Nadi's random party (open)

[Nadeen Desjardins]

Well wouldn’t you know it, middle of the week, before school had started students were already moving in. Some due to summer conflicts, sports, events, RA’s, you name it. Nadeen had come early to help with Freshman orientation, of course baking and providing treats. Sometimes she wondered if that had been the only reason the committee asked her to join—ha. Hardly. All Nadeen did was plan, it was in her blood.

Oddly enough she had nothing planned for tonight. The dorms and apartments, save for those who had moved it was still eerily empty. No hardy laughs from the boys upstairs or ghastly giggles from the girls next door. Nadi felt her shoulders weighing down with a slump. It had been a mistake to come to school early this year, she was only a sophomore. She didn’t have the weight of a senior to walk around campus and be able to pick out all the names and faces (and be recognized in return).

Instinctively, black tipped manicured nail tapped the case of her phone. Ah yes, but she did have a phone and living in the campus apartment she had less rules and an oven. A wicked smile graced her lips as she hopped off the couch and towards the oven, preheating it right away. No roommate (yet) met she didn’t require any permission to send out a mass message to friends and a rather vague invite on Landcaster’s Facebook page.

“Hey guys and gals, this little lady is bored.” The post read. “If you’re not a creep and looking to hang out, post back and I’ll give ya my dorm number~! Party starts in two hours. ” She finished the post with a heart and let it out to the public. Maybe a risky thing to do, but she still was on campus and considered herself rather safe.

In two hours time, the typically reserved girl had decided to make a change for the night. If this year was going to be done right, she had to put herself out there once or twice. She could be the wallflower after her apartment was filled with a buzz.

Cookies and dip baked, complete with wings and pizza rolls, Nadeen thought she had done right. Chips, check, booze, check, cups alright.

“Fuck.” The short girl grunted, stepping into her shoes for the night (which wouldn’t last long, but enough for first impressions) “I should have said BYOB.” She was providing some but certainly didn’t want to be drank dry in her attempt to quiet tonight’s loneliness. Too late now…

The music in her apartment sounded outside her door #304, hell it was better than the silence before.

[danny]

No, that won't work.

He pulled again, dragging the edge of the thin-framed bed to the opposite corner of the empty white-walled room, it scraped along the floor and left marks scattered around on the hardwood. He had been rearranging and fidgeting with his bed for the last 27 minutes. It was important to him, the way his room was arranged. If someone broke in to kidnap him, the very position of his bed could either save his life or lead to his ultimate demise. Not many people knew this, but he did.

If it was pushed against a wall, he would now have a limited amount of escape routes. Someone could break in through the window and have done away with him in a matter of minutes, all the while he would have ran into the wall and knocked himself out in the height of his panic, and half of the work would already have been done for the intruder.

That's why his bed must be in the center of the room.

Yes, this will work.

He played nervously with his fingers, scratching and tearing at his knuckles. He quickly rushed forward, grabbed it and pulled it back into the very center of the room. He stepped back, critically examining the new position for the bed. He walked to the right side of the room, to the left, back to the right, stood in the middle. The bed was approximately the same distance away from the wall from each of the four sides, which was a good thing, too. He crossed his arms and tilted his head, to the right, to the left. He laid down and leveled his eyes with the floor. 

Success.

It didn't look like an average room setup, he knew this. It didn't matter much, he sleeps under the bed anyways. Normally this would make a lot of people feel claustrophobic, but it was comforting for him. He liked knowing that there was something over him, protecting him. 

He's been this way ever since he became a sheep.

There's yelling in the hallways, and he suddenly picked himself off from the cold wooden floor, and, hesitantly he walked towards the door. Standing wide eyed his heart began to race, his breath got heavy and the scratching at his knuckles grew more violent.

Someone is being kidnapped. 

They must be, people only yell for two things, he knew this very well, they yell if they are angry, and they yell if they are being kidnapped. Why didn't they just put their bed in the middle of the room?

Another holler and Kaze pressed his cheek against the door. His panicked breath grew too loud for him to hear what was happening outside. They were being kidnapped, and he was listening to it. He was listening to them being kidnapped and if he had only gone to their room earlier and showed them how to place their bed in the center and sleep under it they would not have gotten kidnapped

Silence.

