A week flew by, and I was probably as stressed as someone who had to take the SAT and had no knowledge of any content that was in the test. I had notified my dad who had surprisingly allowed me to go. And I was packed and ready to go. We all met at the Kansas City International airport and made our way towards the line to check in. I fidgeted with my shirt sleeve as my friends stood in front of me, talking about how cool it would be at the coast. I know I should be happy, I'm leaving. I'm finally leaving, I don’t have to see my father for an entire week.

The woman at the front desk handed us each our tickets and we made our way together towards our terminal gate. I sat in one of the waiting chairs and went through my messages, clearing the conversation with my father, and my other contacts. After thirty minutes of waiting, we make our way inside of the gate and into the airplane with the help of the attendees.

In the plane, I end up sitting next to a complete stranger, but this stranger was my age. He wore headphones, a gray hoodie and jeans, the typical outfit of most guys. I tried not to stare, at him and slowly tapped his shoulder. He pulled one side of his headphone away from his ear and looked up at me.

“Um, that’s my seat.” I said, pointing towards the window seat.

“Uh, yeah. Here.” He stood and let me get in, I awkwardly take my place and sit in the seat.

I felt the guy ease into the seat next to me, and I tried to keep my mind occupied. I clenched and unclenched my fist, feeling weirded out. Maybe it’s my lack of social skills that’s getting to me.

The total flight time to Brunswick, Georgia took four hours and twenty-three minutes, plus one stop at the Atlanta Airport. Luckily, the guy who say with me for the two hours didn’t sit next to me after we entered Atlanta. After we got to Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, we headed out towards our rental house in the car Brody's uncle, who is the sponsor who watches over us during this trip, rented for us.

The house was pretty, to say the least. The landscaping was well done, with bushes lining the entry way, and purple flowers stuffed in large flower pots. It was a two-story beach house with large windows in every room. The living room had a large flat screen television that hangs in front of the couch. I wonder into the bedroom in the front of the house that wasn’t facing the sea. It had a twin-size bed, a walk-in closet and a small bathroom.

Placing my suitcase next to the small desk near the window, I shut the door and begin to unpack my stuff. Grabbing my clothes out of my suitcase, I place them in the drawers of the dresser. Going through my carryon bag, I set the swimsuit and cover over dress in the last drawer. Sage made me buy them both even though I'm not going swimming.

Someone knocks on the door breaking my train of thought. “yeah?”

“Hey Alana?” Chelsea says, walking in, her red curls pulled into a pony tail, “I was wondering if you'd like to go to this small get together.”

“A get together?”

“Yeah, it will only be for a couple of hours.” She comments, easing into the end of the bed.

“Have you asked everyone else?” I ask, wanting to make sure I know what I'm getting into.

“Yeah, but no-one wants to go, and Brody's uncle says it’s okay as long as someone else goes with me.”

“And I'm your last resort?” She looks over at me, hope filling her eyes and with a reluctant sigh, I say yes.

“Yes! Okay, so we should head out, it’s only a couple of blocks away from where we're staying.”

“Who exactly told you about this 'get together?'” I ask, sitting next to her on my bed.

“Just a friend.” She replies, “Let's go.”

“Okay, hold on, I just need to grab my purse and then we can go.”

***

I should have known there was something off. I should have seen it coming. There was nothing small about Chelsea. This wasn’t a get together. It was a party. A full-blown party. Complete with blaring music, dancing, make out sessions, and the alcohol. I smelled it as soon as I entered the house. But when I checked to tell Chelsea I didn’t like that we were here, she was gone.

As the bodies began to suffocate me, and the smell too much to bare, I tried to find an escape. Across the room, a door lay open. My heart jumped finally seeing a way out and I lunged for it. But before I could move any further someone shoved a drink in my face. With my shock, I accidentally swallowed. What on earth have I done. One drink became six, and then a thousand after that.

I was becoming my dad and I hated it. I needed to leave, but I wanted to dance. But when a teen grabbed the drink out of my hand I was confused and surprisingly angry. Can a drink really do this to me?

“I'm taking you home.” It was Brody. What is he doing here? ”Where’s Chelsea?”

“Brody!” “I grinned, having the urge to laugh hysterically, “Dance with me!”

“No Alana, you aren’t yourself.” He said, grabbing me by the shoulders, “Where is Chelsea.”

“She said we’d be going to a thing...But then she left me.”

“You don’t know where she is?” Concern written on his face but I didn’t care, I wasn’t myself. I was different.

“You know Brody,” I commented, “That shirt looks hot on you.”

“That’s nice Alana, but we're going home.”

“No,” I whined, “I want to stay!”

“Come on.” He comments pushing me through the crowd and out a door. But as soon as I see the car, I want to bolt back towards the house.

“Wait! Alana! Don't.” The next thing I know I'm tackled to the ground and strapped into the front seat. Then, everything went black.