Chapter 20 First party at KSE
Stephanie
I thought I had witnessed so much of the lifestyle of KSE students already. I had seen them at the Vault, and the display of wealth at the morning assembly. But after seeing how they partied, I realized how wrong I was.
I dragged my gaze across the fleet of luxurious cars that filled the parking lot. The place had been so packed that it took Brooklyn a while to find a spot to squeeze in. Neither Kendrix nor Brooklyn were kidding when they said everyone in school had come.
I tried not to think of the huge number of guests in attendance. If I did, I might just have a meltdown right here and rush back home. But the thought of going back to an empty room to sulk didn't feel right either.
“Remember, it's just a regular high school party with punch and music. And maybe a few lines of molly.” Brooklyn said beside me as we approached the entrance.
“If that was supposed to make me feel better, it didn't work.” I glanced at her error she gave me a reassuring smile. “Besides, it's not like I was a regular attendee of parties at my former high school.”
Brooklyn's head snapped towards me, her eyes flickered with surprise. “You've never gone to a party before?”
“I didn't say I haven't. I said I don't go often. I don't usually get invited to things.”
Emily had always claimed it was because I didn't socialize a lot and that I needed to work on my personality if I wanted invitation. Obviously, that hadn't worked out for me.
Dating Noah had improved my status at school a bit but not in the good way. Everyone had whispered in the hallway, questioning why Noah would go out with the ‘weirdo’. He'd told me not to listen to gossip and that he loved me.
Those gossip had ended up exposing his lies.
I pushed the thoughts out of my mind. I was out here tonight to have fun, not to think about my best friend or ex boyfriend. It was the first party of senior year at a new school. I didn't want to feel sad on this day.
“That won't be the be the case here. You will get invited to a lot of things because you're the new girl and they would all be curious about you.” Brooklyn said.
Sure enough, I could already feel eyes on me as we walked in. The heavy weight of them pressed on me and I tried not to shift uncomfortably. None of the onlookers had approached us yet, fortunately.
“Let's enjoy ourselves for a while before we go find the boys.” Brooklyn grabbed my hand and navigated her way through the crowd to the bar.
Drinks were lined in rows on the countertops. Brooklyn grabbed two shots and handed one to me.
“To being friends.” she said. I was certain there was something she refrained from adding, but it didn't matter.
“To friendship.” I clinked her glass with mine and took a sip of the drink. The liquid burned as it slid down my throat. I had taken alcohol before, but I had never taken something like this.
“What wine is this?” I asked.
Brooklyn shrugged. “No idea. Probably some random shit that Collin cooked up. His family owns a liquor factory. He's always inventing shit like this.”
I nodded and downed another glass, relishing in the taste. Brooklyn exchanged pleasantries with a group that passed by us. The smile she gave them was different from the one I've grown used to seeing on her. It was softer and seem forced.
The music blasting through the speakers changed to a favorite of mine and I swayed to it. That was when I realized no one else was dancing.
“I thought this was supposed to be a party. Why is no one dancing?” I asked.
“Because no one is drunk enough to let themselves go completely. Just give it a few more hours. The dance floor is going to be so full it'll make you wonder where they've all been hiding.” She knocked down another glass of the sweet wine.
I was about to remind her not to drink much and that she would drive later when my eyes caught a particular blonde. Sophie. As if my thoughts had summoned her, she turned from the girl she was chatting with and our eyes locked. Hers flared with anger.
Yeah, she had not forgotten what I did to her at assembly.
And just because I was a bit drunk and feeling murderous, I threw her a smirk and flipped her the middle finger. Brooklyn snorted a laugh which turned into a full cackle soon. Soon after, we were both laughing so hard that tears began falling from our eyes.
“What are you guys laughing about?” I turned to see JJ walking towards us with the other two boys.
“Tell me, I wanna be as amused as you are.” he propped his elbows on the countertops and rested his chin on his hands.
“None of your business, JJ.” Brooklyn groaned.
“I can't believe you would start the fun without us.” Cisco scoffed.
“Uh, excuse me. You ditched us first for post training hangout at Benny's. You didn't even tell me about the party, JJ did. So you, sir, deserved to be ditched.” Brooklyn said
“Exactly. I reminded your girlfriend of your date. I should get something. Like a monthly subscription to thank me for my generous acts.” JJ added.
JJ, Cisco, and Brooklyn began arguing whether JJ had gone insane or if the idea was actually smart. Kendrix and I had been left to face off. Despite all the people surrounding us, it felt like he was the only one in the room with me. He literally sucks out the oxygen.
“You came.” he said.
“Yes. And?”
“You said you wouldn't.”
“I never said that.” he raised an eyebrow at me.
I drew a long sigh. “I didn't say I wasn't coming. I believe my exact words were ‘...I didn't want to come with you…’. Those are two totally different things.”
“Why?”
I didn't know if it was my alcohol talking, but I was certain I heard a tiny bit of hurt in his voice. And it was the feeling that made me swallow back the insults I had in mind.
“Brooklyn literally came to my room to drag me along.” I chuckled as I watched the fight between my friends.
“Are you having a good time at least?” he asked.
“I can't answer that yet. I haven't even danced.”
“Yeah, no one is drunk enough.” he chuckled. Brooklyn had said the exact same thing.
“You look beautiful tonight, Princess.” he said, his gaze sweeping over me for the first time that night.
Heat rose up my cheek, probably from the liquor I consumed. I racked my brain for any suitable answer, but I came up short. I couldn't just stand there looking
Just when I was about to come up with a silly excuse to leave, the sight of furious eyes and blonde hair made me pause. She plastered a smile on as she got close.
“Babe!” Sophie squeaked. Kendrix sighed heavily as she looped her arm with his.
“I've been waiting for you.” She pouted. "Where have you been?"
“Busy.” he said in a clear dismissal.
But Sophie didn't stop asking questions as she dragged him away. I stared at their retreating figure as they disappeared into the crowd. I didn't like either of them, and honestly, they were perfect for each other.
But I knew the tightness in my chest wasn't just because of the alcohol.
Fuck, I really needed to dance and shrug off this energy.