He waited a second longer, and the tiptoes and pattering of feet sounded from outside his room. He quickly dropped to the floor, hands by his ears as the light creeping under the doorway flickered as students walked by his room and further down the hallway.

They're all being kidnapped,

He covered his ears and closed his eyes. In a room filled with only white walls and your own thoughts, it was difficult for him to distract himself from the horrors that took place in the hallway.

He shouldn't have come here.

Why did he have to come here?

He swayed, back and forth, buried his head in his knees and curled into himself. It was difficult for him now, when he is scared to not let his mind wonder to distant and ridiculous places. Surely he was next, they were coming for him next, they must be, they must. They're taking everyone else, where are they taking them? Where? 

A laugh.

A laugh? He peeked from his knees, like a newborn deer he sat, still, staring once more at the dreaded door which separated him and his fate. They were laughing while they were being kidnapped? They were joking and yelling and laughing together as they marched down the corridor.

He slowly, grudgingly, painfully got up from the bed and walked to the door. Turned the knob, and squinted as his eyes struggled to adjust to the fluorescent lights that lined the hallways. He could make out the blurry shapes of students walking, skipping, jumping, running past him and down the hallway.

Maybe they quite enjoy being kidnapped.

[Nadeen Desjardins]

Nadeen’s apartment, though filled with her stuff still had an empty feeling to it without a roommate. Perhaps that was just in her opinion however. Many told to be grateful, not having a roomie yet! Said the joker in another set of cards (she was from the south, she enjoyed her analogies, even made up ones).

The balcony was wrapped in purple rope lights. The ceiling in the living room decorated white Christmas lights, setting the ambiance for the party. The smell of brownies and cookies filled the air, its aroma creeping even into the hallways.

With her head hung, Nadi sat on the edge of her couch (a black corduroy love seat) and chewed on the end’s of her hair. The hair spray and conditioner taste no longer bothering her. She stared down at the cream colored carpet, soft to the touch, not yet beaten down by the upcoming year’s battles.

In addition to the love seat, there was beanbag chair, three bar stools, and her computer chair to accommodate her guests. Guests. Nadi hoped she had guests, at least. No doubt she sent a text to Kelvin, Kimmy, and Flint (among a few others), figuring they had people they could invite along as well. Still she worried this would be a night no one was available and essentially had just created the worst party in Landcaster history.

“I RAN MY CAR INTO A BRIDGE…I DON’T CARE, I LOVE IT” Sang the music from her bose speakers (a gift from daddy, of course). The young sophomore smiled at the popular song, over played or not she enjoyed the high feeling of the music and the concept of the song, don’t give a damn. Her shoulders started to bob from side to side, when you were feeling down—dance. Standing, Nadi walked into her room as if she were on a catwalk. In this room a red glow from the Christmas lights welcomed her.

Striking a pose in front of the mirror, Nadeen reminded herself that regardless of people showing up, dressing up was /divine/. Staring back at her was not the normal cute Nadeen in empire dresses or brightly colored shorts and nice blouses. Instead a diva, in a royal blue form fitting dress. Sure it hugged those big hips, but with a cut-out back over her shoulder blades; she hoped eyes would be drawn elsewhere.

A matching ribbon separated her long locks from her bangs—something was always in or on her hair. Lastly, boosting her height, Nadi stood in three inch high black heels. Little silver studs carefully aligned on the straps. The posters on her wall all seemed to look at her this moment, giving her that little boost of confidence.

“I love it.” Nadi repeated, leaning close to the mirror. Then checked that her dangling silver earrings were still in place. Her liner was catlike, pink gloss on her lips, blue circle contact lenses in, and mascara applied more than enough times. She didn’t always cake on the makeup, but hell, she had been bored remember?

[Deleted]

Just right after she was getting out of the shower, Stacy's cell phone chimed. She figured it could have been Cici or probably Alec; she wasn't sure if they were home. She took a look at it and it was a twitter notification. It was a message from Nadi, whom she had met at Disneyland. Princess Jasmine? Inviting Pluto to a party? Don't be silly, you're not Pluto. A laugh escaped Stacy while rolling her eyes to herself. She then proceeded on replying. Totally, just let me get my party suit on. Stacy accepted the invitation, why not? Going out was definitely a hassle but since she was only stopping by the school it would be relatively easy.

