To be honest, Nova and Shauna always betted on childish stuff. They’ve been competing since they met in grade school. The rivalry was that persistent. Speaking plainly, Nova liked to be the best in everything, to prove to herself she was superior, and Shauna liked to be a hindrance just to spite her and because she’s bored. As those two usually duke it out in “friendly” competition (um… well… Kenzie sometimes joins the madness as well) the rest of us in the squad were above it all. That or we’re just lazy when it comes to contests and catty in-fighting. Too much effort when you can be on the sidelines just peacefully vibing.
“We’re in untraversed territory.” Zen announced while Nova parallel parked on a street filled with mini mansions straight outta the home improvement catalog. Metal gates that matched ancient trees in terms of height surrounded the mansions as a form of protection. The neighborhood reminded me of those horror slasher flicks based in suburbia. I’ll never get why the lack of streetlights is peak aesthetic for the opulent, it’s dark as a country road.
“We’re in my element.” Nova haughtily scoffed, ignoring the eye-rolls Hazel, Shauna, and Kenzie shot her.
The blaring music was heard clearly all throughout the block, no regard to the neighbors. We felt the vibrations permeating from the sidewalks to the car’s interior the moment we slid out of our seats. It felt like everything, inanimate objects alike, had a racing pulse.
Tons of teens were laughing as their feet waltzed up to Vance’s place, eager to let loose and be wild. It was definitely a carefree atmosphere now that finals were over for everyone in our school district. Warm wind danced on my skin and the stars shone brightly in the night sky. The first night of summer always sent a resounding hum of familiarity throughout my soul. Three months of doing absolutely nothing, but whatever you wanted to do! Utter bliss.
“Alrightie! Let’s make some moves.” Nova snapped a couple of selfies to post online, then proceeded to lead us through the gates, down the lengthy driveway, and all up inside the house.
As soon as we entered the doors, our senses were overloaded. Numerous foods, drinks, and snacks were scattered on tables if not located in the kitchen. It ranged from corner store junk to charcuterie and excessive gala appetizers that’d cost a fortune. Half of us were overwhelmed with the unimaginable extravagance. Zen, Kenzie, and I were scoping the scene entirely, jaws dropped to the floor. High ceilings with chandeliers. Lots of staircases, some that even curved into a spiral or arch to the second floor. An olympic-sized pool and jacuzzi by the guest house?! Not to mention the rooms were quite spacious. However, my peers victoriously crammed themselves together for it to still be jam packed like canned sardines. Vance’s backyard should be considered farmland with its shrubbery, shaped bushes, a fountain, hedge maze, and barbeque pit.
I never knew such incredible architecture could be within my grasp. I’ve only seen them in the movies or read about them in period pieces. Ah, looking at quality functional building designs gets me inspired to draw! Nova, Hazel, and Shauna remained cool as ice, though. As if they were about this life or rather, had a blasé attitude towards the affluent backdrop. They’ve already mastered the “act like you’re supposed to be here” persona. For Nova, this was what she envisioned, no! What she expected of her future self to obtain. Hazel preferred an isolated cottage to this type of lifestyle and Shauna by no means adored science, but she silently found herself musing on budding social experiments dealing with status.
One plus side to parties like these, is that no one scrutinizes your very being. Most came to have a good time and forget their troubles for a few hours. It’s how anyone who wasn’t from Oakview got to attend gatherings without being singled out like a sore thumb. They might be snobby out-of-touch rich kids, but they weren’t able to deny the classic phrase ‘the more the merrier’ and it made the other teens in the area respect them for it.
“I’m gonna find Vance. Show my face. Then it’s off to snatch up some admirers’ hearts.”
We watched Nova push passed dancing bodies to go on the prowl. No qualms whatsoever at leaving us to our own devices. Not to be outdone, Kenzie and Shauna also left the group to flirt with potentials, aiming to win against Nova at all costs. Zen honed her nose in on the food, that high metabolism of hers demanding sustenance, and she scooted to the plethora of delectables laid on a long table for display. Hazel actually pulled out a book and found an unoccupied spot on the sofa to read, disregarding average party conduct.
Like my mama told me, I texted her a pic to let her know I safely made it to my destination. She responded just as swiftly as I sent it, like she was waiting by the phone for my update. I ain’t getting kidnapped ever!
A minute or two went by and I just stood around awkwardly, observing. Nodding my head to the music, debating if I’d attempt to go along with Shauna’s bet when I heard the DJ start playing one of my songs. Y’know, a tune so enticing that it makes you want to twist and turn. I had to dance, my ears were pressuring me to.
Now, I’m not the greatest at it, but I can bop when need be and on beat too. If I’d put more passion into it, I probably would be in ballet or hip hop. Approaching the dance floor, I shimmied my shoulders, finding room to groove amongst the people swaying and sashaying. I felt free and floaty, almost spiritual. For me, this was a calling to just have fun and enjoy the moment, splendidly expressing myself without overly criticizing myself. The fast paced tempo had people and me boogying down, mouthing or singing along to the lyrics unafraid. Then, like every young girl who has a bit of spatial awareness and raised to be on guard, I sensed being watched.
