Chapter 2

Sabrina’s POV

“Shelly”

“Shelly”

“Shelly”

The whole room bursts into cheers, hoots, and hollers as Shelly comes down from her first keg stand of the night. 

She lands back on her feet with the grace of a seasoned gymnast, and the room erupts once more into a thunderous roar of approval, admiration, and a sprinkle of envy. 

That’s my best friend, everyone—wild and unapologetically herself, that's Shelly Rivera. She’s the embodiment of “I don’t give a damn” if you ask me.

 Fearless and unyielding, she never lets anyone or anything stand in the way of her pursuits. Her confidence is a force of nature, sweeping everyone along in its wake.

I watch her skip her way back over to me, a triumphant smirk plastered on her face, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

 It’s as if her very expression is shouting, “Did you just see that? Yeah, I did that!” I can’t help but laugh at her antics, and her smirk widens into a full-blown grin.

“Girl, you don’t know what you’re missing!” she exclaims, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm and a hint of challenge. “You need to try it. Loosen up some, babe. You never know you might even enjoy it.”

She’s always encouraging me to step outside my comfort zone, to jump into the fray with the same reckless abandon that she does. 

Though as her steady, watchful anchor, I’m often content observing from the sidelines. But her infectious energy is compelling, urging me to seize not just the moment, but the whole glorious chaos of life.

It’s one of the many things I admire about Shelly and her ability to live with such vibrant intensity. My own life tends to unfold at a much slower, more predictable pace.

 I’m the planner, the thinker, the one with lists and schedules and calendars meticulously organized. And yet, Shelly seems to glide through her days, always improvising, always diving headfirst into the unknown.

“Come on, Sabrina,” she coaxes with a wink, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, her excitement practically vibrating through me. “Just once. For me. Let’s make a memory we’ll laugh about forever.”

I find myself torn between the familiarity of my comfort zone and the exhilarating pull of the unknown. Her words echo in my mind, meshing with the buzz of the party.

 The warm glow of the lights, and the joyous cacophony of laughter. Maybe it is time to let go, to let loose, to let life happen. After all, isn’t that what memories are made of?

“Okay,” I finally say, a nervous thrill running through me. I guess sometimes, you just have to leap and trust that whatever comes next will be worth the plunge.

Shelly's face lights up with an enormous, heartfelt grin, her eyes sparkling with excitement and support as she listens to my words of nervous determination and encouragement echo around us.

 With an enthusiastic and affectionate tone, she exclaims, "You got this, baby!" Those words wrap around me like a warm hug, and she leans in closer, planting a quick, spirited kiss on my cheek for good luck.

 It's our thing, you know? Just a little gesture between the two of us that says, "I'm here with you all the way!" No, we're not a couple; we're best friends through thick and thin, and that's just the kind of bond we share. 

With her voice rising above the chatter, she starts chanting my name with enthusiasm and confidence, setting the rhythm and pulling the spotlight towards me. 

"Sabrina!"

"Sabrina!"

"Sabrina!"

Her voice echoes, becoming a rallying cry that bounces off the walls, building momentum and drawing the crowd into a contagious chorus. 

Pretty soon, everyone in the room joins in synchronously, enveloping me in a sweeping wave of encouragement. It's as if the entire room becomes a part of my personal pep squad.

Each voice adds fuel to the fire of my determination, carrying me forward one step at a time as I push through towards the daunting challenge at hand: the keg stand.

Get to the stand, one step, then another. And there he is, Jake, a familiar face from school, standing by to lend a hand. 

Jake flashes a reassuring smile, one that's somehow both cocky and charming in that way only he can pull off, offering a helping hand. He steadies me as I prepare for the big moment. 

With calculated precision, Jake positions himself to support me, carefully hoisting my legs up into the air, ensuring I’m securely upside down even as the world spins, I feel a sense of calm from his steady grip. 

With my legs firmly held, I reach out instinctively for the keg. As my hands find their hold, I tilt my head back and begin to drink with a fervor driven by the adrenaline pounding in my veins. 

The cheers crescendo, weaving through the room, voices merging into a hero's anthem, motivating me pushing me further as I start to conquer the impossible. 

Halfway through, my friends, acquaintances, even random faces, continue to cheer relentlessly. It feels like a synchronized heartbeat propelling me forward, drop by drop, sip by sip. 

With each sip, I feel the liquid courage coursing through me, fueling laughter and tales with friends, making the music seem even more electrifying. 

As I drink, the atmosphere around me shifts into a lively blur of lights and sounds. It's as if I'm on a fast-moving carousel, the world spinning gleefully as I remain anchored to this bulky barrel of fun.

Finally, the keg gives its last gurgling protest as I drain it dry. A sense of triumph washes over me at having completed this daunting task.

My friend Jake, with a grin as wide as the room itself, helps me stand, steadying me onto my slightly wobbly feet.

The ground beneath me seems to have transformed into a gentle ocean wave, causing the entire room to move in a rhythmic dance. 

Each step feels like I'm moving on a ship that's trying to find its own balance. The swirling room is like a bizarre carnival ride, but there's an odd thrill to it all.

Reflecting in this hazy state, I can't help but marvel at how effortlessly my friend Shelly manages to do such experiences every single weekend. 

Her ability to dance through nights like this with grace and ease is nothing short of enviable, a talent that seems to come naturally to her.

 I find myself wondering if she's discovered some secret technique to holding her balance while the rest of the world sways around her.

Shelly sprints up to me moments later, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and mischief, and she urgently whispers, “Sabrina, we have to move quickly. 

Sebastian just showed up, and he’s not alone his sidekick, Michal, is lurking right beside him. From the looks of it, Sebastian is furious. He must have realized I’m here, and that's not good news for us.”

Without wasting another second, she firmly grasps my hand, and we dash out of the living room. Our hearts race as we navigate through the dense crowd of partygoers, zigzagging past clusters of people.

Until we finally reach the kitchen. Adrenaline pulses through our veins as we spot the door leading to the backyard, a potential escape route and make a beeline for it.

With a hopeful shove, Shelly swings the door open, but our hopes are abruptly dashed. Standing there imposingly is Sebastian, blocking our way, his hand swiftly shooting out to seize Shelly before she can make another bid for freedom. 

Realizing the danger we’re in, I pivot on my heel, eager to flee in the opposite direction and put as much distance between us and them as possible.

However, in my frantic haste, I collide with something or rather, someone immovable, like a brick wall. The sudden impact sends me reeling backward.

 My head spinning and my vision momentarily blurred. I’m caught off guard, and before I can even process what's happening, a sense of dread creeps in. My senses slowly return, but not to offer comfort. 

Instead, they deliver the alarming realization that I am ensnared in the firm, unyielding grasp of Michal, Sebastian’s sidekick and best friend. 

Little did I know that this moment right here was just the beginning. Of being in the arms of the Mafias second in command.