Page 77 of Run For Me
Sailor
Amelia walks into my bedroom with a grin on her face.
“What?” I ask with a groan.
“I’m just so glad you’re coming with me to this party!”
She looks adorable in a short black pleated skirt and white tank top, showing off her lower belly and new belly button ring.
“Well, it’s college, and this is what we are supposed to do, right?”
“Right!” She bounces up and down before running back into the bathroom.
I shake my head as I look myself over in the mirror.
Yes, I am going because Amelia asked me to. But also… I’m going because JT wants me to. He told me exactly what to wear and gave me zero information on what he’s wearing. Each day that passes, the need to know who he is gets stronger. But this is all too good to let go of. It’s not that finding out who he is will destroy any of this. We can keep doing what we’re doing, but something about not knowing makes it so much more exciting. I like that he’s watching me, and I don’t know who he is. I likethat I could be looking right at him and not know it’s him. Maybe I’d know… but that’s the thing. Everyone I talk to with a similar body type and height will be him. Or won’t be him. He’s like Schrodinger’s cat.
My skirt matches Amelia’s. It’s short, black and pleated. But my shirt is also black. A tiny tank with tan buttons up the center. My combat boots are what make the outfit, where Amelia has flats, giving her a cuter, more innocent look.
“Are you sure your boyfriend can’t come?”
I look up, seeing Amelia’s pouty face.
I didn’t tell her that JT will be there because how would I explain that I don’t know which guy he is? How do I explain not talking to him?
“Yeah, he’s working.”
“Laaame!”
I quickly finish up my hair and put on some makeup, and then we’re ready to go. We take my car because I don’t plan on drinking—at least not a lot. I’m nervous all the way there and hardly remember the conversation we have. Amelia is talking away, and I’m nodding and smiling and agreeing, but don’t ask me what she’s saying.
When we get to the house, the long driveway is full of cars, along with the street. It’s a large house with at least three floors, music pounding all the way out here. Some people stand outside on the lawn, while the front door is wide open and I can make out more people inside.
“Go around the block. Down here,” Amelia says. “You can probably find a spot.”
I follow her directions and get an open spot a couple of blocks down. My nerves are at an all-time high as I get out of the car. Not only because of JT, but because of going to a party. Something I’ve never done. Going to school was hard enough because of all the people. And now I’m going to be at a party,where a ton of people are stuffed into a small room like a sardine can.
I can totally do this.
Because he’s going to be there.
I have a small cross body bag that I put my keys in and pull out my phone to send JT a text letting him know I’m here. I watch the screen as we walk, waiting for his response.
JT:Good. I’m already inside.
My stomach gets all warm, and knowing he’s already here gives me the little bit of confidence I need to walk through the door.
“Come on,” Amelia urges, hooking her arm in mine.
She’s been to this house for a party already, a few times. She leads us right to the kitchen, where the counter and island are covered in different bottles of alcohol. Red coolers are along one wall, and someone opening it to pull out a beer tells me it’s filled with cans and bottles. I spot a seltzer and go for that instead of making something with stronger alcohol. Plus, this is safer because it hasn’t been tampered with.
I pop the can open and take a sip of the pineapple lemonade flavored drink. It’s not bad.
“I am so excited that you’re here,” Amelia says, bouncing on her feet as she pours vodka into a see-through purple cup about halfway. She tops it off with Sprite, then adds a splash of cranberry juice.
“You’re like a pro,” I say before taking a sip of my drink.
She stirs hers with a straw, then sips.
