"Come on Emma, wake up." I felt someone poke my face continuously, which started to annoy me.
"I went out for like two hours and I came back and you're still asleep," She finally stopped poking my face but instead she dropped a bucket of cold water and ice cubes on my face.
"Ahhhhh! Who the hell does that to wake someone up?"
"Hey, it works and you're up so I'll go make you some waffles." Stella smirked and left.
"You're the best!"
I grabbed my phone and saw 82 messages from our group chat and that it is now 1:15 PM. Woah, I slept like a baby. But the bed felt like clouds so you can't blame me. I finally get out of bed and head to the bathroom. My shirt and hair were wet so I brushed my teeth and stripped out of my pajamas and headed to the shower. After I got out, I put on some washed out denim shorts with a floral tank top. I mean it was summer and in LA so it was freaking hot over here.
"Finish your breakfast so I can give a little tour around LA and then go shopping because I need a new dress for today's party." Stella smiled.
"Sure, I can't wait." I smiled awkwardly.
"Listen, uhm I know this is hard for you and like if you want to talk about it or whatever you can talk to me."
"Thanks."
***
Stella and I decided to walk instead of taking her car. Although it was hot, I did enjoy it. The best thing about the apartment Stella and her friend are renting is that it's very close to the university they're in and close to a lot of other things like coffee shops and clubs.
After two to three hours of walking around LA, we started to get tired and decided to head to the mall. We entered a lot of stores and I just wanted to lie on the floor and rest. I wasn't the type of girl who really enjoyed shopping. I never get the idea of staying in a shop for more than 15 minutes. I enter, look around quickly and if I found something nice then I'd buy it, if not I'll leave the shop. Why do people have to stay for hours and investigate with the damn shirt. Get it or leave it.
"I just need to get a new pair of heels and we'll head back home," Stella informed me. "I'm guessing that you probably killed me in your head like twice."
"Four times, actually." We both laughed.
"This won't take time I promise." She was right. Stella instantly picked the shoes she wanted, found her size, paid for them, and we finally went back home.
After we arrived back home, Stella told me she was meeting with some friends for lunch and that she'll be back so that we can get ready for the party. I decided to Facetime Tiffany.
Em: are you free to Facetime or are you at work
Tiff: my shift is over in 5 mins so give me 7 mins
Em: very accurate
I grabbed a bag of chips from the kitchen and began to munch on them. The TV was boring as always. They usually play the good movies when I'm busy, but when I'm free all the shitty movies are on. I gave up on the TV and turned it off. Tiffany finally Facetimes me.
"Hey Em. Work was so tiring today and Mike didn't show up and my shithead boss let me take his shift. Like I do have a life thank you so much but yeah if I said anything I was going to get fired so."
"Well I miss you and your face, too and." I chuckled at the view I had: her face was too close to the camera.
"Yeah me too, what's up?"
"I think I'm going to see Hayden today." I pulled a fake smile and she should obviously tell.
"And? Are you ready?"
"I should be, it's been 2 years Tiffany. Even if I wasn't ready I won't back down because I want to get this over with."
"Well good luck and I hope it goes well. Text me if you need anything." Tiffany smiled.
"I will, I have to go now. Love you Tiff and say hi to Mr. and Mrs. Long for me."
"Love you too." We virtually hugged and then hung up.
It was 8:00 PM so I decided to start getting ready although we would be leaving the house at 9:30 PM. I thought most college parties would start at like 11:00 PM or something but apparently not. I started off by a warm relaxing bath to calm me down. When I was done, Stella was back and getting ready, too.
I decided to wear a striped black and white crop top with pink shorts and my all black converse. I put on my ring that I never take off (only when I shower) and some bracelets. I put a few coats of mascara, which is my favorite makeup product, and lip gloss.
When I get invited to parties in school I wouldn't really bother would dressing up(unless if Tiffany dresses me up or forces me to look descent) but this isn't school or people at my school; this is a college party and as tough as I try to be, I'm just a regular teenage girl who has insecurities.
We were both finally done and ready to go.
The ride to the place wasn't that far but when we got out of the car, I could hear the music blasting. Pretty sure the owners are going to receive a noise complaint or two.
"Okay so Hayden and his "clique" usually come late so you can relax a bit and chill inside until he arrives," Stella informed me as we entered. "If we can't find each other later just meet me here on the porch."
Stella walked through the huge crowd until I couldn't see her anymore. Well here goes nothing . It was almost 10:30 PM now and a lot of people were already drunk. Everyone had a drink in their hand, except for me. Everyone was dancing, except for me. No one had a care in the world at this moment, except for me.
I lit up a cigarette and a guy came and sat next to me on the couch and didn't make eye contact. We both sat there, quietly.
"I see that you aren't enjoying the party since you've been sitting here ever since you walked in." He spoke.
"You seem like you aren't either since you noticed me ever since." I took a long drag and exhaled .
"Maybe, but I get to drink for free so I'm not complaining"
"Yeah cool." I was somehow awkward and came off as bitchy person when I interacted with strangers because I rarely did and I preferred not to.
"You new here?" This guy is talking a lot and all I want is to enjoy my cigarette peacefully.
"Just visiting." I take one last drag and put the cigarette out. I got off the couch without saying anything and tried to search for the bathroom. The guy followed me and I was starting to get uncomfortable by his attention towards me. I kept walking until I reached to the bathroom and turned around and he was still there, just staring.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to use the bathroom. Alone."
"Go ahead, I'll wait here." He just stood there and smiled. What the hell...
I didn't even bother replying back and went to the bathroom and locked the door behind me. I was slightly starting to panic. I was finally going to see Hayden, but I was scared to face him although he should be the one scared to face me. What was I going say say? 'Oh hey Haydee poo, remember me? Yeah your little sister that you left behind. So how's life?' All this thinking gave me a headache. I looked at myself in the mirror and took deep slow breaths. Here goes nothing.
When I got out of the bathroom, Mr. Weird was surprisingly still there.
"Don't you have like friends or people to party with?" I was walking back to my spot and he followed.
"They're not here yet," He replied "What about you?"
"What about me?" I rolled my eyes.
"Where are your friends?" He asked
"Not here." Well I wasn't lying.
"What is your name anyway? I'm Alexander, but call me Alex." He opened a beer and chugged about half of it down his throat.
"Emma."
"Emma what?"
"Emma Gre-" But just before I could continue I saw a group of guys walking through the door and I quickly shut my mouth and stared, waiting to spot Hayden. And I finally did.