Esoteric.

Thankfully the week had flown by rather quickly. Shiloh and I had of course made up like always. The final bell rang signaling school was finally over. I quickly walked out with the rest of the students. I had inadvertently managed to avoid Zayn the entire week. It’s not as if we talked all the time anyway. So I guess I hadn’t really “avoided” him. More than excited to spend the weekend in my bed watching Netflix while stuffing my face, I hurriedly made my way towards the parking lot. Shiloh and I hadn’t made any plans which was perfectly fine with me.

Part way through the parking lot my name was shouted making me turn on my heel. Shiloh was pacing towards me with an overly exaggerated grin on her face.

“Where are you going?”

“Home?”

“Oh no you’re not! You’re coming with me.” she cheered.

“Okay. I’m just going to take my car home, yeah?”

“Mmkay! But you better be there seconds after or I’ll come looking for you.”

Why are you do damn cheery?”

“It’s Friday, who isn’t?”

I had a feeling she was up to something but let it go for the time being. I got in my car, turning on my air conditioning the a few seconds after I turned the key in the ignition. It was smoldering outside.

------

“Shi?”

“She’s not back yet.” Zayn said leaning in the doorway to his bedroom.

“Oh.”

I was almost certain he was going to say something but the loud footsteps of my best friend stopped him.

“You’re here already?”

“Yeah, I just got her like five minutes ago.”

“Oh well. We need to go get ready.”

“For?”

“The party we’re going to tonight?”

“I’m not going to a party.”

“but you are! Come on, let’s go.”

“No! I don’t even have anything to wear.”

“You can wear something of mine.”

“That’s probably not the best idea.”

“And why not?”

“because our styles are quite different.”

“Exactly. Anything you’d have wouldn’t be fit for a party.”

I scoffed shaking my head before following close behind her. I wasn’t feeling too excited about this. Scanning through her closet I wasn’t feeling any sign of relief.

“Here let me pick something for you.” Shiloh smiled pushing out of the way. I took a place of her bed waiting to see whatever she had chose.

“How about this?” she asked holding up a pink pair of lace shorts with a white crop top. I have to admit it was very cute, but on the other hand I’m not sure if I’d feel too comfortable in it.

“Mmm. I don’t know.”

“Oh come on! You’ll look incredible.”

I nodded grabbing the clothes from her hands. Sliding on the clothes I instantly felt insecure. My stomach isn’t as flat as I would like it and you know, my thighs could always be a bit thinner. Although I really didn’t want to wear it, I knew I didn’t have a say in the matter either way.

“See I told you, you’d look amazing.”

Rolling my eyes, I got started on my hair and makeup.

“You ready?” Shiloh asked walking back into the room.

“Mhm.”

“You want to drive? Since you know, you probably aren’t even going to drink.”

“Most likely.”

“Who house is it at anyway?” I question turning the key in the ignition.

“Harry’s.”

“Of course.”

“What’s your problem with him?”

“I just don’t like the way he acts.”

“You don’t even know him.”

“And you do?”

“I know him a lot better than you do.”

“Oh really?”

“Yeah. Now stop being such a bitch.”

“I’m not even being a bitch. I stated my opinion and you didn’t like it. That’s not my problem.”

“I can make it your problem?”

“Do I have to make you walk again?”

“What the fuck is your problem lately?”

“What the fuck is your problem? The second you hear something you don’t like, you turn into an automatic bitch and I’m getting sick and tired of it. I understand people usually back down when it comes to you, including me but it’s getting old. We’re seniors in high school and it’s time for you to grow the fuck up. Everyones allowed to have an opinion and you have the right to not agree with you it but you honestly need to quit getting so defensive and bitchy. It’s tiring.”

I’m sure she was surprised at my outburst. I’m sure was surprised at all my recent outburst but honestly, a person could only take so much. Once again the car was silent. Pulling down Harry’s street I could already see multiple teenagers walking down the street in the direction of his house. For once in her life Shiloh stayed quiet as we made our way towards the house. The second the door opened I was hit with the aroma of alcohol and weed.

