Chapter 12: Party 1

Laughter and more laughter surrounded me. And the most surprising thing, I was also laughing hard. I just won at a beer pong challenge, on the way, beating the champion, Carl. He accepted gracefully, ignoring all of the teasing he got from his friends. Although, he had to take a couple of shots before he could fully accept it.

Beer pong, drinks, people. Yes, I was at a party! And it was very fun. Although, I was forced to come. Literally, Karla dragged me out of my house. But I was definitely not regretting it. At least I wasn't until two hours into the party. 

*Earlier that day*

"So that happened within your neighbourhood! Fuck that's crazy! How did you sleep well?" Courtney asked. I could just imagine her gripping her hair furiously and pacing around the room. Apparently, the news about the Larron estate murder had gone far. But what she didn't know was that the place was only a few blocks away from me.

"I'm sleeping quite normally. But mom has completely put me on curfew. Can't stay out past eight anymore." I said as I typed furiously on my computer in my room.

"That sucks, but it's for your own good. God, please be careful. I don't want to receive a letter for your funeral."

"Courtney, you're overreacting! Things like these happen sometimes."

"Ok, but what if it's some sort of psychopath going after unsuspecting teenagers! You will be at risk!" She yelled.

I shook my head in amusement. Typical Courtney.

"I'll be careful…wow this ain't good." 

"What?"

"Applications for Hawthorne are open, I'm filling the application."

"Great! You're gonna nail this."

"Yeah, I'm not too sure. They're asking for extracurricular activities."

"You did a couple of extracurriculars. What's the problem?"

"Their definition of extracurriculars is different. Cheerleading, martial arts, ballet, chess, maths club."

"You were part of the maths club, choose that."

"Yeah, but I've done major research and it's like the least chosen club. It's the quirky nerds that usually join. The least popular."

"No no. Don't even think of choosing that. We're way past that."

"I know." 

"You can choose cheerleading. You're an amazing cheerleader."

"But I never joined."

"Because slutty Felicia made sure you didn't get through. But you're really talented. And I can bet that it's one of the famous extracurriculars, right?"

"Yeah, that and basketball."

"Then go for it. You can never go wrong." I immediately clicked on the cheerleading option while holding my breath.

"Done, on to the next page. A 500 word essay about myself and my goals."

"How much I hate those. I wish you goodluck."

"Thanks, we'll talk later." And the line went dead. I stared at my computer's screen, preparing what I was going to type in my head. Then I began. 

After about thirty minutes, I was finally ready to submit my applications. I was surprisingly not nervous. Probably it's because they had a high acceptance rate and I knew my test scores were good enough. A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I rubbed my temples. My fingers hovered over the enter key.

'Here goes nothing' I clicked on it and in a few seconds, I received a message of the submission being a success. Now to wait for two weeks.

A loud ding filled my ears. It was a message from Karla.

"Hey Emily. There's a party going down at a friend's place and you're invited. P.s, you cannot say no." The message said.

She had to be joking. I got invited to a party? But why and how? I mean, I only know Karla, her brother and recently, Mike. So who's throwing the party, and for the person to invite me? Unless, Karla put in a word for me. 

"Whose party is it?" I got a reply almost immediately.

"I thought you wouldn't answer. You don't know him. You better say you'll come, or I'll drag you here myself."

"Karla, I'd love to, but I'm extremely busy." I reluctantly hit the send button. It wasn't that I wouldn't want to. It's just that I have only known her for like two weeks, and to go to a party, I wasn't too sure. And plus, with mom's curfew, it just makes things much tighter.

I expected her to reply but I didn't get any. Concluding that she decided to give up, I plopped onto my bed and turned on the TV. But a loud banging from downstairs scared the crap out of me.

'Could it be the killer from Larron?' I immediately shook the thought away. Why would he or she come after me? And plus, it was still bright outside. They wouldn't try something like that now.

Even with these thoughts running through my head, I stealthily went down the stairs and peeped to see who it was. There I saw a blonde haired girl waiting for me. I sighed a breath of relief.

"Hey Karla." She gave me a thorough look.

"Why aren't you getting ready?"

"Karla…"

"I said you couldn't say no. And I meant it." I tried to give her my biggest doe eyes, but she didn't budge

"That ain't working on me sweetheart." She waltzed in and I shut the door.

"Is it compulsory?"

"Me, Carl and Mike had to put in big words for you to be invited. You can't just blow this off."

"But why? And he actually agreed?"

"Yeah, I mean you are going to attend Hawthorne and Mike put in a very good word for you."

'Cutie Mike did that? That's so sweet. God what's wrong with me?'

"Listen Emily, fitting into Hawthorne isn't going to be easy. The students can be as annoying and persuasive as hell. Going to a party with the 'big dogs' will increase your popularity at school in a snap."

"The big dogs?"

"Yeah, the elites, athletes and other famous people." She said with a shrug. I felt like I just transmigrated into a high school movie. And I thought Fairfield was tough.

"Don't worry, I'm here for you. Now go get dressed. Not that you look bad, you just need something that screams party!"

'Ok Emily it's not too late to start looking for new schools' 

I led her to my room and she gushed around, talking about how the room was her best friend's sister's room. Then she got to my closet.

"Hmmm, you've got so many amazing clothes. Why do you then stick to certain types?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, I just like them more I guess." 

"Anyways, let's get started." After going through my closet for an unknown Amount of time, she finally found the perfect simple outfit.

"Go on, get changed quickly." I did as I was told and put on my clothes. How come I don't remember this dress? I took a quick look at my reflection. It was just a simple white lace dress, which thankfully was about four inches above my knees, with a blue jacket to fit. 

"Ready?" Yelled Karla. I combed my hair and stared at my face, contemplating if I should put on a little make-up. After a thirty second mental debate, I decided to put on some eyeliner and lip gloss. 

"Coming!" I rushed out of the bathroom and Karla nodded her head approvingly. 

"Beautiful! Just perfect!" She remarked. I felt my cheeks go a little warm at her compliment. I just gave her a smile.

"Come on, let's go!" She held onto my hand and pulled me out of my house. Heading straight to the party.

'Nothing could go wrong.'