Simone has always been my safe space. She’s never judged how I dealt with things, or grieved, or has ever been scared off by my darkest days. I slowly open up, telling her about the fight I had with Eli. The only thing I leave out is the way he grabbed me under the bleachers this morning. I still don’t know what to think about that, so I don’t want her to judge him for it.
I watched as her expression switched back and forth from concern to a frown while listening. “I don’t know, Lydia. That doesn’t seem normal.”
I instantly feel defensive and want to take back what I said. I don’t want people to think badly about him, especially my best friend.
“He was just a little jealous, but we worked through it. I just don’t like him thinking I would ever do something like that to him. I don’t want anyone ever thinking I’m that kind of person.”
She hesitates and then nods. “Just…make sure you talk through things clearly, okay? Communication is really important. It avoids stuff like that, you know? You don’t want it getting worse.”
I nod quickly, wanting to change the subject.
Harper FaceTimed us, offering a ride to the party, and we told her that would be perfect. That Eli could take me home after, and Tyler would take Simone home.
I text Eli, letting him know the plan, and he responds pretty quickly.
Eli: Of course you have to ride with them
Ignoring the jab, I text back playfully about spending the night at his place after. He softened then, agreeing.
At the party, I spot Eli immediately, standing with John and Tyler, talking to them. There was a girl nearby who was laughing loudly and touching Eli’s arm in avery obvious flirting way. My stomach twisted, jealousy flaring up in all the worst ways, but then I watched as he pulled away from her touch, and it made me feel good to know he didn’t want her touching him, even when he didn’t know I was around. He finally looks up and sees me, then nods his head for us to come over.
He pulls me into a hug once I reach him and whispers, “Hey.”
I look up at him and smile. “Hey.”
We stand there for a while, talking to everyone, making jokes, drinking, and laughing. Eli rested his chin on my head while I stood in front of him, my back leaning against his chest. Eventually, everyone kind of disperses little by little, and I stay there talking to Eli for a bit, sipping on whatever punch that was made that is entirely too strong.
“I’m gonna go find John and grab a smoke outside,” Eli tells me as Simone walks back over to grab me.
“Okay, I’m gonna stay with Simone and find the girls.”
As I was laughing and dancing with Simone, Tyler walked up and asked if he could steal his girlfriend for a dance. I said yes and saluted them, then I just stayed there dancing while Simone became wrapped up with Tyler. I felt hands on me from behind and laughed a little. I leaned into his touch, grinding against him.
“What’s your name?”
The second I hear the voice, I tense up. I turn around quickly, and I don’t even know the boy who was touching me.
“I’m sorry, I have a boyfriend.”
He looks at me, confused, but still smiles. “You weren’t dancing on me like you had a boyfriend.”
“Yeah, cause I thought you were him…sorry.”
“Whatever,” he says as he walks away.
I try to shake off the feeling of anyone else touching me and look back to Simone. We both look horrified and then burst out laughing.
“Ew, that was so gross,” I tell her.
“Such a creep,” she says, still swaying with Tyler.
“I’m gonna go find Harper and Katie,” I tell her, walking off.
I find Harper sitting on a couch alone, and I plop down with her. “Where’s Katie?” I ask her.
She shrugs, staring off into the kitchen. “I don’t know, I haven’t seen her since we all got here, honestly.”
I follow her gaze and see John standing there, talking to some other guys.
