Forbidden Love

An Old Friend

My limbs are numb as I stumble to the car, slipping into the driver's seat. Jason slides in next to me, immediately resting a hand on my thigh, circling patterns on my skin. My friends Elena and Zoe crawl into their rightful spots in the back seats, giggling together in perfect harmony. With my boyfriend and two best friends with me, I start the car. The impatient vehicle jerks forward, a loud shriek escaping from the back seat, followed by the sound of the car door slamming.

We all laugh as I guide the car onto the highway. Jason's telling Elena and Zoe about his latest football game.

"That's when I scored my third goal, but this one was the greatest. The goalie dove for it and missed by at least three inches. If I hadn't done that right hook the whole game would've been for nothing. We were tied at that point and I was sprinting down the center field-"

His words fade into the background as I focus on the rhythm of his fingers against my skin. The street lights are bright dots of color, also spinning, circling like Jason's fingers. They spin once.

"My foot hit the ball right in the sweet spot. It went sailing for the goal."

Spin twice.

His fingers drift higher.

Another spin of the ground, the road, the sidewalk, the street lights. My head spins too. I feel as if I'm floating, a loose balloon lazily drifting upwards into oblivion.

Higher.

Higher.

Jason stops talking, instead grabbing the wheel. I let go, laughing at his frantic expression, "Jason, loosen up." I order, turning on the radio.

Jason gives me a startled look as he tells me to do something. I don't remember what.

Elena lets out an ear-piercing shriek. Zoe screams as well, but it's not the frivolous giggle from before. This time she sounds like she's about to die. Like she knows, in that second that her life will end very soon.

Higher.

Higher.

I'm jolted forwards as the car stops suddenly. Little bits of glass surround me. The airbags inflate, slamming me in the face. It's very hot. Another hit comes from behind this time and I'm roughly thrown forwards. I can't breathe.

Shrill sirens wail, echoing around me as the world goes black.

"Cat, I want you to meet Elle Bradley, our roommate," Casey begins, gesturing toward the girl in question.

"It's nice to meet you," I mutter, still trying to empty my head of the flashback.

Elle offers a hand, which I shake. Her hair is tied in a flawless ponytail, her outfit consisting of athletic shorts and a thin tank top pulled over her brightly patterned sports bra. She's a walking Nike advertisement. "And you are?" She prompts, shouldering a heavy looking bag.

"Catalina, but everyone calls me Cat," I smile, picking up one of her suitcases and leading her towards her room.

After she's all settled we convene in the main room, sitting on the couch and chatting.

Georgia bursts into the room, thin figure hurtling towards me. I startle, expecting her to slam into me, but she stops short directly in front of me.

"Cat, you won't believe it!"

I pause, raising my brows, "What won't I believe?"

"I got us invitations to The Party!"