Chapter 3-The Beach Party
I sighed and laid on my bed, eyes wide open. i missed my dad now more than I'd ever missed him before. If he was alive and needed rescuing, why would he want me to do it? He knows I'm not brave or strong or even capable of speaking right. I could easily end up somewhere he isn't and never be able to get him back. I sighed again and forced my eyes shut, thinking of one more thing. Justin's birthday party was going to be tomorrow and I wasn't planning on going with a mind full of a mystical world that awaits my presence.
I woke up the next morning more excited than ever! I squeezed the dolphin Justin had given me, who I had already named Dolphi, and went straight to the shower. Without even checking the time, I headed downstairs and had breakfast.
"Morning mom!" It was as if she was surprised to me. She blinked repeatedly.
"Honey, what are you—I mean, good morning!" I didn't want to know what was going on with her, because I didn't want anything to do with Overia, or Meris or any of it right now.
There was an awkward silence for a while. My mom broke it, "So, I heard Justin's party was today? Are you sure you want to go?" my mom had known that me and the rest of the girls at school would do anything to get a bit close to Justin. I glared at her, "Mom, seriously?" she opened her mouth to say something but seemed to hesitant and closed it again. I hoped for nothing but to not have a conversation about what had happened last night. I didn't want to remember any of it. My mom seemed to understand and smiled slightly to let me know she was alright with me going.
Time didn't seem to want to fly by, but after waiting for too long, the clock finally read 6:25pm.
Jessica picked me up and we headed to the beach together. My light blue beach dress blended in with the night. I didn't want to stand out anyway. As much as I wanted to be here, I was still thinking about what Ellina had said. If my dad was really alive, I would do all it took to get him back. And strangely enough, I was starting to believe Ellina more and more by the minute knowing I should be thinking about Justin, but I couldn't get that girl's words out of my mind.
"Woah, April check it out!" Jessica exclaimed.
I looked up, distracted but my mouth slightly hung open at the view. The beach was decorated with all types of banners and streams running from one mini-hut to another. The mini-huts were open from all ends, and the only thing they had that actually resembled a hut was the roof with four poles attached to the ground for support. A giant boom-box sat on a table next to the beach volleyball net, and was literally vibrating from the volume of the music playing from it. Boys I didn't recognize with their swim shorts and naked chests were playing volleyball along with girls in bikini's cheering in the background. They were playing with a giant colorful beach ball that didn't really show under the moonlit sky.
People were everywhere dancing on the sand, drinking, and sitting inside the huts. There was a mini-café as well in the back of the beach with a young couple standing in it. I assumed they were Justin's parents. And at that thought, I started searching for Justin as my dad left my mind.
Jessica waved to a couple of people and told me she was going to meet me later as she walked over to them. I watched as she untied her straight, orange hair, and shook her hips in her jean shorts and loose purple tank top that showed her bikini top from under it, as she walked over to her friends. I was all alone, as usual.
Never was I the type that had many friends, or many luck with boys, or any luck in life really. I sighed and went to one of the huts that had sodas and alcohol. I decided to go home sane tonight and opened a bottle of soda. I took a sip, sat down on one of the benches and watched the boys play volleyball. The music was louder than before now it seemed and I was starting to get dizzy as I drank more and more. I got up and steadied myself on the table, everything and everyone was spinning. The music was drowning out by the second but inside I felt something so lifting. I was beyond happy. It was like I was living a sensational dream and I didn't want get out of. I sipped more of the soda and attempted to sit back down. It turned out that I was going to sit on someone already but I was too dizzy to even notice.
"Woah, calm down there, you high already?" the boy's voice laughed. I recognized his voice. It was Justin. I couldn't believe it.
He held me back up right and said, "The party just started April. Thanks for coming drunk by the way."
"Justin! I'm not drunk. I'm drinking soda. I think." I swayed back and almost fell but he caught me. I didn't know what was wrong with me but I continued talking. I wanted to let out so much so bad.
"So like, how are you? Oh yeah, happy birthday by the way! I'd totally kiss you right now, but I can't really see. It sucks. I think I might bail and go with Ellina. She's going to take me to my dad you know?"
"April, what are you talking about? April are you okay? You're drunk, your dad isn't here. He's not…gonna be for a while." He was trying so hard to be considerate. He held me back up and put my arm around him and started walking. My vision was getting a little clearer but my head was pounding.
"We'd better get you out of here, come on, let's get to my house, it's only up there" he pointed "you seriously need to know how to pick your drinks next time April."
