This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in these stories are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This story contains material of violence, alcohol use, smoking, and coarse language.
My phones been ringing since I got to this party. I seem to cause quite a stir for a quiet girl. I guess that happens when you feel like you have nothing to lose and you start making bold moves. The new party girl. All eyes have been on me since the second we got here. They want to hear everything I have to say, what I'll do and who I'll choose. I got to get out of here. I walk out of the party and up several stairs to get to the alley, turn the corner to look down the street and see one cab dropping people off and another just waiting there. My phone starts ringing again as I start walking towards the cabs.
“Hello?”
I answer the call super annoyed. This chick immediately starts yelling at me about her ex boyfriend. I couldn’t give two shits about whatever the fuck she’s trying to say to me. Which is ultimately her just being mad at me for being likeable enough to be around. I partied with this guy a few times because we were hanging with the same group that summer. Me and this chick are not friends, she really shouldn’t even be calling me at all. It’s none of her fucking business. I’m sure she mustered up the courage this Friday night to find my number from someone but like why is it necessary?! It’s not. Oh but this town likes to puff their chest every chance they get. I don’t even want this guy. In all honesty I already forgot about him. I really just wanted to go see Simon and she’s wasting my time. I try and be nice and tell her “he’s all yours” and “he’s loves you so much” blah blah blah and get her off my phone as quickly as fucking possible. Peace love and gravy, done and dealt with *click*.
I walk over and open the door of the cab that was just waiting out front and ask for a ride but to my surprise the driver says, “Are you Valerie?”
“Uhh, yes I am, did I already call for you? I don’t remember” I replied.
“Yes, well, this cab was called for Valerie and that's you.” Amazing. I jump in, give him the address to Simon’s and off we go. I don’t think much else of it.
What a beautiful night. This party was at the top of the towns hill and as the cab is driving me back down I get to view the whole city and all of it's lights. There’s this orange glow that comes from the city light as you get closer and it feels like you’re going into this bubble. I'm sure most towns feel like you're in a bubble. The streets are completely dead and quiet now but how loud and busy it was at the party and in my mess of a mind. Everyone is sleeping peacefully in their homes and then there's me, not sleeping, not very peaceful and definitely not at home.
I arrive at Simon’s and I’m so happy to be here. He has his own place with security and is very respected. I feel safe here. I say hi to the doorman as I walk in and sneak a peek at the tv showing all the security camera footage around the building. I make my way up to Si’s and he’s busy talking to people or more so telling people what to do. I make myself comfortable and wait until he's finished. My friends are on their way because they’re dating his roommates.
(Ok, I can see how you might think this is just me conveniently seeing someone that’s in the same friend group as my friends boyfriends but this was more like fucking destiny)
Anyways, he finishes dealing with business and asks if I’m hungry. I tell him yes. My friend arrived shortly after and started making Kraft dinner downstairs but I tell him I really do not feel like KD and I’m not that girl that’s trying to play house. Don’t you hate those girls at parties that try to be the wife or the mom like sit the fuck down and do some drugs or start dancing and have some fucking fun. I don’t come out to be any of those domesticated things, so he sends someone out to get me food. They come back with 12 pizzas, no word of a lie, all different kinds. I literally eat two slices crawl in bed and go to sleep.
I wake up maybe a little under an hour later to some guy yelling outside. I peek down from the window and it’s my friend’s boyfriend Kale, Si’s roommate, pacing around, kicking at random shit, yelling and mumbling in distress. Si walks into the room and says “Jake got shot tonight.” What a feeling it is to have someone say those words to you. It’s just confusion, sadness, wonder, and fear all within a split second. We were just at Jakes house before we all went to that party. I was just with him, I was right there.
“Is he dead?” I ask.
“I don’t know, we just heard he got shot,” Si replies.
He can see it in my face I’m sad and scared so he just holds me until I fall back asleep.
It’s Monday morning after an insane weekend and here I am at school pretending to be a present student. I’m finishing a cigarette waiting for my first class to start when a blonde haired girl named Evette starts walking towards me with her minions behind her and says, “So you were the only one that left that party right before Jake got shot. That’s a little too convenient don’t you think?”
My heart sank to the bottom of my gut at this very moment. Evette’s known to carry(a gun) in her purse and at this point it’s about 5 on 1 so I’m not really in a good position here. Luckily for me I’m an honest bitch and literally didn’t do anything wrong.
“Yea I did leave. I was really drunk and wanted to see this new guy I’ve been talking to.”
I really am a goody good innocent naive bitch who shouldn’t even be smoking this cigarette, so she took what I said with a few nods and eventually said, “Ok I had to ask.”
“All good, I understand,” I replied with innocent puppy dog eyes. Evette and her minions walk towards the school and my heart, gut and throat slowly start making their way back to their correct anatomy. Mind you I’m not supposed to be dealing with any of this bullshit or even know any of these people. A year ago I was studying in my room on the weekends and playing video games, now, my friends are getting shot.
I get home from school and couldn’t shake the thought that yea maybe that was a little too convenient of me to leave the party right before a shooting. I don’t remember calling that cab and that driver did know my name. Was I really supposed to leave at that specific time? Who made that call? Who protected me?