Written By: Saaniah Hardy
Everything written below came from a dream—but the emotions are real. I hope this helps you see how quickly a fun night can turn, and how important it is to look out for each other.
Thanks for taking the time to read it.
This was my first party, so I wanted to wear something cute but simple: a small black skirt and a white T-shirt tucked in would work just fine. I never was the party type but since it was finals week, my friend group convinced me one party this year wouldn’t be bad.
Twenty minutes later, we arrived at the party. It was a small building tucked near the woods, with warm lights glowing through the windows. As we walked up the driveway, music blasted from inside, and cars lined both sides of the street.
For the first hour, we stayed indoors, just talking and catching up with each other. A few times we went outside, but we always stayed together.
By 11:50 PM, the night had taken on a different energy. Someone yelled, “Everyone gather around!” A few seniors I knew were near the front of the newly formed group of people passing out shots. I’d heard stories about seniors taking shots on the last day of classes at parties, but I never thought it was actually true—until now.
I was pulled into the crowd by a guy I knew—let’s call him Ken. He handed me a shot. “Tequila,” he said with a grin before disappearing toward another girl. Before I could think too much about it, another friend of mine—Xavier—tugged me aside. As we started talking, he nodded toward Ken and said quietly, “Be careful what you drink.”
My drink was already at my lips as I watched Ken pour his shot on the ground. I couldn’t warn my group—they had already taken theirs. Xavier, who pulled me away from the group, helped me start walking towards the party door. My group, luckily, always stayed close by, so they followed our lead.
The lights at the party became a bright dancing ball to my eyes, moving like the people on the dance floor. One friend in the group walked in front of us stumbling around.
My legs began to feel weak as Xavier kept his arm around my waist. We made it to the door. And Ken called out to us “Leaving so soon? The party’s just beginning,” with a laugh.
I didn’t have the energy to yell back something at him. Xavier didn’t say a word but I’m sure he heard. The warm air from inside the building toasted my skin making me feel a bit better.
But I had to pee.
“I have to go,” I said pointing at a door marked with a woman’s silhouette. Xavier started walking us toward the door, pushing it open. Two other girls walked out giving us looks with a mix of curiosity and concern. In a stall, I struggled to pee in the toilet. Like I couldn’t control what was happening to myself. Once I was done I washed my legs and hands. The skirt I wore, at least, made it easier.
I cracked the bathroom door open. Xavier gently pushed it open the rest of the way and helped me stand upright again. We walked outside and down to his car. None of my group came with us.
I don’t remember much after that. I blacked out.
When I woke up again I was in Xavier’s bed.
I walked out his bedroom door to find him asleep on the couch with a pile of clothes next to him. I grabbed them, changed in his room, and crawled back into bed, falling asleep.
I made it to a safe place this time. But I couldn’t stop thinking: what about the people who didn’t? What would’ve happened if I didn’t have Xavier?
In the morning, he came into the room with a gentle smile. “I’m happy you found the clothes I left out,” he said, handing me a glass of water and a plate of breakfast.
The 99th Thought 