More Than This - n.r.

Chapter 19

The remaining days of school passed quickly and before any of us knew it, the last day of school arrived. I had been avoiding Nick all week and today would be no different. Today was my last day of high school. A week from now, I would be on my way to New York to get settled before starting my classes at Columbia. A week from now, I would be leaving all this behind. Tonight was my last night to enjoy what remained of my life here.

"How excited are you for the party tonight?" Ava asked when we arrived at school.

"Psyched," Daphne responded for the millionth time. Ava had been talking about this party all week.

"It'll be a good chance for you to let loose, Haven," Ava said to me. "God knows you need it the most."

"Hopefully they'll have something stronger than beer," I muttered. I was trying my best to be excited, really I was. It was just hard to be happy about something given everything that had happened lately.

There was nothing going on in classes besides tying off any loose ends. Finals had already been written. After today, we were free.

At the end of the day, I cleaned out my locker, dumping everything I would never need again into the trash can. At the bottom of my locker, I found the pink tulip that Nick had given me for grad. The replacement flower. Tears fought to spill down my cheeks, but I wouldn't let them. I tossed the tulip into the trash among all the scrap paper and used scribblers.

The final bell rang, signalling the end of high school. I stood by my empty locker as the hallways flooded with cheering kids, all excited to get on with their summers. They all possessed an enthusiasm I couldn't match.

I went home to change and drop off my stuff. I peeled off the clothes I had worn to school and chose a loose fitting burgundy t-shirt and a short black shirt.

I studied myself in the mirror and saw a girl who was polished on the outside but a mess on the inside. Maybe letting loose was exactly what I needed. Might as well finish my life here on a high note.

+ + + + + + + + + +

I arrived at the party a little late. The house was filled with ex-students who were all busy drinking to their futures. Music blasted from somewhere inside the house and as I approached, I was sucked into the celebratory atmosphere.

As soon as I entered, Daphne and Ava appeared at my side.

"About time," Daphne said as she handed me a red solo cup filled with something I didn't recognize. "We thought you were going to bail."

"Me? Never," I said sarcastically as I took a sip of the mystery drink. Rum and coke. Not so mystery after all. We made our way throughout the house, past people dancing and grinding on each other.

"Looks like the whole senior class showed up," I yelled over the music.

"Some of the juniors too, but I don't know how they got in," Ava said. 

"I can't wait until midnight," Daphne yelled.

"What happens at midnight?" I asked.

"That's when our names are erased from the school computers are we are officially done high school," she responded. I checked my phone: 8:26. Still a while to go. I took another sip of my drink and savoured the taste on my tongue.

"Have either of you seen Nick?" I asked.

"Why do you want to know?" Ava questioned, her eyes suspicious.

"Just wondering," I replied, forcing myself to make eye contact with her.

"I saw him," Daphne said. "He's around here somewhere." I nodded. Clearly I would have to watch my back tonight.

"Don't worry about it," Daphne said to me. "You are going to have fun tonight. I promise."

I smiled and downed the rest of my drink. "Hell yeah I am."

+ + + + + + + + + +

Around 10:00, I had lost Daphne and Ava in the crowd. I got another drink and sat down on the hardwood stairs, watching my fellow classmates have the time of their lives. Someone sat beside me on the stairs with a red cup matching mine.

"Hi Haven, I didn't think you'd come tonight." It was Nick. I glanced over at him. His light brown hair was tousled and his navy blue t-shirt fit tightly in all the right places. I felt a pang of longing in my chest but ignored it.

"Why wouldn't I show up?" I asked, taking another sip of my drink and facing forward.

"I thought you'd be excited to get away from all this"

"And miss my last night of partying? No way," I said sarcastically.

"Well I'm glad you came," he said as he rested a hand on my knee. "I was hoping you would."

"Why?" I asked. "So you can rub your infidelity in my face?"

Nick sighed. "So I could have a chance to talk to you about what happened."

"Haven't we been over that? I deserve more than this, Nick." I said as I stood up . He did the same, standing one stair lower than me so we were the same height.

"I know you do," he whispered.

I descended the stairs without responding and emptying my cup on the way down. Maybe my rum and coke was diluted because I was not feeling the carefree buzz that everyone else seemed to be feeling.

****************

Hey readers,

I'm going to split the party up into more than one chapter so prepare for an update soon.

Book Review Time
~ The Lying Game - Sara Shepard: This one is about a girl who discovers that she has a long lost twin sister but little does she know, her sister was murdered. She starts pretending to be her sister and tries to solve the murder at the same time. Not going to lie, this is not Sara Shepard's best. It's narrated by the dead sister which is confusing sometimes and it's a little repetitive. But once I start a series, I feel obligated to finish it, so that's what I'll do. 
~ This Is What Happy Looks Like - Jennifer E. Smith: This one is about a girl who receives an email by accident from a mystery boy only to find out that it's Graham Larkin, one of the biggest teen heartthrobs ever. The two of them try to make a relationship work despite the paparazzi and the media. Super cute. This author is really good, I would recommend this book for sure.

Movie Review Time
~ The Perfect Man (2005) - This movie is about a girl who creates a man for her mom who is always being dumped. The lie gets out of hand though. Honestly, don't do it. The conflict is dumb and could have been easily avoided. The main character made me super frustrated. Waste of time. Don't watch it. [Starring: Hilary Duff & Heather Locklear]

Thanks for reading guys, 

That_Epiphany

P.S. Shoutout to my 2 new followers: erikamarquez16  & One_Less_Lonely_Gurl ==> Thanks so much, I really appreciate it!