Walking back into the house left a dry taste in my already cotton feeling mouth. Everyone was sitting around the house, either silently eating or telling stories about Tommy. Everything about this scene made me depressed. I spotted Jesse and his younger brother, Terry, in the corner, most likely looking for me, I thought, a headache suddenly forming in my skull. Jesse tried to smile a little but didn't really seem to have the energy to do so. Terry was closest of anyone to Tommy, they had been best friends for years and in fact had been planning to go out with him the night he died but cancelled last minute to opt for homework instead. Everyone was so tired from crying, the house seemed like all life had left it. I took a deep breath and headed up the stairs for my room. Maybe I could sleep it all away.
My eyes shot open as I woke in a cold sweat. The room was dark and silent as I rubbed my forehead with my clammy hand and climbed out of the tangled bedspread. The floor was cold to the soles of my feet as I made my way to the darkened hall. The house was now empty; the guests had all retreated to the comfort of their own homes to find peace with the situation. I shook my head and decided a glass of milk might be what I needed so I headed to the kitchen. No lights were on in the house and my parents' bedroom door was shut.
"Maybe they went out..." I thought out loud, glancing at the clock. It read 2 am. "Or they're asleep." I thought again. Grabbing the milk out of the fridge, I was heading for the counter with a glass when I heard my name echo from the staircase. I glanced around the corner into the hall and no one was in sight. The hall was still dark and I couldn't made out if there was someone there or not. I felt a shiver go up my spine in response and I placed the carton on the counter.
"Tammy..." I heard it again and I dropped my glass I'd been holding so tightly. It landed with a thump on the hard wooden floor, breaking into a million pieces.
"Tommy?" I thought, heading back to the staircase. Another shiver ran down my back and I nervously gripped the railing to keep myself steady.
"Tammy..."
"I'm coming Tommy." I thought, bursting up the stairs in a sprint. I reached the top and looked around, again no one in sight.
"Tammy..." I heard it again and this time I realized it was coming from his room. I moved towards the door on shaky legs and reached for the door handle I had closed early that day. It was cold to the touch, sending a cold chill down my body. The door made a creaking noise and fell open to a darkened room.
"I'm going crazy..." I thought, rubbing my head again.
"Tammy..." I heard it loud this time and it sounded like he was right next to me. The hair on my neck stood on end as the breath in my throat caught. I turned slowly to gaze into the room and…
I shot up in a real cold sweat. My eyes adjusted to the dark and my room became cleared.
"It was just a dream." I murmured to myself with a heavy sigh. The outline of the furniture came into view and I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand, it was 7:30 pm already. I took a couple deep breaths and looked around. The sweat from my forehead dripped down my face, and I pushed the heavy covers from my petite body. I stood quickly in the darkness. The house seemed to be quiet as I made my way down the stairs, towards the kitchen. My Mother sat up, looking over paperwork, while my Father was in the living room watching Jeopardy. The house felt cold and dead, I couldn't be here anymore, I thought, grabbing my keys and heading out the front door.
I drove for what seemed like forever, looking to find someone I know to talk to. No one was home, big surprise since it was a Friday night, right? I drove down Main Street looking for anyone when I caught sight of him, coming out of the grocery store, two bags in hand. I just couldn't get away from Fulton Reed no matter how much I tried to push him away or how many times I ran away. I stepped on the gas hard to get away from him and in the process burned the tires making a loud screech. That caught his attention, I thought as I sped off down the block, feeling a little embarrassed. He probably thought I was showing off with my Mustang but I hadn't meant to.
The college came into view and I remembered Connie telling me she was now living in the dorm rooms. I had no idea where I was going but at least it was a better idea then to keep driving around. Pulling into a spot, I climbed out of the car.
