Page 3 of Penalized Love

Selene flips her red hair over her shoulder and smiles. “Maybe later!”

I just nod and give a tight-lipped smile, not trusting myself to say a word. I consider myself lucky that Selene has no issue with pretending that we belong here when it’s clear that we don’t. At least, it feels that way to me.

We make our way up the front stairs, the pulsating music growing louder with each step. I hesitate at the front door, suddenly feeling more unsure.

It is no surprise that Selene notices. “Come on, let’s go in,” she says as she hooks her arm with mine. Before I can protest, she swings the door open and practically drags me inside.

The house is packed with more people than I expected, most of them older college guys. They’re holding drinks, talking loudly over the music. A few turn to look at us as we enter, and I feel my cheeks grow warm, convinced they know we shouldn’t be here.

I barely have time to process it all before I spot my older sister, Grace, standing near a makeshift bar. She radiates confidence while dressed in fitted jeans and a t-shirt. Although we look similar, down to both of us wearing our blonde hair down, she looks as if she belongs here, while I'm sure I look as if my stomach just dropped to my toes.

Why hadn’t we thought about her being here, especially since she was talking about the party?

Her eyes widen as soon as they land on me, and I can see her mouth my name. She makes her way over, her expression shifting between confusion and concern. The first thing she asks is, “What are you two doing here?” Her voice is just loud enough for me and Selene to hear over the music.

“Uh… just hanging out.” We are so screwed.

“Do Mom and Dad know you’re here?” Grace crosses her arms and stares me down.

“No… they don’t. And please don’t tell them,” I plead, glancing toward Selene.

“Come on, it’s just one night,” Selene says, trying to keep things light.

Grace lets out a sigh, shaking her head. “You know this isn’t a good idea, right? If Dad finds out…”

“I know, I know,” I interrupt, my nerves already frayed since we came up with this plan. I don’t need her to confirm what I already know. “We just… we wanted one night of fun before senior year starts. Please, Grace. I promise we’ll be careful.”

Grace studies me for a moment before her expression softens. “Alright, but you better be careful. And if anything happens, you call me. I mean it. I’ll check on you guys in a bit, and if you leave before I do, text me.”

Relief washes over me. “Thanks, Grace. I will.”

She gives us a tight-lipped smile, still unsure but willing to let us have this moment. “I’m serious, Isla. Don’t do anything stupid.”

“I won’t,” I assure her.

Grace finally steps back, giving me one last warning glance before turning and disappearing into the crowd.

“Well, that was a close one.”

I glare at Selene out of the corner of my eye. “But, Isla, we aren’t going to get caught. I promise,” I say, mocking her because what would she call that?

“It was just Grace, and everything is still fine. Now let’s chill and...” her voice trails off for a second. “There’s the keg, let’s get a drink!”

It’s apparent that she still doesn’t trust that I will stay, so she grabs my wrist and drags me behind her. We make our way through the crowd, trying not to bump into anyone. I can feel the stares of a few guys as we pass by. My face burns, and the thought of blending into the wall and disappearing becomes more appealing after this and our run-in with my sister.

We reach the keg, and it is just my luck that a group of athletic-looking guys are standing around it and filling their cups. Selene grabs two empty red Solos and hands me one with a grin.

“Ladies first,” one guy says with a wink, holding the tap out toward me. I freeze, not sure what to do. Selene nudges me from behind.

“Go on, it’s easy. Just pull the tap toward you,” she instructs.

I can’t help but wonder how she knows what to do, but I don’t question her. With shaky hands, I take the plastic tap, fumbling to get it into my cup. Foamy beer splashes over the sides as I fill it. The guys around me chuckle. I pass the tap to Selene while my face heats up in embarrassment.

She fills her cup in one smooth motion. We step out of the way, and Selene turns to look at me. “Cheers,” she says, bumping her cup to mine. I take a wary sip of the bitter liquid. It’s not great, but I have something to cling to now, so I don’t look so out of place.

Selene and I make our way through the crowded living room to find a place to stand and not be in the way. Even with the alcohol flowing through my body, I still feel out of place.

I take a big gulp of my beer and let my eyes dance around the room. Eventually, they land on a guy who is staring in our direction. He’s tall, with shaggy brown hair and light-colored eyes. The slight haziness I’m feeling because of the liquid in this cup is making me more brave. I hold his gaze for a moment, admiring the seconds of courage I had before turning my attention back to Selene.

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