Finding something to wear wasn't going to be very much of a hassle, either. Stacy pulled out a pretty, hot pink dress from her closet and relatively flirty shaded pumps. She slid the dress after adding a fruit flavored lotion on her body. This sudden Southern California heat really dried her skin and at times it peeled off as if she were a snake shedding skin. It was gross and nobody would want to go near her with dry skin. She had made a note to visit the dermatologist but she's pretty busy with school and work. Stacy ain't got no time for that. After she primped herself up, dried her hair and held it up in a ponytail, she walked out of the apartment and toward her car.

(Outfit: www.polyvore.com/whoo_party/set?id=88057142 )

Nowadays, Stacy has been sporting nothing but ponytails or those ratchet high buns but it was so extremely hot, what else could she do with her big, curly hair?

Oh had Stacy forgotten the Anaheim traffic! Especially during this season where people were most likely to go vacationing. Well, no matter, she was going to have to put on her ray bans despite that it was actually quite dark and a hazard to her safety. Stacy began to wonder how her brothers got through the day. Especially Edgar who probably took Ariel out frequently. It was kind of beautiful to see her big bro in a committed relationship. Ha, perhaps she was wrong about high school relationships. Perhaps.

As this thought came to her mind, so did Jeremiah. Although his status really threw her off. That lil shit. However, he was in all his right to hate Stacy. She did, after all, drop him harder than an excited football player dropped a football during a touchdown. Still, Stacy believed she was a queen and when she got him as little mister John Smith at Disneyland she was going to make sure Pluto gave him something to remember him—her—by.

Once Stacy had arrived to the Landcaster parking lot, she made sure that she wasn't going to get a ticket. She had her student parking permit because her father had made sure that she and her brothers was one of the first to be able to get classes and such. Mark didn't necessarily use his power to do that, he just followed the first come first serve policy.

Those heels may have looked cute but they were far from comfortable. Stacy grunted at every step. She took out her cell phone to check what Nadi's dorm number was. She fortunately found herself standing before it.

"Oh hey, work it girl~" Stacy said, standing by the door of Nadi's dorm. She was actually in love with the song currently playing. "I can see why you're dancing, that song is great!" she said, taking a step forward to greet her.

[Nadeen Desjardins]

A small ‘eep’ sounded from Nadeen, turning around quickly her hair whipped to the side. “You scared me, sorry” She said with a laugh, pressing her hand to her chest. Pushing down her laugh, Nadi walked towards the door, motioning for her to come inside. It was much easier to be bold and social without many people around, she was a one on one type of girl in most situations. That was a little sad though right? No one else was here yet, but hey, one person had showed up—win.

“Stacy…Right? I know we just exchanged twitter accounts from work and all, so this isn’t creepy is it?” Nadi’s shoulders rose, her head sinking down into them like a shy little turtle. The girls honestly hadn’t talked much aside from the break room at work, both complaining about the heat and sunburns.

‘I don’t know how you do it, in the dog costume it’s adorable but shit,’ Nadeen recalled the conversation. ‘I’m roasting in a damn wig and I have skin showing!’

Daily, that was about the extent they talked, with a few other topics here and there.

Sheepishly, Nadi motioned behind her. “No one else is here yet, I’m afraid.” The girl confessed with a wary smile.

“It was really on whim, being bored 'n' all.”

Great first impression right? Well, first impression outside of work. “Give it time though, if you build they will come” She quoted an older film, figuring the reference would go unnoticed, Nadi turned making way for the kitchen. Having one guest, entailed one thing, it was time to be a host.

[Nova Sandoval]

the ceiling looked, not surprisingly to nova, exactly the same as it had two hours before. today was an extra dark day for her--with six pills swimming around inside of her after a week of sobriety she could hardly stand. but her things were packed and her house was expelling her. so stand she did.

she'd made a habit lately of checking facebook's landcaster page for roommates so that she wouldn't end up on the streets. she didn't want to go through the school because she was so used to doing everything under the radar that the idea of a faculty interfering with her plans made her quiver inside. upon pulling out her phone and checking this time, she noticed the party that, by now, would most definitely be under way.

deep breaths.

she stood. she swallowed.

the air felt like ice and caught in her hair as it fell from the messy bun she'd been wearing. she heard yelling below her on the first story of her parents' home. swallowed again.

