Chapter 3 – Lana ~ 1989
“ A house party?” I ask in disbelief. I got invited to a house party. And not just anyone’s house. Kari’s. Kari Johnson invited me to a house party. I can’t believe it.
“Yeah. You in? We should totally go, Lana. Live a little.” My friend Tina says. I sigh. “Fine. If it’s not bodacious I’m leaving.” She laughs. “Lana, it will be a rager. Have you never been to Kari’s parties?” she asks.
Never. Kari has never invited me to one. She’s been throwing these parties since high school. Her parents leave to go on a week long cruise and she throws the biggest parties in Portland.
Of course, since the legal age of consumption for alcohol moved from eighteen to twenty-one everyone has had to be more discreet. “No, I can’t say I have, Tina.” I say. “Well, like I said, they are all the rage.” Tina says as she helps me apply makeup.
I can’t keep up with all the fashion changes. We’re gearing up for the new decade and everything is fast changing. Tina then helps me pick out an outfit. I end up borrowing her pink top that hangs off my shoulders.
I put on my black jeans with the zippers on the bottom of the legs. They have little embroidered flowers all over. They’re probably the cutest pair of jeans that I own. Next, I crimp my hair and Tina helps me put my hair up in a high updo.
The party is easily a few blocks away. We call a cab so we don’t have to walk. We get out of the cab once we make it to Kari’s. Her parents live in a huge house. No wonder she throws these parties.
Tina and I walk inside. The party is already crazy. Tons of people are scattered in the living room. We squeeze our way through the crowd. Everyone is staring at me. “Tina, is it always like this?” I say as loud as I can without others hearing me.
“No. I think it’s because you’re actually here. Everyone knows you never come to Kari’s parties.” She says with a giggle. I hate having all this attention on me. There’s a punk kid leaned up against the staircase as we head to the kitchen to grab a drink.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen him before. But who knows? I’m not really sure who all comes to Kari’s parties. Tina fills up a cup for herself and me. We walk back out into the living room. I head to the living room to try to mingle.
When I turn back around, Tina is gone. Okay. Guess I’m doing this alone then. I stand in the corner of the room by the couch. Blake Ellis sits on the couch next to where I’m standing.
“Lana Voss? No fucking way.” Blake says. I scoff and take a swig of my drink. Like Blake Ellis actually gives a shit if I’m here or not. He grabs a hold of my hand.
I pull it back. “Blake Ellis. Nice to see you haven’t changed since high school.” I retort. He pulls me into his lap. I squirm. “How does it feel knowing you’re the lucky girl who gets to sit here?” He asks. I roll my eyes. “I couldn’t care less.” I say as I take a bigger swig of my drink.
He squeezes my waist. I chug the rest of my drink. “Shit. Out of alcohol better go get more.” I say. I jump up and make my way to the kitchen as quickly as I can. Ew.
Never in a million years did I think Blake would ever touch me. I fill up my cup. Who knows maybe he’s not that bad or he is exactly as he seems. Guess we’ll find out. He’s the only guy trying to talk to me at this party thus far.
Tina ran off and I haven’t seen her since we got here. Typical. I take a swig of my drink and step back out into the living room. Eli Jenkins is over by the couch now. And the rest of the jocks.
We’re not in high school anymore but they sure act like they still are. I roll my eyes. Time to find somewhere else to go. I start walking around to get acquainted with my surroundings.
So when you first walk in, there’s a staircase straight ahead. Past the staircase up ahead is the kitchen. Then the living room is to the right of the door and it’s big and open.
To the left of the staircase is a dining room, a couple bathrooms, and a closet. Then, from my understanding there’s a few bedrooms upstairs and probably another bathroom as well. I start walking around.
It looks like people are making out and playing spin the bottle in the dining room. Pass. I walk back to the kitchen. Nothing happening but while I’m here might as well keep my cup full.
I fill it back up and then head to the side door in the kitchen. It leads outside. Shit Kari’s parents have a pool and a jacuzzi? Snazzy. Lots of people out here. Might as well stay and watch the chaos unfold.
