Alpha Girl by Kate Bloomfield Page B

was a bad idea. The music was loud, and many people were on the front porch, drinking and smoking. The smell of marijuana reached my nostrils; I recognized the smell from the girl’s bathroom at school. Sadie had been caught smoking it before.
    ‘Maybe this isn’t a good idea,’ I said, clutching my handbag and staring at the house.
    Estelle squeezed my knee comfortingly. ‘Trust me, kiddo. Okay? You’re going to have a great time.’
    ‘If I don’t … will you take me home?’
    ‘I’ll be at your beck and call,’ she promised.
    I wasn’t used to wearing heels. Even though they were only two inches high, I felt like a Velociraptor.
    Extremely self-conscious, I followed in Estelle’s shadow as she led me towards the house party. Everyone seemed to know her, and greeted Estelle cheerily. It was a small house with dated furnishings, and a thick cloud of cigarette smoke hung in the air.
    ‘Hey Estelle!’ A man in his early twenties with tattoos and long, black hair gave her a high-five. ‘Who’s the kid?’
    ‘Hey Spider, this is my friend Rose,’ said Estelle, snaking an arm around my waist.
    ‘A date?’ the man called Spider asked, eyeing me.
    ‘You wish,’ Estelle sneered at him and steered me away. ‘You stay away from her, okay?’
    Spider raised his hands in defeat. ‘As you say.’
    Estelle dragged me towards a table laden with beverages where she poured herself a cola. She offered me an alcoholic drink but I refused.
    ‘Who was that guy?’ I asked.
    ‘An ex,’ replied Estelle, ‘and a sleaze bag.’
    Next, Estelle pulled a packet of cigarettes from her pocket and put it between her lips. ‘Want one?’ she asked, holding out the pack.
    I stared at the cigarettes for a moment before quickly shaking my head. There was far too much temptation at this party for my liking. What had I got myself into?
    ‘C’mon, kiddo,’ Estelle said, lighting her cigarette. ‘You’re at a party. Live a little.’
    ‘Maybe next time,’ I lied.
    Estelle shrugged and put the packet back into her pocket before taking a long drag and blowing the smoke out of her nostrils. It was a strange sight with her septum piercing.
    ‘I’m the youngest person here,’ I said, shifting uncomfortably.
    ‘I don’t think so,’ said Estelle, peering through the packed house. ‘They look about your age, don’t they?’
    I followed her gaze to see where she was pointing, and was shocked to see Sadie sitting on the couch, deep in conversation with a strange male.
    ‘I know her,’ I said, staring at Sadie.
    ‘Has she been to the café?’ Estelle asked, blowing smoke out of the corner of her mouth.
    I nodded.
    ‘Thought she was familiar. She comes to most parties.’
    I watched Sadie as she sipped her drink and accepted a joint from another female.
    ‘Aren’t you going to say hello?’ asked Estelle.
    I moved towards Sadie.
    ‘Rose!’ Sadie gasped, jumping up. ‘What are you doing here?’
    To my surprise she looked pleased to see me. Perhaps it was the marijuana.
    ‘I was invited by Estelle,’ I said, pointing over my shoulder to where Estelle stood at the drinks table. ‘What are you doing here?’
    Sadie waved a hand dismissively, which threw her off balance so she was forced to steady herself on the sofa. ‘I get invited to all the parties,’ she told me.
    It seemed Sadie’s male companion was growing tired of her lack of attention so he wandered off to find another willing female to receive his affections.
    ‘Looks like you lost your friend,’ I said, nodding after him.
    ‘That’s okay,’ Sadie said, looking at something over my shoulder. ‘I’ve found someone better.’
    And with that she stalked off to pursue another companion.
    ‘Here,’ Estelle joined me, thrusting a drink into my hand. ‘Drink up.’
    ‘What is it?’ I asked.
    ‘Just cola,’ she promised.
    It didn’t take long for Estelle to abandon me, leaving me standing alone, and awkward in a corner of the room.
    Not long after, I