21. The Party (Part 1)
"Are you sure about this, Sophia? It's completely fine if you want us to stay home tonight."
Libra was sitting on Sophia's bed as she tore out her entire closet and groaning for each piece of clothing she threw on the floor. Yesterday one of Sophia's classmates had invited them both to a party and Sophia had surprisingly accepted. She had been nervous ever since then and had practically torn Libra's head off for no reason other than the fact that she was nervous about tonight.
Dr. Fine had called early this morning and spoken to Sophia for over an hour then he had instructed Libra to keep a close eye on her and try her best to support her through this. If Sophia would last the entire body that would prove that she was well on her way of being cured from her trauma and Libra knew how happy that would make her.
"I'm just not sure on what to wear. Summer didn't say anything about a dress code but I figured I'd at least dress up a little bit," Sophia turned around to face Libra, "you don't think they're messing with me? I mean what if there is no party and there's just trying toâ"
"Not everyone will be as cruel as the people from your high school, I promise you. Give people a chance to be nice to you." She smiled as she said the last part as she thought of her mother and her wise words.
Sophia sighed and slumped down on her floor and inspected the mess she had created. Libra understood that she was nervous, she was too, but together they had nothing to fear â as Dr. Fine would say. Slowly they began cleaning up all the clothes and in the midst of it Sophia found a dress she deemed acceptable for tonight.
"What time is Jack getting here?" Sophia asked and brought out her curling iron and handed it to Libra. Apparently Libra had a skill in doing Sophia's hair and her best friend never passed on the opportunity of letting her do it.
Jack had become a close friend of both of them by now and spent a lot of time at their place, so much so that he'd begun leaving his toothbrush in the bathroom in case he slept over. The couch had become Jack's partial bed as well as their usual hang out spot. Tonight he was coming with them to Summer's party and had vowed to Libra that they would find her potential date there. Libra had forgotten about finding someone to go on a date with, or rather letting her friends find someone, but now that she recalled it her mind shot straight to Dillon.
It had been a few days since he'd stopped by her apartment and she hadn't heard from him since, but just because she hadn't heard from him didn't mean he wasn't on her mind. Everything about Dillon confused her, thrilled her and scared her at the same time and it was difficult to sort out which feeling she should stick with when it came to him. There were even times she considered texting him to make sure he was alright â but the courage for it just wasn't there.
Libra looked at her phone and read the text that Jack had sent earlier, "He'll meet us at the party after his shift is done â he couldn't leave early."
"I guess that's alright, as long as he shows up at the party." Sophia said and bit her nail while she took a seat on the floor in front if Libra who got ready with the plugged in curling iron.
Jack had promised to keep Sophia safe no matter what and he hadn't even asked to find out what for, that's how Libra know that one day he deserved to know everything. As she curled Sophia's hair she disappeared in the thought and couldn't help but to wonder if Dillon would be at the party and if so would he talk to her at all?
Sophia and Libra showed up to the party only to realize that Jack had been waiting for them there. Apparently curling Sophia's hair had to be done to absolute perfection â so it had taken Libra two extra times before she was pleased. Libra had spent quite some time in her own room getting ready, choosing her black and white striped trousers paired with the black crop top tank top and the black heels Sophia had picked out for her. She didn't know why but for some reason she had spent a little extra time on herself tonight.
"Sophia and Libra; you both came!" Summer greeted them by pulling them into a hug. Her fiery red hair had a distinct smell of fruit shampoo that didn't mix well with her strong perfume, but it did fit with her personality.
"Looks like quite the party," Libra mumbled when they pulled away and followed Summer inside the apartment.
The music was blasting loudly from the speakers; people were dancing, screaming and pushing each other to read the drink station. Summer's apartment was large, her parents were well off, and the drinks she was offering were quite expensive. Wine bottles, high en vodka and top shelf tequila decorated the table and for each second the bottles were getting emptier. Sophia, Libra and Summer headed to the drink station were Summer poured them each a glass of wine and announced a toast amongst them.
"Do you mind if I steal away Sophia and show her something really quick?" Summer pleaded innocently with Libra. She nodded and took a deep breath and searched for Jack who had texted her saying he was in the bathroom.
She sipped her drink casually and pretended to enjoy herself but not knowing anybody always hindered her, despite knowing it was up to her to be social. Try to talk to someone, Libra, she said to herself before she spun around only to meet a big chest that slammed into her.
"If it isn't my favorite girl, what are you doing here?" Todd stood before her with a wide smile and drunken eyes.
"I'm here with some friends just like I assume you are." She looked over his shoulder and hoped to see Dillon, but he was nowhere in sight.
"Looking for your lover boy, Dillon?" Todd asked and chuckled, "He's not here tonight which is good for me, I can finally get you alone." He said and caressed her arm with his left index finger.
Libra shivered and backed away a little bit. She realized why Dillon wanted her to stay away from him and now she was in dire need of Jack to come and save her. Todd closed the space between them and Libra took a shaky breath and then released it quickly. Whatever he wanted he was not going to get, she told herself before she shifted her attention from Todd to her phone to type out a message.
Todd's quick and strong hands quickly got a hold of her phone as he smiled, "Have a drink with me first and I'll give you the phone back."
Libra looked up at him and knew this was not the time to feel weak. If this had happened to her in high school she would've most likely let Todd take her phone and saved up for a new one â but she reminded herself that she wasn't the old Libra anymore. Tonight would be her true coming out party where she would stand up for herself the way she should've years ago â and Todd was about to be her first target.