New Girl. Paige Harbison

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      “Good. See you out here at eleven.”

      She turned and went into her room.

      “So, Dana, are you coming to the party tonight?”

      “Um. I don’t know.”

      “Just do it. I couldn’t possibly go without my roomie.” She smiled, and Dana smiled back.

      chapter 3 me

      WE SNUCK DOWN SOME CREAKY, SANDY STAIRS to get to a beach that was so, so different from the ones back home.

      My bare legs were swathed in chilly air and I wished I could go stick my feet in the water and have it be warm. But, alas, this was not Florida.

      There was a boathouse at the foot of the stairs. It was pounding quietly with music, and a slivery border of gold indicated the door to us. When the door was opened, sound and light poured out and smacked us in the face.

      I followed the other two and their booted feet with my sandaled ones, and took a deep breath. I was ready.

      No you’re not, said that nag in my brain.

      “I brought the new girl!” Julia said once we were in view of the rest of the party.

      “Hey,” I said with a wave. My insides melted and I felt my face grow hot.

      She introduced me to everyone. I smiled and gave them my name, promising them we’d have to remeet later. After that, Madison and Julia went off to different guys, and left me alone.

      I surveyed the scene and immediately felt out of my element. I had no guide. There were a few people on a shabby couch taking deep, strained breaths out of a bong. Another few were playing beer pong, a game I was familiar with but entirely awful at. And some people just hung around like me.

      Some guy rose from a chair nearby and sidled up to me. “Hey, sweetie.”

      “Hey.” I almost felt like I would rather be ignored.

      “I’m Ricky. And you’re the new girl.”

      I nodded and laughed, unable to think of anything to say.

      He gave me what I was sure he thought was a winning smile, and asked if I wanted a shot.

      “Oh, no, thank you.”

      “Oh, come on, you’re fun, aren’t you?” another guy asked, wandering over to us.

      He said it in the distinct tone that usually goes with, “Come on, little girl, you want some candy?” Either that or like he was starring as a villain in some 1950s after-school special.

      My cheeks, I was sure, were growing even redder. “I’m not a prude, I just … I’m not thirsty.”

      That was a stupid response. They looked like they knew it, and walked off.

      I sighed and took a step backward. There was a yelp behind me, and I leaped as I realized I’d stepped on some girl’s foot.

      “Oh, jeez, I’m sorry.”

      “No problem. I’m Blake.”

      “Hi, I’m apparently ‘the new girl.’”

      She laughed. “This is my boyfriend, Cam.”

      “Hi, Cam.” I glanced back at the two guys who had just walked away from me.

      “I’d stay away from them.” Cam took a sip from a red cup.

      “Really?”

      “Yeah, they’re harmless, but I mean, they’re pushy.”

      I looked around at everyone else. It was strange, because there was music and drinking and there were games, but everyone was kind of quiet. It was like a detention pizza party. “Everyone’s sort of … subdued.”

      “Yeah.” She looked around, too. “It’s not usually like this.”

      I nodded, as if in understanding, and looked back out. Then the two of them started talking, and I felt like I should drift away. So I did. I sat down against a wall, suddenly eager to leave.

      “You want to play?”

      Another guy I hadn’t met yet walked over to me. I really hoped they weren’t all skeevy. This guy didn’t look like he would be, though. He had shortish blond hair and an overall pleasant look about him. He probably didn’t have to resort to being creepy.

      “Play?” I asked.

      He gestured to the table behind him. “Beer pong? Well … water pong. We don’t have any beer.” He smiled.

      I envisioned the scene. Me playing, being terrible and being entirely lame and disappointing. “No, thanks, I’m really bad.”

      “That’s okay,” he said. “With no beer it’s just for fun.”

      “No, really. Thank you, though.”

      Now I was being antisocial.

      “Well, then.” He held out a hand. “I’m Johnny.”

      “I—”

      “Oh, new girl, right? Can I get you a drink?”

      I sighed. “Right.” Then, abruptly feeling like it might not be a bad idea, I said, “Maybe one small drink.”

      Johnny laughed and made me one. He added one shot. I thanked him, and took a sip.

      “So what brings you to Manderley in your senior year?”

      “My parents. I used to want to come here when I was younger. My parents got me in because a spot opened up, thinking I still really wanted to come.”

      His features hardened a little.

      “Not that there’s anything wrong with it here so far, I just … I liked my old school, too.”

      “Are you … Is Dana your roommate, then?”

      “Yes, she is. I haven’t really talked to her yet.” I thought of her stony silence. “She didn’t want to come down tonight.”

      “That’s too bad. Not surprised, though.” He looked behind him. “Well, if you change your mind about playing let me know. I have to go find someone since you don’t want to.” He gave me a smile, and found a new partner.

      I stayed for another half an hour without being approached by anyone. I drank my drink and then headed out after saying goodbye to the few people I’d talked to. Ricky tried to convince me to have more shots before I left. I declined, and then hurried away from him as politely as possible.

      Outside, I turned the corner on the dark, dusty stairs and nearly screamed as I ran into a figure.

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