"fuck it."

she decided she'd go. she hadn't really made any friends yet and knew that she was bound to be alone forever if she didn't start at some point. unsure if she'd remember much of the night, she put on a black leather coat and some boots and sauntered sleepily out of her home, unnoticed.

(http://cuetheartist.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/kaya_scodelario.jpg)

the night felt young to her, though she was unaware of the time. somehow, the pavement moved beneath her. the stars moved above her. and before she could catch up to herself, she was in front of a door labeled, "304". she knocked extra loud and began picking at her nails in anticipation. this was a mistake. this was stupid.

[Nadeen Desjardins]

The ‘Knock, knock’ had hardly been heard over the music, thankfully it was a sound Nadeen was listening for. Setting down the red solo cups she had been retrieving, Nadi stepped past Stacy and a few other (nameless haha) people who had joined.

“Hey,” Nadi greeted with a small smile as she opened the door, to a girl whom she’d never spoken with. “Nadi,” she introduced fully swinging open the door, welcoming Nova inside. “I…Don’t believe we met?” Nadeen cocked her head to the side curiously, just in case they had seen each other before and it had slipped her mind. But Nadi had her doubts; her face recollection wasn’t nearly as bad as she pegged herself out to be.

The girl before her seemed nervous, on edge. With a hint of nervousness behind her own voice, Nadi motioned back to the kitchen. “I have snacks, if you want a drink or anything I can make you one.” Of course, Nadi offered to make one. Many of her parties, her friends party even, she became the ‘mom’. She’d help clean, prepare, and clean again making sure every person was well taken care of.

[Nova Sandoval]

"a drink would be fantastic. i'm nova. i'm new."
her rough, deep voice swam out of her like water. "it's great to meet you."

she surveyed the party. there were only two girls here--someone who, for some reason seemed vaguely familiar, and nadi. nova furrowed her brow. she could have sworn that this had been going for a while. with a blink, her confusion was gone--the high once again steering her. she traipsed round the 'party' slowly, breathing in the air. it tasted different here than she expected. sweet. like she was a plague infesting it.

each thought she had died out with the next one roughly taking its place. she wasn't so gone that she was afraid of passing out, but she certainly didn't think she could hold long or meaningful conversation.

the nail picking got worse.

"did this just start? do you think there will be any other freshmen here? i'm looking for a roommate. fast."

[danny]

I wobbled and swayed into the center of the dorm hallway, it was packed and i could feel the hot breath of others against my neck and face. I squirmed, dancing on the tips of my toes to stay out of the way of the others. They flew past me, bumping shoulders and knocking into each other like a herd of cattle on their way to the slaughter.

They packed together in certain areas, in and around particular dorm rooms. They linked up with their friends and laughed and joked and talked and whispered. They ran up and down the halls, knocking each other over and smelling of liquor and inevitable regret. 

Nobody was being kidnapped.

I sighed, the pounding in my head had ceased and I let my shoulders fall. It's a good thing too, because although I'd like to say I am quite brave and would jump to the rescue of someone being kidnapped, I'm not quite sure that I would. It isn't because I don't care, no, that isn't why. I'm just not sure I have the heart for it. 

I get spooked easily. 

Curiosity got the best of me, as it often does, and I wandered a bit further down the hall. The faces changed as I progressed, but the behavior did not. The angry blond girls talked about sex only and the athletic boys tried so desperately to keep the conversation going. The ones who did not know who they were drank, and so they laughed and joked and put on a fake persona to fool the sheep around them.

I may be a sheep but I am not fooled by them.

There's music.
Music? I remember music.
I lifted my gaze towards the end of the corridor, and slowly began to work my way towards it. the music was louder now, and I pivoted for a moment, unsure of which direction to go. It was coming from the right, I decided and stepped that way. No, left, I turned and walked the other way. as i neared the source of the music I could see a flash of brown hair through a doorway. I watched from a distance for a moment, another flash of brown startled me and I held my breath. Someone was dancing. She swung back and forth chasing the rhythm as if it were something tangible that she could catch. 

She was interrupted.

