Page 58 of Promise Me Nothing
It really is like battling against a stream as we maneuver between people doing shots and shouting over the music and dancing, heading up to the second floor. Thankfully, it’s slightly less crowded up here and I spot Lucas right away, standing near the balcony doors, a drink in-hand.
“Hannah!” he shouts, his words lubricated with significantly more to drink than he’s had on other evenings since I’ve been here. He lifts his arms in the air. “Finally! I wondered when you’d get here.” He looks at Eleanor. “And you brought a friend. That’s awesome. Welcome to the party.”
Eleanor smiles as we approach where Lucas stands with Lennon and a few of the other people I met the other night at Harbor’s and Mary’s earlier this week.
“Lucas, this is my friend from work, Eleanor.”
“I know Eleanor,” he says, giving her a wink. “We had a few classes together in school.”
She blushes. “Oh, yeah, I think so. I don’t really remember, though.”
I chuckle, but Lucas doesn’t notice. Thankfully. Because Eleanor blushes even harder and gives me some eyes that sayzip it, sister.
My ass, she doesn’t remember classes she took with my brother. If I had to guess, she remembers every single one.
“Well, welcome. Grab some drinks. Have a blast. Enjoy yourselves!” And then Lucas wraps his arm around Lennon’s shoulders and the two head out onto the patio, surrounded by other people they know.
I glance around. Spot a few people smoking from a bong. See one person snorting something. Lots of drinking, a couple making out in a corner and some hands wandering under clothes.
Then I look at Eleanor. “You’re welcome to hang out, but I don’t think this party is really for me,” I say. “I’m gonna go up to my room. Do you wanna come?”
She waffles for a minute.
“No pressure. You can absolutely stay down here and have fun.” I try to make sure I sound convincing, though really, I’d rather have a friend to hang out with upstairs.
“What if we just stay down here for a few minutes? I’ve just always wanted to see what happens at these parties, and I don’t want to miss my chance to really see it.”
I laugh. “I guess I could stick around for a few minutes. Let’s snoop around, huh?”
Eleanor beams at me.
We each grab a drink, a beer for her and a soda for me, and then we start back down the stairs to the first floor. I let Eleanor lead the way, since she’s the one with wide eyes, taking everything in for the first time.
I follow her, trying to keep the grimace off my face as we weave through more bodies, trying to find a place to stand that won’t result in one of us getting poked in the eye.
“This isinsane!” she shouts back at me.
I can only nod in agreement.
We finally make it to a corner, where we stand next to the door to the gym. And then we just watch everyone being rowdy and ridiculous.
It’s definitely not a party I want to participate in, but it actually is pretty fun to observe.
There’s a group of girls shouting along to the music and guzzling champagne straight from the bottle. Eleanor points out that Aaron guy trying to smooth-talk someone, and we both giggle at the idea that he’s trying to add to the mythical notches on his bed post.
Smoke fills the air, the scent of weed becoming stronger, and I wave a hand in front of my face, taking a step back.
And in doing so, I bump open the door to the gym. When I turn to grab the door and pull it closed, I see Lucas’ friend Otto having sex with a girl on the rowing machine.
I slam the door closed and look at Eleanor, both of us bursting into a fit of giggles.
“I am totally ready to go upstairs,” she shouts at me.
“Oh my god, yes!” I cry out. “Let’s get out of here.”
“I had no idea what this was going to be like!” she says, giggling again.
I give her a small smile, then take her hand and lead her over to the stairs, then climb all the way up to the bedrooms. Once, we’re at the top, I head right for my own room, unlocking the door, pulling us inside and closing it behind me.
