Lovestruck (EDITING)

8: Drinking Alone?

I sit alone in the locked bathroom, my back against the tub, for what feels like hours in drunk-time before I begin to question Shana's whereabouts. I stare at the back of the closed white door for a few more seconds, frowning, before finally making the decision to go and find out what's taking her so long. 

I stand too quickly, causing a slight headrush, and have to hold onto the edge of the tub to steady myself. I really don't need another drink. As I reach for the doorknob, I pause, turning to observe myself in the gold-framed mirror above the sink. I expect smudged mascara and frizzy hair, but instead, to my surprise, I'm met by the same face I saw before leaving Shana's house, with the addition of a red stain to my lips from the mystery drink. Mystery drinks, rather. I press my fingers lightly to my bottom lip and can't help but smile in amusement at the night I've had. I didn't think I had it in me. I don't think anyone did.

I quickly straighten up my skirt and apply a touch of chapstick before I open the door, for real this time, and almost fall right back down when I'm met by a familiar pair of brown eyes. I stare in disbelief at the boy in front of me. The boy from spin the bottle. I can't remember what his name was. I don't think he even told me. He looks down at me, clearly equally as surprised, and opens his mouth to speak, pauses, and then just closes it again. We both stand still for a long moment, staring at each other uncomfortably, before he steps to the side and I hesitate before walking past him. Should I at least get this guys name? I spin back around, but the bathroom door is slammed shut before I can say anything. I frown for a moment before walking downstairs to continue my search for my best friend.

The music seems to have changed genres now. The songs are slower, yet still deafeningly loud. Teenagers holding red cups and shouting to each other over the music surround me when I reach the bottom of the staircase. I decide to check outside for Shana, mainly because I'm struggling to breathe inside this house. I make my way across the room filled with sweaty, drunken bodies and out into the fresh air.

Immediately, I spot Hayley sitting on the lap of a tanned, blonde boy. I hesitate before walking over to her as I watch her whisper into his ear.

"Hayley?" I attempt to get her attention.

She glances up at me, her lips still pressed to the boy's ear, before finishing up her dirty talk and pulling away to look up at me.

"Have you seen Shana?" I ask, resisting the urge to gag at the way the blonde boy sucks on her neck, leaving a visible mark, as she giggles hysterically.

Hayley simply shakes her head at me, smiling sweetly as she returns her attention to the boy. I sigh and stand still for a moment, thinking of where else Shana could be, before turning on my heel and walking towards the kitchen. That's where we left our drinks, anyway.

I walk back into the house through the back door and I'm instantly lost in the sea of teenagers. It takes me a moment to figure out where I am and where exactly the kitchen was located in this palace. Finally I spot the end of a marble counter top poking out behind a wall across the room and push through until I reach the slightly less crowded kitchen. I quickly locate the cooler bag that Shana and I brought and see that It's been opened already. I must've just missed her. I let out a sigh as my eyes search the room for Shana's red dress. I take in the sight of perfectly sculpted marble arches leading into different sections of a maze of teenager-filled hallways, shiny hardwood floors tainted by muddy shoeprints and spilt soda, a modern crystal chandelier with two bras hanging from it, but still no sight of my best friend. Did she leave? She wouldn't leave.