A boy had taken an interest in me so it seemed. He was leaning on the wall. His eyes were locked on and he had a charming smile with my name on it. This doesn’t happen often. I’m a homebody and suck at catching signs of attraction directed my way. Nova and them literally have to tell me when I’m being crushed on or I’ll assume people are sincerely nice, going above and beyond without ulterior motives. I figured it would be a possibility if I ever left the security of my room, but to see it in real-time? I’m shook. Swiveling my neck from side to side, I made certain I wasn’t jumping to conclusions. That he was eying a girl beside me instead. Nope. I was the target. He proceeded towards me with no detours.
I’ll never doubt my gut again. It’s always accurate. Panic flooded my bloodstream, seeping to the bones. Don’t get it confused. I wasn’t fearing for my life or anything on some fight or flight mess. I just didn’t want to freak out and show my inexperience at getting wooed. Having boys peacock to get chosen was typically Nova’s or Big Sis Ivy’s forte. I’ve got brothers so the male species isn’t new to me. It’s just this fresh environment that’s throwing me off.
Be cool, Irene. Don’t say nothing stupid! No word vomit, OK?!
Ah, to be a child of overthinking. I wish it on nobody. Not even on my worst enemies. Sidenote, I don’t have enemies.
Time was in slow-mo as he went from the wall to standing right in front of me and I felt my heart stop, missing my chance to completely calm my nerves. Mayday, this isn’t a drill! I’m gonna be hit on!
“Sup, m’lady.” Wow, he thought that was a slick and gentlemanly greeting. His voice pretended to be deeper than it was. Yes! I’m not the only one who’s skittish about this whole ordeal!
Funny, how brisk thoughts can be. My mind was scrambling and I hadn’t properly greeted him back. What if the time limit to respond had passed?! I had to say something quick.
“LET’S DANCE! RIGHT NOW!” My lips blurted using all of my lung strength acquired from having multiple siblings.
I just knew that I topped the volume of the music, which is saying something for it had surround sound. Perhaps, he’d gone deaf with how booming I sounded, he certainly looked it. With how his eyes bucked and his smile disintegrated to a concerned frown. I wanted to die.
“Um… OK then.” Hesitance laced his tone. I’d be second guessing also.
“Kill me.” I mumbled under my breath, keeping up my strained grin as we started to two-step.
After the initial clumsiness in speech, we mellowed out. Dancing came naturally, us following the lyrics or mimicking what everyone else did. My perspective changed that night. Going outside into uncharted waters wasn’t that bad. It’s no wonder Nova likes to party, the ambiance was stellar. We even chatted a tad, the customary mingling. Then the DJ had to ruin the mood with slow jams. Well, to be fair, the DJ was setting the mood for folks to couple up.
This was beyond my comfort zone because I’ve never slow danced. The opportunity never came up because I never put myself in that situation. The boy happily drew closer, hands courteously on my hips and I put mine on his shoulders. My eyes tried not to stare into his or I’d freeze up. Looking past him, over his shoulders, I saw a couple that was all over each other unashamed. I gazed to my left and saw Hazel slyly peeking from her book to raise an eyebrow at me. To my right, Zen was by the wall, stuffing her mouth with finger foods, and cheering me on in support. Ultimately, I concentrated back on the boy I was with whose name I’d totally forgotten. Sheesh, Irene, he just introduced himself not too long ago.
“You’re pretty good.” He complimented.
“Thanks. You too.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him his breath stank.
Wasn’t detectable before he got up in my personal space. Ah, that’s why I forgot his name, I was enduring. My poker face game was strong courtesy of my mom, although internally I wanted to wrinkle my nose in disgust.
An angel must’ve taken pity on me because the DJ quit it with the RnB after ten minutes and put on breakneck tunes that had folks cutting a rug, breaking into a sweat like they’re in the marching parade. It was in my favor to detach from him now that the bass penetrated the floors and walls where the furniture trembled like an earthquake.
I animatedly yelled from a safe distance from his hot breath.“I love this song!”
It reminded me of Big Bro Izzy. He always taught our siblings to his genre tastes, coming up with original choreo for each track off every album he owned. Since he's away maneuvering the early stages of adulthood, the song pulled at my heartstrings at how quiet the Ballard house has been without him. I failed to remember that I was supposed to be dancing with the boy who approached me. Not dancing aggressively at him. Yeah, you read right. I had gotten possessed by Izzy’s obsession with this particular song that I ended up challenging the boy to an impromptu battle.
I promise it’s not my fault. Growing up Izzy was like a drill sergeant. He forced each and every one of us younger than him to practice his made-up choreo as if we were about to perform in front of millions. I guess that was his form of familial bonding. Anyways, every so often I’ll hear a few songs on the radio, on my personal playlist, or in a commercial and like clockwork, brainwashed and all, I have to bust a move. I haven’t unlearned it yet and it’s honestly so embarrassing. To make matters worse, I caught the attention of almost everyone in the room, their phones recording me.
I’m not going to lie, I was getting it. How could I not. I spent hours unwillingly memorizing specific jigs. Even the DJ gave me a shoutout on the mic. The boy, who I’d have predicted to run for the hills at my sudden change of behavior, in contrast got hyped up. A light lit up his face and he, what are the odds, began to challenge me back. This wasn’t how my flirting was supposed to go! How did I make easy social skills hard?! Nonetheless, I’m not suited for betting with the big dogs. Nova, Shauna, and Kenzie can have that.
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