I see a couple of kegs. Damn. This is the craziest party I’ve ever been to. I feel like I’m in a movie or something. I find a decent spot away from the chaos but close enough to eavesdrop.
I keep sipping the alcohol. Slowly feeling myself get intoxicated. I think I’ve finally got a decent buzz going, so I can actually enjoy this party.
I start watching people. I finally spot Tina talking to a girl. I’m not really sure who she is. Eh, not really important right now. I see the edgy guy I saw earlier smoking another cigarette. He’s actually kind of cute.
I bite my lip. I check him out for a few minutes, and then I start looking around again. “Hey Lana.” Blake comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around me. Oh goody, Blake is back. “Hey.” I say.
“Why do you sound so disappointed to see me, doll face?” He asks.
I roll my eyes. Oldest pet name in the book.
Why does that not surprise me. “Maybe because you would never talk to me in any normal circumstances, Blake. So what’s the difference tonight?
Alcohol? I’m not dense.” I push his arms off me.
“Mmmm, someone is playing hard to get.” He says. “Or maybe I’m not falling for your bullshit, Blake.” I say. I start to walk away. He grabs my hand and pulls me back. “Lana, come on.” He says.
I shake my head and shoot back what’s left of the alcohol in my cup. He takes my cup. “If I fill this back up for you, will you just give this a chance?” He asks. I contemplate. “Fine. Make it quick, Ellis.” I say.
He grins this stupid boyish grin. “You got it, Voss.” Then he retreats with my cup. He’d better come back soon. I don’t want this buzz to go away.
Damn, did the temp drop? It’s kind of chilly out here. Blake comes back a few minutes later with two cups. I grab my cup from him and shiver.
“Are you cold Lana?” He asks. I nod. “A little bit. I think that cold front is moving in sooner than they predicted.” I say. He shrugs off his varsity letterman jacket and drapes it over my shoulders.
“You look hot in my jacket, Voss.” He takes a drink out of his cup. I roll my eyes. “Oh, so I’m not hot enough without it?” I ask. “Damn, Lana can you not take a compliment?” He asks.
“Coming from Blake Ellis?” I ask as I take a swig of my alcohol. “Come on, Lana. It’s not a big deal. So I’m hitting on you at a party that you don’t usually make appearances at. Is that really such a crime?” He asks.
I sigh. I guess he’s got a point there. “Fine.” I say. “I’m not just some douche you know. I can wine and dine a hot girl. Especially someone like you, Voss.” He says. Somehow I don’t know if I really believe that. But whatever. He’s right.
What’s the worst that can happen at this party? I end up having a good time with, dare I say, Blake Ellis? Fat chance, but I doubt anyone else here is going to show me any attention other than to gawk because I actually showed up like Blake said.
I take another drink of my alcohol. I shiver.
“Okay, your jacket isn’t enough, I’m going to go back inside.
” I say. He follows me pretty closely. We head back inside and I finish off my cup.
I fill it back up and turn around. Blake puts his hands on either side of me, pinning me to the kitchen counter.
Oh shit. Okay. I can enjoy the view. Blake’s green eyes hold me there. “I know a way to keep you warm.” I blush. That was corny as hell but a little hot. “I’ll bite. What’s the catch Blake?” I ask.
“No catch, Voss. A little fun upstairs. No one has to know. It can stay between us.” He says. Then he leans close to my ear. “Our little secret.” I shudder. Fuck that got to me a little bit. Okay, game on.
He pulls back. “So what do you say?” He asks me. “Game on, Ellis.” I say. He kisses me. I close my eyes and take in the moment. Despite the kitchen being warm, and wearing his Varsity jacket I get goosebumps.
Damn. I didn’t know Blake was a good kisser. First time for everything, I guess. He pulls on my bottom lip and I let out a moan. He leans back in. “Meet me upstairs. I’ll show you what room.” I open my eyes to look at him. He can’t be serious right now.
He stands up fully, letting his arms fall to his sides. I watch as he smirks at me and then leaves the room. Damn it. Time to get more liquid courage if I’m going to do this.
I fill up my cup and take a few minutes to gather myself. A one night stand with Blake Ellis? Could be promising or the worst mistake of my life. Time to see which one it is.