"That hurts! I love how you say my name. it's so adorable. I think you're the cutest guy ever. you know, I want to find my dad! Ellina says I have to complete some kind of transition in Overia." I laughed "She's so weird, I'm so not doing what she says." I had no control over what I was saying. Inside of me I wanted to stop so badly because I knew Justin was probably going to think I was crazy. Then we stopped.
"Wait, what did you say?" Justin asked.
I laughed, "I'm turning sixteen in Overia!"
I saw Justin from the corner of my eye. He was cursing under his breath. But then we moved on and I couldn't remember how we got to his house. I only remember we got there, and he was holding me. I tried to stop myself again but this time I couldn't at all, "Kiss me Justin. Come on, we know you want to, I want to so come on."
"You know you're adorable when you're drunk. And it's birthday, so what the hell."
He bent down and I felt warm lips on mine. I automatically put my arms around him and pushed him as hard as I could on the couch. I didn't know what I was doing but I couldn't stop now that I've started. I moved on top of him and he pushed me towards him. And suddenly I was beneath him and he was panting. But he didn't hesitate. He kissed me again, this time stronger and harder. It felt good. But the pain in my head was increasing. It was pounding more than ever.
I screamed. He pulled away that instant. "My head kills! Help me, please."
I felt him pulling me up and carrying me somewhere. I couldn't tell because the moment he held me, everything went black.
I opened my eyes and gagged. Justin was sitting on a bed beside me and he was smiling, "Finally. You've been out for a while."
I didn't know how I'd gotten here or what was going on. I couldn't remember anything from the other night either.
"What happened?" I rubbed my aching head.
"You were drunk, and we made out, then you fainted. And now you're awake." He smiled. He had the cutest smile. But that's not what made my eyes bulge. I was drunk! I actually became drunk! At Justin's party! Where was Jessica, and where was the party?
"What time is it?"
"It's ten in the morning." He laughed.
"Oh my God! It's morning! How—" and before I could finish, I automatically got up and ran to the bathroom. I was going to puke, and my stomach hurt so bad. And suddenly, I did. It was the worst feeling I had ever felt. My puke smelled like rotten eggs, and I felt beyond sick.
After I came out of the bathroom, I swore to myself that would be the last drink I would ever have in my life. I watched Justin's green eyes as they searched for mine with concern.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
I nodded slightly as my head felt heavier than my whole body. I shut my eyes then felt his arms holding me up. "I'm sorry," I finally said "I'm sorry you had to see that and I'm sorry for everything. Did you leave your party after I got—after I passed out?"
He smiled, "It's not your fault, someone spiked all the drinks. And yes, but I didn't mind it. Don't worry about it alright? Please, don't blame this on yourself. My parents won't suspect anything when they come back. Hopefully." He laughed quietly. I felt better. He made me feel so guilt free. I smiled back at him then remembered my mom. "I have to go Justin!"
His expression changed to an aggressive looking face but quickly changed back to a soft smile, "Let me escort you outside," he laughed "before my parents get home anyway."
We walked out to the garden which was insanely huge, and with the morning light, the roses shined brighter across the pathway. Outside the gate was a black limousine. I glanced back at Justin with wide eyes. "it's for you." He said "to make up for what happened to you yesterday, and don't worry, I informed your mother, she was angered at first, but I explained to her it wasn't your fault. I apologize once again April. Have a safe ride. Edmund already knows where to go."
I peered into the window of the limo and a Philippino driver looked back at me and smiled. I wondered how it was like to be beyond extremely rich. Justin had everything he'd ever wanted.
I got into the car, trusting it'd take me home and thanked Justin. I waved goodbye back at Justin and wondered why someone with such gentlemen qualities like Justin would ever host a party like that. I felt like he'd never wanted to own what he had; only went with it, but I had no right to judge. Then a sudden flash of last night almost made me fall out of my seat. Me laughing. Then I talk. And talk. And talk more. And he listens, and listens. He curses under his breath, and I stumble. Then I fall, and the last flash is strong arms carry me back up.
What had I said? I prayed it wasn't that I liked Justin or anything extremely embarrassing. But from the way he acted this morning, I concluded it probably wasn't too bad. The limosine stopped and before I knew it I was home. "We're here miss Spalding." Edmund said.
"Thanks Edmund!" I got out of the car and as I shut the door behind me, once again I wondered how Justin had so much. It wasn't because I wanted what he had, I only wondered what it was like to have such power.
