Constant Distraction—Part 4

It wasn't like the movies. Where it's literally every single person staring and whispering at you. I did notice a few people staring at me and then whispering to their friends but only because I was looking for them. When went to my first class the day after my rejection I could feel eyes on my back every now and then, but once again I think it was just because I was looking for the feeling. That was just what the first couple days were like, after that it seemed like it was dropped from hot gossip. I tried to just play it cool and go to classes like normal... Juniper joined me for my lunch today.

"So do you have her class today?" I glare at her, she knows she probably shouldn't ask, but she's always a curious person.

"Yeah, later." I was trying to be caviler about it.

"You nervous? I mean, I know it's been a couple days, but it has to be strange. Having to just go to class like normal." A big toothy grin never left Jun's face, I could tell she really just wanted this to work out in my favor. Juniper always wants people to be happy. We both began unpacking our respective food.

"Yes, Jun, it's strange, but no, I'm not nervous. She seems unchanged by the situation so I figure I should do the same." I could tell my disappointment had slipped into my voice some.

"Why?" Her eyebrows furrowed with her speech and she shoves a forkful of salad into her mouth.

"Why, what?" I rose my own brow in confusion.

"Why are you just giving up?" She tilts her head slightly, watching me perplexed.

"Isn't that what you're supposed to do when someone tells you no, or that they're not interested," I respond, and then take a large bit of my sandwich.

"Well, of course, but I don't see why don't put yourself out there in general? I mean she's the first woman you've even actively gone after as far as I know." She giggled, "Why stop with her? Why not just try looking for someone for once?"

"Hmm. I didn't think about that..." It's a good idea, I mean there are a lot of women around campus.

"That's because you're usually wrapped up in your own head or business."

"Okay with that in mind where am I going to go to meet women?" Not exactly Mr. Charisma over here.

"That's where I come in, there's a party tomorrow night and I wanted to invite you. I know I have invited you to stuff like this in the past but this time around you don't have a choice." She giggles, Jun may come off innocent and naive, but there is the mind of a schemer under her golden locks.

"Alright, alright I'll go. But only if it's you and me. I'm not exactly in the mood to talk to Cecily and but I don't want to invite Gus and have them feel left out. If they show up of their own accord that a different story." I hadn't gotten to talk to Cecily about what happened. It honestly wasn't a big deal, I just want to know why they seemed to attack me. They can be a downer a lot of the time that's just their personality, but the other night it was like Cecily was trying to make me feel worse about the situation I was dealing with.

"I can deal with that, it'll be a bit better if I can just focus on being your wing-woman for the night anyways."

"Wing-woman?" I question the phrase.

"Yes Noah, you have only ever kissed a girl. There's a couple things you need to learn when it comes to trying to find and get a date." She laughs.

"Okay you're right, but please don't ever call yourself that again. It sounds like a horribly vague superhero with bad powers."

"Alright, but no promises."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tonight's the night. Big party. I'm unbelievably nervous. Juniper dressed me, she actually went out and bought me an outfit for the night. I told her I would pay her back, she just keeps arguing I don't need to. The black slacks were very fitted, they weren't uncomfortable but they make me feel like everything below the belt is on display. Patterns weren't exactly my thing either, but she got this button up that's a maroon color with this white floral or paisley pattern. It looked intense when she first showed me, but it complimented my eyes and contrasted with my pants nicely. Once I had dressed in what she bought, she rummaged in my closet pulling out the only pair of formal shoes I had.

"You look great, I almost wish Gus and Cecily were here to see you." She was pleased with her work. She was smiling so hard she was almost glowing.

"Thank you, for everything, Juni."

"Of course, now let's go before we transition from being fashionably late to being anti-socially late." Juniper drags me out of my room and down the hall. Neither of us owned a car so we had to grab a cab to get the couple streets down to the party. Greek row...of course.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Bumping music and bumping bodies. When we first arrived Juniper had shoved me into the kitchen. We were in a fraternity house, the kitchen counters were covered in boxes, bottles, and cans. It was probably the most alcohol I’d ever seen.

“Take whatever, I’m sure no one will notice or care.” She takes a can for herself as she speaks and opens it.

“Let’s go out into the backyard!” She yells as the music gets louder. It hadn’t been very late when we showed up, things just seemed to be getting started.

“Why not?” I reply over the noise, the two of us turn to leave the kitchen when a guy slides in front of Juniper and me.

“Hi there, beautiful, I just wanted to come over and bring you this drink.” The guy looked a lot younger than the two of us, he was also quite a bit shorter than the both of us.

“Thanks, sweetheart.” Juniper says with a sickeningly sweet smile as she takes the drink from him, she passes it along to me. “Get rid of this.” She whispers to me as she draws the poor guys attention away. I turn my back to them so he really doesn’t see, then I realize I don’t know what to do with it. I get pushed out of the kitchen and into the living room. Suddenly someone yells.

“DOUBLE FISTER!!!” Everyone around me starts chanting. Drink! Drink! Drink! Nervousness and peer pressure get the best of me. I chose one of the cups downing it quickly, then the next. The excitement ends just as quickly as it had began. I stack the cups inside of each other and place them on a random table. My body warms and feels fuzzy a lot faster than I anticipated. I look around realizing I’ve lost Juniper, I don’t feel well...

*~*~*~*~*~*

I could swear it’s been hours, but there are still so many people at the party. Bodies bumping around and crowding small areas. I couldn’t find my way around. I couldn’t find Juniper, I felt like absolute shit. It made no sense... two drinks and I was dizzier than I had been my first spring break. I feel so hot and I don’t know why. The room feels so hot, I need to get outside. I look around, the room spins with me. I see a door open, people standing in the way but there are people out on the lawn too. I stumble my way through the crowd and out the door. The air feels so cold against my sweaty skin. My head feels so strange, no one seems to even try to stop me as I stumble out on to the lawn and onto the sidewalk.