I’ve [F] been seeing this guy I met on Bumble for a few weeks (nothing serious, casual dates, a few late night sleepovers), when he invited me to a house party for New Year’s Eve. I asked whose party it was, and he replied it was just a friend of a friend. Now, I’m not normally the type of person to brave the holiday crowds, and especially not with a crowded house full of people I wouldn’t know. After he begged me for a few days, I reluctantly agreed to go.
I put on a new black dress my sister gave me for Christmas, and just enough makeup to look like I cared, and off we went, around 9pm, to the party. The house was massive, and cars were already lined up all around the neighborhood streets by the time we got there. The music was loud, and the floors were somehow already sticky with spilled alcohol. Rooms were jam packed with people weaving in and out. It was basically my worst nightmare. I turned to my date, and he was already highfiving and fistbumping people I didn’t know, making me feel even more alone. The only cure for this, I thought to myself, was obviously alcohol! I squeezed my way into the kitchen area and downed a shot and grabbed a beer. I noticed a huge line waiting behind me, so I figured I should grab some more alcohol while I still had the chance. I grabbed two cups and filled it with what I know now was way too much tequila and went to find my date. I got lost in the crowd, and to ease my anxiety and avoid talking to strangers, I kept sipping the drinks.