“OK, so are you going to this party or no?” Heidi asked while she curled her hair by the mirror.

“I don’t think so, I’ve never done this before,” Claire leaned against the wall on her bed and picked at her fingernails.

“That’s the fun part about it. None of the freshmen have done this before,” Heidi plopped down on the bed next to her. “Come on, it’ll be fun!”

“Promise we’ll leave if it’s too crowded?” Claire asked, sticking her pinky out to seal the promise.

Heidi giggled and linked their pinkies together. “Promise.”

———————————————————————————————————————

When they got there the party was already in full swing. Pop music blared from the speakers and nearly shook the house with the best. Bodies were packed into the small house. The lights were dim and they had to shove their way through to get to the kitchen where a group of people were hanging out at a table.

“Hey girl,” Heidi slid onto the lap of a girl who looked like she was going clubbing, not to a college party. “This is Claire, my new roommate.”

The girl gave Claire a quick once-over and smiled, “Hey Claire, I’m Jade.”

“Nice to meet you, Jade,” Claire offered her hand and Jade shook it before placing her arm around Heidi’s waist.

“So is he here?” Heidi added emphasis on the word he and Claire wondered who she was talking about.

“I saw him, with some girl who looks like she’s in high school.” Jade rolled her eyes and huffed, “so yeah, he’s here.”

Heidi rolled her eyes and stood up. “Well, I’m going to go say hi to the host then.”

Jade nodded, an unspoken conversation passing between them. Heidi grabbed Claire’s hand and left the kitchen heading for the basement.

Heidi approached a big guy who looked like he played football. “Hey Mike, where’s Kevin?”

“Hey Heidi, I don’t know where he is, last I saw he was headed outside.”

Heidi huffed impatiently, “Who’s the girl, Mike?”

“Some chick he met at the store. I think her name’s Ginger, which is funny cause she’s a redhead.” Mike smiled toward Claire. “Who’s your friend?”

“Hm?” Heidi looked lost in thought for a second, “oh this is Claire, my roommate. Claire this is Mike.”

Claire shook Mike’s warm hand and smiled, “nice to meet you.”

“The pleasures all mine,” Mike big hand could have probably held both of hers.

Claire blushed before Heidi said, “Mike plays football for the school, he’s a linebacker.”

“Oh that’s nice,” Claire suddenly felt like she was in the presence of a celebrity.

“Anyway… we have to go. I’m feeling a little hot and need to get some air.”

Mike looked ready to object but Claire and Heidi were already headed up the stairs.

After shoving past a couple making out, they made their way back to the kitchen and grabbed some punch for both her and Claire. Claire took a sip and reeled at the bitter taste of alcohol. Steadying herself, she took another sip and managed to keep it down.

“First time?” Heidi smirked as she downed her cup and poured another.

“Yeah,” Claire rasped. “I didn’t expect it to be so strong.”

Heidi chuckled, “how else are these guys going to get laid?”

Claire paused with the cup at her lips, “do you think it’s drugged?”

“What? No of course not,” Heidi looked shocked. “They aren’t that bad. They just… they’re just horny Claire, not evil.”

“Ok…” Claire’s voice trailed off as she thought about it some more.

“Alright game plan,” Heidi announced after she poured herself a second cup. “So I’m going to go confront Kevin and you’re going to hold off the little girl he’s with.”

Claire thought Heidi’s liquid courage had gone to her head too quickly because she was not about to fight a girl. “Are you sure about this, who is this guy anyway?”

Heidi sighed, “we hooked up a couple of times and then all of a sudden he stops texting me and then I hear from Jade that he’s telling people I have an STD, I don’t, by the way, I got tested. So if he has one it’s not from me,” Heidi shrugged.

“Ok, but why are we here then?” Claire pointed at the kitchen.

Heidi ticker each item off on her fingers, “one, because you needed to experience a party. Two, because I need him to know he can’t mess with me. And three, I wanted you for backup.”

Claire sighed, “ok so when are we doing this?”

Heidi gave her a feline smile, “now, we do this now.” Heidi threw back the rest of her cup and Claire did the same.