The shy's girl crush

Chapter eleven - The aftermath

Loren's POV:

I went to a party. That is something I never thought would happen. Somehow, Alice convinced me. Let's say that I had no choice. This girl knows how to get what she wants. Well, she does this only to me. My best friend can be shy as well, but I beat her. The fact is that I went. Of course, there is a problem. Jackson was all the time with Christina. For the last couple of days, he pretended we didn't exist. Honestly, I don't care. The thing is that I feel bad for Dylan. We don't talk much about it, but I know he is hurt. I have to say that I started getting calmer next to him. The problem is when I look him in the eyes. I don't know how one boy can look good. We officially finished the show. I'm glad that he liked it. Dylan doesn't look exactly like the actor, but I saw some similarities. Blame me if you want, but both of them look fine. The difference is that Danny has a girlfriend. That's why I would never tell Dylan how I feel. We might have gotten a bit close, but that's it. The shy Loren defeated the calm one. Maybe that's a sign that I don't have to do anything. It's better if I leave things the way they are. Girls are still trying on him, but I know he won't give up. Let's say that he is worried about his best friend. That is the only thing on his mind. I will gladly help, but there is not much I can do. Alice still hasn't talked to him. I don't know what she is waiting for anymore. Honestly, I understand her. Christina is all the time with Jackson. I think she does it so he won't understand the truth. Someone has to tell him about Dylan and his blocked number. Well, it won't be me, for sure. I won't be able to do that. I only hope that Christina will learn her lesson. She is using him, and he has to understand this.

I went to my first party. That is not something I am proud of right now. I didn't want to go, but at least Dylan was there. It's not like that was better. I am still nervous around him. At least Alice had fun. She stayed with me for some time, and that was. I have no idea what happened later. Let's hope that I didn't drink any alcohol. After all, I am trying to keep myself clean. I don't want to be like the rest. Being a good girl is not bad. At least I won't ruin my life. I want to stay in the right way.

I woke up with a pounding head. I don't remember what happened last night. While searching for my phone, I found pills on the nightstand. Mom must have been here. Thank god that she is here. I don't know what I would've done without her and my dad. I sat on the bed and took one. My phone was next to them. It was 9 am. I don't even remember when I got home or how. Probably someone brought me here. The last thing I remember is I drank a whole cup of alcohol by accident. It was a sweet drink, and I thought it was juice. Alice told me what I did. The problem is that I couldn't spit it out. Since then, I have a memory loss. No. I think I talked with someone. Soon, my mom walked in.

- Hey, honey. How do you feel?

- Dizzy. Also, I have a headache.

- Did you take a pill?

- Yes, I did. Thanks.

- Soon, you will be fine.

- Do you know when I came home?

- No, I'm sorry. Your dad and I went to bed around 11 pm.

- It's ok. The problem is that I don't remember some things.

- Probably you drank something.

- I will never do this again.

- I won't be so sure.

- No, I am serious. I told Alice I didn't want to go, but she had to convince me.

- It's not that bad to have fun once in a while.

- That's the thing. I didn't. Maybe I did something later. How am I supposed to know?

- You can talk with Alice. She might remember something.

- I will call her later.

- We are going to the grocery store. Do you want something?

- No, thanks.

- I suggest you stay in bed for a while. Soon, you will feel better.

- I will. Thank you.

- No problem. Bye, for now.

- Bye, mom.

My head still hurts. Let's hope that I haven't done anything horrible. Otherwise, I will regret it. I made my bed and went to change my clothes. I took off my pj's shirt when I noticed a necklace. I'm pretty sure that is not mine. I don't wear things like that. I took it off and looked at it. There was something like a picture. It looks like a dog. Maybe someone gave me this, or I took it. I don't know to who it belongs. Well, if someone has lost it, he will look for it. I called Alice. Luckily, she was awake. My best friend told me that she would come soon. In that case, I can eat something. I made myself a sandwich. After ten minutes, Alice was at home. She took a glass of water and sat down.

