That Friday night, Isis and Jackie met on a street that was in the middle of their houses, about a 5 minute walk for both of them. Jackie ran up to Isis and hugged her tightly. Then kissed her cheek, which actually made Isis blush. Jackie’s red, curly hair was beautiful as usual, and she looked so mature that for a minute Isis was self conscious. Isis took off her sweater and stuffed it into her purse to reveal a black crop top Jackie let her borrow.
“Are you ready for an epic night?!” Jackie exclaimed as she pulled a small bottle of Jack Daniels and a can of Sprite out of her purse. She took a swig of the bottle, held her breath, and chugged the Sprite. Then she handed them over to Isis who looked up and down the street nervously before doing the same.
“Ughhhh! That’s not as good as the rum and soda, my god how do you drink this stuff?” Isis gurgled out. Laughing, they started the walk to the house party.
As they were walking, Isis asked something that had been on her mind. “How did you get your stepdad to tell my mom we were working on a project at your house?”
Jackie paused for a second and replied “I just smile sweetly and flirt a little. When he started making comments on my looks I realized how easy it was to get my way.”
Isis gaped at her friend. That was NOT normal and definitely not okay. “Jackie… what the heck…” she was almost speechless with shock. Jackie rolled her eyes and said “Don’t look at me like that.” Isis replied quietly “Like what?”
“With pity. It’s not a big deal Isis. My mom is always too drunk to pay attention to me. My stepdad is the one who works, brings home fast food, and gives me an allowance. Seriously, chill out.”
Isis was taken aback by Jackie’s firm tone so she dropped the conversation, but she sensed a coldness coming from Jackie and it made her sad and uncomfortable.
Just then they rounded a corner and heard the faint sound of music. Isis’s nerves jumped sky high as they walked up the steps of the front porch. Jackie didn’t ring the doorbell, she just walked right in!
Conversations and laughter came from all directions as people danced in the living room, lounged on couches, and played beer pong in the kitchen. Plastic cups of beer, some full and some empty, were on almost every surface.
Jackie let out a squeal and stopped to chat animatedly with a group of people Isis recognized from school. Isis smiled at them but she didn’t know what to say so she poked at Jackie’s purse. She mimed taking a drink with her hand, so she didn’t interrupt the conversation. Jackie handed her the bottle and Isis took a huge swallow. There was no more Sprite left and she tried her hardest to keep her face neutral.
She scanned the room, secretly hoping to see Roman. She didn’t know if it was heat from the alcohol, or a rush of anxiety from who she saw.
There. Was. Ava.
Ava didn’t see her so Isis whipped back around only to come face to face with… Roman!
She knew she must have looked panicked and just then a light shove from behind pushed her into Roman. So much was happening so fast! She turned around to see Jackie give her a conspiratorial wink. Isis turned back to Roman, apologizing.
He had his hands lightly on her shoulders, steadying her, and spoke loudly over the music “I was looking for you!”
Isis fumbled for words, “Really? Oh, yeah, me too. I mean, I was looking for you too, not for myself…” she knew she sounded like an idiot and wanted the ground to swallow her up.
Roman smiled and asked her if she wanted to go outside where it was quieter. She agreed and he pointed her through the kitchen, where a game of beer pong was going on, and out to the backyard.
They sat at a table with benches across from each other and Roman started a casual conversation. They had already talked at school but this was different. She felt the alcohol slowly easing her nerves.
Roman took a sip out of a white can and looked at her in shock. “I’m so sorry, how rude of me! Do you want a White Claw?”
Isis definitely did. He got up and grabbed her a can from a cooler nearby. She took a sip and said “Wow, this is much better than the stuff Jackie drinks.” He laughed.
“Hey you looked like you saw a ghost when I found you, is everything okay?” Roman asked her.
“Yeah, better now. I just saw a friend. Well, an ex-friend I suppose. I don’t really know what happened.” Isis replied.
She could tell Roman was curious as he asked “Who was it?” She told him about Ava and what happened the first day of school.
He said “Ava actually lives across the street from me. She did the same thing to me when we were kids. She ghosted me when she found “better” friends. Honestly don’t worry about it. She’s a shallow bitch and you’re better off without her.”
Isis was surprised. She was never very close with Ava, but had no idea she was like that.
Jackie came out of the back door at that point, holding hands with a guy. She was pretty sure the guys name was Braden but Isis had never heard Jackie mention liking him.
Jackie sat next to Isis and said playfully “Move your butt to the other side babe.”
Isis got up and sat next to Roman while Braden sat next to Jackie. Braden put his arm around Jackie and whispered seductively in her ear. Jackie gave a teasing giggle and kissed his neck. Isis turned away, blushing.
She was almost finished with her second White Claw and felt giggly. She was comfortable around Roman now and she realized they were laughing and talking just like everybody else in the party.
She was actually having fun and fitting in!
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