I couldn't understand this, why someone would dance alone. Often when people danced, it was among others. In fact, she stopped as soon as one girl found her way in. Followed by a second. I gradually approached the door. Eyes wide and I gently knocked on the outside of it, normally I am afraid to introduce myself.

“Hello…”

But I imagine people who dance alone are quite friendly.

[Nadeen Desjardins]

Nadi nodded, figuring she’d make one of the drinks she was good at make—which wasn’t many and mostly were sweet. While Nova sat Nadeen stepped into the kitchen, thankfully it was open with a little bar counter top so it was easy to keep involved in conversation.

“Aw sorry cher, I couldn’t tell ‘ya. I got bored and simply invited strangers into my humble abode.” The girl shrugged, “have you posted on the facebook page yet? Maybe other freshmen are looking.” Personally she remember being assigned a roommate her freshman year. “You could see if the school can assign you someone ‘ya know.” Nadi suggested rounding the corner with the red solo cup in hand.

“Amaretto stone sour.” Nadi said with a confident smile, she didn’t know many drinks but what she did know, she knew well! The consistency was smooth, a perfect blend of sweet and sour, always living one wanting more. “If it’s no good I can make something else,” Nadeen politely offered, but of course, hoped the drink was perfect.

Her hand rose in the air, in between the girls are she heard a mouse of a noise. If there was a knock she had missed it, the ‘hello’ had caught her attention honestly.

“And hello to you,” Nadi tipped her head with a smile, while motioning for the shy individual to come in. “Would you like something to drink, kitten?” Habits die hard, not that she was trying to kill it. Nadi couldn’t help but adding a little name when talking to people.

[Nova Sandoval]

"doesn't matter how it tastes really," i say as i watch the boy with the small voice. he's cute in a distant, feminine way, but mostly i can tell that he's just as broken as i am. i can imagine him twitching at night the way that i do. i wonder what makes him do so. i down the glass in two large gulps and wait for him to speak only for a moment before turning away. sometimes i can't tell what my drinks taste like anymore, but tonight i can. it's bitter. so bitter. bitter almost like bile. and then i understand.

my body can't handle this.

most of my life has been a battle between my mind and my body, really, and tonight is no different. i find the nearest couch and sit on it, focusing all of my energy on the reaction between nadi and the newcomer. if i don't think about my nausea it cannot consume me. my body burns inside. i need another drink.

[danny]

"And hello to you,"

A knot in my stomach formed. The muscles in my arms and legs tightened and suddenly I was struck with the overwhelming feeling that I should run. I sealed my lips, grabbing and tugging at the bottom of my shirt. It has a permanent wrinkle in the front where I curl and yank and twist it. I can't help it though, it channels my energy so that I don't shake or get a headache. 

I know myself better than this, this is not a place I belong. I belong in my room. I belong in my room reading or writing or drawing or cleaning. Yes, that is what I should be doing instead. I'm not sure why I get myself into these situations, the outcome is usually something dreadful. There's a side of me that does the exact opposite of what I know I should do, and what I know is good for me. It's curious and likes adventure, but if only I could separate myself from this person, I would sit him down. I would sit him down in my room and I would stand up tall and menacingly, I would stand over him and put my finger out, I would be demanding and firm, and I would tell him,

Please stop doing that.

“Would you like something to drink, kitten?”

I don't quite understand if she expected her kitten to reply, but often they do not. Although I admit I would like it if I could talk to one, they would probably be very friendly and happy all the time. Yes, surely. They seem that way, anyways. I brought my gaze up again and looked behind me, to the left, to the right, and quickly scanned the room. There was no kitten here. And confused, I met her eyes again.

I must be the kitten.

"...No, thank you,.... that is alright...thank you," I replied, in my lamb's voice. She beckoned for me to come in and magnetically I was ripped from the doorway and pulled, slowly, and hesitantly, into the room. It smelled like alcohol and baked goods.

There was one other girl, and her presence startled me. She had a long skinny frame, long brown hair and a stare, emptier and sadder than i'd like to describe. It felt cold and I turned my head from her. I couldn't look her in the eyes, I wouldn't. 

They say the eyes are the reflection and doorway into one's soul,

and I was too frightened to venture into hers. 

