Chapter 19 WRONG TURN
MERRIELYNN.
I sat on the edge of Emorie’s bed, watching her flop back dramatically as she threw her arms around me. “Come on, Mere! It’s going to be epic! Everyone’s going to be there!” she whined with a pout, her voice a mix of excitement and desperation.
“I don’t know, Em,” I replied, biting my lip. “I really don’t think I want to be in that kind of crowd tonight. It’s just… not me right now.”
I turned to her with puppy dog eyes, hoping she would understand but she just rolled over, propping herself up on her elbows, her eyes wide with determination. “You can’t hide forever! You’ll have fun, I promise! Just think about all the cute guys and the music!”
I sighed and shook my head at her, wondering if she had just heard me at all. “I don’t want the spotlight on me, especially not at some party.”
Emoie scoffed, shaking her head. “That’s pointless, Mere! You’re not going to feel better sitting here moping. You need to get out, let loose! I’ll be right by your side.”
Her enthusiasm was contagious, but I still felt that knot in my stomach. “What if I embarrass myself? What if I just end up feeling worse?” I aired my concerns.
“Then we’ll laugh about it later!” she shot back, her voice lightning up as she came to my side once more, wiggling her eyebrows at me. “Please, just give it a chance. You might surprise yourself.”
Ever since my trip home, I’ve felt a little off. Emorie picked up on it right away and has been on a mission to cheer me up.
Her latest tactic? Convincing me to hit this party tonight.
It's definitely one of her questionable methods to ‘bring me out of my shell,’ and she was really persistent about dragging me along with her.
I thought about it for a moment.
If those jerks at school wanted to give me a hard time, hiding in a corner wasn’t going to help at all—they’d find me if they wanted to.
Emorie was right.
I needed to live my life and embrace the full Pinnthorpe experience. It wasn’t just about academics; I knew how to have fun there, but since Emorie was determined to make sure I got the full experience, why not?
“Do I really have much of a choice in this?” I asked her with a smile and suddenly, Emorie jumped up, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Actually, you don't,” she answered seriously. “It is settled, you’re coming. I compel you to. Now, what are you gonna wear?”
Before I could even respond, she dove into her closet, tossing clothes around like they were confetti. I wasn’t as excited as she was, but Emorie’s enthusiasm was infectious. She held up a bright top, insisting I try it on.
Just like that, we went through a whirlwind of outfits to the point I started having a rethink about attending this party. Finally, we settled on a short and strapless black dress that I couldn’t help but admire.
“You look amazing!” Em exclaimed. She looked like she was about to cry and I just laughed at her.
“Cut it out,” I giggled, looking myself over.
“No, for real,” Emorie said with a sniff. “I always knew you could look so fantastic!”
I smiled, feeling a little more confident about stepping out into the world. And I mouthed a “thank you” to my stylist.
Honestly, I thought the dress was a little short and revealing, but as I turned in the mirror, I couldn’t help but admire how I looked. “Wow,” I whispered quietly, twirling around and checking myself out.
“I know. I know. I did a good job” Emorie praised herself, literally patting herself on the back, causing me to laugh. “Now, let me do your makeup!” She exclaimed.
She didn't allow for any objections and began right away.
As she worked, she suddenly mentioned the necklace I had gone back to the foster care for. “You should definitely wear it,” she suggested.
When she was done, I pulled out the necklace and just stared at it, suddenly wondering why I had felt the need to grab it.
I left it behind because I hadn’t worn it in ages. But or the first six months at the foster home, it was everything to me, a lifeline to a past I barely remembered. But over time, it lost its meaning, and I took it off. Yet, for some reason, when I left the foster home last week, I couldn’t bear to go without it.
I’d been thinking about it since my first day at Pinnthorpe.
I wasn’t even sure why.
Finally, I slipped it on and caught my reflection in the mirror again. I gently touched the necklace, feeling a mix of nostalgia and uncertainty. I knew this necklace held a piece of my past. The bits and pieces of what I haven’t been able to remember for years.
I just couldn’t quite piece it together, and it was driving me crazy.
“I think it’s perfect” Em’s voice broke into my thoughts and I saw her smiling at my reflection in the mirror.
“Thank you” I smiled, admiring myself once again.
Emorie got ready too, and we soon left for the party. When we arrived, I felt like I was drowning in a sea of people. The neon lights dazzled from the ceilings, and I quickly pulled Emorie to a corner that was less crowded.
Emorie began to slowly nod her head to the blasting music while I just scanned the room. She suddenly turned to me, her eyes bright with excitement. “Let’s go grab some drinks!”
I shook my head, glancing at the crowd swarming around the kitchen. “I can’t. I can’t deal with that right now. I’ll pass” I told her.
“Okay. Just stay here, I’ll be quick!” she replied, giving me a reassuring smile before disappearing into the throng.
How could she blend in with so much ease? I wondered, looking for something to feast my eyes on.
Feeling out of place, I noticed a room to my left and slipped inside, hoping for a moment of quiet. I leaned against the wall, trying to calm my racing heart.
But just as I was starting to relax, the door creaked loudly behind me, startling me.
A weight pressed down on my chest, and I froze as I heard a familiar, daunting, buttery drawl ask from behind me, “Now who’s stalking who?”