- Hello.

- Hey.

- How are you?

- Better than I wake up.

- What happened last night? I don't remember much.

- Me either. I have a big blank spot in my mind. I don't remember what I did.

- You mean after you drink the alcohol, right?

- Yes. It's like a blank space.

- Loren, what is that? - Alice asked, pointing to my neck

- I don't know. I woke up with it, but it's not mine.

- I know. That's why I am asking you.

- Probably someone gave me this, but I don't know who.

- Is that a dog?

- Yes. Engraved dog.

- You do realize that this might be sentimental to someone.

- I do, but I don't know to who this belongs.

- Well, you can ask at school.

- No way! I don't want everybody to know what I did last night.

- Probably, they won't remember. Everyone drank alcohol.

- Even you?

- Yep. I danced with some people. That's the last thing I remember.

- Hold on!

- What?

- I think I talked with someone.

- Who?

- I don't know, but it was a boy.

- Are you sure?

- Look at it. Girls don't wear things like that.

- Ok. That means we have to check all the boys in school.

- I won't do that.

- Do you want to keep it?

- No. I mean, I don't know. It's cute, but not mine. I can't keep it.

- If it's valuable for the owner, he will search for it.

- Probably.

- Is there any chance that you remember something else? Do you remember when you got it?

- I talked with that person, but I don't think he gave me something. Later, I went for a drink. I walked into a room.

- What room?

- I don't know, but I was with someone.

- Did it have a bed?

- Umm, yes!

- Loren.

- Huh?

- I think you made out with someone.

- WHAT?

- That's what it looks like to me.

- Let's hope that I didn't do it.

- Since you don't remember.

- ALICE!

- Ok, ok. Don't get mad. What is the plan for today?

- I don't know. I want to lay in bed.

- Headache?

- Yes.

- Same here. I drank two pills in the morning for a faster effect.

- I don't think this is how pills work, but ok.

- If you want, we can call Dylan to come.

- No, thanks. I don't want him to see me in this state.

- In that case, we can watch a movie.

- Yeah, that will work.

Alice and I played a movie to entertain us. I still can't remember what happened last night. No matter how hard I tried, nothing came out. It feels like someone has put a blanket or a white sheet on this memory. Maybe it's better if I don't think about this. It has already happened, and I can't do anything to fix it. If Alice is right, I hope the boy was a good one.

- Loren. LOREN!

- WHAT?

- Your head is somewhere else.

- I know.

- Will you stop thinking about this? It's not that bad.

- I made out with a stranger. It's terrible.

- Hold on! Do you remember doing it?

- No, but you said it. How else would I get this?

- Does it says a name at the back?

- Let me check. Um, no. It's only this dog.

- We can post pictures in school about this without telling who has it.

- How will the person come to get it?

- Your phone number will be there.

- What? No way! I am not giving my phone number.

- Why not? You are the one who has it.

- I won't do this.

- Ok, relax. I'll think of something else.

- Good.

- Can we now please go out? I don't want to stay here. Some fresh air will be good for both of us.

- Fine. Let's go.

- Yay!

Both with Alice walked out. We passed by a park and sat down. I don't know how people feel so energetic. My head is still slightly pounding. I wish I knew what I drank last night. It tasted sweet, but I'm sure it was alcohol. I have to stop thinking about this, but I can't. The thing is that I can't imagine doing something like that. I was lost in my thoughts when I felt a hand on mine. It was Dylan.

- Hey.

- H-hi. W-where is Alice?

- She went to the nearest store for water.

- Oh, ok.

- How do you feel?

- I have been worse.

- How was the party?

- Bad. I don't know what I did.

- Same here. I drank something. Everything else is a blank spot.

- I know I have talked with someone, but that's it. I don't know what happened next. I woke up with a bad headache.

- I'm sorry. Things like that happen.

- That's why I didn't want to go to the party.

