Inhaling deeply, I mentally pull up my big-girl panties and climb the steps.
An hour later, I’m starting to develop a headache.The noise is overwhelming.The bass is shaking the entire house.Every song seems to have the same annoying beat to it.People are shouting, singing, crying, moaning.Every sound imaginable.
I’ve lost all three roommates, though I know they’re here somewhere.It’s not hard to get separated.I’m in the kitchen, where I planted myself a while ago, hoping I would eventually find one of my friends when they came in to refill their drinks.
The smell is atrocious.Beer and some kind of nasty alcohol.I keep holding my breath and trying to avoid getting it spilled on me.It’s a lost cause.Four people have already lost the top few inches of their beer as they passed me, most of it splashing on my light-pink blouse.
The beer is better than the alternative, though.The other main beverage in this kitchen is a giant trash can of something red.People keep dipping their cups into it, scooping it out, and guzzling it.I watched two guys refill the giant black receptacle a few minutes ago.They dumped in gallons of fruit punch and then several giant glass bottles of some kind of clear alcohol.I nearly vomited just from watching.
It’s blatantly obvious that I’m not like other people my age.I don’t see the appeal of this party so far.Even if some of the guys stumbling around me were attractive sober, they aren’t after several drinks.Their breath stinks, their hair is a mess, their eyes are bloodshot, and their clothes are rumpled.
As I back up yet again, I suddenly bump into something or someone.Hopefully, the wall.
But no such luck.An arm comes around me, and I find myself pulled against a hard chest.Before I can twist around to see who’s touching me so intimately, I’m lifted a few inches off the floor and hauled backward.
It all happens so fast that I’m too stunned to react.Before I can manage to tell myself to scream, I’m in a dark room.I catch a glimpse of shelves of food just before the door is kicked shut by my assailant, enclosing me in total darkness with him.
A rough hand lands over my mouth, and his lips come to my ear.“I’m not going to hurt you, pretty girl.”
My eyes are wide, but I can’t see a thing.Fear sends adrenaline pumping rapidly through my body.How can this be happening to me on my first real night as an official adult?
I’m still not touching the floor.He’s holding me up with one arm under my breasts as if I weigh nothing, and to him, apparently, I do.He’s big.Broad and tall.
“Shh, shh, shh… I promise you’re safe.”
He can’t convince me of that.Why would he drag me into a pantry if he doesn’t intend to hurt me or worse?I finally manage to scream, but my voice is muffled by his palm.
His hand smells clean, like he just washed it.I also don’t detect alcohol on his breath.
With his nose, he brushes my hair away from my neck before inhaling deeply along my collarbone.“You smell good.Vanilla?”
My head is spinning.I don’t answer him.How could I?I want to kick out at him.All I can do is reach up and grab his arm with both hands.His forearm is bare, and I dig my nails into him, all ten of them.
He doesn’t even flinch.
“Such a naughty girl.”He lowers his hand from my mouth to my thigh and swats me hard.Instantly, my thigh burns.The sting rattles me.I don’t know how he has the leverage to do so.He’s incredibly strong.
Why did I wear a skirt?
His voice is eerily calm as he says, “Unless you want me to pull your skirt up, yank your panties down, and spank your pretty ass until you’re crying so hard that snot is running out of your button nose, I suggest you let go of my arm, princess.”
Panting, I ease my grip.I don’t think I even had the strength to draw blood.I’m shaking too hard.If I live through this, I’ll sign up for the self-defense classes I saw at orientation this morning.
“Good girl,” he mutters against my neck.His voice is a deep rumble.It vibrates through me.
A finger lands on my cheek.“Do I need to cover your mouth again, princess?Or can you be a good girl for me?It won’t do you any good to scream anyway.Not with the number of people at this party.”He strokes his finger down my chin, my neck, and finally between my breasts.
I struggle futilely.Sexual assault was not on my bingo card for tonight.I should struggle harder or call out for help, but I’m too scared to antagonize him.And he’s probably right.Who would hear me?I do manage to whimper, though.
“Shhh,” he whispers again.“I meant what I said.I won’t hurt you, princess.”
What does that even mean?He’s already hurting me.I’m damaged for life.If he let me go right now, I’d be emotionally scarred and need counseling.
“You don’t fit in at this party, do you, princess?”
I hold very still, not responding.I’m not even sure what the right answer is.
“I bet you’re a freshman.Your eyes have been bulging out of their sockets all night.Such a stunning shade of green, too.I don’t know why all the boys haven’t tried to hit on you yet.Probably because most of the kids here are barely adults, stupid, and drunk.They can’t see what a gem is in their midst.”