As expected Shiloh took off in the opposite direction. I couldn’t blame her for being upset with me. I understand I wasn’t being the nicest person lately but neither was she, but it’s not like she’s going to admit that or even realize it for that matter. Pushing through the sweaty bodies grinding against one another I finally found my way into the kitchen. Various red cups were tossed carelessly around while alcohol bottles lined the counter, along with a keg or two placed on the floor.

I grabbed a red cup filling it with a mixture of Vodka, Cranberry juice and Red Bull. Normally I’d just drink water but apparently I wasn’t doing anything normal seeing as I wouldn’t even be at this party if I was doing things that I ‘normally’ did, I don’t even know why I agreed to this. Did I really though? No. I don’t think so. I walked back into the living room leaning against a wall away from all the commotion. Scanning over the scene before me a familiar dark quiff caught my attention. He was here. Oh my god. He’s here, what do I do? Shit. What if he sees me? What if he thinks I look chubby? What if he thinks I look fat? What if he thinks I look slutty or ugly. Maybe he already does. Oh shit. Wait. Why am I even freaking out? He doesn’t he know I’m here. He probably won’t even figure it out. He’s most likely going to hook up with some super hot girl who I’d never stand a chance against. That’s just a wonderful thought. No, not really. Like Shiloh said, I need to get over it. He hasn’t noticed me our entire life. Why would he now, right?

“Hey Em.”

My head snapped up almost automatically. I had been all too wrapped up in my thoughts to even realize he had walked over. Why had he walked over though? Why was I over thinking all of this? Because it was Zayn, that’s why. He was staring at me waiting for me to say something. Say something Emerson. Open your mouth and say something. All you need to say is ‘Hi.’ Come on. You’re making yourself look stupid. Like that’s new.

“Uh. Mm. Hi.” Of course. Only I’d manage to stutter while saying hi.

“What’s up?”

“Oh nothing.”

“Where’s Shiloh?”

“Uh. I don’t know actually. She ditched me the second we walked in.”

“Sounds like her.” he chuckled.

I nodded, looking around awkwardly. Zayn cleared his throat causing me to look back to him. Only this time he was so much closer than before. My breath caught in my throat the second I realized he was leaning in. He was leaning in right? Oh my god. He was. I mean he is! Why though. Why was he leaning in. His face is getting so much closer to mine. Was he going to kiss me? No. No, he wouldn’t kiss me. Right? I mean why would he kiss me? He’s never shown any interest in me before, but then again you don’t have to be interested in someone to kiss them. Still though. He was so close I could feel his minty fresh breath wash over my face.

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

And there it was. In a matter of seconds Zayn was about eight feet away from me and Shiloh was quickly approaching.

‘I didn’t.”

“I know you didn’t.” she said glaring at Zayn. “Let’s go, Em.” she ordered grabbing my wrist dragging me behind her. I glanced back at Zayn who had already disappeared.

“Sit.” Shiloh demanded tapping the spot beside her. The minute I sat down I realized what was happening. Are we all so immature that we’re going to sit around playing truth or dare?


“Shiloh! Truth or dare?” Louis questioned an evil smirk growing on to his face.

I guess so.

“Dare.” She answered back confidently.

“I dare you to.. . .let Harry do a body shot off of you.”

“Really Louis? What a weak ass dare.” Shiloh teased as she crawled into the middle of the circle, laying flat on her back. Harry bent over her taking a shot off of her stomach as well as one between her boobs. Because I really wanted to see that. After crawling back to her spot, she turned towards me. Fuck.

“Em! Truth or Dare?”

I knew exactly which one I wanted to chose. But I knew if I did she’d most definitely ask me something I didn’t want to answer. Though she would also most definitely dare me to do something I wouldn’t want to. “Um. Dare.”

“I dare you to kiss Louis.”

You should’ve picked truth you dumb ass. I gulped back the lump in my throat turning towards Louis who was already making his way into the center of the circle. I was sort of hoping he’d say no. Apparently not. I sighed crawling to meet him.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take it easy on you.” he whispered in my ear. I looked into his crystal blue eyes nodding. Then in an instant his lips were pressed against mine. I have to admit, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. Soon enough I started moving my lips in sync with his. Eventually he slid his tongue across my bottom lip asking for entrance, which surprising myself, I allowed. I honestly had no idea how long we were kissing before he was suddenly ripped away.

I looked up seeing Louis lying flat on his back with Zayn standing above him.

Notes