The dorms were brightly lit as I approached, hoping there would be someone to ask. The minute I walked into the dorm house, there was people yelling and toilet paper hanging from the ceiling. I had never seen such a scene in my life; these people were animals. I looked for someone I knew but no one was in sight, so I headed down the hall. It just got worse as I headed in farther, there were people making out in the halls and people jumping from room to room, slamming the doors. I felt like my head would explode when I finally made it to the common room, where the real party was going on. People were dancing on the tables and music was loud from the corner of the room. Before I could look for Connie, an arm came around my shoulders and a very drunk college boy was drooling on me. I pushed him back roughly and watched him fall on his butt before I headed to find anybody I knew at this point.
I finally spotted Adam and a tall pretty blonde talking in the corner. I recognized her as Julie Gaffney from the goodwill games.
"Adam...I'm so glad I found you." I said as he turned to me,
"Tammy? What are you doing here?" He asked taking a sip of his beer.
"I was looking for Connie." I said trying to move out of the way of someone swinging from the light fixture.
"Her and Guy are down the hall but I wouldn't go down there." He said with a smile on his face. I sighed, depressed.
"Okay." I said turning back to the party. I might as well have a drink, I thought feeling slightly desperate to let the pain go that was filling up my mind again.
I spotted the beer and headed in that direction hoping no one would stop me.
"Hey, aren't you that chick from the Olympics?" A guy serving beer asked. I tried to smile slightly.
"No, I get that a lot...besides what were you doing watching the pairs figure skating anyway?" I asked as the guys around him laughed. I took the beer and walked away fast. There was really no one here to talk to, so I sat down to observe the events. See, I had a tutor for high school at the compound in which I trained. There was never any parties or any thing of that nature, not even a school dance. I know it sounds so boring but you got used to it. Looking around the room, I found most of this behavior funny due to my sheltered existence. People were making out in the corners, dancing on the tables, and just being plain stupid. I spotted the guy that I made fun of at the bar, heading my way and I moved uneasily in my seat.
"Hey, I just wanted to say sorry if I offended you." He said handing me a drink. I wasn't going to take it at first, but I figured it would save me a trip of going to get another on.
"Thanks. I'm sorry too...I didn't mean to embarrass you or anything." I said looking at his friends that were still smiling. He sat down next to me as I began to feel uncomfortable.
"Well, drink up." He said as I looked at him, was this what happened at parties? I asked myself; taking a drink of the one he gave me. He smiled.
"Well, alright...we're cool..." He said with a laugh. I smiled a little nervously.
"Right, I'm going to get going." I said getting up and heading towards Adam. Maybe he would protect me.
"What?" The guy asked, grabbing my arm. I pulled it away.
"Thanks." I said walked away, fast. I made it to the bathroom when my head started to spin. I felt like the ground was moving against me as I tried to look straight and make it to Adam at least. I felt a pair of arms come around my waist and pull me towards a darkened room as I tried to yell. The guy that had given me the drink flicked on the light and stared down at me. I had been thrown on a couch in what looked like a lounge area. My head continued to spin and I saw double. He came closer to me as I tried to scream, felling my airway constricted.
"Somebody..." I whispered. "Please...don't." I said as he was leering over me, blocking the light from the ceiling. I could see in his eyes he was still mad about being made a fool of.
"No!" I said as tried to kiss me. I moved my head, trying to get away from him.
The door swung open and I felt the cold air hit my face. There was a fight going on but I couldn't lift my head to see who or what it was. I felt like I was slipping into a dark tunnel. My head was spinning and I glanced up as a figure standing over me.
"Please don't hurt me." I said still slipping away.
"Tammy, stay with me." Fulton's voice was in my ear as I felt him pick me up and carry me out of the room.
"Dude, you going to be okay?" I heard a rather deep voice ask as Fulton swung me around.
"Yeah, thanks Portman. Just enjoy the party. I'm going to take her home." Fulton said.
I felt the cold night air hit me as I wrapped my arms around his neck to keep from falling. He wrapped his arms tighter around my body, holding me against his chest.
"I love you, Fulton." I said feeling the darkness finally take over and I fell into a deep sleep.
