Talking to Him!

[Mandy's Diary at 17th y.o]

For the umpteenth time, I observed my appearance. A cute look for a girl who is not cute at all. To look great at Trevor's party, I needed to look at the catalog in Mom's fashion magazine. And my choice fell on a dress above the knee, matching flat shoes, and hair tied with a ribbon headband. I swallowed hard as soon as I stepped inside, looking around the place where Trevor's friends who were popular students mostly were busying themselves with the others, chatting with each other, toasting, and even dancing on the dance floor to the music.

My hands are sweating cold. I shoved off the shoulders of the crowd looking for Candice. My eyes caught her blonde hair in the crowd. She danced with Trevor, laughing merrily about something ignoring the people around them. I took a deep breath, moving away to another place if it suited me. Where else would suit me other than the corner of the room?

Yes, in the end, I walked limply towards the corner of the room, leaning against the wall after taking a drink from the table. I watched Trevor's party fun from the corner of the room. As I took a sip of the drink in the glass I was holding, I spat out the drink, surprised to feel the strange bitterness and tartness on my tongue.

I stuck out my tongue, frowning as I shuddered at the strange sensation of the drink I'm currently holding. Eww… it tastes like sewage water.

"That's Scotch."

From the other side, I saw Justin walking up to me suddenly, commenting on my amused reaction to the taste of the damn drink that had just touched my tongue. Why does he always show up at the wrong time?! Why did he appear when I was acting stupid?! Why doesn't he show up when I do something awesome that only happens once in a thousand in my life?! Neptune, just sink me into the ocean.

"If you're not used to drinking like that, you better not," Justin continued, still in his monotone. He grabbed the glass I was holding while I stood like an idiot admiring its beauty. Ignoring the longing look on my face, he placed the glass of Scotch on the table. "Well, are you okay?" His attention was returned to me.

I bit my lower lip. My eyes moved slightly admiring her appearance from the top of his head to her toes. He was wearing a plain white t-shirt lined with a red plaid shirt and ruffled pants. I think Justin is a Puma shoe lover. Because every time I see him pass in front of me, he always wears Puma in different colors.

"Yes. I'm just a little dizzy being in a crowded place like this." I flashed my best smile. Hopefully not an overdose smile.

"I heard from your best friend that you are very good at debating." Justin licked his lips for a few seconds. It practically made my body burn and melt like wax. "I'd like to invite you to join me."

My feet seemed to melt on the floor. He invited me in front of my face without any intermediary. I don't know why I thought of it as a date. Silly and pathetic thoughts. I bit my lower lip, squeezing my cold fingers together and trying not to look stupid in front of him. I feel like peeing in my pants. Damn, he made me nervous.

"Wow," even though it took a few seconds of waiting, the one word finally managed to slip out of my mouth. "I am very interested…" To you, want me to say that "…to join."

A crooked smile was his response, and I loved that bastard smile that made my stomach tighten all of a sudden. He walked away, walking nonchalantly, nothing else to add, leaving me almost melting like wax in this place. Just a few steps away, Justin glanced back at me.

"Thank you, Mandy." Then he continued on his way, disappearing into the crowd.

He said my name. He already knows my name. He knows my name is Mandy. He knew Mandy existed.

For God's sake, I could die of happiness.