing again. I was the best one on the floor, the only person who hadn't had any alcohol tonight.

A boy stumbled over to me. "So do you want to go out, or what?"

"Wrong girl. You were hitting on her, not me," I spun him around to where he'd come from.

"Oh. Thanks," and off he went to go annoy someone else. I took off my jacket and pulled my hair into a ponytail. It was still on my neck, but now at least it didn't flop over my eyes every two seconds.

A thin guy stood up on a chair. He looked like he was about to puke, but then recovered. "Does anybody here know a Traci?"

I gave it a few seconds, so one of her closer friends could speak up. But they didn't. Had they left? "Uh, I do," I said.

"Good, cause she locked herself in my room and won't come out. We need someone to talk her down. This way," he said. I weaved my way through the crowd.

Him and another guy in a Letterman's jacket stood outside a door. "She's crazy, man. Completely bonkers. Says she isn't coming out until Jared admits his feelings for her," the thin guy's friend said, updating him on the situation.

"Who's Jared?" he asked.

"No clue. I don't know any Jareds. I never even met this Traci chic til she decided to ruin our party, man," Letterman's jacket guy said.

"Traci, can you come out?" I asked loudly. It was silent on the other side of the door, just for a second.

"Not... Until... Jared... Tells me he loves me," Traci said. She sounded like she was crying. Her voice was nasally and she kept sniffing between words.

"Traci, there's no one named Jared here. If you want to talk to him, we can leave and go find him. Then he'll say he loves you, you obviously love him, so how could he not?" I said. "Come on. Let's go find him."

"You're trying to trick me into leaving! Well, I'm not gonna fall for it. He has to come to me, and he has to admit to our love," she said.

"C'mon, Traci, don't do this. You have to come out. Jared isn't here, and he isn't coming. You're just embarrassing yourself. And killing the mood," the thin guy said. I glared at him, but he didn't see.

"No! I'll stay in here forever if I have to!" she yelled.

The guy rolled his eyes. "Honestly, how did you expect that to turn out?" I asked. "She's gonna stay in there all night now. Sorry, but I don't really know her that well. There's nothing I can do."

"Yo," his friend nudged him. "Bet I can break down the door."

"No way," the first one said.

"Nah, nah, totally. Watch," he said. He backed up to the wall and ran, slamming his shoulder into the door and bouncing off. He rubbed his arm, confused. His friend guffawed, doubling over with laughter.

So he tried again. And failed again. He repeated this process five or so time before I took pity on him.

"A gentler approach might work better. Let me try," I suggested. The guy chuckled, but moved out of the way. I knelt in front of the lock and aimlessly jiggled a bobby pin in it. I slowly, quietly undid the lock with my mind.

I tried opening the door, only to find that a short dresser had been shoved in front of it. Well, there goes the plan. "Change of plans. The gentler approach doesn't work."

I ground one foot into the floor and used the other to kick next to the handle. That was the right way to break down a door, I'd read it in a mystery novel, but I couldn't generate enough force. So I maybe got some help from my handy dandy telekinesis. Just a little, enough to give the door that final oomph it needed to cave.

The wood around the handle splintered and it swung in, hitting the wall when it went too fast. The boys jumped back, cursing. Guess they hadn't been expecting that. I bit my lip to hide my smile.

"How'd you do that? How did you do that? Wh-- how... I'm... How did you do that?!"

"Maybe next time you're in science class and they start talking about forces, you will pay attention," I said. I like to think I inspire people to want to learn things.

The thin guy gave a low whistle. "You got some skill, kid. You know, you could make a ton of money that way. I know some people who'd pay a ton to have a friend who can pick locks and kick down doors. You want in?"

I scowled. "No. I'm not that kind of person. I was just helping my friend."

He shrugged. "Well, you know where to find me if you ever change your mind. I can get you some sweet gigs. For a small fee, of course."

"Whatever. Come on, Traci, it's time for you to go home," I said, taking her arm. She batted at me but then slumped onto my shoulder. I stumbled under her weight but led her out the door.

Traci passed out on a couch in the school's lobby, and I didn't know where her room was, so I couldn't move her. I trudged into my room and sat down on my bed, using my powers to get ready so I wouldn't have to move.

Relief washed over me when I crawled into bed. In that moment, that stiff, metal framed bed was the best bed in the world. I flicked off the light switch that was across the room. From bed. Yes, it is as awesome as it sounds.

And with that thought, I fell asleep.