19. Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Nineteen
Then
T here’s clearly so many more people at this party than Josh had initially let on, because cars are lining the street for what feels like miles as we drive up to the party house.
I honestly don’t know how she does it, but Jordyn was able to talk me into wearing a pair of too-high heels that she just got last week. They haven’t even had the opportunity to be broken in. My poor feet hurt already, and we haven’t even made it to the street the house is on yet.
As we walk, I try to casually do an outfit check in the reflection of every car that we pass by. Right as we’re about to reach the party, I become aware that I happened to pick out the brightest yellow top known to man, and so tastefully paired it with a wide, black stretchy belt cinching me at the waist. This top with the black pleather leggings, Jordyn so kindly coerced me into wearing, is definitely giving busy-bee vibes. So far, it’s not looking good for me on the don’t let Jordyn pressure me into doing stupid shit tonight front. Jordyn: two. Jane: zero.
We walk into the party as people are yell-singing, “Apple Bottom jeans, boots with the fur…” Red solo cups line every square inch of the house, and the smell of weed wafts through the air. People are coming in and out of the rooms, and I’m suddenly met with the fact that I don’t recognize one single face here. I start to feel that strange anxiety that happens when you feel alone in a room full of people.
“I’m going to get us a drink from the kitchen, okay?” Jordyn says, as we walk farther into the house.
She walks away before I have the chance to protest, so I start scoping out the room for a nice quiet place to wait, while also trying to make myself as small as possible. I only make it about five steps when suddenly the music turns off.
Under the upset and confused groans of the partygoers, I hear a guy yell, “Oh, chill out! The music will come back on in a bit! Everyone, come in here! Come into the living room!” The guy making all of the fuss ushers people into the room, while impressively managing to not spill a drop of the drink in his hand. Once everyone is in the room, he makes his way over to the coffee table and stands on top of it.
“Okay, as some of you know, the party tonight is not just any ol’ house party like we have every weekend.” The room laughs as the “bros” around me chest bump each other, like giant fish out of water.
“It’s a fuckin’ birthday party!”
All of the blood leaves my body. My head starts swimming, and my vision begins to tunnel. I spot Jordyn on the other side of the room with two drinks in her hands. I stare at her red-faced and wide-eyed.
She shakes her head and shrugs. I can see her mouth the words, “I didn’t tell anyone, I swear.”
The guy in charge of the situation gazes in my direction and says, “Come on up here! Let’s all sing happy birthday, then get back to the party!”
The room erupts into loud cheers, but my heart races, and I look for the door.
Just then, Jordyn reaches me. “Jane, I seriously don’t know how anyone here found out, but you better go up there!” She gently shoves me toward the center of the room.
As I climb onto the large, heavy coffee table, the guy responsible for this mess has a look of absolute confusion on his face. My fight or flight kicks in, and I go over my exit strategy. The room goes awkwardly silent when I feel someone else step up to the coffee table behind me.
“Um…Hi, Jane. It’s your birthday too?”
Noah Riley steps onto the coffee table right beside me.
You’ve got to be joking.