a long look. “What?” She sounded tired.
I gave her a coy smile. “You buy all my drinks at the next bar we go to.”
“Deal!” She danced like a little girl about to enter a candy store.
The summer maxed me out, and if Jason wasn’t going to be at the party, what was the point? But partying wasn’t torture, so I’d humor my best friend.
***
We skipped the actual homecoming; it had no alcohol. For the first time since we returned to Tempe, Amelia appeared happier at the after party. If I looked close enough, I could tell the cloud of sorrow was still in the corner, but she was branching out, wanting to live a little.
She wore a white dress with leggings and low heels. She didn’t blend in with the crowd and dress like a slut. Even in California, she wouldn’t dress like a sex kitten. I had to respect that. I wore a short crimson dress and matching heels. It didn’t hurt to look hot, but I wasn’t going to enter anyone’s bed tonight.
The party was held in the Victorian building where the sorority girls lived. They were all former high school cheerleaders who had so much school spirit, it drove me insane. Luckily all those girls were already shitfaced and making out throughout the house.
“What should we do?” Amelia looked around at all the sweaty bodies pressed into the room, wiggling around to the music.
Before I could answer, cheering came from our right. A group of guys circled around the beer keg. One of the football players had his hands on the keg while two of his friends held his beefy legs in the air. A blonde girl in a tight purple dress put the mouth piece to his lips. Everyone kept cheering, lifting their red cups in the air as he chugged. In the next room over, another group of guys were playing beer pong. I shook my head. What was it with guys and beer?
“Stay close. Don’t want you disappearing with some weirdo,” I whispered to Amelia.
She cackled. “I’m a taken woman. If any of these guys touch me, I’m gonna punch them in the throat.”
I gave her a curious look. I’ve never seen her hurt anyone in my life.
She swallowed and nudged me with her arm. “I’ll have you punch them in the throat.”
A laugh bubbled out of me. “That sounds more like it.” I scanned the place and found the makeshift bar in the back. “Look, there’s the hard liquor. Let’s go over there.” I dragged Amelia by the elbow before she could respond.
“What’s your poison?” I had to shout over the music. The stereo was on full blast and it was located a few yards from us.
“What?” Amelia yelled back, covering her ears.
I pointed at the bottles of liquor and then the empty glass I sat in front of her.
She wrinkled her nose. “I’ll have whatever.”
Amelia was a lightweight. I decided to give her a weak drink so I wouldn’t have to drag her ass back to the dorm.
She watched people come and go as I poured our drinks. I gave myself a double whiskey shot and Amelia a screwdriver after I found some orange juice in the fridge.
I downed my drink in under a minute. Amelia babied hers, giving me déjà vu from Los Angeles.
The music changed to a more likeable tune. As Ke$ha came through the speakers, I hit the dance floor. Amelia was behind me after she finished her drink. At least she was smart. Never leave your drink alone and plan on drinking it later.
As we danced, Amelia met up with some of her friends from her Russian class. They all wanted her to join them at their table. She tried to take me, but I declined. She pouted and left. I was fine alone. Most people knew not to mess with me. I gave off a leave-me-the-fuck-alone vibe.
After leaving the dance section of the house, I went upstairs to get away from all the bodies. There were countless closed doors with an array of sounds coming from each one. It was easy to name the sounds. Usually, it was sex. Plumes of smoke hit me as I went down the hall in search of a restroom. Of course no party would be complete without