- But you had fun, right?

- N-no. I didn't.

- Hey, I was with you.

- T-that is n-not for me. Events like this are not something I like.

- Loren, you can't stay at home all the time.

- Yes, I can.

- That is not healthy for you.

- Says who?

- Me. You can stay with Alice and me if you don't want to be around many people.

- W-why do you care so much?

- Because I want to go out with you more often, not look at you through the camera.

- I-if you don't like me, say it.

- I didn't mean that. You know what? It's fine. We'll do it your way.

- Are you mad?

- No. I can't get mad at you. I'm sorry. I lost something important, and now I can't find it.

- When was the last time you saw it?

- That's the problem. I don't remember. I could've lost it at the party or somewhere else.

- In that case, I can't help you.

- I know.

- Was it expensive?

- No, but it meant something to me. It can't get sold for more than five dollars.

- Then you don't have to worry about it. Soon you will find it.

- I hope so.

- Maybe someone took it.

- I don't know. It's with me all the time.

- Do you remember leaving it somewhere?

- No.

- Hey, guys. - Alice said

- Hi. Thanks for leaving me.

- I told you where I was going, but you zoned out.

- Excuses.

- That's the truth, I swear.

- Ok, ok. Can we go home now?

- No. We'll have dinner with Dylan outside.

- What?

- It's too late for lunch.

- I don't mind. - Dylan said

- Have fun. I'm going home.

- Come on. Don't be dramatic and come with us.

- You can't tell me what to do.

- Loren.

- I said no! Please, leave me alone! - I said and went home

She making me do things I don't want to is not something I like. I knew why Alice wanted me to go, but I said no. After all, I had a terrible night. All I want is to figure out what happened. I walked home and saw my mom cooking in the kitchen. Probably my dad is doing some of his things. I don't know what she is cooking, but it smells heavenly.

- It smells delicious.

- Oh, hey. I thought you would be with Alice.

- No, I came home.

- What happened?

- Nothing.

- Loren.

- Ok, ok. Alice wanted me to go for dinner with her and someone else. I know why she said it. I said no and left.

- She is your best friend. Why will you cut her off like that?

- Because I didn't want to go.

- Who was the other person?

- One classmate.

- I meant a boy or a girl.

- Does it matter?

- I think it was a boy, and that's why you said no.

- Ok, good for you.

- Honey, you can't keep avoiding people. Not all of them are bad.

I didn't say anything and pulled out my phone. There was a message in the mystery's club chat. One of the boys got a new game. He will bring it to our next meeting. I know why I found this club. Lately, I haven't gotten much dedicated to it.

- Loren, are you ok?

- Oh, hey, dad. Yes, I'm fine.

- Is this a boy in the chat? - dad asked, smiling

- Even a couple. These are the boys from the mystery club.

- Oh, it's that thing.

- It's not a thing. It's a whole club.

- Of how many people? Six?

- Yes, why?

- Look, I'm happy you have interests, but you want to share them with these boys in person.

- Dad, it's a physical club in school.

- She has talked about it many times. Don't tell me you don't remember. - mom said

- Well, I do remember some things.

- Dad.

- Ok, I'm sorry. You are not the only thing in my head.

- Is there something more important than me?

- Good job, honey.

- What? No. - dad said

- Then?

- Ok, ok. I will pay more attention to you and your activities. It's not like you do much. - he said, chuckling

- Hey! Not nice.

- I'm sorry.

The rest of the night I spent with my parents. Dad was interested to see what I do in this mystery club. Honestly, all we do is play games or talk about books. It's not much, but we enjoy it. Dad's reaction wasn't pleasing, but I couldn't expect much from him. After all, he does completely different things than me. Even if I don't go out much, I still enjoy what I do. Maybe I have to find another hobby. I was thinking about going to the gym, but I don't know if it's a good idea. Well, I can think about it as much as I want. No one said that I had to do it. I hope that this won't be a disaster.