I don't like parties. They're loud, crowded and generally uncomfortable for 20-year-old chemistry nerds like me. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy hanging out with people. I'm just not in the party scene.
When I started dating Alina, a 21-year-old beauty from my Organic Chemistry lab, I was ecstatic. Not only did I have a girlfriend (finally). I had a way to get out of parties without seeming like a total loner. Instead of making up some lame excuse why I wasn't going to the free on frat row, I could just say "oh, I'm hanging out with my girlfriend." Worked every time.
Unfortunately, Ali made friends with Emma, a 20-year-old lacrosse teammate. Emma was known for throwing great parties at her parent's lake house 30 minutes from campus. Anyone that was anyone went to these things. Unsurprisingly, with Ali and Emma becoming close, it was inevitable that I'd get asked to accompany Ali to a party soon.
That day came one Friday in late June...
---
"Come on Ross!" Ali pleaded as we sat in the living room of my apartment. "Emma's my best friend and she
really
wants us to come! I can't go to this alone!"
"Ali, you
know
I hate parties! All I do is follow you around and look around awkwardly! Can we please skip this one? I wanted to take a trip to the coast with you this weekend and just lounge on the beach."
"No!" she said sternly. "Besides! My birthday is in a few weeks so we can save the couples vacation for that! I won't be alone at this party and that's final!"
"Ugh," I muttered. "Fine. But I'm not going to have a good time."
---
Despite being dragged along, I ended up having a pretty good time. I ran into some buddies from chess club, I beat Bryce McAllen, 22, in beer pong, and I danced with Ali while we were both slightly tipsy. The booze certainly helped put me in a social mood.
Around 1:00 in the morning, the party finally started wrapping up. As people took selfies, exchanged contact information, and said their goodbyes, Emma hurried up to Ali and I and asked if we'd stick around to help clean up.
"Of course we'll help!" Ali chirped. "We'd be happy to!"
Without either of them noticing, I shot Ali an annoyed glance.
"Thank you so much!" Emma said. "Ross, would you start folding up the tables?"
"Sure."
We weren't the only ones helping clean up. Annabelle and Mariah, two of Emma's friends, also stuck around. Although I didn't really know Emma, I kind of knew Annabelle, 21, and Mariah, 20. Annabelle and I were in the same chemistry classes and I'd seen Mariah at concerts before. I didn't think much of them, but they seemed to adore me for whatever weird reason.
Despite all of us being exhausted from the long night, we somehow managed to get everything cleaned up in just around 30 minutes, a feat I was not expecting. As I hauled the last garbage bag out to the curb, I checked my watch and realized how late it had gotten. Eager to get home, I went to the backyard and found Ali talking to Emma.
"Sweetness," I said, "we should get a move on."
"Actually babe," she replied, "Emma's letting us stay here for the night! Isn't that great news?"
As much as I didn't want to, I figured a few hours of sleep could do us both good. Additionally, I was slightly tipsy, and I didn't want to risk being behind the wheel.
Without giving it more thought, I agreed.
"Great!" Emma said. "I'll take you two to your room!"
Guided by the flashlight on her phone, Emma led us through the now-dark house up to our room. It was a simple room: a king size bed, a dresser, a couch, a small private bathroom, and a big window looking out towards the woods.
"Sleep tight, lovebirds!"
Emma closed the door, leaving us alone. Too exhausted to even strip to my boxers or go wash my face, I stumbled into bed and crawled under the covers. I heard Ali go to the bathroom before I drifted into a deep slumber.
---
"Wake up sleepyhead!"
My eyes fluttered open at the sound of Ali's soothing voice and gentle nudging. I yawned big and swung my weight to sit on the edge of the bed.
"Morning babe," I muttered. "How'd you sleep?"
"Slept alright. You are quite the snorer, you know."
I chuckled and stood up.
"Sorry about that. I'll work on it."
She rolled her eyes and smirked.
---
After a long, refreshing shower, I changed back into my clothes from yesterday and went downstairs with Ali for breakfast. I was surprised to see that Emma was already awake and breakfast was ready.
"Wow Emma!" Ali said as she sat down. "This looks great! Thank you so much for cooking!"
"My pleasure," she replied. "Only the best for my guests. Please! Sit and eat!"
We sat down and Emma slid a big plate of eggs, bacon, and toast in front of each of us. She poured us some coffee and then sat down to have a small bowl of fruit. As we ate, we talked about our plans for the summer and reminisced a little about high school.
When I finished my cup of coffee, Emma sprang up and grabbed the empty mug.
"I'll get you some more!" she exclaimed, heading to the kitchen. "Just a second!"
"Thank you!" I replied, surprised with her eagerness.
I looked to Ali and raised an eyebrow. She just shrugged and bit into a piece of toast slathered with peanut butter and jam.
A moment later, Emma returned from the kitchen with my cup. She put it down in front of me and gave me a small pat on the head.
"There you go!" she sang. "Drink up!"
"Thanks."
I took a big sip and gagged. The new coffee tasted nothing like the stuff I had earlier. But to avoid being inconsiderate, I forced myself to swallow it.
"Everything alright?" Ali asked, looking over at me.
"Yeah..." I croaked. "Must've...gone down the wrong tube."
"Nah," Emma said. "It's probably the secret ingredient."
All of the sudden, I started feeling very sleepy.
"What do y-you mean..."