When It's Real | ON HOLD

03. | To Go or Not to Go

Tania

It was a Saturday evening, and I was probably about to be on my way to doing something that I was going to regret later.

Word had got out about a house party that Shane, one of our classmates, had planned on throwing tonight, so now Ravyn was trying to convince me to go.

Everyone who knows me knows that I am not the party type. I'm an introvert, and I can't stand to be around a large group of people for too long unless it was a group of close friends that I was comfortable with. Parties were just not my scene, but Ravyn thought it would be a good idea for me to get out of the house and mingle.

"You need to get out of your comfort zone more," Ravyn said. "Live a little. It's almost the end of senior year. Soon everyone will be parting ways and going off to college or what have you."

"I get that, but you know these types of things give me anxiety," I said with an eye roll.

"The only way to overcome that is to face it, but you know I don't want you to be uncomfortable, so if you don't want to go, we don't have to."

Suddenly, I started to feel bad because I felt like I was holding Ravyn back. Ravyn was so outgoing and she loved being around crowds because that was just her. How we ended up best friends being the complete opposite of each other, I have no idea. I didn't want to be a downer or make her feel like she was having to babysit me so I finally gave in.

"Fine, I'll go," I said, letting out a sigh.

"Yay!" she jumped up and screamed. "But the minute you start to feel uneasy we can leave, Tania."

"I'll be fine," I said waving her off and going to the closet. "What do you think I should wear?" I asked as I rambled through the closet.

"Wear something short. Show some skin. Josiah might be there."

I rolled my eyes at that even though Ravyn couldn't see me.

"I highly doubt that. I haven't seen Josiah here since he moved to Panshaw. He doesn't fool with us small town folk anymore," I said joking.

"You wouldn't know if he's ever here or not cause you barely leave the house and go out," Ravyn said back, making me smack my lips. "I mean come on, the two towns are literally like only 30 minutes apart. You think he's never stepped foot here since he left? This practically was his home town forever. He still has friends here."

"All of that is besides the point because it doesn't matter if he's there or not. That man has a whole girlfriend, or did you forget?"

"Of course I didn't forget, but you act like you can't take him from her."

"I don't mess with other people's men, Ray. I don't need the bad karma," I said, pulling out a red, spaghetti strap crop top that was designed with lace.

"You don't have to mess with him, but him messing with you is a whole different story," she said.

I turned around to see the devilish grin she had plastered on her face.

"Girl you are really ignorant," I said laughing.

"I'm just saying. I know you still like him, so you don't have to be trying to act all righteous with me cause you know I don't give a damn. I'm still rooting for y'all."

"Glad to know we have a fan," I said sarcastically.