[Nadeen Desjardins]

What a shy one, Nadi mused the same calm smile on her face. She acknowledged his denial of a drink with a simple nod, her bangs fall in front of her face as she tipped her head. Tipping it again to the side, a subtle gesture he should take a seat, her eyes went from Kaze to her computer chair. A place for him to sit and roll around at his convenience.

“What about snacks, kitten?” She asked taking the cup from Nova’s limp grip. Her attention now turning to the quiet girl, who seemed far more distant than what she physically appeared.

Instantly she saw the empty glass, well that was rather quick. Still, the host in her urged to offer the guest another. “Sugar, you want another?” Her voice was hushed, leaning over slightly to get a better peak. The girl looked defeated, another drink may be her desire but Nadi’s gut was screaming no!

Could this girl hold her liquor, should she be drinking at all? Damned if she knew.
Nadeen looked towards her ‘kitten’ the nervous little lamb whose name she had yet to acquire, did he know her by chance? His own distance began to answer her question. She’d get back to him in a moment, name, snacks, and the whole shabang.

“More importantly, are you alright?” Nadi rephrased her question straightening up, hands folded around the cup. She wouldn’t judge, but she had to ask.

[Nova Sandoval]

"in uh, in five, nadi," i say. "i'm fantastic. just tired. an insomniac." her eyes tell me she thinks i can't handle it. perhaps she's right. i don't know. i figure, best to wait until she's looking away and sneak a shot before she turns back around.

i find that, of the partygoers here, this boy holds my attention the most. it seems outwardly obvious that, like me, this isn't exactly his scene--i'm just a little better at pretending. "hey," i say, and wait. every movement he makes comes with a twitch. i can practically see his thoughts like water pouring out of his ears--that he doesn't belong here. that he's afraid of me.

i stand, but the world around me does not and i nearly trip over my ankle. "fuck," i say under my breath.

that must have been a very strong drink.

over the past year, i've gotten rather incredible at acting sober on pills but tonight i'd taken more--of the strongest kind i could find--to shut up the incessant shouts of rage that were shared between my older brother and my mother. i don't blame him for leaving. they don't even know that i am.

"hey," i say again. "boy. have you got a name, then? i bet you can't guess mine."

i watch his face to see how still it will be. lately, more than ever, i've noticed that people are intimidated by me. it must be the dark clothes is what i always tell myself but i know it's more than that. i think they can tell. they can see my ribs the way i did. they can smell the emptiness of my breath from starvation and see the fear in my eyes that i feel when i forget that i'm okay now.

i think he sees it better than anyone.

i want to know why.

[Aidan King]

"Good, finished."

After several hours of working, Aidan dropped down onto his bed, ready for a nap. He had successfully unpacked and organized his new room twice. A moment of self-doubt creeped in as he finished the first time around.

I shouldn't be here, he told himself. I should just go back home. And with that, he began to repack. He ended up sitting on top of the desk in the room for a solid hour, staring at the pile of cardboard boxes in the corner by the door. Shit. What am I doing. Coming around, he knew leaving wasn't an option, so he started to pull things back out of the boxes. "Just a bad day," he muttered over and over, the words becoming a mantra, something to keep his head in the right place. Far too late in the day, he had finally finished his second round of unpacking.

Moving from his bed to his desk, Aidan sat in the cheap rolling chair, opening up his laptop. Now that the unpacking was done, he needed to find something else to keep his attention. He logged onto Facebook, going straight to the Landcaster University page. Something had to be going on that day, and he planned to find out what.

Scrolling down the page, he eventually stumbled on a post of interest. "Hey guys and gals, this little lady is bored," it read. Aidan quickly scanned the rest of the post, and within moments decided, Looks like I'm going to a party. It wouldn't be bad, he thought, to get some alcohol into his system. Not after how the day had gone on so far. With that in mind, and the realization that he'd probably be making at least a couple of first impressions that night, he went to trade out his plain white tee for a navy blue button up shirt. He took a quick glance in the small mirror sitting above his dresser, ruffling his hair a bit, and deciding he was presentable enough, left for apartment #304.

Within a couple minutes, Aidan had found his way to the right apartment, and even had there been any doubt which it was, the music from inside could be heard. He raised his arm, and taking a deep breath, gave a solid rap on the door.