The Sickened

Two

Emily sat in front of my huge vanity mirror, applying pink eye shadow, going on about how her geometry grade isn't failing because the creepy teacher gets to stare at her boobs.

"I mean, it isn't really a big deal, everyone does it, there's no hiding them. Like boom! Boobies! But he's 42, and that's just weird."

I pull on my ripped skinny jeans and against Emily's will, my UGGs.

"Well you're not failing so..." I respond, giving my usual short response as she whips her head around, glaring at my feet.

"You paid $150 for that piece of goat to live on your nasty feet and you can barely get me that cute sweater. You are a disgrace." She exaggerated, turning back and observing her reflection.

I throw her bright pink blouse at her, disrupting her self gratification.

She turns and smirks, throwing it on.

****

Emily pulls into the driveway of Danny Sabra's luxurious house in the richer part of our small town. He was throwing a pre-Valentine's get together with only the best invited.

"Our town is so small that even Briana Dooley heard about it, and she's the most unsocial person in the whole state." Emily exclaimed banging on her steering wheel, "And we're invited!"

We get out of her Prius and make our way to the front door, hearing music bumping and people laughing.

Danny and I had been texting for a while, talking about everything we had in common. He developed a crush, so to say, on me and invited me to the party.

One day during dinner when I smiled at one of his texts, Justin warned me.

"That guy doesn't exactly have the best history."

"Well what do you mean?" I ask.

"He only wants girls for sexual gratification." Justin said, not sugar coating anything.

"Well how do you know?"

"Remember that huge party he had on Halloween last year? Well I had to save some girl's ass from being man handled by him. She was younger than you are now."

"Oh my gosh, is that why you never went to anymore of his parties? You like, almost ruined his social status."

"Yeah. So if you go to the Valentine's Bash, I know you know what's right."

Emily and I made our way through the sweaty bodies sloshing warm beer everywhere. A stage had been set up in the living room with the local DJ bopping his head. As we entered the kitchen, we saw Danny sitting on the counter, a blunt in his hand, girls surrounding him. Emily glanced at me, but I wasn't flustered.

He looked up and when he saw me he smiled, waving me over, "Shannon, hey gorgeous!"

The girls, whom were Gerardo's crushes, all looked at me, giving me the run down.

He got off the counter and walked over, hugging me tightly, "What's up boo?" He asked, smelling like marijuana.

He put his hand on the small of my back and lead me towards one of the many hallways.

He ran his hand through his brown hair, flashing a bright smile, "So what you wanna do? We have the whole night."

I shrug, blushing, I'm not exactly the best with guys due to Justin's protectiveness.

Danny leaned in and kissed my cheek slowly, "It's all up to you, doll face." He whispered.

Just then, a drunk fat dude and a very pale skinny chick come laughing down the hall, distracting Danny. I gratefully take this moment to breathe. He was coming on very strong.

"What the hell, who let you two in? Go back to your cages." He yelled. Turning back to me, he gave me a sorry look, "Excuse me for just one second."

As Danny chased them off, I walked back towards the living room, looking for Emily or anyone familiar when a hand clasped on my shoulder. I jumped and looked around, meeting Gerardo face to face.

"Woah, you on drugs or something?" He asks, laughing.

Relief washes over me, "No," I laugh, "I thought you were someone else..."

"Sorry to disappoint you," He winks and looks around, "Anyone bothering you?"

I smile, "No, just not used to drunk football players. It's kinda sketchy."

He nods, "Well hey I need to find Jasmine but I'll catch you later," He pats my shoulder and walks off, setting his drink down on a coffee table.

I run my hand over my face and realize that I probably smeared my makeup.

I climb the stairs on a quest to find a decent empty bathroom that hasn't been puked all over or bombarded by couples that are too eager to find a room.

Out of nowhere an arm pulls me into a huge room with a king size bed and a lot of trophies.

I come face to face with Danny, who is red-eyed and flushed complexioned.

"Hey doll face, you get prettier every second," He slurred.

"Yeah... or you get more drunk every second," I say, prying his hands off of me.

He gives me a confused look that soon turns into anger.

"Why are you so prude?"

"Why are you so shit faced?" I ask, distancing myself.

He then plops on the bed, "Will you take care of me?"

I take this as my chance to slip out of the door.

No, because I can't even take care of myself anymore.