My phone buzzed on the counter next to me. I ignored it and kept staring out the window. A minute later, it buzzed again, telling me that I had a voicemail in my inbox. I sighed and picked it up.
"Hey Caroline, it's Tasha. I wanted to tell you that there's a party at Ryan's tonight, and he really wanted me to invite you. So, call me back if you want to come. Or if you don't. The party's at 9. Bye."
I hung up and typed Tasha's number. "Hey Tasha, how are you?"
"Care! I'm good, how have you been? I haven't seen you in forever. Are you going to come tonight?"
"I'm okay, I've been feeling kind of shitty today, but I think it's the weather. Wisconsin sucks. And, yeah. I'm coming."
"Yeah, it gets old real fast. Do you want me to pick you up? I think everyone's going to sleep over there, his parents are taking everyone's keys."
"Yeah, that would be great, thanks."
"Okay, then I'll be there at like 9:30, okay?"
"Yeah. I'll be ready."
I walked down to the basement to take a shower. On my way to the bathroom, I stopped in my bedroom to grab some clothes. I decided on a short blue dress and a long beaded necklace. Minutes later I was in the shower shaving my legs.
"Where are you going?"
I jumped. "Oh, my God, Travis, you scared the shit out of me. A party. Why are you here?"
"I wanted to come home. I don't always want to be at my apartment alone," Travis, my twenty-two-year-old brother replied.
"Oh. Okay." Tasha pulled into the driveway. "Well, my ride's here. If Mom and Dad ask, I'm at Ryan's and I'm sleeping there. See you later."
"Can we hang out tomorrow?"
I was surprised. "Yeah, sure." Tasha tapped her horn.
"I'll pick you up at that kid's house."
"Ryan. I'll give you directions tomorrow."
"Okay. See you then. Have fun."